- You’re most welcome, 20CNS, and welcome back.
- You really are showing your age. Stranger Things is an incredible watch and Bailey Smith plays for the Dogs, not the Dees!!!!
Summary
No crowd, no atmosphere at Marvel Stadium, but a performance from Melbourne that befitted a packed stadium. This was a 1-v-2 battle and a genuine test of the Demons’ credentials after their loss to Adelaide, but they responded with an emphatic win that puts them back in the picture as genuine premiership contenders.
From start to finish they hassled the Bulldogs out of the game, moved the ball with class and ease and defended the ground well to be fully deserving winners. Melbourne now return to the top of the AFL ladder and restore their status as the team to beat.
One eye, as always, remains on the evolving Covid-19 situation. One can only hope that the round, and the season, will continue from here.
Mask on.#AFLDogsDees pic.twitter.com/QwmhJkjw2z
— AFL (@AFL) May 28, 2021
Updated
FT: Melbourne 13-9 (87) beat Western Bulldogs 8-11 (59)
Very impressive win for Melbourne, who bounce back from their shock loss to the Crows with a win that rubber-stamps their premiership credentials.
Two in a minute for Sam Weideman 👏#AFLDogsDees pic.twitter.com/Yx0B1XXDui
— AFL (@AFL) May 28, 2021
Updated
Q4: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 8-11 (59) vs Melbourne 13-9 (87) Bailey Smith gets done for holding the ball and the Dees thrust forward again. Oliver wins another hard ball but this time the Dogs find a way out. Not long now. Big night for the Dees.
Q4: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 8-11 (59) vs Melbourne 13-9 (87) The Dogs go forward again, but again it’s aimless and again Lever mops up the loose ball. Naughton then finds himself with a set shot but Gawn clobbers the ball through for a rushed behind.
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 8-10 (58) vs Melbourne 13-9 (87) Goal! The Dogs make an absolute mess of their passage out of their backline but an errant kick for goal means they don’t pay the price. At the other end, Bruce shows how it’s done with an expertly taken set shot for goal from about 40m out. Too little, too late.
Updated
Q4: 8 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 7-9 (51) vs Melbourne 13-8 (86) Dale finds Liberatore but his set shot from just outside 50 is irrelevant as a free in the square goes the way of the Dees. The Dogs are trying hard but time isn’t on their side. Nor is an opponent who has them in their pocket.
Q4: 11 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 7-9 (51) vs Melbourne 13-8 (86) Goal! But then Bruce gets his hands on a loose ball close to goal, spins out of trouble and snaps truly to pull one back for the Dogs.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-9 (45) vs Melbourne 13-8 (86) Naughton takes a nice grab over Gawn but again the Dogs can’t do anything with their entry inside 50.
Q4: 14 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-9 (45) vs Melbourne 13-8 (86) Butler has a shot for his first goal in the AFL but somehow misses everything from not far out at not much of an angle. Sums up the Doggies’ night.
Q4: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-9 (45) vs Melbourne 13-8 (86) Goal! Sweet flat out misses with his attempted tap off the ground and the ball ends up with McDonald, who drills his set shot from a 35-degree angle to the right. Hate to go the early crow, but game over. Dogs not even in this.
Q4: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-9 (45) vs Melbourne 12-8 (80) The Dees chop off another chain of Dogs’ passes and the ball settles in dispute in the middle of the ground. Great pressure to start the quarter from Melbourne. It’s been great all night. The Bont then has a chance from range but Lever is on hand to spoil the ball through for a behind.
3QT: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 12-8 (80)
Big quarter from the Demons, not obviously on the scoreboard, but they gave the Dogs no space, no time, no favours and are full value for their six-goal lead. Their pressure is intense, their class next level. It would take a miraculous resurgence from the Bulldogs to get back into this.
Glad I’m not the only one...
