The Western Bulldogs have overcome a 32-point deficit to snatch victory away from the Richmond Tigers in the dying stages of the last quarter.
After an embarrassing 76-point loss to the Crows last week, Richmond were eager to show that their performance was an aberration, confronting the Dogs with choking pressure and a manic attack on the football.
The Tigers were incredibly efficient in a dominant first quarter, scoring eight times from their 11 entries as well as taking seven marks inside 50.
Jack Riewoldt looked set for another big performance after kicking two goals early – the first of which made him the 58th player to kick 500 goals in VFL/AFL history.
Riewoldt’s third for the match pushed Richmond’s lead out to 32 points as the reigning premiers looked rattled.
However, a shoulder injury which saw Nick Vlastuin leave the field for the remainder of the match and the insertion of Tom Boyd into the ruck saw the momentum slowly shift the way of the Bulldogs.
With a genuine ruck in place, the reigning premiers took control in the clearance battle, gaining ascendancy in the midfield.
Lachie Hunter was fantastic for the Dogs with 28 disposals and one goal, while superstar Marcus Bontempelli worked his way into the match to have a big impact in the second half (27 disposals and 1 goal).
But once again wayward kicking hurt the Bulldogs, as they failed to take the lead by three-quarter time despite having three more shots at goal.
In a taxing and high-intensity game, the injury toll was heavy for both sides as Jake Stringer left the field with a knee injury while utility Josh Dunkley dislocated his shoulder early in the fourth quarter.
Despite the injuries and a valiant performance from Dustin Martin, the Dogs looked to have sealed the match after hitting the lead for the first time, 16 minutes into the last quarter.
The Tigers refused to lay down though, and a desperate effort from Dustin Martin to win the ball of two Dogs set Riewoldt up for his fourth goal of the match, reducing the margin back to four points.
With barely 30 seconds on the clock the Tigers willed the ball deep into the forward 50, before Jayden Short fumbled the ball out of bounds.
In a controversial call, the Richmond forward was deemed to have pushed the ball out deliberately, allowing the Bulldogs to escape with a narrow five-point victory.
Final score
Western Bulldogs 11.14.80
Richmond Tigers 11.9.75
Cam
Guest
Watched the replay last night: Last quarter High free paid against Tom Boyd which was not high and it resulted in a Richmond goal. Tom Boyd juggled a mark directly in front and it wasn't paid - this one was unbelievable! Richmond player threw the ball to Reiwoldt for a goal - almost as bad as the Boyd mark call. Richmond get the armchair ride which result in at least 2 goals handed to them and they choose to whinge about a deliberate free in their forward line where their player cleverly 'shoveled' the ball out. Bloody hell! give me a break! Tall poppy syndrome is thriving in the AFL.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Just myself, and approx 300,000 others. In the pantheon of absolutely bewildering, soul destroying 'deliberate' calls, that one sits atop.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Thanks mattyb
mattyb
Guest
The doggies reserves also played the tigers on the weekend and had the same result,a one goal victory. With a lot of third or fourth hand information or irrelevant statistics passed on I thought I'd start giving the dogs fans a brief first hand summary of how the senior listed players went. We had a couple of good ones running around Dikson. He went very well. Kicked four goals ,looked dangerous both on a lead in space and at ground level. Second game back,the club has said they're taking it slowly but I'd expect Tory back next week. Wallis. Not as dominant as last week but still a great game. 30 possessions,numerous clearances,also spent a bit of time up forward. Could come back but I'd expect him to have at least another run in the reserves. Redpath. First game back from an ACL and what a performance. Dominated from the start,took marks on the lead and in packs. His kicking in the first half was ordinary with 1-4 but brilliant in the second half as he ended up with 6. A dominant display. Dale. Best on for mine. After being dropped came back well. Was dangerous forward,got some midfield possessions and kicked 3 goals. Super skilled,would be playing more at most clubs. Campbell. Geez,he struggled. Was ok in the ruck I guess but lumbered around making a few errors. Might need a bit of match fitness or something,poor game. Biggs. Good game from Biggs,reliable. Didn't star but everything he did he did well. Definitely a good game. Collins. Didn't really do much and doesn't link up at all in general play. Looked a little slow also. Wasn't terrible,not sure if AFL standard but could develop. Seems a FB and that's about it also. I'm actually concerned with what I've seen of Collins. Fingers still crossed though. Webb. He was ok,less possessions than previous weeks and didn't play as well as he has so far this season but was still very good. Might play seniors with Dunkley injured. Crameri. Very quiet. Actually looked like he spent a bit of time on the bench,he looks miles off,just as he did last week. Hamilton. He was actually excellent. Plays very outside as they like to say,very much a receiver but has excellent skills and did some nice passes to players inside 50. Prudden. Slowly coming back from a knee,you could notice him so he was in the play. Seemed slow,maybe easing into it. English. Hard to say,very tall very skinny. Was sometimes ok in the ruck and has a good leap but other times just got shoved off the ball. He does have good skills for a Ruckman. Tends to go forward here and there most games and did again this week. Will need to work on his forward play,every time I've seen him go forward he basically doesn't get a single possession let alone kick a goal. Seems an ok player though generally. I doubt he'll be in the seniors any time soon though but who knows. Greene, I didn't really notice him much. In previous games he has shown he's got a nice leap. Kicking can be inconsistent,tends to be playing off half back at this stage.
mattyb
Guest
In what has been a round of upsets the reigning premiers and current outright premiership favorites held off the gallant tigers to record a well earned victory. Some of the dogs key playmakers like Dahlhaus and Macrae were very quiet in the first half which helped the tigers but they were much better in the second helping the dogs to storm home. Some positives for the dogs was brilliant performances by young players like Tom Boyd and Bailey Williams. I'm a huge wrap for Williams and he seems very Robert Murphyesque. Williams is as good as any young player in the competition but with the dogs such a powerful side has had to bide his time,he's a ripper though. Votes 5. Wood 4. Tom Boyd 3. Bontempelli 2. Jong 1. Murphy
Freo As
Guest
Tigers also got their last goal from a missed clear as day holding the ball free, which squares up any controversy from that not trying hard enough to keep it in (doesn't exactly roll off the tongue now does it?) call.
MG
Roar Rookie
"In a controversial call, the Richmond forward was deemed to have pushed the ball out deliberately, allowing the Bulldogs to escape with a narrow five-point victory." I watched for only a few minutes but it was enough to see Bulldogs throw the ball three times with no free kick against them. Free kick count: 25 : 14. Any angry Tigers' fans? #freekickbulldogs