The Western Bulldogs are undefeated in season 2021 after five rounds. Photo: @westernbulldogs on Twitter.
The Western Bulldogs have continued on their merry way in 2021 against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday with a convincing 62-point win.
Despite their early season dominance, they’re still looking to improve.
The Dogs were dominant all across the ground, kicking 11 unanswered goals to start the match. Milestone man Marcus Bontempelli kicked two goals in the first quarter alone in his 150th AFL match.
Coach Luke Beveridge spoke about the dominant performance that has left the Dogs 5-0.
“It was a terrific result and a great start to the year,” he said.
Gold Coast had the ascendency in the third quarter, which was also a positive for Beveridge’s men as he explained.
“Every single game we’ve been challenged,” he said.
“Who knows where Gold Coast finish on the ladder at the end of the year and who knows where the teams we’ve been playing finish?
“All we can do is be a better version of ourselves, than what we were the previous week.
“It’s always healthy to understand that any team can have your measure, you just don’t want them to have it for the whole game.”
More AFL News
Cat Phillips Pt 1: Frisbee’s ultimate cross-code pioneer
Cat Phillips Part 2: Leader of Women and Builder of Culture
Richmond restore their game with a thumping win in Maddie’s Match
Bontempelli and Josh Dunkley were both at their usual best, though Beveridge singled out a surprise defender as among the Dogs best.
“I thought Alex Keath was enormous down back, for the whole game,” he said.
“Even during that quarter where they had the upper hand… I thought Alex was always there to defend, and I don’t like singling players out, but I thought they [Keath, Bontempelli and Dunkley] were tremendous.”
Ruckman Jordan Sweet, on debut, had an exceptionally strong game, and Beveridge discussed his impact.
“He didn’t look out of place, he’s been working a lot on that [hitouts] over the years with Steven King, who does a lot for our footy club,” he said.
“And one of the things he does is he helps our rucks in the technical aspects of the game.
“Stef [Stefan Martin] and big Chilli English [Tim English] have been working on their games in that regard.
“We knew we’d get a good game out of him there.
“It’s a new experience for him [Sweet] to play at this level of intensity and it was a really good learning afternoon for Sweety.”
Subscribe to our newsletter!
About Author
