Match

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

Commentary / 23 Jul 2022

Pre Game

00:00

The Bulldogs have generated 43 per cent of their score from clearances this season, the third-highest percentage of any side.

Quarter 1

00:00

Q1 is now underway.

02:23

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Kysaiah Pickett)

05:34

The Bulldogs are using the ball better by foot in the early stages of the game, kicking at an efficiency of 78 per cent compared to Melbourne's 46 per cent.

06:15

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Marcus Bontempelli)

06:44

Marcus Bontempelli kicks the opening goal of the match via a forward half intercept. The Bulldogs have three of the first four inside 50s of the match.

09:23

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Jamarra Ugle-Hagan)

09:27

Demons Interchange - James Jordon off due to an injury.

09:34

The Bulldogs now have five of the first six inside 50s of the match and have kicked the only two goals to date, both from chains launched from their attacking midfield.

11:07

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Max Gawn)

13:47

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)

15:47

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Aaron Naughton)

17:20

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Alex Neal-Bullen)

17:29

The stoppages have been crucial in the early stages of this contest. Melbourne has kicked its entire score of 2.2.14 from stoppages, while the Bulldogs have kicked two of their three goals from clearance chains. Clearances are eight to seven in the Bulldogs favour currently.

20:58

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jake Melksham)

21:44

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Riley Garcia)

22:24

It has been a highly contested game to date with the Bulldogs winning 48 per cent of their possessions in a contest and the Demons winning 46 per cent of theirs in the same manner. To put this in perspective, 37 per cent of the Bulldogs possessions have been contested this season, while Melbourne is only slightly higher at 38 per cent.

23:24

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jake Melksham)

24:59

Clayton Oliver hasn't missed a beat after his one week layoff with a broken thumb. The prolific Demon midfielder already has eight disposals, six contested possessions and three clearances.

27:05

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Kysaiah Pickett)

29:03

In last year's grand final, Melbourne outscored the Bulldogs 7.3.45 to 1.2.8 from centre bounce clearances. They have won six of the nine centre bounce clearances to date, outscoring the Bulldogs 2.1.13 to nil.

29:30

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Sam Weideman)

34:24

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Sam Weideman)

34:27

Melbourne have been stronger in the contest thus far, leading the contested possession count at the first change by nine. The midfield trio of Viney, Oliver and Petracca have led the charge winning 22 of Melbourne's 46 contested possessions to date.

Quarter 2

00:00

Q2 is now underway.

00:52

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)

01:11

Melbourne kick the opening goal of the second quarter via a centre bounce clearance, its third goal from this score source already. The Demons lead the centre bounce clearances seven to four.

04:31

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Rhylee West)

05:37

While Melbourne is dominating centre bounce clearances nine to four, the Bulldogs have enjoyed success from forward half stoppages, leading clearances in their forward half six to one, kicking 3.0.18 from these clearances.

07:25

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Luke Jackson)

08:26

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Lachlan McNeil)

11:49

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Tim English)

12:11

The Bulldogs have kicked 4.1.25 from attacking midfield chains. They average 32 points per game form attacking midfield chains, ranked No.1 in the AFL.

13:48

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Cody Weightman)

14:16

The Bulldogs now lead clearances in their forward half seven to one and have kicked four goals from this score source. They already have five goals from attacking midfield chains in the match.

14:57

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)

16:09

Just like that, the Demons respond in their familiar mode of scoring from centre bounce clearances with back-to-back goals from this source. They lead centre bounce clearances 11 to four and have kicked 5.1.31 to nil from these clearances.

19:04

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Luke Jackson)

19:36

Bailey Fritsch has been heavily involved for the Demons forward of centre. The Demon forward has seven disposals, with six of these being score involvements. He has three goals off his own boot and another two score assists.

20:54

Make that four goals and seven score involvements from eight disposals for Bailey Fritsch as Melbourne kicks its seventh goal from a stoppage for the half. The Demons have 11 goals from 24 entries, a strike rate of 46 per cent, more than double the AFL average.

23:58

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Cody Weightman)

24:02

Bulldogs Interchange - Alex Keath off due to an injury.

29:00

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Rushed)

30:01

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Jamarra Ugle-Hagan)

30:07

The Bulldogs would be pleased with their nine goals from 26 inside 50s, a strike rate of 35 per cent that is well above their season average of 24 per cent, ranked fifth. The only issue is that Melbourne has 11 goals from 27 entries.

