Afl Round One: Dogs Coach Dishes Rare Praise After Bont Masterclass
afl Round One erupted at Marvel Stadium as the Western Bulldogs ran out 21. 8 to 7. 11 winners over GWS, an 81-point victory built on a standout Marcus Bontempelli performance and a dominant midfield display.
Afl Masterclass Drives 81-Point Win
The result was emphatic: the Bulldogs extended the margin at every change — 16 points at quarter time, 38 at half-time and 58 at three-quarter time — finishing comfortably as 81-point victors. The home side’s midfield controlled the contest early and often, winning the clearance battle 45 to 26 and allowing forward duo Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy to capitalise, Naughton finishing with six goals and Darcy four.
Bontempelli’s Dominant Numbers
Marcus Bontempelli put the game to bed with a first-half showing that included three goals and 18 disposals. He finished with 33 possessions, 11 inside 50s and 11 score involvements, prompting coach Luke Beveridge to break from his usual reserve. “It’s rare that I stand in front of the group and blow smoke, because I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable, ” Beveridge said. “But after today, it was necessary to definitely acknowledge how well he played. “
Support from the engine room was significant: Tom Liberatore collected 29 possessions and Matthew Kennedy had 27, helping the Bulldogs dominate around the ball and create repeated scoring opportunities.
Giants Struggle, Milestones and Reactions
GWS had few positives to take from the defeat. Captain Toby Greene worked hard, finishing with 26 disposals while Finn Callaghan, who missed training with soreness during the week, showed no signs of rust with two goals and 27 disposals. GWS coach Adam Kingsley lamented his side’s lack of fight and noted the result was almost a “carbon copy” of their 88-point loss at the same ground last season, adding that the club has now lost 10 of their last 11 matches against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs arrived with momentum after an opening-round victory over Brisbane and have now started the season with two scalps of last season’s finalists. Oskar Baker reflected on the 81-point win and marked his 50th afl game in the clash, while forwards coach and teammates acknowledged the day as a comprehensive team performance.
With the Bulldogs’ midfield dominance and a forward line that finished clinically, their win leaves a clear marker early in the season. The Giants will head back to the drawing board after a heavy loss, while the Bulldogs will look to build on a commanding Round One display.
