Two weeks in a row, a stirring eight-goal third quarter has been the backbone for victory for the Western Bulldogs.
In a season where second halves have been the Bulldogs’ achilles heel, the third term turned into its saviour in a seven-point win over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, as it did against St Kilda the week previous.
After trailing by 28 points half time, the Bulldogs produced a stirring second half to register back-to-back wins in front of more than 27,000 fans.
Eight individual goalkickers hit the scoreboard in the third quarter against the ‘Roos, and Marcus Bontempelli and Lachie Hunter had 25 disposals between them, as the young Dogs took control of the contest.
The Dogs had three players register 40 or more disposals, with Hunter (44) controlling his wing, Caleb Daniel (40) playing a perfect defensive sweeper’s role and Jack Macrae (40) dominant through the middle.
After his third-quarter heroics last week against the Saints, Bontempelli was brilliant again with 35 disposals to go with two goals, four clearances and seven inside 50s.
Toby McLean registered 24 disposals after quarter time, while Hayden Crozier and Jason Johannisen (24 possessions each) offered plenty of drive from defence.
Jackson Trengove worked tirelessly in the ruck, amassing 20 hitouts and collecting 21 touches.
After an even first quarter, the momentum swung in North Melbourne’s favour on the back of an injury to Dogs defender Zaine Cordy, who left the field six minutes into the second quarter with blood streaming from his face. He was ruled out for the rest of the contest.
The Bulldogs were forced to reshuffle their line-up, but North capitalised by booting seven of the next 10 goals – including three to Ben Brown, before the Dogs swung the game in their favour.
The Bulldogs’ lead was five points at the final change, and Tory Dickson extended the margin with a clever mark and set shot – his third for the game – after six minutes.
Jarrod Waite answered with the only other goal of the quarter, setting up a tense finish, but the Dogs held on.
The Bulldogs face Carlton at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
North Melbourne 2.2 9.5 11.10 12.13.85
Western Bulldogs 1.4 4.7 12.9 13.14.92
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Dickson 3, Bontempelli 2, Schache 2, Johannisen, Lipinski, McLean, Jong, Gowers, Greene
North Melbourne: Brown 4, Wood 2, Waite 2, Walker, Higgins, Atley, Turner
Disposals: Hunter 44, Daniel 40, Macrae 40, Bontempelli 35, McLean 26
Best:Bontempelli, Daniel, Hunter, Macrae, Johannisen
