Nine games into their stuttering AFL premiership defence, the Western Bulldogs could well find themselves out of the top eight by the end of the weekend, having been over-run by Geelong.
The Bulldogs came into the three-quarter time huddle at Simonds Stadium on Friday night in the box seat, having booted six goals on the trot to turn a 26-point halftime deficit into a nine-point lead.
But a 50-metre penalty against Travis Cloke which gifted a goal to Cats skipper Joel Selwood early in the final term was a hammer blow.
The hard-tackling home team regained the momentum and ran away to win 16.8 (104) to 12.9 (81).
“I’m not going to hang any of our players out to dry, I’m never going to do that,” said Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.
“The vast majority, weight of numbers of our group were doing everything they could to win the game.
“Unfortunately we need our 22 week-to-week to have a really consistent and even contribution and we were almost there.
“We had the upper hand, the arm-wrestle was in our favour and we should have gone on and won it.”
A huge positive for the Bulldogs was the excellent return by midfielder Mitch Wallis, who had 26 disposals and kicked a couple of clever goals in his first senior match since breaking a leg in round 18 last year.
“It was great to see him come back like that – it was a strong return,” said Beveridge.
The Bulldogs were also well served by Caleb Daniel and Lin Jong, with the latter showing his versatility by pinch-hitting in the ruck against much bigger opponents.
The eighth-placed Bulldogs slipped to a 5-4 win-loss record and face three more tough games either side of the bye against St Kilda and Melbourne at Etihad Stadium and away to Sydney at the SCG.
Cam
Guest
They are the reigning premiers, every team is lifting their games to beat them. If they want to challenge for another cup they need to go to the next level. I reckon they will miss the 8.
mattyb
Guest
The game was extremely similar to the loss against Fremantle which I find slightly disappointing,but acknowledge as a fair observation. The four quarter efforts need to return and I'm sure they will.
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Not a dogs fan at all and still smarting after the disgusting umpiring to deliver them the grand final, but having watched a lot of footy they are probably the hardest team to put away. They are bloody annoying but just keep coming. Most teams can be broken but the dogs never seem to lay down. The dogs are the only team I would barrack for Port Adelaide against, true hate there, love them or hate them you must respect the dogs tenacity
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
It was a coin flip game. Geelong had just been beaten in three straight matches, Western were the team in better form, the wild card was the game being in Geelong. Geelong gave Western every chance to snatch the game, but they just rolled over in the final quarter. Really pathetic, disappointing final quarter when you consider all the momentum Western had. Shades of how they rolled over in the final quarter against Fremantle early in the year.
mattyb
Guest
Paul,I very much agree with the Murphy comment. Wood did a fine job last year and Murphy has the ACL comeback on his not so young shoulders to keep him occupied enough. He also only has one or two years left so staying with Wood would have worked fine. No panic stations here, but the dogs still have a bit to learn about being the number one side in the league and therefore teams will always be switched on against us. The next couple of rounds will be telling. Some different pressures this young team now faces that they haven't faced before,and the opposition won't be letting up I'd imagine. Will be interesting which way this young team goes,plenty of good young teams in the competition these days and you can't afford to be off in any way.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'm not sure Bob Murphy should have stayed on as captain. Surely this was the year for a change, that way they could have had the handover while he's still at the club. Plenty of candidates to take over. I always thought that the dogs would struggle to do it again this year regardless, without the fairytale factor it would be harder mentally for the players to get up. That and the premiers always have a big target on their back. Dogs are still learning how to deal with this, I don't think you can bake them too hard for losing to Geelong in geelong - they got out-motivated and out-hungered. So long as they reach the final 8 in reasonable shape and aren't too cooked they'll go alright. I don't think they'll win though, someone at some stage will get hold of them and kick 100+ against them in the finals and they won't be able to catch up
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
In 2016, Western were 12th best for offence. Before this round they were 13th best for offence. They are an ugly, scrappy team. Umps aren't giving them the same free ride for being the "fairytale" team this year, they are dealing with a tougher draw. Western are a solid enough top 8 team but lack firepower and need to "red line" it to stay competitive with top teams. They finished 7th after 22 games last year for a reason. Throw in the fact they were lucky to stumble over the line against North Melbourne and Richmond, and you're looking at an underachieving 3-6 team. Premiership hangover it's looking like.
mattyb
Guest
The premiership favourites headed down to Geelong and unfortunately it was not to be. The game started out at a frantic pace but to Geelongs credit they used their home ground advantage to lock the dogs out of the game in the second quarter and this proved the deciding factor in the game fo mine. After a great comeback in the third the dogs tired and Geelong ran away in the last. Poor discipline by Cloke I felt cost the champs dearly by giving away that 50 after conceding a free kick early in the last. Plenty of good signs for the dogs but they still need to put it together over four quarters. I liked Dales game from the younger brigade and thought Boyd showed some good signs in his development. Votes 5. Wood 4. Jong 3. Adams 2. Boyd 1. Johanissen
Paul D
Roar Guru
I didn't think it was that terrible. The umpires got some pretty tough calls right too. Dogs lost fair and square, and dogs fans must want to be the new hawks with all the moaning they do every time they think the umpires don't love them
Cat
Roar Guru
A Cats player got tackled 10m out from goal by a Bulldogs defender who had his arm VERY clearly over the shoulder AND fell into the Cats players back, but neither high nor in the back was called. That was a sure goal not paid. Plenty of Bulldog throws lead to them getting goals too. Was plenty of should have been incorrect disposal calls that would have lead to goals to both sides. Don't just cherry pick one or two calls because they didn't go the way you wanted.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Plus the Murphy holding the ball when he kicked it, my point being, both resulted in Geelong goals. Agree umpiring was pretty average.
Cat
Roar Guru
3 out of 4 quarters they were.
TomC
Roar Guru
The headline's a bit rough. I thought the Cats were excellent.
Cat
Roar Guru
There was 50 such calls that failed to be called either way. Cats got away with some, so did the dogs. The umpiring was bad both ways.
West Crash
Guest
Dogs will eventually make it top 8 as they have a better draw towards latter part of the season and with full squad back They deserve to be there. They didn't loose any badly to date nor won convincingly. But with never give style, they are a top 6 side
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
The 50 metre penalty overshadows the non holding the ball on Selwood prior when he was tackled trying to kick the ball and clearly drops it missing his boot, then Cloke gets into his back but that one is paid.
teedog
Guest
I think the dogs last year were more of a 2008 hawthorn I always believed they wouldn't make it to the big dance this year because they are still quite young they will still be up there in the next few years with the Saints, Melbourne and GWS
berrlins
Roar Pro
It was good to see Wallis and Dickson had good return games. But geez the dogs don't look like a top 8 team and probably haven't all year. A couple of good quarters but they still have a long way to go.