Mid-season report: Top-four challenge looms for Bevo’s Bulldogs
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In numbers
- 7/10 – SCORE
- 7 – WINS
- 5 – LOSSES
- 7th – LADDER POSITION
Back-to-back defeats of 50 and 51 points to start the season had many – including the Bulldogs’ brass – wondering what had gone wrong. That the Bulldogs conceded 115 points to Melbourne and 92 to St Kilda was a major concern, and couldn’t score from stoppages, one of their strengths, prompted change from coach Luke Beveridge.
Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English has stood tall.Credit: Getty Images/Stephen Kiprillis
Defensively, the Dogs had to tighten, for their philosophy of guarding space, rather than a man, had failed. Having flicked the switch to more of a man-on-man system, the Bulldogs steadied with a composed victory over Brisbane in round three, and have since become the finals contender all had expected.
The Dogs had also initially challenged convention by using four talls up forward in recruit Rory Lobb, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy. This was cut to three in round two because of injury, and the experiment has not been repeated.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan made a statement against the Lions.Credit: Getty Images
A gritty comeback win over Richmond highlighted the team’s strong temperament, while they were at their free-wheeling best when demolishing Fremantle in Perth. Lobb handled the expected treatment from his former Docker teammates well, while Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar were brilliant.
With victory over the lowly Hawks the Bulldogs were ahead on the win-loss ledger for the first time this season. Liam Jones, in his second stint at Whitten Oval, has provided the defensive presence the Dogs were lacking. Ruckman Tim English is in All-Australian form, but back-to-back losses against Gold Coast and Geelong in the past two rounds sting, and add to the importance of this week’s match against the in-form Port Adelaide. The challenge for the Dogs now is whether they can finish in the top four for the first time under Beveridge.
As one of the AFL’s lading midfielders, Marcus Bontempelli always attracts the attention of the opposition.Credit: AFL Photos
Who’s hot?
The man destined to become the greatest Bulldog of them all, Marcus Bontempelli, is the Brownlow Medal favourite – and for good reason. He is not only averaging 26 touches per game, but is turning contests, none better than his 31 disposals (18 contested), eight clearances and two goals against the Dockers. The defection of Josh Dunkley has meant Bontempelli has played more as an inside mid, and the results could not have been better. He celebrated his 200th match, against the Hawks, and is craving a second flag.
Handed a one-year contract extension, Tom Liberatore remains one of the league’s best extractors. Averaging almost 27 touches per game, his ability to win possession at stoppages, and spark the Bulldogs’ clearance game, remains central to their premiership hopes. A heart-and-soul Bulldog, Liberatore celebrated his 200th match, against Port Adelaide, but his 27 touches weren’t enough to eke out a win.
Having rebuffed an opportunity to head home to Perth, Tim English has been in career-best form, his 34 hitouts, 20 touches and a goal contributing to a significant win over the Dockers in Perth. His ability to push forward and impact the scoreboard has been central in the Dogs’ resurgence. English’s athleticism was never questioned, but he now has the power to match the league’s best.
Who needs to lift?
Highly coveted former Fremantle forward Rory Lobb has had his moments, but has yet to deliver the bag of goals he is capable of. Admittedly, having fellow talls Naugton and Ugle-Hagan alongside him means there are options aplenty for midfielders to target, and Lobb has also been used in the ruck. It’s likely only a matter of time before Lobb truly makes his presence felt.
Year two always loomed as a tough act for extremely talented father-son Sam Darcy, and that proved the case in the opening two rounds when he struggled as a key tall in attack. Darcy responded strongly in the VFL, but was then diagnosed with a rare lung condition, which has him sidelined indefinitely.
Rory Lobb arrived at Whitten Oval with high expectations.Credit: Getty Images
It’s been a frustrating season for son of a gun Rhylee West, who penned a two-year contract extension last September, but has managed only one senior game this season. West had a break-out 2022, playing a career-high 14 games and impressing as a pressure forward who could also take a mark. However, he was goalless in his final three games last season, and was overlooked for the elimination final. This season, he had no impact against St Kilda in round two.
Coach’s box
Luke Beveridge is safe, having signed on until at least the end of 2025, so regardless of the Dogs performance this season, the premiership coach is seen as the club’s long-term man. He is said to have taken a more relaxed approach over summer, but that would have dissipated after a rugged opening two rounds. To his credit, Beveridge was prepared to change his defensive set up, and the Bulldogs have been better since.
The road ahead
Round 13 v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium
Round 14 v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium
Round 15 Bye
Round 16 v Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium
Round 17 v Collingwood at Marvel Stadium
Round 18 v Sydney Swans at the SCG
Round 19 v Essendon at Marvel Stadium
Round 20 v Greater Western Sydney at Mars Stadium
Round 21 v Richmond at Marvel Stadium
Round 22 v Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium
Round 23 v West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium
Round 24 v Geelong at GMHBA Stadium
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