1. Monkey off the back

The media loves a good statistic to play on before any big game.  For the Bulldogs, the theme of the week was low contested ball, clearance or hitout numbers, or the number of years it had been since the team had won a final.

Whether the external narrative had any impact on the Bulldogs’ performance against the Bombers, it doesn’t really matter now.

What does, is that the Dogs put together a second half of tough, relentless, bruising finals footy that ended Essendon’s season and saw the red, white and blue march into the second week of the Finals with a head of steam.

2. A midfield lift

Another external talking point for the week was the recent form of the Bulldogs’ highly talented and deep midfield group, with captain Marcus Bontempelli also questioned.

The Dogs were confident things would click back into gear, especially after a taking a step forward against Port Adelaide in Round 23.

After an even first half against the Dons, the engine room found another gear.  All of the prime movers had a massive impact – Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith were the grunt, Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter and Adam Treloar the polish, and Josh Dunkley put the clamps on the rampaging Darcy Parish.

3. Match Committee masterclass

Plenty of people have taken the opportunity to question the decisions made by the Bulldogs’ match committee recently.

Many had written the Dogs off before the ball was bounced on Sunday, given they resisted the calls for Stefan Martin to be rushed in, Lewis Young was named as first ruck and Josh Schache was a late inclusion under grey skies.

Those decisions were vindicated, and then some, as Young fought manfully against Sam Draper, allowing Tim English to flourish around the ground, and Schache booted two crucial majors and handed off another for a direct goal assist.