Herald Sun
What the ruck was going on?
That was the question some pondered early on Saturday night as Josh Dunkley (190cm) and Lin Jong (188cm) shared centre square duties along with Tom Boyd at Etihad Stadium.
They were up against Richmond’s Croatian debutant Ivan Soldo (204cm, 106kg), cousin of cult hero Ivan Maric, and down 1-20 in hit-outs at quarter-time.
The Dogs were up in clearances, but down 33-7 where it counted.
As the Western Bulldogs overran an impressive Richmond coach Luke Beveridge preferred midfielders in the middle ahead of recognised ruckman Tom Campbell and teenager Tim English, who lined up in the VFL curtain-raiser.
Best: M.Bontempelli, T.Boyd, J.Johannisen, L.Dahlhaus, L.Hunter, J.Macrae, E.Wood, F.Roberts, C.Smith
- Sam Landsberger
AAP
Tigers debutant Ivan Soldo had 42 hitouts and held sway early over a Bulldogs ruck rotation of Tom Boyd, Lin Jong and Josh Dunkley.
However, Boyd was a key factor in the third term as the Dogs clawed their way back.
Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Dahlhaus and Jack Macrae imposed their will on the match in the third term to help slice Richmond's lead to just two points at the three-quarter time and set up the thrilling finale.
AFL Media
Marcus Bontempelli (27 possessions, 10 tackles and one goal) was outstanding for the Bulldogs through the midfield and in attack, while Luke Dahlhaus (31 possessions), Jack Macrae (30) and Lachie Hunter (28) were prime movers through the midfield.
Key defender Marcus Adams (two goals) spent the night in attack and gave the Bulldogs an aerial presence, taking a crucial contested mark at half-back late in the match, while Tom Boyd gave the Dogs a lift in the ruck after a slow start to the game.
Best: Dahlhaus, Bontempelli, Hunter, Smith, Macrae, T.Boyd
- Nick Bowen
