Third Quarter
Key Plays:
The contest heated up in the third quarter, with both sides fighting hard to regain the lead and create a some form of buffer.
Clay Smith made an impact on the score board with a goal in the first minute and a half of game play, with Giansiracusa making it three majors at the five minute mark.
As Majak Daw stamped his authority at one end of the ground, Robert Murphy and Markovic again closed the margin for the Bulldogs.
Missed opportunities to the Bulldogs allowed North Melbourne to widen the margin to three goals late in the term - the largest difference so far in the game.
Player of the Quarter:
Luke Dahlhaus continued to work his way into the game in the third term with a number of stand out second and third efforts and creativity in the forward line. With a goal and a goal assist to his name, as well as five tackles and three inside 50s, he provided excellent run through the forward line alongside Robert Murphy and Ryan Griffen.
Statistical Snapshot:
- Eleven Bulldogs can boast a disposal efficiency percentage of 75 or higher after three quarters
- The Bulldogs lead the tackle count 63 - 55
- Griffen (6), Young (5), Markovic (5), Jones (4), Addison (4), Murphy (4) have taken the most marks for the Bulldogs so far
Progressive scores:
Western Bulldogs 11. 7. (73) trailing North Melbourne 13. 14. (92)
Fourth Quarter
Key Plays:
The Western Bulldogs jumped out of the blocks in the fourth quarter with Robert Murphy kicking a clean goal from the first stoppages.
But the game continued to be played goal for goal with Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein kicking truly for North Melbourne.
While Mark Austin stood his ground spoiling a Majak Daw mark in the Kangaroos forward fifty, Ryan Bastinac capitalised on the ground ball making it a second consecutive goal for North.
Seconds later Goldstein kicked his second as the Bulldogs’ opponents began to push away.
Norht Melbourne piled on two more goals before the home side replied when Matthew Boyd set up Mitch Wallis in the goal square under pressure.
The young Bulldogs continued to show fight but were unable to hold the ball in their attacking zone for long enough to produce another goal.
North Melbourne’s ability to find space across the ground further compounded the Bulldogs’ issue as they were able to rebound and make a counter attack quickly.
Mark Austin and Giansiracusa added two final goals for the Bulldogs, reducing the final margin to 54 points.
Player of the Quarter:
Robert Murphy’s shift into the forward like continued to look an inspired choice as he marshaled his young teammates and created a number of scoring opportunities. The veteran finished with two goals to his name as well as three goal assists and seven inside 50s.
Statistical Snapshot:
- Nick Lower had an impressive 15 tackles for the match, the second ranked Bulldog Mitch Wallis had six
- The Dogs’ experienced squad led at the clearances, with the majority shared between Griffen (9), Minson (5), Cross (4) and Boyd (4)
- Giansiracusa was the home side’s head goal kicker with four majors while Markovic kicked his first three AFL goals of his career
Final Scores:
Western Bulldogs 15. 7. (97) defeated by North Melbourne 22. 19. (151)