Reckon the Aussie guy from Stranger Things as Bailey Smith #AFLDogsDees pic.twitter.com/GK2Bk5HAqU
— Matt Stewart (@mattstew_art) May 28, 2021
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 12-8 (80) Goal! Weideman again! The Dees clear the ball from the middle - again - and Weideman takes a strong mark in front of goal before converting for a second goal in as many minutes. Danger signs for the Dogs, if they weren’t there already.
Q3: 4 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 11-7 (73) Goal! The Dees regain possession in their back half and try to keep the ball. It works as they chip the ball around before finding Weideman inside 50, a shade to the right. It’s not the easiest of set shots but he slots it nicely to extend the Dees’ lead.
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 10-7 (67) Salem coughs up the ball in a dangerous area and the Dogs pounce, setting up Naughton but he too misses his set shot. Straightforward chance; should have done better. Needed to have done better if the Dogs are to get back in this one.
Q3: 9 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-7 (43) vs Melbourne 10-7 (67) Great pass under duress from Lever paves the way for a big grab by Harmes on the 50 and then Fritsch has a chance to swell the lead but his set shot hits the left post. Not much of an angle, not far out. Poor miss.
Q3: 11 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-6 (42) vs Melbourne 10-6 (66) Goal! Fritsch is awarded a free for high contact on the right pocket and does very well with his set shot, drilling the ball home with a deft snap. Advantage Demons.
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-6 (42) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Now it’s the Dees who try to chip it around. The ball becomes unstuck but the Dogs can’t do anything with the turnover and the Demons rebound with ease. Slow, watchful start to the third term but that probably suits the Demons just fine.
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-6 (42) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Petracca goes a torp from defence and though it’s a good kick the Dogs mop up and creep the ball forward. Gawn is on hand, however, to punch the ball over the boundary line. Nothing direct nor precise from the Dogs.
Q3: 17 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Oliver is good in congestion but the Dogs win a free deep in defence to clear the ball from danger. But their ball movement is stagnant and the Dees bottle it up.
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Back for the second half. Centre clearance for the Dogs but Petty takes a timely mark to centre-half back to nullify the threat.
I’ll see what I can do.
HT: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60)
It’s been mostly the Dees but the Dogs struck back at the end of the second term to get within three goals and change. Melbourne can still go into half-time on good terms with themselves. They are winning the ball out of the middle, moving the ball well and defending the ground beautifully. The Bulldogs have looked off the pace but are still in it. On a plus note from their point of view, they can’t play much worse.
If anyone is wondering why the Dees aren’t wearing their Indigenous jumper, it’s because of an apparent clash.
How on earth do they clash? pic.twitter.com/TqYF81IU30
— robbie czajka (@roberto197211) May 28, 2021
Q2: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Goal! Crozier takes a nice contested mark from a kick-in before finding English with a measured pass inside 50. English converts from about 40 and suddenly the Dogs are back inside 20 points when they’ve looked outplayed for most of the night.
Updated
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 5-4 (34) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Goal! Another messy inside 50 by the Dogs is handled easily by the Dees. But the Bulldogs soon regain control and work the ball across the ground before Daniel shoots and scores to pull one back. Much-needed late goal for the Bulldogs.
Updated
Q2: 5 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-4 (28) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Goal! The Dogs go backwards to go forward from defence but it’s hard work and the Dees soon turn the ball over. The pressure shows and Pickett gets onto the end of an Oliver pass inside 50 before kicking truly and putting more space between themselves and the Dogs.
Q2: 7 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-4 (28) vs Melbourne 8-6 (54) Lovely intercept mark by Rivers and again Melbourne nullify a Bulldogs move forward. The Dogs have been lacking for intent and the Dees are set up well.
Q2: 10 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-4 (28) vs Melbourne 8-6 (54) The Dogs go forward and Weightman looks set to pull off an audacious goal after a shimmy and then a shake but his snap misses to the left. Would’ve been a classic goal and a necessary one for the Dogs but to no avail.
Q2: 12 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-3 (27) vs Melbourne 8-6 (54) Goal! McDonald again. The Dogs have worked hard but the Demons are equal to it. Big Mac converts after some nice work from Neal-Bullen and now Melbourne regain their breathing space.
