Bulldogs Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat in Adelaide Thriller
In a nail-biting AFL encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Western Bulldogs have secured a dramatic six-point victory over a resurgent Adelaide Crows outfit. The Dogs clinched the win with a spectacular late goal from Oskar Baker, who slotted the match-winner from a tight angle to seal the 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88) triumph at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
This latest win adds another significant scalp to the Western Bulldogs’ impressive early-season record. Coach Luke Beveridge’s charges have now defeated the reigning premiers Brisbane, last year’s Grand Finalists GWS, and the minor premiers Adelaide, signalling a formidable start to their campaign. Beveridge, ever the pragmatist, was pleased with the outcome, stating, “I’ll take a win any day of the week. Most of the night we defended pretty well and we kicked a pretty good score. It’s pretty encouraging.”
However, the Bulldogs’ victory was far from a foregone conclusion. They were pushed to the absolute limit by a Crows side that mounted a stunning comeback, led by the electrifying Izak Rankine. Adelaide, trailing by a seemingly insurmountable 26 points early in the final quarter, ignited a fierce surge, booting five goals in a frantic 10-minute period to snatch the lead.
Rankine, returning to the field after a four-game suspension, was instrumental in the Crows’ revival. With just eight minutes remaining, the dynamic forward produced a moment of brilliance, turning and unleashing a remarkable 47-metre goal on the run to put Adelaide in front by six points.
The momentum had well and truly shifted, but the Western Bulldogs, showing characteristic resilience, refused to be denied. A quick response from Bailey Williams, who snapped accurately to level the scores, set the stage for Baker’s heroics. With the clock ticking down and under immense pressure, Baker, demonstrating exceptional composure and skill, ran at pace and curled through the game-breaking major.
Oskar Baker’s match-winning goal was the icing on the cake for his stellar performance, having already contributed two goals earlier in the match, finishing with a crucial three majors. He wasn’t the only Bulldog to find the goals multiple times. Aaron Naughton and the dynamic Joel Freijah also bagged three goals apiece, with Freijah proving influential with 24 disposals. Captain Marcus Bontempelli was at his commanding best, amassing a game-high 30 touches and adding a goal to his tally.
The midfield engine room of the Bulldogs was also in fine form. Ed Richards (29 disposals), Tom Liberatore (28 disposals), and Matt Kennedy (27 disposals) were pivotal in controlling the tempo and driving their side forward.
For Adelaide, despite the heartbreaking finish, there were several standout performers. Taylor Walker led the charge with three goals, supported by contributions from Riley Thilthorpe (two goals), Darcy Fogarty (two goals), and Josh Rachele (two goals). Captain Jordan Dawson was also prominent with 25 possessions and a goal, while Josh Worrell impressed with 25 possessions and nine marks.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks acknowledged his team’s slow start. “We were a bit slow to get going… we left it too late,” he admitted.
The Western Bulldogs established their dominance early in the contest. Consecutive conversions from Joel Freijah, following free kicks, set the tone, and the Dogs raced out to a commanding 20-0 lead. Adelaide’s first score came from a 50-metre penalty converted by Jordan Butts – his maiden goal in 87 AFL games – but the Bulldogs still held a slender 3.4 (22) to 3.0 (18) lead at quarter-time.
The lead evaporated in the second term when Riley Thilthorpe put the Crows ahead for the first time. However, this advantage proved fleeting as the Bulldogs responded with a powerful surge. Freijah’s third goal ignited a run of four consecutive goals within a 15-minute burst, giving the Dogs an 18-point lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw both teams trade three goals, but a crucial flashpoint occurred when Sam Darcy conceded successive 50-metre penalties to Adelaide’s Jordan Butts. Butts, presented with an opportunity to reduce the margin, sprayed a 20-metre set shot that could have brought the Crows within nine points. Instead, compounding his earlier error, Butts then gave away a free kick to Darcy, who coolly slotted a 50-metre goal, extending the Bulldogs’ buffer to 19 points. Another point from the home side saw the visitors take an 11.7 (73) to 8.7 (55) lead into the final change.
The margin appeared even more secure when Aaron Naughton kicked his third goal early in the final quarter, stretching the lead to a seemingly safe 26 points. It was at this point that Adelaide launched their extraordinary late onslaught, a testament to their fighting spirit, before ultimately falling agonisingly short against a determined Western Bulldogs outfit.
