5 Things We Learned - Round 5

It's not everyday that you can be a bit disappointed with a 62 point victory but it was more than enough for us to create a bit of history as the Western Bulldogs started the season with a 5-0 tally for the first time in 75 years.

Courtesy of an enthralling first half blitz, the Bulldogs put the Gold Coast Suns to the sword, lighting up Marvel Stadium to continue its unbeaten start to the season and find itself equal first on the AFL ladder.

1) Where The Game Was Won

We might have blown the game open in the second term but there was a clear difference in quality across the park in the opening quarter as the Dogs set the tone early on winning the clearances 12-5 and led the inside 50 count 16-6.

If you are allowing 47 disposals between Macrae, Bontempelli, Dunkley and Treloar before quarter time you know you're in for a rough day and come full time, our midfield division had nine goals between them.

By the end of the game the Dogs continued to increase its clearance count to a +18 advantage (41-23) which included a centre square domination (14-7). The Dogs also scored 23 points from clearance chains while the Suns didn't register anything from that statistic.

2) It's the Bont's world and we are just living in it.

33 disposals, three goals, 11 inside 50s, 798 metres gained, nine score involvements, five clearances (four in the centre), it was a fair day at the office for "The Bont" who put on another clinic.

With the Suns starting to even contemplate the very idea of a miracle comeback, it was of course the great man himself who ended those hopes with his long range snap just before three quarter time.

After recording three Brownlow votes in 24 of his previous 149 games, Bontempelli would be a strong candidate to take home another three against the Suns in his 150th game for the club.

With CEO Ameet Bains discussing on SEN earlier this week about the formalities of Bontempelli's new contract, we can happily say we have been treated to 150 games of the very best and hopefully there is at least another 150 more to go with a few flags on the way.

There are few better sights in modern day football than "The Bont" in full flight. Source: Getty Images

3) Just what the Doctor ordered

Many supporters, including myself were genuinely surprised with the acquisition of Taylor Duryea in the 2018 AFL Trade Period and were puzzled at what he would add to the group.

Brought in for a future fourth round pick, there weren't huge expectations on the former Hawthorn defender but has become extremely important across his 22 games for the club, providing that pure defensive element that complements many of our aggressive defenders and displaying the leadership of Matthew Boyd and the reliability of Dale Morris each week.

Duryea's 2021 season currently paints a very beautiful picture averaging career highs in marks (7.4), contested possession (5.4), handpasses (6.8) and disposals (19.2), is rated above average in effective disposals (17.2) and ground ball gets (4.2), and elite kicking efficiency (88.7).

In career best form, Duryea was outstanding early on against the Suns and is also averaging 7.4 votes per game in The Salty Bulldog Player of the Year votes tally.

4) What on earth was that third quarter?

For the second time this season the Bulldogs conceded a run of three or more consecutive goals during a game as the Suns slotted four in a row in the back half of the third quarter, with West Coast's three goals in the shadows of three quarter time in the round two clash, the other occasion.

The Suns were able to split us open and retain possession throughout the third quarter, taking 38 marks (34 of those uncontested) in comparison to our 13 (averaging 30.66 marks across the remaining quarters) as well as scoring all 37 points that term via turnovers.

On top of that we recorded just the 53 uncontested possessions that quarter, which was 18 below our match average against the Suns and 13 below our quarterly season average of 66.

The Dogs third quarters this year are the only terms where we have taken a hit, currently holding a 2-3 record. Across first, second and fourth quarters we have a 12-3 record and a percentage of 220.

There were signs of us weathering the storm against Brisbane in Ballarat last round when they certainly made a charge but to see us concede six goals in a quarter against the Suns; although only a blimp on our radar so far, was a tad concerning even if the result wasn't truly ever in danger.

Statistics courtesy of finalsiren.com

5) History in the making.

Only three teams over the past 50 years have started the year off in better style than us, the West Coast Eagles in 1991, Carlton in 1995 and St Kilda in 2009. All three sides made the Grand Final with one victorious.

1991 - WCE - 5 wins, 200.3%

Finished 19 wins, 3 losses, Top of ladder, Lost GF

1995 - Carlton - 5 wins, 185%

Finished 20 wins, 2 losses, Top of ladder, Won GF

2009 - Saints - 5 wins, 211.8%

Finished 20 wins, 2 losses, Top of ladder, Lost GF

2021 - Western Bulldogs - 5 wins, 178.64%

Currently 5 wins, 0 losses, Top of the ladder, ????

We have successfully navigated the first block of the season and have made the competition take note of our capabilities, now it is time to stamp that authority in when we come up against a resurgent GWS Giants, the premier of three of the past four years in Richmond, last seasons minor premiers Port Adelaide and 2021's surprise packet in Melbourne over the next six rounds.