Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae starred because the Western Bulldogs beat Melbourne by 20 factors on the MCG to take top spot on the AFL ladder.
The Western Bulldogs leapfrogged Melbourne into top spot on the AFL ladder however misplaced key defender Alex Keath to a hamstring harm within the course of of their gritty 20-point win.
Keath was substituted out of the sport earlier than quarter-time as Bontempelli, Macrae and a hard-working midfield steered the Bulldogs to a 13.7 (85) to 9.11 (65) victory on the MCG on Saturday night time.
The Bulldogs now sit two factors clear of Melbourne on top of the ladder and boast the competitors’s greatest proportion.
Meanwhile, the Demons might slip as little as third by the tip of the spherical – if Geelong beat Richmond on Sunday – having received simply two and drawn one of their final six video games.
Bontempelli had 31 disposals and mixed with Macrae (38 disposals) to generate 19 clearances, whereas Caleb Daniel (34 disposals) and Tom Liberatore (27) had been additionally vital contributors.
Josh Bruce, Aaron Naughton, Mitch Hannan and Bontempelli kicked two objectives every for the Dogs and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who had been quiet all night time, booted an important main from a set shot within the last time period.
With Keath out of motion, versatile tall Josh Schache stepped as much as play an vital function in defence, having been recalled for his second recreation of the season.
Clayton Oliver had 38 disposals, 25 contested possessions, eight clearances and eight inside-50s for the Demons, with midfield accomplice Christian Petracca (31 disposals) additionally within the thick of the motion.
Melbourne forwards Ben Brown, Bayley Fritsch and Kysaiah Pickett kicked two objectives every.
Max Gawn (57 hitouts) obtained first arms on the ball in his ruck battle with Tim English (14) however the Bulldogs obtained on top at floor stage, successful clearances 49-41.
Bontempelli and Petracca traded blows from the outset, snapping good objectives for his or her respective sides within the opening time period because the Dogs edged forward in moist and wild situations.
Hannan kicked a team-lifting aim in opposition to his former membership simply earlier than halftime, sparking a melee between the 2 sides, and Bailey Smith put the Bulldogs 21 factors up moments later.
Conditions obtained higher after the principle break and the depth lifted, with Cody Weightman launching himself onto Gawn’s shoulders to haul in a mark-of-the-year contender.
The Bulldogs performed a person down within the last time period after Ed Richards suffered concussion from a collision with Pickett and Brown reduce the margin to 4 factors together with his second main.
But Bontempelli replied because the Dogs steadied, kicking the ultimate three objectives of the match.
A lop-sided free kick rely went the Bulldogs’ means (25-11).
© AAP
