Bulldogs Dominate Giants in Fiery Encounter, Four Players Escape Serious Injury
The Western Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance, securing an emphatic 81-point victory over Greater Western Sydney in a match that was marred by a significant third-quarter collision involving four players. Despite the alarming incident, all four involved managed to return to the field, underscoring a fortunate outcome for the teams.
The dramatic moment unfolded in the Bulldogs’ forward 50. As the ball was kicked into the danger zone, Aaron Naughton and debutant Will Lewis of the Bulldogs converged on the contest, facing off against GWS defenders Harry Himmelberg and Jayden Laverde. In a chaotic sequence, Himmelberg, attempting to get a fist to the ball while running back with the flight, became the catalyst for the collision. Naughton, running into the contest, impacted Himmelberg’s back, sending him pinballing into Lewis and then Laverde.
The immediate aftermath saw Naughton quickly regain his feet and run off, but the other three players were left on the ground, prompting a halt in play for assessment. Describing the incident, Corbin Middlemas on ABC Sport remarked, “That was almost like a car accident where the cars bump one into the next. A three-player pile-up in the end.”
Both Himmelberg and Lewis sustained lacerations, with both requiring assessment under the blood rule and undergoing head injury assessments. Laverde also left the field gingerly, reporting a back complaint. However, in a positive update provided by Fox Footy’s Ben Dixon during the fourth quarter, all four players were cleared to continue playing. Dixon reported that Lewis had suffered a laceration to his eye but was “OK,” while Himmelberg received stitches above his eye. Laverde, though still a “bit ginger” with his back, was also deemed to be “OK.” Naughton, it was noted, had sustained a “bowling split.”
The relieved sentiment was echoed by Jordan Lewis, who responded to the injury update by stating, “Geez it’s a good result, isn’t it?”
This emphatic win followed the Bulldogs’ strong opening to the season, having already defeated the reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba in Opening Round. The final scoreline read 21.8 (134) to 7.11 (53) in favour of the Bulldogs, a testament to their overwhelming dominance.
Bulldogs’ Clinical Efficiency and Midfield Mastery
The Bulldogs showcased remarkable efficiency in the first half, kicking an impressive 11.1. This clinical performance proved too much for the Giants, who could only manage four goals by halftime. At the heart of the Bulldogs’ dominance was captain Marcus Bontempelli. The star midfielder was in scintillating form, tearing the GWS defence to shreds. By halftime, he had already amassed three goals from 17 disposals, setting the tone for the afternoon.
Bontempelli ultimately finished the match with a dominant stat line: 33 disposals, three goals, two goal assists, and an astounding 11 inside-50 entries. His all-around performance was a clear highlight.
The Bulldogs’ forward line also benefited from the aerial presence of their key forwards. Aaron Naughton, despite the earlier collision, went on to kick a game-high six goals, while Sam Darcy contributed four goals. This potent attacking duo proved too much for a GWS defence that was notably missing key defenders Sam Taylor and Leek Aleer.
In just his second senior game, Lachie Jaques also impressed for the Bulldogs, gathering 29 disposals and taking nine marks, showcasing his potential for the future.
A Rivalry of One-Sided Dominance
The clash between the Western Bulldogs and GWS has historically been a fiercely contested one, with their epic 2016 preliminary final etched in AFL folklore. However, recent encounters have seen a significant shift in momentum, with the Bulldogs establishing a period of sustained dominance. Including Saturday’s result, the Bulldogs have now won a remarkable 10 of the last 11 encounters between the two clubs.
This statistic surprised St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo, who commented on Fox Footy that such a lopsided record “doesn’t quite make sense given how good the Giants have been and how intense the rivalry has been.”
Expert Praise for the Bulldogs’ Season Start
AFL legend Leigh Matthews was particularly impressed with the Bulldogs’ early-season form, suggesting their performances have elevated his expectations for what they can achieve. “They have got their full team out there, that makes a big difference. With this team out there, they’re going to be as good as anyone,” Matthews stated on 3AW, indicating belief in the Bulldogs’ premiership credentials when fielding their best side.
Giants’ Efforts and Future Fixtures
For the Giants, Finn Callaghan was a standout performer, leading the charge with 27 disposals and two goals. Lachie Ash also contributed significantly, racking up 31 disposals and taking 13 marks.
However, former Bulldog Jake Stringer had a quiet outing against his old side, finishing scoreless with just five touches, a stark contrast to his five-goal haul in Opening Round.
Looking ahead, GWS will host St Kilda at Engie Stadium in round two, while the Western Bulldogs will travel to Adelaide to face the Crows in their next fixture.
