Bulldogs crash Kangaroos’ party as Liberatore stars
Roger Vaughan |
The Western Bulldogs have spoiled North Melbourne’s centenary party, instead marking Tom Liberatore’s 250th AFL game with a 49-point win.
Liberatore was best afield as the Bulldogs withstood an early challenge from the Kangaroos and then broke clear in the second half on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium, winning 20.14 (134) to 13.7 (85).
North looked inspired in the first half by an old-fashioned rev-up on the ground from coaching great Denis Pagan, but ultimately the Bulldogs had too much class.
Aaron Naughton helped spark the Bulldogs in the second term and finished with five goals while fellow key forward Sam Darcy, well-held by Will Dawson in the first half, kicked four after the main break.
Liberatore had 27 possessions, 10 tackles and kicked two goals.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said Liberatore, captain Marcus Bontempelli and Naughton had led the side well.
“When you’re playing for our bloodlines and the history of your footy club, there was a bit more emotion in it,” Beveridge said of North.
“Our designated leaders were just outstanding.
“When we really needed our teammates to stand up, they just led the way, they led the charge.”
The Bulldogs improved to fourth place and continued their perfect record against bottom-nine teams, but they face two massive tests against Adelaide and Brisbane.
They only have one game so far this season against teams currently in the top eight.
As part of their pre-game ceremony to mark the club’s AFL centenary year, Pagan addressed the team on the field minutes before the first bounce.
He did not disappoint with his vintage speech, saying several players had something to answer for after last week’s 85-point belting from Hawthorn.
North had made five changes for this match, losing several experienced players to injury, and suffered another blow in the first quarter when star Luke Davies-Uniacke was subbed out because of concussion.
Davies-Uniacke went to tackle Ed Richards, but was caught high with the fend off. The incident is likely to come under match review, but the contact looked accidental.
Despite losing Davies-Uniacke, North were impressive early and key forward Nick Larkey kicked four goals in the opening quarter.
Larkey also had to leave the ground in the first term with a knee knock, but returned to kick his fifth before halftime.
After trailling by a goal at quarter time, the Bulldogs steadied in the second and it was Naughton’s turn to go on a goalkicking spree.
The Bulldogs key forward kicked four in the second term as they took a 13-point lead into the main break.
Richards had to come off with a shoulder injury at the start of the third term, but was able to return.
In-form North ruckman Tristan Xerri was forced off in the last quarter with a head knock.
North coach Alastair Clarkson said Xerri was assessed and cleared by their medical staff, after plenty of commentary during the game that the ruckman took too long to leave the ground.
“There are probably two things that I’m not an expert on, and that’s umpiring and concussion. I won’t make mention of either,” Clarkson said.
“He (Xerri) just had to get assessed by our docs – I think he’s fine.
“We battled manfully for the whole game – as you probably noticed, we were a bit hamstrung with some sore players.
“We hung in there as best we could.”
AAP
