A fast-start turned slow slog for the Western Bulldogs on Sunday in Perth, the Dogs eventually succumbing by 54 points to the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.
The Dogs got the first two goals of the game through Mitch Wallis and Luke Dahlhaus, but their 12-point lead two minutes into the opening term would be the last time they were in control of the game.
The Eagles kicked the next seven goals before Josh Schache’s mark and goal halted the home team’s run, after a pinpoint 90 degree kick from Jack Macrae set up the Dogs third goal.
But what came next was a dour hour of football, the Dogs blunting the Eagles momentum, and the home side’s inaccuracy giving the Dogs some hope in a gritty but competitive contest.
Between quarter time and the final break, the breakdown was two goals to three, the Eagles way, before West Coast added five more in the last quarter to eventually blow the margin out to 54 points.
Josh Dunkley, after a career-high 30 touches against the Demons last week was again in the thick of it, picking up another 29 disposals with six tackles, while Hayden Crozier (29 disposals, five marks) was a key driver off of half back in his first game back from a hamstring injury.
The undermanned Dogs got plenty of production from 100 gamer Lachie Hunter (28 disposals, five marks), Toby McLean (24 disposals, six marks, seven tackles), Caleb Daniel (23 disposals, six tackles) and Jason Johannisen (21 disposals, six marks) but it wasn’t enough, and the Eagles would eventually run out comfortable winners.
The Dogs return to Mars Stadium in Ballart next week to take on Port Adelaide.
Western Bulldogs 2.2 3.5 4.8 6.10 (46)
West Coast Eagles 6.4 8.9 9.15 14.16 (100)
Disposals: Dunkley, Crozier 29, Hunter 28, McLean 24, Daniel 23
Goals: Dahlhaus, Schache, Macrae, Wallis, Roughead, Johannisen
Best: Dunkley, Hunter, McLean, Crozier, Johannisen
