bulldogtragic
27-06-2021, 11:05 PM
BONT made another deposit on the 2021 Brownlow Medal, Bailey Smith had his best game of the year and as for Aaron Naughton – if he isn't already the best key forward in the game at 21, he will be by the end of the year.
And there were at least a dozen other major positives for the Western Bulldogs in their massive, season-shaping win against West Coast in Perth.
Crucial status as a top-two seeded finalist is now fully in their control. After 14 matches, they've got the competition's best percentage by a long way, sit one game behind ladder leader Melbourne, and one game ahead of Brisbane, Port Adelaide and Geelong.
Marcus Bontempelli simply does not play a bad game, and there are now 159 matches of evidence to prove that. He again exuded authority and control in Sunday's match with 29 disposals and three goals, including one that might just be the clubhouse leader for goal of the year. Smith, reverting to the inside-midfield role that propelled him to AFL stardom in just his second season in 2020, was equally crucial in the demolition of the Eagles.
Naughton booted four goals, three in the last quarter when the Bulldogs embarrassed their opponents. His presence under the incoming long bomb from teammates makes for compelling viewing. He hits the ball, seemingly every single time, at full velocity, and without fear of hurting himself or anyone, including teammates.
You could put all the AFL's key forwards up against a wall and ask me to take a pick, and I'd be taking Naughton in a heartbeat. He might have the most X-factor of anyone in the comp and, at 21, is behind only Bont as his team's most important player in the push for the 2021 flag.
In analysing the Bulldogs' smashing of the Eagles on Sunday, don't underestimate the club's ability to overcome the mentally draining outcomes of last weekend's after-siren loss to Geelong, and then being forced to quarantine in Perth for seven days.
And there were at least a dozen other major positives for the Western Bulldogs in their massive, season-shaping win against West Coast in Perth.
Crucial status as a top-two seeded finalist is now fully in their control. After 14 matches, they've got the competition's best percentage by a long way, sit one game behind ladder leader Melbourne, and one game ahead of Brisbane, Port Adelaide and Geelong.
Marcus Bontempelli simply does not play a bad game, and there are now 159 matches of evidence to prove that. He again exuded authority and control in Sunday's match with 29 disposals and three goals, including one that might just be the clubhouse leader for goal of the year. Smith, reverting to the inside-midfield role that propelled him to AFL stardom in just his second season in 2020, was equally crucial in the demolition of the Eagles.
Naughton booted four goals, three in the last quarter when the Bulldogs embarrassed their opponents. His presence under the incoming long bomb from teammates makes for compelling viewing. He hits the ball, seemingly every single time, at full velocity, and without fear of hurting himself or anyone, including teammates.
You could put all the AFL's key forwards up against a wall and ask me to take a pick, and I'd be taking Naughton in a heartbeat. He might have the most X-factor of anyone in the comp and, at 21, is behind only Bont as his team's most important player in the push for the 2021 flag.
In analysing the Bulldogs' smashing of the Eagles on Sunday, don't underestimate the club's ability to overcome the mentally draining outcomes of last weekend's after-siren loss to Geelong, and then being forced to quarantine in Perth for seven days.