The Western Bulldogs have survived an almighty scare that could well have ended their finals aspirations, defeating a valiant Melbourne outfit by one goal on Sunday afternoon.
In one of the games of the season, a six-goal spree from the Demons in the third quarter at one stage looked like leaving the Dogs’ finals fate out of their hands — but Luke Beveridge’s side rallied late to win 15.15 (105) to the Demons’ 15.9 (99).
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MATCH CENTRE: Melbourne v Western Bulldogs final scores and stats
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Star Aaron Naughton starred up forward again with his fourth bag of five goals or more in six weeks, including a critical final quarter major to give his side a mini buffer.
Forward-turned-defender Daniel Turner snagged a goal with 52 seconds remaining to give the Demons a live chance of drawing the match, but a Sam Darcy mark back-with-the-flight all but sealed their fate.
“No one deserves to lose this match,” 1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said on Fox Footy inside the final minute.
Laitham Vandermeer was concerningly taken from the ground after a heavy collision during the final quarter, leaving the Bulldogs vulnerable after already making their substitute before three-quarter time.
Melbourne goalkickers: Fritsch, Melksham, Petty 2, van Rooyen, Culley, Chandler, Pickett, Gawn, Petracca, Langford, Howes, Turner
Western Bulldogs goalkickers: Naughton 5, Darcy, Richards 2, Bramble, McNeil, Williams, Cleary, Garcia, West
THE 3-2-1…
3. DOGS AVOID ULTIMATE FINALS HEARTBREAK AS ‘ALL-AUSTRALIAN’-BOUND STAR LEADS CHARGE
If there was one round the Bulldogs didn’t want to come up against a side whose coach had been sacked, it was this one.
The record of such club’s immediately after a changing of the guard is stark, leaving Luke Beveridge’s side in some ways up against it before the first bounce was even had.
It was a tussle between both sides across the first half, but the Bulldogs looked content in registering five more shots on goal than their opponents to hold a 10-point lead at the main break.
The supremely stunning season of Ed Richards headlined the match early, as the 26-year-old once again put his name forward for higher honours.
The defender-turned-midfielder blew the game apart on Sunday afternoon, amassing 20 disposals, eight score involvements, six clearances and 92 ranking points all before half time.
“The bloke that’s led the charge right from the word ‘go’ has been Ed Richards — who’s got to be an All-Australian this year,” 1988 Brownlow Medal winner Gerard Healy said to Fox Footy at half time. “He’s just been so clean. He had five clearances at quarter time … (and) absolutely makes the right decisions. “He’s turned himself (from) one of the best ground ball players in defensive 50, to one of the elite midfielders in the competition.”
But after half time, Beveridge’s Bulldogs were fronted with a wave of Melbourne’s best free-flowing football — a brand that fans, and recently departed coach Simon Goodwin, have been crying out for most of this season.
Incredibly, 21 of the match’s 30 goals came after half time to speak to the change in style from both clubs. The Demons were able to force a 31-point turnaround in less than a quarter to turn the game — and the Dogs’ finals hopes — on their head.
But alas, the cool heads at Whitten Oval made sure their charge to September will last another week, with six final quarter goals enough to undo all of Melbourne’s hard work.
Veteran star Tom Liberatore finished the match with 24 disposals and 12 clearances, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli notched up 33 touches, seven inside 50s and 685 metres gained.
2. ‘PAYING DIVIDENDS’: STAR’S WHITE-HOT RUN CONTINUES TO SEE DOGS HOME
Jeremy Cameron has stolen the headlines this season up forward amid his race for 100 goals in a season, but the last six weeks was truly been all about Aaron Naughton.
The Bulldogs key forward has gone berserk in the last six weeks, with his four-goal haul on Sunday afternoon taking his tally in the last six games to 29 — inclusive of three five-goal hauls and a career-best bag of seven.
His meteoric rise in form coincides well with the return of Sam Darcy from injury, leaving Naughton playing on each side’s second key defender; allowing him to expose the opposition both aerially and leading up at the ball carrier.
“I’m just trying to get to as many contest as possible (and) work really hard,” Naughton told Fox Footy straight after the final siren.
“The more that you get to the footy, the more that things can happen. I’m just happy with the way that I’m finishing in front of goal now, I’m really confident with my routine and it’s paying dividends.
“I knew I put in the work, so I knew it (my form) was going to change eventually.”
Three-time Geelong premiership player Tom Hawkins added on Naughton post-game: “His willingness to get involved in the contest … it’s the work he does off the ball.”
“For any young forward out there listening, that is wonderful advice for anyone coming through the ranks. He was a star today.”
1. DEES DEFENDER DEALT TOUGH TASK… BUT STILL SHOWS PROMISING SIGNS
In an era where star key defenders have been few and far between at the top level, Melbourne debutant Jed Adams drew plenty of praise amid a daunting task.
Adams, who is at the back end of his third year on the Demons’ list, had to bide his time in the VFL with Casey for 51 games before getting an opportunity at the top level.
The 21-year-old was forced to runt he gauntlet straight away, at times playing on Aaron Naughton who ran amuck for his fourth bag in six weeks.
But in between opponents, Adams showed promise aerially and one-on-one to hint at the next generation for Melbourne beyond Jake Lever and Steven May.
“Hasn’t he started well! He hasn’t had a lot of ball himself … but he looks comfortable. He’s a big unit and looks mobile,” Gerard Healy said of Adams at the start of the third term.
Tom Hawkins added: “I like the way that he’s backed himself in. Early on, we saw a nice one-on-one contest that he halved … he’s been really impressive.”
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