31:55

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Bailey Dale)

32:42

Melbourne has kicked 3.2.20 from defensive 50 chains, already its third highest score from this source this season.

Quarter 3

00:00

Q3 is now underway.

04:19

The Demons kick the opening goal of the third term after registering the first four inside 50s of the quarter. Melbourne has enjoyed 71 per cent time in forward half this quarter.

08:21

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Marcus Bontempelli)

09:36

Bulldogs Interchange - Jason Johannisen off due to an injury.

10:07

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Adam Treloar)

10:44

Adam Treloar has performed well in his new role off half back. He has 18 disposals tonight at 83 per cent efficiency with 11 coming via an uncontested possession. He also has an equal team-high five score involvements and a goal.

12:33

After conceding the first four inside 50s of the term, the Bulldogs have registered the last six forward 50 entries of the match, kicking 1.2.8 as a result.

12:46

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Marcus Bontempelli)

16:14

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Tim English)

17:07

Since the five-minute mark of the term, the Bulldogs have registered nine inside 50s to nil and have recorded an advantage of seven in contested possession and four in clearances. They have controlled the football with an extra 20 disposals and 11 marks over the time period.

19:32

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Aaron Naughton)

19:59

The Bulldogs have got their forward half game going this quarter. All of their 3.2.20 this term has come from forward half chains, with two of their three goals coming from forward 50 stoppages. In total, the Bulldogs have kicked 6.1.37 from forward half stoppages tonight.

20:49

SCORE GOAL - Demons (James Harmes)

21:43

As has been the case so often tonight, when challenged the Demons manage to kick a goal from a centre bounce clearance. In total they have kicked 6.1.37 from centre bounce clearances. The Bulldogs have failed to register a score from this source.

22:40

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Bailey Smith)

24:42

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Rushed)

26:15

Bulldogs Interchange - Riley Garcia off due to an injury.

27:10

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Rushed)

28:08

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Sam Weideman)

28:15

Despite trailing inside 50s by seven this quarter, Melbourne's continued efficiency has kept the Bulldogs at bay, kicking 3.1.19 from eight entries, compared to 3.4.22 from 15 entries to the Bulldogs. For the match, Melbourne has kicked 14 goals from just 35 entries, a strike rate of 40 per cent.

30:21

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)

30:25

The Bulldogs threw everything at the Demons that quarter, winning the clearance battle by nine, giving them the territorial advantage as they enjoyed 66 per cent time in forward half. Unfortunately they were only able to generate two marks inside 50, despite taking 41 marks to 20 for the term.

Quarter 4

00:00

Q4 is now underway.

03:51

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Jamarra Ugle-Hagan)

06:23

SCORE GOAL - Demons (Kysaiah Pickett)

06:30

Bulldogs Interchange - Adam Treloar off due to an injury.

07:00

Both teams are using the ball well in the final term. The Demons have 26 disposals at 96 per cent efficiency, while the Bulldogs have 20 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency.

10:44

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has just the six disposals for the match but he has made them count, kicking a career-best four goals, including two in this crucial final term.

12:42

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Josh Dunkley)

14:49

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Christian Petracca)

16:42

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Kysaiah Pickett)

17:45

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Jack Macrae)

17:55

Jack Macrae kicks a goal from the Bulldogs 28th forward half intercept of the match. Interestingly, despite the high tally, the intercept was the Bulldogs first inside their forward 50. The Bulldogs have kicked 6.3.39 from these intercepts. Melbourne has just 12 forward half intercepts for a score of 2.3.15.

20:13

Steven May has four contested marks this quarter, all intercept marks. He has five contested marks for the match to lead all comers.

21:44

SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Christian Petracca)

22:39

SCORE GOAL - Bulldogs (Riley Garcia)

22:45

It is the Bulldogs turn to be efficient inside 50 this quarter as they hit the lead. They have kicked four goals from nine entries this quarter, a strike rate of 44 per cent, compared to just one goal from 10 entries for the Demons, a strike rate of 10 per cent.

27:23

SCORE BEHIND - Bulldogs (Tom Liberatore)

29:57

A remarkable victory for the Bulldogs! Marcus Bontempelli has been huge in the final quarter with 10 disposals, eight contested possessions, seven clearances and four tackles.

31:08

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was equally important for the Bulldogs in the final term, kicking three of his career-high five goals. He also had seven disposals and four inside 50s in the period.

31:09

The siren has sounded to end Q4.