Bulldogs write history in pulsating triumph
EVERY dog has its day and for the Western Bulldogs next Saturday could be the greatest day of all.
The Bulldogs’ tortured run of seven consecutive preliminary final defeats was last night ended by two hours of football that will stay with this club forever.
In a memorable, uncompromising slog that left its combatants on their knees, the Bulldogs’ incredible never-saydie resilience saw them into their first Grand Final since 1961.
A night of incredible drama ended with the Dogs saluting 13.11 (89) to 12.11 (83) and the tears of joy flowed from Robert Murphy to David Smorgon.
The penultimate game of the year for this club has seen goals that weren’t, controversial free kicks and come-frombehind heartbreak.
Now you can add inspiring smother to the history books. With a frenetic game locked at 82 apiece with the clock ticking down, Ryan Griffen went to launch a kick to send the Giants forward.
But Liam Picken’s full-body smother saw the ball ricochet to Tom Liberatore who found Jack Macrae for the set-shot goal that would win the Dogs this pulsating game.
In a season plagued by injury adversity, an elimination final in Perth and a semi-final in Melbourne was supposed to see this side’s resilience finally fade in the west of Sydney against a side manufactured for glory.
The Dogs were down by 11 points late in the third and 14 early in the fourth, but again refused to wilt as GWS’ marking power and superior scoring arsenal threatened to inflict yet more heartbreak.
“We’ve written our own history here tonight,” Marcus Bontempelli said.
“Not many would have expected it, but we’re not fussed by being the underdog. We’ve got so many people here supporting us; the roar was incredible and we owe this win to these people.”
Matthew Boyd said: “I thought it was a Bulldogs home game tonight, I really did. They stick with us. One to go.”
Tom Boyd was forced to run for nearly three quarters after the Dogs lost Jordan Rough- ead to concussion when Rory Lobb’s kick cannoned into his face from close range.
While the Giants lost Callan Ward moments later after a sickening clash with Zaine Cordy, Roughead’s absence paved the way for Shane Mumford to dominate.
But Boyd hung on by his fingernails and the Dogs’ drive was just enough to ensure their glut of forward entries held of the likes of Jon Patton (four goals), Rory Lobb (three) and Toby Greene (three).
It was the Dogs’ swarm versus the Giants potent attack. The game was played in the Dogs’ half, yet it felt like every time the Giants went inside 50m they scored.
The Dogs amassed 23 more inside 50s, 17 more contested possessions and 13 more clear- ances to sneak home. The Bulldogs outnumbered them in the stands at Spotless Stadium and around the ball, too.
The list of contributors was endless. Clay Smith’s four first half goals, Luke Dahlhaus’ energy, Jason Johannisen’s drive, Marcus Bontempelli’s last quarter, Jack Macrae’s poise and Joel Hamling’s discipline.
Hamling has taken down Josh Kennedy, Cyril Rioli and now Jeremy Cameron in what has been a brilliant September.
Tory Dickson’s four goals were huge opposed to a quiet Heath Shaw and with Smith, the pair were the Dogs’ only goalkickers until late in the third quarter.
From seventh to a Grand Final. After decades upon decades of heartbreak, maybe this time it’s destiny.