WESTERN BULLDOGS 19.19 (133) d RICHMOND 6.6 (42)
BIG DOGS RULE
Whoever is coaching the Western Bulldogs in five years’ time may well have the best young forward in the game. They could also have the 2029 version of Carlton’s Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning. Sam Darcy is a star on the rise. It may only be early days in the career of the Bulldogs son of a gun but he is already showing he can be an imposing presence near goal. When Darcy, standing at 205cm, leaps and sticks those long arms above his head, there is hardly a defender in the game who can feel comfortable playing against him, let alone one as inexperienced as Ben Miller or Tylar Young. Darcy set the tone with two goals and three contested marks in the first half, finishing with four for the game and four contested marks in the Bulldogs’ 91-point annihilation of Richmond, their biggest win over that club since round one in 2006. Aaron Naughton was just as dangerous, finishing with four goals and 10 marks. On nights such as this, it is understandable why Luke Beveridge plays Naughton forward instead of in defence. Fortunately for the Tigers, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had a quiet game, well held by Nick Vlastuin, who was one of few winners in yellow and black. Beveridge, under pressure after 18 months of underwhelming performances by his team, could not have asked for a more emphatic response from his team. The Bulldogs had the game shot to bits shortly after quarter-time but it was not until the second half when their general dominance was reflected on the scoreboard. Once the ball was on the outside, the Tigers could do little to stop the Bulldogs, who had an extra 116 possessions and 36 entries inside 50. Marcus Bontempelli was prolific after half-time but Adam Treloar and Ed Richards were their most consistent midfield contributors through the night. The result leaves the Dogs open to accusations of being flat-track bullies, but after the week they have had that will sit much more comfortably than defeat.
The win will keep the hounds at bay for at least this week, but the true test will come next week against fierce rival Greater Western Sydney, who are aiming to snap a two-game losing streak.
RICHMOND HORROR SHOW
Richmond were already having a horror night. It got worse in the closing minutes. Having already lost Jack Graham and Sam Banks to injury – the latter concussed in an ugly accident – the Tigers were dealt another blow when Maurice Rioli suffered a leg injury that left him writhing in agony. Rioli was in agony after his leg gave away in a tackle just minutes before the final siren. Graham faces another few weeks on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring again. The two-time premiership player, who was coming back from a hamstring injury, was subbed out about 10 minutes into the third quarter. Banks was knocked out cold after having his legs accidentally taken from under him in a collision with Tim English. Pushed by Noah Balta, English could not avoid Banks, who was bravely contesting the ball only to be flipped over and crash head-first onto the turf. Banks was taken off on a motorised stretcher, receiving consolatory pats from each of his teammates on the field. He was later awake in the rooms and finished the game on the bench with his teammates.
Banks will miss next week’s game against Brisbane, in accordance with the AFL’s concussion protocols.
BOLTON’S FORGETTABLE NIGHT
Shai Bolton is one of Richmond’s few match winners. He is an All-Australian and two-time premiership player. At his best, he one of those players who can strap his teammates to his back and carry them out of the current doom and gloom. But not if he behaves as he did tonight. Imagine being young Seth Campbell, a rookie-listed youngster in his first season of senior football and just his ninth game. Campbell would already have been feeling blue. Attempting to find Bolton, who had gotten goal side of his opponent, Campbell picked out Alex Keath. Instead of getting some words of encouragement, he copped what looked to be a blistering bake from Bolton. Now, it’s hard to know exactly what was said from 150 metres away in the stands, but the demonstrative manner in which Bolton waved his arms and yelled to his teammate did not suggest he was in a forgiving mood. It’s not as if Bolton was having a big night either. To half-time, he had just one effective kick to his name. To his credit, Bolton was better in the second half, finishing with 19 touches and two goals. His body language improved. When Mykelti Lefau sprayed one out on the full to him on the lead, Bolton put his hand up to acknowledge the error.