Captain Marcus Bontempelli says there is still plenty of upside left in the Western Bulldogs after they were smashed by Melbourne in the AFL grand final.
A bruised Bontempelli says the Western Bulldogs can’t afford to catastrophise and will look to move on quickly from their AFL grand-final thrashing.
The 74-point loss to Melbourne at Optus Stadium will go down as one of the more memorable capitulations in a grand final given the Bulldogs led midway through the third quarter, only to then concede 16 of the next 17 goals.
Bontempelli conceded Melbourne’s star onballers, including Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, had been allowed to get out the front of stoppages far too easily when the game was on the line.
The Bulldogs captain said his priority as a leader would be to keep the defeat in context and encourage his teammates to stay united.
“You have to obviously do your best to acknowledge what’s happened and be realistic and be truthful,” Bontempelli said.
“But I think the honest reflection is it just wasn’t us today, especially the second half of the game.
“There is upside, a lot of our young players played extremely well through the back half (of the season) and most of the finals really with what they were able to contribute to get us to this point.
“We acknowledge how difficult it is to make a grand final and that’s a milestone in itself. But the endeavour has to be there now, to bounce back, lick our wounds.
“No doubt this will sting for a little bit but try to make something of it.”
The Bulldogs’ trip to the historic Perth grand final had been preceded by quarantine stints and finals in Launceston, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Bontempelii, who fought valiantly to finish with 25 disposals and three goals, acknowledged the group’s resilience had been tested.
“The challenges don’t stop coming,” he said.
“This is my second year at it (as a captain) and I feel like I’ve learnt a lot across the past two years.
“You try and absorb as much as you can from today that you can use going forward…I’ve got to try my best to set the tone and set the direction.”
Bontempelli was one of nine players lining up for the Bulldogs who had played in their drought-breaking 2016 premiership.
With Melbourne still under lockdown, the Dogs will look to collectively process the defeat before returning home.
“We’ll spend a few days together here until the group splits up a little bit, people will head home and some will stay around to get some RandR and reflect on what’s been a difficult season but hopefully reflect on a lot of the good stuff,” Bontempelli said.
“That’s probably the start for us as a group, to move past this point and start to move on.”
BigAl
Roar Rookie
The title of this piece could apply to so many AFL Grand Final losers ! I mean how many blowouts do we see in GFs !! How could it be that the second best team in a professional sporting competition is so inferior to the winning team ?? It's a terrible look for all concerned with AFL footy and needs a change in rules/structure of the game. I was hoping for a Demons win but come on ! the doggies certainly didn't deserve to be thrashed like that. . . and how many GFs are blowouts !!!
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
We need 4 or 5 years before Sam Darcy can be a number 1 ruckman - he's a stick at the moment.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Definitely in the first and last quarters there was a lack of run, for sure.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I think their is a port Adelaide ruck option on the table maybe Bevo will look at that scenario for the short term until Sam Darcy is ready to step in & become our No.1
dab
Roar Rookie
I reckon the dogs backs are short on height and muscle. Andrews and Barass would fix things. Let me add: when melb defenders looked up they had 5 or 6 targets, whereas I noted that dog defenders with the ball would look up to see nothing but red and blue. The cause of that is midfield run (maybe)?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
A disappointing result for the Dogs, but can't see it having any long term impacts. Bevo has done really well in exposing just about his whole list to AFL football. Their list is in a pretty good state. I guess they could lose some depth for guys wanting more consistent AFL footy, but I think overall they'll be fine. Some key positional players to continue to develop over the next couple of season. A number one pick to walk into the Club at the Draft. I think they will continue to be in Top 4 teams a for a bit longer. Dees have finally had some luck go their way. Very few injuries throughout the season and primed team. Result itself I don't think is overly surprising. Maybe the extent of the margin a big surprise, but I reckon it will spur the Dogs on to going again next season. I don't see any long terms impacts.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I think that's unlikely. Although, judging by Bevo's press conferences I don't think he has a lot of faith in him. I think he has the tools; he's just soft.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Where's Pumpie Dougie? He on sick leave?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Reckon English could be on the trade table mate it’s a wait & see approach!
RT
Roar Rookie
Agreed. It was a fantastic match. Never seen such a close, one-sided match before, if that makes sense.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Nah Chuck the dogs structurally are very young it will do them the world of good firstly making a grand final is a great feat but as you say a thrashing is never appreciated but it should galvanise the group & with Sam Darcy our future ruck & a full preseason for Jamarra we will be bigger & stronger Plus Nort who played terribly has a perfect springboard to smash the pre season & put on more muscle plus the inclusion of Cox we should be ok :silly:
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Did I hear correctly. Was "Rorke's Drift" playing for WB?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Each to their own. I was born in 66 so big scores were common until quite recently. Often by both teams. Goals are fun. Coaches have bored us long enough with defence of the last decade and a half or so. Id rather watch a high scorer than a tedious defensive dirge. It seemed to me most of the goals were scored on the fly in chaos or from marks, with hardly a dodgy free in site. I yearn for the day my mob (NM) put the foot down and save me some stress, rather than endure the inevitable grim struggle. Plenty of sixes in test cricket these days and some great battles. And the bats are way different from the logs of 20 years ago. BBL just a different game.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I hope you're wrong Chukka. I think we still have the class to get to top 4; that's still a goal they haven't achieved and would make their finals a whole heap easier. They definitely need another ruckman (I hope they don't extend Martin, he's had it, and English needs to toughen up), and they need another key backman, although I don't think that's as critical. Jamarra should be much fitter and stronger next year, which is exciting, and they'll have young Darcy who looks like he has oodles of talent. There's still plenty of upside; they just have to make it stick while their midfield is still in their prime.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I think it actually showed the 6-6-6 to have a negative effect - it allowed a blow out. I don't like rules dictating what tactics teams are allowed to use; this, the 3rd man in the ruck, they should be abolished. Tactical games are much more interesting than goal-fests. Think BBL vs test cricket - smashing sixes loses its luster when it happens over and over again.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I was nuts. Halfway through the third I felt like we'd gotten on top and probably just needed one or two more goals to really make Melbourne drop their heads. 45 minutes later it's Melbourne by 74 points! Grand finals are funny that way; when there's nothing left to play for teams just give up. It's unfortunate because it will go down in history as a smashing but the teams weren't actually that far apart.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Out of all the GF’s I’ve seen, this is probably the most bizarre I’ve seen in terms of the final scores not matching how even (or even Dogs ascendant!) both sides were for the majority. Beveridge is right: you just gotta tip your hat to the Dees this time. I think WB were great for most of this game.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
The great thing about this match was that Melbourne decided to attack like crazy and kick a ton of goals. They could have slowed it down and bored everyone to tears but took it on. Naturally you need a pretty good midfield but the principle is sound. It also vindicated 666, in demonic fashion. I'm sure everyone will revert to the defensive next year at usual but it makes no sense to chip it around when you are in the ascendancy. And less sense to defend, like Geelong did, when they were being annihilated.
Micko
Roar Rookie
No, Optus Stadium isn't the same size. They're now based out of Lathlain Park, and have modified that to match Optus size. Right next door is an oval with the exact dimensions of the MCG though.
Doggies Tragic
Roar Rookie
Think they’ll be thereabouts next year. The final term capitulation was hard to stomach but I think there is plenty to work with. Melbourne were just too good. Think Dunkley and Treloar didn’t come back to the form they displayed prior to their respective injuries and the quarantining didn’t help with conditioning. No excuses though, the best team this year won the flag. Melbourne deserved it. Feel for their Victorian supporters though. Bit tough that you wait so long for a flag and you can’t celebrate with your team.