Is this really the Western Bulldogs we all know?
The Western Bulldogs have continued their AFL revitalisation under new coach Luke Beveridge by downing Richmond at the MCG.
SCOREBOARD: RICH v WB
9.12 (66) |
Richmond v Western Bulldogs |
 12.13 (85) |
|---|---|---|
| at MCG, April 11, 2015 | ||
| 403 | Disposals | 326 |
| 34 | Clearances | 32 |
| 54 | Inside 50 | 48 |
| 51 | Tackles | 73 |
|
Richmond: J Riewoldt 2, R Petterd, C Newman, D Grimes, N Gordon, B Griffiths, D Martin, S Lloyd
Western Bulldogs: T Dickson 4, S Crameri, J Stringer 2, M Wallis, E Wood, M Honeychurch, J Grant | ||
In a low-scoring contest, the Bulldogs kicked clear in the third term to win 12.13 (85) to 9.12 (66) in front of almost 50,000 people.
While the Tigers edged the Bulldogs on key indicators, Beveridge’s side had more intensity and forward intent.
Kicking woes beset Richmond, who won the contested possession count, inside 50s and the free kick tally but not the match.
The Bulldogs have won their first two AFL matches for the first time in six years.
Veterans Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd led their defence, keeping Richmond to just nine goals all afternoon.
Marcus Bontempelli’s tackling set a standard across the ground, while Jackson Macrae and Mitch Wallis powered the Bulldogs in midfield.
And up front, Tory Dickson’s bag of four goals was supplemented by two-goal hauls from Stewart Crameri and Jake Stringer.
After a tame first half edged by the Bulldogs, the contest came alive.
The first goals of the afternoon to Tiger key forwards Ben Griffiths and Jack Riewoldt kept the Tigers within reach but the Bulldogs responded.
Jake Stringer made up for earlier wastefulness with his second goal, helping the Bulldogs to a 29-point lead at the final break.
Early goals to Chris Newman and Riewoldt proved to be a false dawn for the Tigers, who left their run too late.
Alex Rance produced a strong effort in Richmond’s defence, with a busy Trent Cotchin leading the possession count with 34.
Despite their efforts, this was the Dogs’ day, taking their place on top of the AFL ladder temporarily by becoming the first team to two wins.
Meantime, Greater Western Sydney has staged a stunning comeback to beat Melbourne by 45 points in Canberra, marking their best-ever start to an AFL season.
SCOREBOARD: GWS v MELB
 15.11 (101) | GWS v Melbourne |  8.8 (56) |
|---|---|---|
| at Manuka Oval, April 11, 2015 | ||
| 355 | Disposals | 304 |
| 50 | Clearances | 36 |
| 62 | Inside 50 | 34 |
| 76 | Tackles | 59 |
| GWS: C McCarthy 3, D Shiel 3, S Coniglio, D Smith 2, N Wilson, A Treloar, S Mumford, J Cameron, T ScullyMelbourne: B Newton, J Hogan 2, T McDonald, M jamar, J Garlett, D Kent | ||
Down 27 points at half-time, the Giants booted nine goals to none in the third term to win 15.11 (101) to 8.8 (56) at Manukah Oval on Saturday.
It was the highest-scoring quarter in their short history and second straight win of the season following last week’s round-one triumph over St Kilda.
Until now, the club had not won its opening two games since joining the competition in 2012.
Key forward Cam McCarthy and Dylan Shiel booted three goals each, while Stephen Coniglio (26 disposals) and Devon Smith collected two apiece.
Ruckman Shane Mumford also nabbed a major in arguably his best performance for the club.
The Giants started with a spring in their step, but it was the visitors who set the pace early on.
After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, Melbourne booted two goals within 90 seconds through Tom McDonald and Dean Kent.
The momentum seemed to go entirely the Demons’ way after that, their fast ball movement making the Giants look sluggish for a 24-point lead at the first change.
While somewhat composed in defence, GWS’s forward halves appeared to struggle to piece together some valuable plays.
It was not until five minutes into the second quarter that Shiel got the Giants their first goal. It took another 24 minutes for goal number two via McCarthy to go into the main break 27 points down.
But GWS came out firing in the second half, stringing together 13 unanswered goals on the back of a dominant ruck performance by Mumford.
Demons only managed a single major in the second half through Ben Newton, who’d earlier been subbed out for a suspected concussion.
