The Western Bulldogs confirmed their title credentials with a 21-point victory over Essendon in the first match of an AFL Friday night double-header at Docklands. The Bulldogs were totally in control during the match, leaving the Dons gasping. The death of their close friend Hayden McLean in a tragic accident further compounded their challenges. The Bulldogs continued their impressive form once more in this newest matchup. After their last match against each other at Docklands in round 10, they were already flying high on a huge 91-point win against Essendon.
Right from the jump, the Bulldogs made it clear who was in charge. Just eight seconds into the game, Aaron Naughton was the quickest to a free inside 50. Watch as he scores the opening goal in memorable fashion! His momentum certainly didn’t drop off as he and fellow teammate and tall forward Sam Darcy’s two goals helped put the match to bed. In a dominant 16-minute stretch of the first quarter, the Bulldogs notched five goals. On the other hand, Essendon could not buy a goal.
Early Dominance by the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs’ quick start underscored their mission from the jump. With six goals to Essendon’s two by the first break, they jumped out to a 27-point lead. This blazing beginning was emphasized with touchdown passes to all the right specialists. It was fitting that Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards should score, as they did, alongside Naughton and Darcy. Their contributions were instrumental in keeping the offensive onslaught rolling.
Bailey Williams and Mason Redman absolutely lit up the presence in the middle. Each of them finished atop the disposal count — with 10 apiece! The Bulldogs boasted four players—Richards, Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, and Naughton—who racked up ten disposals, demonstrating a balanced team effort that overwhelmed Essendon’s defense.
Though the Rudderess sisters and their teammates tried, Essendon could not find any match-winning momentum. Combined with the complete absence of scoring during the opening period, that put them in a deep hole. Jesse Hogan’s contribution left Bombers fans to wonder whether he would finally deliver on his promise. The team never recovered from constant, unyielding assault of the Bulldogs’ Blitzkrieg attack.
A Troubling Incident
The evening took a scary turn when Hayden McLean received an apparent knockout in a battle for the ball. Medical personnel immediately rushed to his side on the field. He was taken off on a stretcher, raising immediate panic among all players and fans of the game. These plays highlight the steep physical cost of playing AFL. They do serve the purpose of reminding us of the very real dangers that athletes face in these high-stakes games.
The tone at Docklands changed a bit after McLean went down. Still, the Bulldogs didn’t lose their concentration and they capitalized on the pressure to keep dominating on the field. The climactic act underlined a long-brewing and intense rivalry between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs. Both teams have a rich history of deeply emotional matches, filled with passion and fire.
Continuing the Onslaught
Once the match headed into the second term, Western Bulldogs weren’t slowing down anytime soon. They took full advantage of their early lead, producing incisive attacking moves and clever link-up play which had Essendon searching for solutions. Unfortunately for the Dons, they were unable to create much of a challenge against the Bulldogs’ smothering team defense.
The second term saw more of Naughton’s brilliance as he added to his goal tally, further frustrating Essendon’s efforts to regain control. The scoreboard reflected a stark contrast in performance. While the Bulldogs were executing their game plan with precision, Essendon seemed disorganized and unable to penetrate their defense effectively.
With every passing minute in the title clash, it was becoming more and more clear that the Bulldogs were headed for a dominating win. Their tenacity to hold the defensive pressure and convert on scoring chances showed they were focused, ready, and all in for the victory.
