5 Things We Learned - Round 3

Friday night’s win was the Bulldogs first victory since defeating the Adelaide Crows in Round 23 last year and it was more of a relief then a spectacle. The win wasn’t one for the highlights reel, but it was somewhat symbolic in identifying what this team stood for. Facing the GWS Giants was probably the best opponent we could have asked for to get our season back on track and show we won’t be pushovers. It was tough and uncompromising but it what was exactly what the doctor ordered to kick start our season. Now we must go on with it, but what did we learn from the bruising encounter?

1. There is Fight in the Bulldog

There isn’t any love lost between the Western Bulldogs and the GWS Giants.

There have been plenty of spicy moments between the Bulldogs and the Giants over the previous 12 encounters to date, majority of them including one Toby Greene but due to a foot issue he was absent from the 13th clash.

In last season’s Elimination Final defeat, the Giants embarrassed us not only in class but also in physicality and Friday night was a chance to put some of those demons behind us.

They were always going to come at us but it’s one thing to talk about responding to a physical confrontation and another to act on it.

We got our opportunity before the opening bounce and several other times throughout the course of the game when our captain Marcus Bontempelli or any other Bulldog was beset upon.

The melee just before and after three quarter time might be seen as unprofessional but it warmed the hearts of every Bulldog supporter. Friday night's showing was nothing short of music to the ears.

Over the past week, there has been many questions asked of the Club about selections, credentials and its ability to stand up. This week we put some of those questions to bed for the time being.

There had to be a response and there was but the real test starts now in sustaining that sort of aggression and energy throughout the course of this very unique season where many sides will look to demonstrate the same tactics and we must be ready for it.

Things got narky at times on Friday, but the Bulldogs didn't waver. Source: Getty Images

2. Thursday Night Decisions Pay Off

Selection night has always been an interesting one for the Bulldogs as generally even in our successful 2016 campaign there was always a surprise name or two being presented with an opportunity.

The inclusion of three premiership heroes in Toby McLean, Zaine Cordy and the ever lively Tom Liberatore who replaced Patrick Lipinski, Ryan Gardner and Billy Gowers, brought about some optimism which was required after a disappointing start to the 2020 season.

Each inclusion to the line up contributed strongly to the victory in one way or another and all are 100% in the Bulldogs best 22 players, both structurally and talent wise. Another thing all three players bring to the table is tenacity, a bit of campaigner and the desire to constantly go into bat for their teammates.

With the midfield coming under fire over recent results, Tom Liberatore and Toby McLean were massive inclusions as they each added a bit more variety in the shape of composure and creativity. Our midfield isn’t exactly quick so to have two players who although might not have leg speed, they sure make up for it with decision making and the ability to manoeuvre the ball two or three plays ahead.

You know what you’re going to get with Zaine Cordy, a few heart attack kicks but for the most part a player who will play above his weight category for the benefit of his teammates. Being a lockdown key defender at the Dogs can be a challenge at times, especially when the defensive zone is unravelled but when the midfield does what it’s supposed to do and provide support, those one on one opportunities diminish. Cordy was a big part of our defensive system which held the Giants big three key forwards to a collective 21 possessions and two goals.

3. LIBBA LIBBA LIBBA LIBBA LIBBA

We all know how good a footballer Tom Liberatore is but it was great to see him back in the red, white, and blue on Friday night and getting in the faces of many an opposition player, especially Heath Shaw. Many Bulldog fans bemoaned his absence from last season’s Elimination Final loss against the GWS Giants feeling he would have one of the few Dogs to remonstrate the bullying tactics that were beset upon Marcus Bontempelli and it is evident by Friday night that those tactics would have been put to a stop.

He is the heart of the club and it is no surprise that the Bulldogs found their bark with the Vietnam Swans star ruckman returning to the field. He might not be what he once was before his knee injuries but that doesn’t diminish his importance to the line up and the Club at all.

18 disposals, four clearances and three marks isn’t a big game by any means but Liberatore is much more than statistics. Liberatore has always had some of the best hands in the business especially when it comes to distributing the ball from a tight contest but it was his ability to spot up targets by foot continues to be underappreciated. In a hotly, contested and aggressive game, “Libba” recorded a disposal efficiency of 88.9%, which would certainly please every Bulldog out there.

Marcus Bontempelli might be the best kick inside 50 and Caleb Daniel the best decision maker at the club, but Tom Liberatore is still the best kick inside 30 metres and that is worth plenty when sides are trying to break through defensive zones and pin point their way out methodically.

4. The Defensive Collective Unit

Three of the Giants most recent victories against the Bulldogs have seen them average 117 points (105, 133 and 113) and with players like Easton Wood and Taylor Duryea on the sidelines and others like Hayden Crozier having their workload monitored, there was some concern whether our undersized backline could cope with their three tall forwards.

Although the Giants were missing a few of their premier players, they still have plenty of talent on their list to cover such losses so that shouldn’t diminish the efforts of the Bulldogs defensive six that held a side very capable of kicking a winning score to just the four goals on a fast track at Marvel Stadium.

Everyone knows we play a high press and a rolling defensive zone that is based on a collective 22 all bringing out the men in mayhem, so it was very pleasing that the effort and pressure displayed in the opening quarter remained throughout the match. This hectic approach which was a cornerstone of our 2016 triumph resulted in the Giants converting just 14% of their 29 entries (below the league average of 23% and the Giants average of 32%) into majors.

5. The Impact of the New Recruits

Josh Bruce and Alex Keath were acquired in the Trade Period last October for a combination of second and third round picks from the 2019 and 2020 AFL National Drafts, and were expected to make a major impact at the kennel for season 2020. The experienced pair hasn’t yet set the house on fire but they are slowly and steadily making an impact and growing into their roles not only in their respective positions but as leaders as well.

Alex Keath is someone not thought of as a lockdown defender but more of an intercepting weapon but it was a combination of both styles that stood up immensely on Friday night as he claimed the scalp of GWS star forward and last season’s Coleman Medal in Jeremy Cameron. Before round three Cameron has kicked 31 goals 13 behinds (third best average against any opponent – 3.44) in nine games against the Bulldogs including a haul of four, two bags of five and a best of six goals.

Yes, there was greater pressure from the midfield which assisted the backline but it has been a while since Cameron was kept quiet (the 2016 Preliminary Final mind you) so it was a big win to the new Bulldog containing him to just the eight disposals and one goal (which came from a turnover).

Josh Bruce has had the slower start of our two October acquisitions there is no disputing that. On Friday night he had six disposals, two marks, one tackle and two contested possessions which might not sound like a lot and it isn’t but Bruce still found a way to have a positive impact against the Giants. Bruce crashed many packs halving several contests while he also played a hand in creating Bailey Smith’s goal, forcing a turnover from Phil Davis in the opening quarter.

Now Josh Bruce isn’t Tom Lynch (from Richmond) by any means, but he is still a solid contributor but it shows that even a top echelon key forward like Lynch last season takes time acclimatising to different environments and Bruce is no different.

Training is one thing, but playing on match day is another. Bruce is still settling into our forward combination at the club but the more games he gets under his belt the better he’ll be for it.

With one of the largest aerobic capacities at the club, Bruce’s work rate off the ball will soon be rewarded on the stats sheet when he starts putting the footy through the big sticks. Keep playing the way he did on Friday and the goals will come.

While Josh Bruce (L) hasn't really hit the scoreboard as of yet, it's not through a lack of effort. Source: Getty Images