AFL grand final 2021 LIVE updates Bulldogs respond ferociously to early Demons onslaught
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This would’ve put the Demons up by 15 points, but Gawn’s set shot JUST missed to the right... He wasn’t totally convinced the goal umpire made the right call either...
Bontempelli leads his team off the ground at half-time after lifting his output considerably in the second term
What an incredible first half. Bontempelli, just four touches in the first quarter, underscored his stature as the game’s best player.
How many midfielders can mark like that - including at the front of a pack - and then convert in such critical circumstances.
Simon Goodwin must consider how the Demons deal with Daniel - yes he gets discretionary hands-offs from teammates - but his ability to set up and read the play has been instrumental in the Dogs’ unexpected fightback.
Melbourne doesn’t deserve to be behind, based on the patterns of play, yet they are. It is clear that the Bulldogs’ plan is to get the ball to ground in their forward 50m, by any means necessary, and then pressure and create goals - a tactic that worked for the Demons in the first quarter.
Melbourne 4.5, 5.9 (39)
W.Bulldogs 1.2, 7.5 (47)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 2, Petracca, Spargo, B.Brown
W.Bulldogs: Treloar 2, Bontempelli 2, R.Smith, Naughton, Hunter
DISPOSALS
Melbourne: Oliver 18, Petracca 18, Gawn 14
W.Bulldogs: Daniel 26, Macrae 18, Dunkley 15, Liberatore 14
INTERCEPTS
Melbourne: Petracca 5, Gawn 4, Hibberd 4, Lever 4, Neal-Bullen 4, Salem 4
W.Bulldogs: Daniel 7, Liberatore 5
The Bulldogs turned things around dramatically in the second quarter and they now lead the disposals 211-186, clearances 19-17, marks 31-29 and contested possessions 92-78.
The Demons still have the advantage in tackles 28-27, inside 50s 33-27, scoring shots 14-12, free kicks 10-7 and hitouts 22-13.
Bontempelli is having an enormous second quarter after a quiet first term.
He takes another strong grab and kicks another goal to put the Bulldogs up by seven point with 31 seconds remaining in the first half, 7.4.46 to 5.9.39.
The Bulldogs skipper now has two goals for the quarter and this has been an incredible turnaround from the Dogs who have kicked six goals to one in this quarter to turn a 21-point deficit into a seven-point lead.
After trailing by 21 points 16 minutes ago at quarter-time, the Bulldogs now find themselves in front for the first time by two points, 6.3.39 to 5.7.37.
Hunter is tackled high by Spargo and wins the free kick, before splitting the big sticks from 40m out directly in front.
This has been a sensational turnaround from Beveridge’s men, and they’ve kicked five goals to one in the second term and we’ve only gone halfway. The Bulldogs are up in contested possessions by 13.
Leading disposals: Daniel 19, Oliver 16, Dunkley 15, Petracca 14
Ben Brown steadies the ship for the Demons with a much-needed converted set shot, but it proves to be only a momentary respite as Bontempelli responds with a strong pack mark and converted set shot of his own down the other end to get back within four points of the Demons nearing the midway point of the second term, 5.3.33 to 5.7.37.
Ben Brown takes a mark.Credit:Getty Images
The Bulldogs desperately needed a spark after being largely outplayed in the first quarter, and their boom recruit Adam Treloar has answered the call.
The former Magpie kicks the first two goals of the second term and then Naughton joins the fightback with a snap shot from 25m out to cut the deficit to four points shortly after quarter-time, 4.2.26 to 4.6.30.
Adam Treloar tackles Jack Viney.Credit:Getty Images
Channel Seven commentator Daisy Pearce has again got fans praising her game analysis and special comments after an exceptional season.
The AFLW stalwart has made the commentary booth her own in recent years and her first term has Twitter roaring its support. She can’t win the Norm Smith Medal but if there was a commentary version she would win it comfortably.
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