5 Things We Learned - Round 14

It was a blockbuster clash between second and third on the ladder and it certainly lived up to the hype but unfortunately on this occasion lady luck did not fall our way with the Bulldogs falling just short by five points losing with a goal after the siren, 11.12 78 to 12.11 83. The defeat still sees us sit with an impressive 10-3 record and a spot in the top four so there is plenty to work within the back-half of the season but we really shouldn't have lost that game. Such is life but it definitely stings.

A shout out to Lachie Hunter who was brilliant in his 150th game for the Club and Toby McLean as well who returned to the lineup for the first time in 278 days and was terrific in his comeback game.

The Western Bulldogs look on following the heartbreaking defeat to Geelong. Source: AFL Photos.

1) Where The Match Was Lost

There were several mistakes that the Western Bulldogs made in the closing stages of the game that could be scrutinised but that has already had a fair bit of the spotlight so let's focus on a few other things instead.

We all know the value that intercept markers have in modern football and we saw one of the games best in action on Friday night in Tom Stewart who took the equal most amount of intercept marks (10) in the past 20 years. Our inability to prevent Stewart and other Geelong players from taking intercept marks, especially in the first half (1-14) was costly before we neutralised the threat in the second half with the tally ending up 11-23.

I understand the margin was five points but these are fundamental errors and the point is you aren't going to win many games of football on a regular basis if you are handing the ball back on that many occasions, especially if nine of them were taken in the Cats defensive 50.

Another issue on Friday night was the lack of accountability our players had in bringing the ball to ground, be it in our forward half or between the arcs to create more stoppages which have been a noted strength of ours over the years and on Friday night as well (5.3 33 to 2.5 17).

In recent years Geelong's aerial dominance has been a huge reason why they have been able to maintain their winning record against us. During the game, the Cats took 19 contested marks with 10 of those coming in the forward half and a further nine in the defensive half. On the other hand, we took 10 on the night; seven of those in the forward half of the ground.

To highlight their aerial prowess, five Geelong players took two or more contested marks with Marcus Bontempelli the sole Bulldog with more than one. In such games being able to take contested marks is a premium and with the Cats taking eight in the last quarter alone, it certainly was a factor in keeping them in the game despite us having the majority of the play in the last stanza.

2) Red Time Goals Flat Out Suck

It has been a few days since the defeat to Geelong but that kick after the siren still hurts quite a fair bit.

The Rohan goal, alongside Esava Ratugolea's major just before three-quarter time was one of two red time goals we gave up on the night.

Throughout the course of the season, the Bulldogs have given up 85 points (13.7) in the final few minutes of the game but pleasingly we have kicked 112 points (16.16) of our own including two or more goals in red time on five occasions this year which have come against West Coast, North, GWS, Carlton and St Kilda.

The problem is that on the three occasions we have conceded more than one goal per game in red time is that they have come against three sides who are certainly big threats for the Premiership in Richmond, West Coast, and now Geelong.

In the grand scheme of things we are doing quite well to concede just an average of one red time goal per game but as we saw on Friday night all it takes is a momentary lapse and it could cost you the four points.

We certainly owe the Cats one and then some and it is well and truly overdue. A knockout win in a final would be quite appropriate.

Red time goals the Western Bulldogs have scored (left image) and conceded in 2021. Source: Statistics courtesy of Champion Data.

3) Our Defence is good enough to win the Premiership

There have been plenty of question marks on the Dogs ability to defend the goals and the ground in one on one situations and while I do certainly agree we are exposed to greater levels than the rest of the competition but in our three losses this year it hasn't exactly been our back six which has been found wanting.

We have spoken plenty about how damaging our half backline has been and rightly given praise to Alex Keath but we really should be giving more praise to just how well we are able to protect our players from being exposed to these situations as it has given us more than a fighting chance in every close game we've had this year as well as our three losses.

