Western Bulldogs
103
Match Complete
Essendon
71
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 27:05 |  | J. Stringer | ||
| 24:45 | | P. Wright | ||
| J. Schache |  | 21:33 | ||
| 18:13 | | P. Wright | ||
| 16:29 | | P. Wright | ||
| L. McNeil | | 14:38 | ||
| B. Smith | | 12:48 | ||
| 11:11 | | T. Cutler | ||
| C. Weightman | | 6:07 | ||
| Rushed | | 2:29 | ||
| 13.5 (83) | Third Quarter [+] | 6.10 (46) | ||
| 32:15 | | S. Draper | ||
| J. Dunkley | | 1:26 | ||
| C. Weightman | | 29:55 | ||
| J. Dunkley | | 26:54 | ||
| 25:27 | | Rushed | ||
| A. Naughton | | 24:43 | ||
| R. McComb | | 23:01 | ||
| 20:59 | | T. Cutler | ||
| 17:54 | | A. McGrath | ||
| M. Bontempelli | | 16:29 | ||
| R. Smith | | 13:55 | ||
| 8:35 | | K. Baldwin | ||
| 7:06 | | S. Draper | ||
| J. Dunkley | | 4:59 | ||
| L. McNeil | | 3:44 | ||
| 6.3 (39) | Second Quarter [+] | 3.7 (25) | ||
| 26:18 | | J. Stringer | ||
| 24:01 | | P. Wright | ||
| 22:36 | | Rushed | ||
| Z. Cordy | | 21:02 | ||
| R. McComb | | 14:25 | ||
| 13:36 | | M. Redman | ||
| M. Wallis | | 12:33 | ||
| C. Weightman | | 5:47 | ||
| 4:49 | | N. Martin | ||
| L. Vandermeer | | 1:03 | ||
| 3.1 (19) | First Quarter [+] | 2.3 (15) | ||
| L. Vandermeer | | 26:40 | ||
| 24:51 | | J. Caldwell | ||
| 22:06 | | Rushed | ||
| 20:32 | | S. Draper | ||
| L. McNeil | | 18:33 | ||
| M. Wallis | | 16:02 | ||
| 8:08 | | P. Wright | ||
| M. Wallis | | 3:46 | ||
| 1:33 | | M. Guelfi | ||
It’s already crunch time for 2021 finalists the Western Bulldogs and Essendon, with the loser to have their chances of a repeat September run put in major jeopardy. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
The Bulldogs’ loss of form is one of the stories of the year, Luke Beveridge’s men looking a shadow of the team that made it through to last year’s grand final and won their first six games.
A one-point loss to Adelaide in Ballarat last week could easily have been worse but for some errant kicking for goal, with the Dogs’ much-vaunted midfield soundly beaten. Sitting 2-4 and with plenty of injury woes, time is fast running out for the Bulldogs to make something of their season.
They are, however, still one win ahead of the Bombers, whose 1-5 start to the season has generated just as many headlines.
While an ANZAC Day loss to Collingwood was certainly honourable, former greats have been quick to sink the boots into the Dons in the media, and unless they shape up fast, a surprise finals berth in 2021 will prove yet another flash in the pan for the one-time powerhouse.
Both teams have made a big statement at the selection table, with the Bombers dropping highly paid midfielder Dylan Shiel, and the Dogs axing number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Game information
Opening bounce: 3:20pm (AEST)
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV: Fox Footy, Channel 7
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Bulldogs $1.40, Bombers $3.00 (odds via PlayUp)
Western Bulldogs
B: E. Richards, R. Gardner, T. Duryea
HB: C. Daniel, T. O’Brien, B. Dale
C: L. McNeil, J. Macrae, R. Smith
HF: B. Smith, Z. Cordy, J. Dunkley
F: T. Liberatore, A. Naughton, C. Weightman
FOLL: S. Martin, M. Bontempelli (c), A. Treloar
I/C: M. Wallis, L. Vandermeer, R. McComb, B. Williams
EMG: H. Crozier, J. Schache, R. West, J. Sweet
IN: Vandermeer, Wallis, R Smith
OUT: Scott, Ugle-Hagan, Schache
Essendon
B: D. Heppell (c), Z. Reid, J. Ridley
HB: M. Redman, J. Kelly, A. McGrath
C: N. Cox, Z. Merrett, N. Martin
HF: A. Perkins, A. Waterman, M. Guelfi
F: B. Hobbs, P. Wright, S. Durham
FOLL: S. Draper, D. Parish, J. Stringer
I/C: J. Caldwell, T. Cutler, J. Laverde, K. Baldwin
EMG: D. Shiel, N. Hind, N. Bryan, B. Zerk-Thatcher
IN: Cutler, Reid
OUT: Zerk-Thatcher, Shiel
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Fact Essendon are soft pretenders there supporters love bad mouth other clubs and players but scared look at there own players as there f grade and as for your coach good footballer another one who cant coach :laughing:
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yep the thing that Collingwood are doing is they actually have a good vfl program so they can afford to rest their young players there
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Well it’s 23 to be precise with Mark Keane going back to Ireland and Callum Brown turning 24 a few days ago. My apologies Col. My point was in reference to the Bombers struggling, in that sides with that much youth will be up and down. It could be us second half of year and Essendon going ok. You took it as if I was saying a young list guarantees success which out of every club your Blues have shown it doesn’t. Thanks for your interest though in the Pies and Bombers list.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Condolences Andy but yea your probably correct!
1dawg
Roar Rookie
Oh you're doing Eddie stats :laughing:
1dawg
Roar Rookie
Stats is stats
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Essendon = bunnies… In all seriousness, their midfield is the problem; they just handball around in circles, there’s no structure there.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Who’s manipulating Pete. You comment your stats and I comment mine and Collingwood have 22 players 23 and under not 25. Let me know anyway what does having 16 players 21 and under mean. How many of them will become regular senior players?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I wrote 21 and under Col. You’re manipulating stats like Macca. Pies have 25 players 23 and under if you are looking at that.
1dawg
Roar Rookie
Stop head butting trees!
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Regularly fielding the youngest side in the competition this year
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Well they're both cooked now
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Blues have 20 players 23 and under.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
roos, eagles and dons will fight the contest out to the end
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea simple turnovers with little pressure makes you squirm. l’m positive your lads will turn it around given time mate!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Eagles in your way there
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Sigh of relief for Dogs' supporters. And for Bombers' fans too, not being carved into sashimi, I mean. Heppell, the great underachiever. Always a bit suss. Beating Shuey to the Rising Star started my animus against him :crying: :angry: :shocked:
berrlins
Roar Pro
Considering the Bulldog outs this is a solid win, great to see Dunkley taking his chances and Libba slowly getting better and better, Bontempelli playing injured by the looks of it although still having an influence. hopefully go back to back against Port
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
hopefully we dont win wooden spoon, but i cant see them beating hawks next week
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Hahaha yes the only reason I’m walking at the moment is I’ve done this injury before multiple times