The Western Bulldogs have withstood a late Port Adelaide charge to dramatically snap a four-game losing streak.
The Dogs’ Harvey Gallagher kicked the go-ahead point with 30 seconds left to seal the deal, 10.14 (74) to 10.12 (72) on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
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Arty Jones tiptoed the boundary line in the pocket before dishing to Gallagher, who put a banana through for the all-important minor score. Will Lewis also kicked a behind after the siren to cap the two-point triumph.
The Bulldogs kicked four of the game’s first five goals and absolutely dominated the territory battle in the process, recording 19 inside-50s to Port Adelaide’s seven in the first term.
It was an incredible development, seeing as the Power entered as the best team in the competition for limiting opposition forward entries.
The Bulldogs finished with a whopping 24 more forward entries than the Power, who kicked the last two goals of the game to send a scare through the visitors, who, it must be said, were the better side.
Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli led from the front admirably, totalling 30 disposals, seven score involvements, seven clearances, five intercepts and a goal to be best-on-ground.
“They did (make us earn it) and we knew that — they’ve challenged and beaten some really good teams of late,” Bontempelli told Fox Footy post-match.
“We kept trying to work our way through our own issues, but in the second half, we were just average with ball in hand, and we could’ve made more of our opportunities in the third quarter.
“That’s what happens, you just put yourselves under pressure, and it did feel like we were going to have to find a way.
“We got a point just to get in front at just the right time.”
‘LEGACY GROWS BY THE WEEK’: BONT, DOGS STRIP PORT OF STRENGTHS
Port Adelaide entered Round 9 as the best team in the competition for preventing opposition inside-50s, but the Bulldogs absolutely dominated the territory battle on Friday night.
The Dogs recorded 19 inside-50s to Port Adelaide’s seven in the first term, kicking four of the game’s first five goals.
They finished +24 for forward entries in a domination, even though their inefficiency with those opportunities almost cost them two premiership points.
“They’ve been up and about, right from the start,” Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto said on Fox Footy.
The Bulldogs’ punishment of Port Adelaide’s turnovers, as well as their territory dominance, paved the way as they took an early advantage – one that they didn’t relinquish.
Former Hawks sharpshooter Ben Dixon said at half-time: “The pressure has been enormous, we’ve been judging that all night — they’ve come to play. They’ve got some personnel, but you can turn the pressure up.”
The Dogs scored 5.2 from turnovers in the first half, compared to Port’s 1.2, and Marcus Bontempelli was in basically everything, having an instrumental impact at clearance and also getting on the scoreboard.
“He’s just so composed; he knows what he’s doing before he gets the ball,” Ricciuto said post-game.
“He was awesome again tonight … he’s just an on-field coach, makes them calm out there and steers the ship.
“Did so many good things with ball in hand tonight – his kicking was elite.”
Shaun Burgoyne added: “For the leader to show that composure out there, his legacy grows by the week.”
The champion midfielder finished his night with 30 disposals, seven score involvements, seven clearances, five intercepts and a goal.
‘HE’S DONE’: STAR STRUCK DOWN IN POWER BLOW
Port Adelaide played a man down in the second half, with important defender Miles Bergman ruled out of the contest with a toe injury.
Bergman was in the wars in the opening quarter and had to be tended to by medical staff at quarter-time, gesturing to his right foot.
He came back on, playing into the second term before coming back off the ground, appearing to be in some distress.
“He’s just come off hobbling – and he’s absolutely filthy – so I’m not sure what’s going on there,” former Hawks sharpshooter Ben Dixon said from the boundary.
Mark Ricciuto added on Fox Footy: “He needs to be 100 per cent, Bergman, I reckon, otherwise he doesn’t play that well.”
And by half-time, it was revealed that Bergman would take no further part in the game, with senior coach Carr telling Fox Footy at half-time: “He’s done.”
“People (hearing that) Bergman’s been out with a big toe and going ‘that’s a bit soft’, but it’s amazing how sore and important toes are,” Ricciuto said.
Bergman hadn’t cracked 20 disposals in six games this year before notching 23 and 11 marks in last Saturday’s Showdown.
Re-live Dogs-Power in the blog below!