In 2021 we are the league's best side at denying opposition inside 50 entries, surrendering a touch under 45 (44.85) per game, and are one of only two teams (Geelong the other) who have allowed less than 600 inside 50 entries.

We of course play a system based game style (as many sides do now) which is built upon the midfield and forwards locking the ball in our front half for extended periods of time, thereby giving our backs the support and confidence to be more adventurous up the ground

Before Friday night the Western Bulldogs back six had conceded the least amount of goals in the competition and this has helped us be the only side this year to not have copped 15 goals in a game.

It was also good enough to contain Geelong's "Big Three" to five goals and just eight scores on the night. To highlight how well that trio have been going in their previous 29 combined games, Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, and Gary Rohan had kicked 72.39 and averaged 3.83 scores each totaling 11.49 per game. For us to hold to eight on the night was a more than commendable effort considering they had 18 shots that registered a score against Richmond a little over a month ago.

There might be visible flaws in our game plan but the fact is we haven't let it decide the outcome of games this year is a testament to the side's ability to follow its structures as with the current personnel it gives us the best chance of success.

This does not mean I believe that another legitimate key defender isn't required as it would allow Alex Keath to do what he does best in an intercepting role instead of being a stopper but we have shown we can get around this vulnerable flaw, against the best in the league.

If only we conceded one less goal on the night...

4) Bruce Almighty!

After what was a very disappointing 2020 season, key forward Josh Bruce is continuing his redemption story in 2021.

It wasn't Bruce's best game for the year by any means as he gathered eight disposals, kicked three goals, and took four marks but I would have cut off my leg to have had those types of numbers last year.

The impressive thing is he still found a way to contribute when things aren't going his way which was the case in the first half when he had just the four possessions but still kicked two goals.

The only Bulldog to kick a major in every game, Bruce has kicked multiple goals in nine matches this year and has kicked three or more on six occasions. This level of consistency is something that has been lacking in his game in recent years but he is reaching career highs in many statistical categories including goals (2.85) and marks (5.54) and is on track for his best season in front of goals since 2015 when he kicked 50.

Besides 2015 this is certainly his most complete season to date and the highlight has been the consistency and dependability of his performances in the opening half of the season which sees him sit equal second in the Coleman Medal (37 goals) and equal fifth in marks inside 50 (36).

Recently 29, Bruce seems to be really enjoying his football this year and is delivering on the expectations that many people placed upon him when he requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs in the 2019 AFL Trade Period.

Josh Bruce (L) celebrates with Tom Liberatore who kicked the game's opening goal. Source: AFL Photos.

5) We Are A Legimitately Good Side and the Real Deal

It sounds obvious to say that seeing as we sit second on the AFL ladder this year but let's try and push the result of Friday night aside and focus purely on the game itself.

In a match that had 13 lead changes, there were plenty of opportunities for either side to continue their momentum but it was simply one massive arm wrestle with neither side giving an inch over the course of the night.

We weren't able to play our preferred brand of football but for large portions of the night we stood up to a very good side who since round five and before Friday night had won seven of its past eight games and recorded a percentage of 157.

When you compare how we handled our style of play being shut down in the corresponding game last year against Geelong when we blew a six-goal lead (yes that was a disastrous night too) it was a massive improvement in our mentality to not go into our shells and keep going again.

The loss to Geelong was a huge opportunity missed to put us two games clear of third and continue our push for a Home Final but nonetheless, there are plenty of opportunities in the back half of the season to rectify this.

As much as it hurts, we did a lot right on the night and the luck will eventually turn our way and if we play with the intensity we displayed against the Cats we won't lose another game for the year.

Each of our three losses this year has made me feel more confident in our team's ability to evolve to a higher level of football and despite the losses, I certainly feel that things will be very different come September.

It was gutwrenching to lose in such a fashion after playing extremely well in enemy territory after a slow start but despite the loss and a few select words from myself following the siren I have never been more confident in saying that we'll be lifting our third Premiership cup sooner than anticipated.