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)
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).
Don Freo
Guest
I wonder where Hard Times Harry has got to?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
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)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
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)
Joe
Guest
He is a seriously dumb player but as a dog supporter I like it
Stuart Thomas
Expert
26 - Looks like the Dogs are back folks......well, sort of.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103) Essendon: 12.11 (83)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 26 - Daniher marks thirty out..............poor kick.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103) Essendon: 12.11 (83)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
25 - There will be some copy written about that moment through the week.
Western Bulldogs: 14.19 (103) Essendon: 12.10 (82)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
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)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
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)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
21 - You have to love AFL footy, the Bombers should be fifty behind and they could still win this.
Western Bulldogs: 13.19 (97) Essendon: 12.9 (81)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 20 - Fifty metre penalty puts James Stewart within range.........bingo..... here they come.
Western Bulldogs: 13.19 (97) Essendon: 12.9 (81)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
19 - The Bombers into attack again..........seven minutes remain.
Western Bulldogs: 13.19 (97) Essendon: 11.9 (75)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 16 - Greene marks for Essendon in front.......................does well.....still a chance the red and black.
Western Bulldogs: 13.19 (97) Essendon: 11.9 (69)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 16 - Hunter marks and kicks from fifty.......wide. Make that nineteen.
Western Bulldogs: 13.19 (97) Essendon: 10.9 (69)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 16 - 18th behind for the Dogs through Gowers.
Western Bulldogs: 13.18 (96) Essendon: 10.9 (69)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
That's very nicely put. I'm trying to be positive here.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
14 - The Bombers launch into attack again.....could this be the comeback? Stoppage inside fifty.
Western Bulldogs: 13.17 (95) Essendon: 10.9 (69)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 13 - Stringer snaps after some scrappy play..........great opportunistic goal.
Western Bulldogs: 13.17 (95) Essendon: 10.9 (69)
Kane
Guest
There's some "Harsh Truths" coming out of this game!!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
11 - Oh this is truly horrible from Essendon. What is wrong with them?
Western Bulldogs: 13.17 (95) Essendon: 9.9 (63)