Match result:
The Western Bulldogs have hit back at their critics with a 21-point win on Sunday.
Final score
Western Bulldogs 14.20 (104)
Essendon 12.11 (83)
Match preview:
The Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers do battle at Etihad Stadium in a home game for Dogs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
While the Bulldogs were improved last week against West Coast, that wasn’t saying much after their effort, or lack of it, in Round 1 against the Giants.
The have injuries, out of form players and a huge gap to make up if they dare even dream of playing finals football in 2018.
Essendon started well against Adelaide in week one yet did have chances against Fremantle last week before going down by sixteen points.
They will look to move to two wins and one loss today which would be an acceptable start for a Club who are still a little bit of an unknown in terms of where they are in the rebuild that John Worsfold has overseen.
Essendon will play their attacking, running game and back their style while the Bulldogs must do one simple thing. That being; effort.
They must show their fans that there are still traces of the manic pressure and defence they produced in 2016 and that despite their poor form, they will improve week by week.
The match will see Jake Stringer line up against the club he won a premiership with in 2016 for the first time since being dramatically traded to Essendon at the end of last year.
Stringer is yet to kick a goal for his new club, though that could in part be put down to the fact he has been trialed as a midfielder for large periods of both games so far.
Prediction
Turning around poor performances takes time and I cannot see the Dogs getting it right in one short week. The Bombers are a dangerous team if the fornt third pressure isn’t there and that spells problems for the Bulldogs today.
Western Bulldogs 62, Essendon 94
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
12:12am
Don Freo said | 12:12am | ! Report
I wonder where Hard Times Harry has got to?
5:53pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:53pm | ! Report
Full Time
Goodness me, what an appalling final term from Essendon when they had a chance. Joe Daniher should shout the bar tonight. Thanks for being on board for the call and jump over to the Geelong vs West Coast clash, the Commonwealth Games or the NRL action. It is a feast of sport here on the Roar.
Western Bulldogs: 14.20 (104)
Essendon: 12.11 (83)
5:51pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:51pm | ! Report
28 – Another awful passage from the Dons upon which I don’t know what to say.
Western Bulldogs: 14.20 (104)
Essendon: 12.11 (83)
5:49pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:49pm | ! Report
26 – Looks like the Dogs are back folks……well, sort of.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103)
Essendon: 12.11 (83)
5:48pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:48pm | ! Report
Behind
26 – Daniher marks thirty out…………..poor kick.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103)
Essendon: 12.11 (83)
5:47pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:47pm | ! Report
25 – There will be some copy written about that moment through the week.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103)
Essendon: 12.10 (82)
5:46pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:46pm | ! Report
Goal
22 – From the kick out the Dogs go the full length and McLean scores at the other end. All the while Daniher chuckles at the other end? Goose.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103)
Essendon: 12.10 (82)
5:45pm
Stuart Thomas said | 5:45pm | ! Report
22 – Ok Joe Daniher, sit down and have a good think. He marks ten out and hand off and the Dogs rush the behind? Watch the highlights people, you won’t believe it.
Western Bulldogs: 13.19 (97)
Essendon: 12.10 (82)
5:49pm
Joe said | 5:49pm | ! Report
He is a seriously dumb player but as a dog supporter I like it