With the Dogs and the GIANTS both coming off impressive Opening Round victories it was with great anticipation we looked forward to what should have been a fierce, closely fought contest at Marvel Stadium under the roof. Alas there was no ferocity. Nor was it a contest. Toby Greene’s ice-cold handshake with the Bont at the coin toss was about as menacing as the Giants would get.
The ongoing talk by players and officials of both clubs and the media of the hatred shared between these clubs and the rivalry built since the Giants stole emerging star Callan Ward way back in 2011 is just that – talk. The reality is that the rivalry is more spoken about off the field than delivered on it.
The Dogs had won eight of the past nine encounters including an 80 point plus thrashing at the same venue in 2025. And on Saturday afternoon they again demolished a hapless Giant outfit by 81 points recording its fifth straight victory over GWS 21.8 (134) to 7.11 (53). The Western Bulldogs have become the Giants nemesis having conceded a whopping 169 points to the Dogs in their last two games.
The new ruck rule is a real headache for the Giants. Kieran Briggs is a tough, bullocking ruckman who most weeks concedes height and athleticism to his opponents. On Saturday he was no match against the spring and agility of Tim English. In frustration he conceded a couple of free kicks by “crossing the line” to quell the English dominance. Jake Riccardi conceding height and strength is simply uncompetitive at centre bounces which magnifies the Giants stoppage concerns. At ground level the Dogs dominated with Bontempelli, Richards, Liberatore and Kennedy taking full advantage of the ruck dominance. The Bulldogs won the clearance battle with ease 45 -26.
Marcus Bontempelli is a star. I only saw Ted Whitten as a kid. I was at his final game in 1970 at the Western Oval standing in the outer with my father as Footscray played the Hawks. Ted was captain-coach and his three-quarter time address “you’ve got to give me everything you’ve got!” is legendary and regularly appears on our screens to this day. I don’t remember much about his playing exploits other than what I have seen from old black and white replays. Ted personified the Bulldog spirit and more. Ted Whitten will always be Mr. Football. But Marcus Bontempelli may well be crowned the Bulldogs greatest player by the time his illustrious career is over. On Saturday his run, carry, spread, foot disposal and fire power up forward was superb. His 33 disposals, six clearances and three goals will surely earn him the three votes come Brownlow Medal night.
Team defensive structures, guarding space and shared responsibility may all be well and good in this modern game, but when a player is so dominant and influential is it not prudent to have a “run with” player assigned the task of shutting him down? The Bont amassed 18 possessions and booted three goals in the first half. Apparently, Xavier O’Halloran went to him in the second half.
Together with Matt Kennedys 27 possessions and Tom Liberatores 29 the Dogs key forwards in Naughton and Darcy had an endless supply of ball which the besieged Giant defence could not counter. Naughton booted a career equaling six goals whilst Darcy booted four. Naughton needs to elevate his game to another level this season. If he can perform at the level we witnessed on Saturday consistently he and Darcy may well prove to be the most potent key forward combination in the competition.
The lack of physicality and to the despair of Giants coach Adam Kinglsey the lack of fight was not befitting of a game built around rivalry which Kinsgley conceded post-game had been diluted. The three-man bone crunching marking contest in the third quarter featuring the Dogs Will Lewis, and Giant pair Himmelberg and Laverde was the epitome of courage and physicality at the contest. It looked ugly. Thankfully all three emerged intact despite some blood being spilt.
The Dogs are off to a great start after two impressive victories and will look to maintain the momentum in a tough Round 2 assignment against the Crows in Adelaide. The Giants will be working hard during the week on their stoppage game and clearance work. Big Kieran Briggs will have a sleepless week plotting his tactics to curb the height and athleticism of De Koning.
The Giants return to Engie Stadium next week to take on the charismatic Saints. Coach Kingsley will demand a compelling response to the insipid display on the weekend – and above all some fight.
Western Bulldogs
5.1 11.1 16.6 21.8 (134)
GWS Giants
2.3 4.5 6.8 7.11 (53)
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 6, Darcy 4, Bontempelli 3, Baker 2,
Davidson 2, Hynes, Liberatore, Kennedy, Bramble
GWS Giants: Callaghan 2, Greene, Rowston, Riccardi, O’Halloran, Coniglio
Best
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, English, Naughton, Kennedy, Khamis
GWS Giants: Greene, Fonti, Ash, Himmelberg
Injuries
Western Bulldogs: Lewis (head)
GWS Giants: Himmelberg (lacerated chin)
Crowd: 28, 318 at Marvel Stadium
Read more from Richard Griffiths HERE
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Richard
Good synopsis of the game and as a Dogs supporter it was great to be there. Like you I only saw EJ briefly at the end of his career and I was too young to appreciate him. However as good as he was at the time he was with Skilton and Barassi a great player. Whilst the romantics might like to still rank him our best ever Bontempelli to me has gone past him. He has been the best player in the competition for at least 7 years [sorry Pies] and is regarded as such by the majority of neutral supporters.