Q2: 14 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-3 (27) vs Melbourne 7-6 (48) Goal! Melbourne get one back after Petracca finds McDonald with a precise pass when everyone in the stadium - meaning no one - thought he might instead have gone for goal. Classy stuff from the Dee.
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-3 (27) vs Melbourne 6-6 (42) Goal! English takes a virtually uncontested mark when he really should have had some opposition and makes no mistake with his set shot from 20m out. The Bont instrumental in that play. Warming into it he is.
Q2: 16 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 3-3 (21) vs Melbourne 6-6 (42) The Dogs are getting their hands on it now, tossing it around from defence to centre wing to the forward line. The Dees nullify but good signs for the Bulldogs.
Q2: 18 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 3-2 (20) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41) Goal! And Bruce does the rest, rocking back and drilling his set shot. Just the start the Bulldogs wanted.
Q2: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41) The Dogs trail at QT for the first time this season. Let’s see what they can do. Well, the second quarter has started with a clearance that has landed in the hands of Bruce...
QT: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41)
No fans but plenty of action as Melbourne start the game much stronger after their disappointment against the Crows last week. The Dees are winning it out of the middle and the rest has been taking care of itself. Response needed from the Dogs.
James Harmes got us going within the first 20 seconds. #AFLDogsDeespic.twitter.com/Km1bKfeXQm
— Melbourne Footy (@MelbourneFooty) May 28, 2021
Q1: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41) Goal! Lever to Oliver to Gawn, but Oliver is dumped after disposal and the Dees ruckman is handed a free in front of goal before splitting the big sticks to swell Melbourne’s lead. Big quarter from Melbourne.
Updated
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 5-5 (35) Another error in defence gives Melbourne a shot on goal but Spargo can’t convert from a tightish angle, missing to the left.
Updated
Q1: 4 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 5-4 (34) Goal! Spargo has a set shot from the boundary but instead of having a crack he centres the ball and the Dogs fail to deal with the chaos ball as Jordon pounces and puts the Dees further in front.
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 4-4 (28) Goal! Big blue from the Dogs defence as Fritsch takes an intercept grab before spinning off the mark and snapping for another for the Dees.
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 3-3 (21) Goal! That man Naughton gets his hands on the ball just inside 50 and makes no mistake with his set shot. Timely goal for the Dogs.
Q1: 10 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 1-2 (8) vs Melbourne 3-3 (21) The Dees work the ball out of defence with some sharp passing. As the ball flies high over centre wing you really get the sense of no one being there. The stands are empty. Not even canned applause from the broadcasters. It’s like 2020 all over again. Please, God, let it be brief.
🙁 Here we are again...#AFL #AFLDogsDees pic.twitter.com/J6F63n8h8C
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) May 28, 2021
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 1-1 (7) vs Melbourne 3-2 (20) Goal! Another quick break from Melbourne and the Dogs are caught unawares as Fritsch plays on and snaps truly to make it three for the Dees. Big start to the game from Melbourne.
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 1-1 (7) vs Melbourne 2-1 (13) Goal! Big clearance win for the Bulldogs and Weightman judges a chaos ball best to find space and kick truly to drag one back. Lovely finish.
Q1: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-1 (1) vs Melbourne 2-1 (13) Goal! From the kick-in the Dees regain possession and Petracca does the rest with an assured snap to put the Dees further in front.
Q1: 16 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-1 (1) vs Melbourne 1-1 (7) McDonald has space, then Fritsch has space, but the latter squanders his chance from the left as he drags his set shot to the left.
Q1: 17 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-1 (1) vs Melbourne 1-0 (6) Now Melbourne are on the attack. Clean hands from Bailey Smith on 50 gives the Dogs a shot on goal but the Dees talls are there to save the day.
