DOG FOOD by George on The Outer

[Demonland 73,218]

The Melbourne side that turned up against Footscray at Etihad stadium was simply turned into dog food. by the Bulldogs as they cruised to a near 100 point victory.

But dog food was what was served up to the Melbourne fans, yet again, as they witnessed the Bullies kick 8 goals in the first quarter to a miserable 2 points followed by 6 goals in the second, and then to finally concede 10 goals in the last quarter!!

If it wasn't for Footscray having a little sleep in the 3^rd quarter, a score line similar to the 186 game was threatening.

It was bad enough that Melbourne had to bring in VFL standard players like Rohan Bail, Viv Michie and Matt Jones, who didn’t let the sceptics down as they dished up turnover after turnover to the opposition but they were ably assisted by Jack Watts and Jeremy Howe with their usual half-hearted efforts, giving the Bulldogs opportunities that should simply never have been open to them.

If anyone thinks either player should be at the club next year, then take a quick look at the highlights reel, because neither will feature (again!). This is Watt’s 7^thyear and Howe’s 5^th. They wouldn’t be given the latitude and luxury at other clubs. It is about time that time was called.

When you have a series of players who can’t play at AFL level and another couple who don’t want to play at that level, then the 100 point loss is inevitable. The recruiting team will have an easy job at the end of the year (yet again) ditching and trading out these types.

The game played by Melbourne was simply disgraceful! The toughness, tenacity and skills displayed by the Women’s team before the main event was such a sharp contrast. All over the ground the girls were prepared to run and to put their bodies on the line when called upon.

Likewise the Bulldogs men were simply prepared to run, run and then run some more. Time and time again they broke the lines with the Melbourne players barely getting a jog up behind them. They would have blown the game well away with these efforts alone, but with the clangers we gifted them ... it simply provided icing on the cake.

Eleven of their players racked up 20 disposals or more. Our team could only muster five. But it was just as much about the type of disposals. Short dinky kicks or handpasses to put teammates under pressure shouldn’t count.

Few were able to hold their heads up … Jesse Hogan fought and produced the results we have now come to expect from this talented 20 year old. He was even moved to the mid-field to provide some sort of impact, and he did exactly that. Pity we don’t have another 20 of him to put on the ground.

Tom McDonald played everywhere as well, trying to produce something to spark the side. He played forward, back and pinch hit in the ruck when Max Gawn needed a rest. He certainly won a fair share of the ruck contests and probably wrote himself a future role over Chris Dawes who simply is incapable in rucking contests (the Bulldogs kicked four goals in the last quarter from clearances while he was rucking). Jack Viney was in everything again, but was operating almost as a lone hand in the middle. And he keeps fighting right up to the end. Angus Brayshaw is another tough and hard fighter, but he is tiring as can only be expected toward the end of his first year.

Alex Neal-Bullen is showing something upon which we can build, and so is James Harmes as they pick up the pace of AFL.

Yes, we were dog food today. Dog food for the Bulldogs and dog food in quality. Dog food was served up for the fans again ... what could possibly be in store for us next week against the lowly Blues?

Melbourne 0.2.2 2.4.16 7.7.49 8.7.55

Western Bulldogs 8.3.51 14.5.89 14.7.91 24.9.153

Goals

Melbourne Hogan 3 Garlett 2 Dawes Gawn Watts

Western Bulldogs Stringer 4 Bontempelli Dickson Grant 3 Crameri Jong Redpath 2 Biggs Dahlhaus Hunter Macrae Wallis

Best

Melbourne McDonald Viney Hogan Gawn

Western Bulldogs Dahlhaus, Wallis, Boyd, Grant, Stringer, Hunter, Macrae, Murphy

Changes

Melbourne Matt Jones replaced Christian Salem (ill) in the selected side

Western Bulldogs Nil

Injuries

Melbourne Neville Jetta (neck)

Western Bulldogs Nil

Substitutes

Melbourne Jack Grimes replaced Neville Jetta (neck) at half-time

Western Bulldogs Caleb Daniel replaced Sam Darley at three-quarter time

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Western Bulldogs Nil

Umpires Pannell, Mitchell, Wallace

Official crowd 27,805 at Etihad Stadium