Q1: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-0 (0) vs Melbourne 1-0 (6) Goal! And we’re away. Gawn fairly well strips the ball from the centre bounce and before you know it Harmes pounces on a loose ball inside 50 and kicks a very, very quick goal. Wow, that was quick.
Not long now...
If you’ve been a bit busy and/or avoiding the crapness of Covid-19, this is the present state of crapness.
In case anyone is unsure, Sir Doug Nicholls Round is about much more than a guernsey design tweak.
"No one's born racist. It's something that is the product of the environment."
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) May 28, 2021
The boys share some further reflections on the importance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round + the role we can all play in stamping out racism. pic.twitter.com/lkWO0Ask9X
"Leading into this week and what you're wearing, whether you realise it or not, you actually are part of reconciliation..."
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 27, 2021
Travis Varcoe with a powerful message on the importance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
🖤💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/ix2yqaBQgE
Am I the only dude who thinks Bailey Smith is a dead ringer for Billy from Stranger Things?
If anyone’s keen for a spot of background viewing, here’s some highlights of the last time these two met.
And even more recently, if you know what I mean.
Don’t sit on the fence, HoO. Worst case you’re a 50-50 shot. I’m with the Dogs.
Lest anyone be under a rock, Victoria is back in a very dark place. Please, please let it be brief.
Mask on.
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 28, 2021
🤟😷🤘 pic.twitter.com/nlOPrAU8XM
Round 11. 😷 #FiredUp pic.twitter.com/wtMVTq3xtt
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) May 28, 2021
No late team changes
Western Bulldogs
B: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Hayden Crozier
HB: Bailey Williams, Zaine Cordy, Caleb Daniel
C: Bailey Dale, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF: Lachie Hunter, Josh Bruce, Cody Weightman
F: Tim English, Aaron Naughton, Marcus Bontempelli
FOLL: Jordon Sweet, Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith
I/C: Patrick Lipinski, Lachlan McNeil, Roarke Smith, Riley Garcia
Sub: Louis Butler
Melbourne
B: Jayden Hunt, Steven May, Jake Lever
HB: Christian Salem, Harrison Petty, Michael Hibberd
C: Angus Brayshaw, Christian Petracca, Ed Langdon
HF: James Jordon, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham
F: Bayley Fritsch, Sam Weideman, Charlie Spargo
FOLL: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Kysaiah Pickett
I/C: James Harmes, Luke Jackson, Trent Rivers, Alex Neal-Bullen
Sub: Tom Sparrow
A battle of the midfield, to be sure. And it sure helps to get a run for the Dogs if your first name is Bailey.
Here’s one of them. The one with the big hair.
Preamble
Good evening and welcome to the opening fixture of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round. It’s one that was touch-and-go to even go ahead and one that will proceed in the absence of spectators. Thankfully it is indeed happening. Not often do we see a 1-v-2 in round 11 of the season but that’s what we have on our hands tonight.
Its lustre might have been brighter had Melbourne beaten Adelaide last week and come into this contest unbeaten, but let’s be grateful for what we’ve got. This is still a Friday night worth staying in for, and let’s face it if you’re in Victoria you’ve got no choice anyway. So fill the fridge full of VB/Kombucha/Yakult and strap yourselves in for a match that will reveal more and more about the supposed leading lights for this year’s premiership.
This is a real chance for both teams. It’s a chance for the Bulldogs to prove without a shadow of doubt that they are the real deal, the finest outfit in the AFL. Beat the Demons and that cannot be in dispute. Should Melbourne bounce back, however, we’ll likely be back in the murky waters of ambiguity. All of which, it must be said, is tempered by the fact it is only round 11 and Covid-19 could still resurface to bite all and sundry on the derriere.
But that can wait. All that matters is a top-of-the-table clash and a Friday night to savour. I’m here to keep you posted. You’re here, among other duties, to keep me company. If you’d like to get involved, you know the drill. Let’s do this thing.
Wish you were here ❤️#AFLDogsDees pic.twitter.com/pZq2mJCcwu
— AFL (@AFL) May 28, 2021
Updated
