Walsh ran hard,while the pacy Adam Saad and Matthew Cottrell led the Blues’ revival. Cripps had a miserable first half,when the contested beast failed to log a contested possession,but he got going in the second half and finished with 26 disposals,including six contested possessions.

When all seemed lost in the third term after tall forward Rory Lobb booted back-to-back goals,the Blues held their nerve,and began to generate run. Coach Luke Beveridge made the unconventional move of having Lobb begin a wing on former Dockers teammate Blake Acres. This allowed Lobb to push forward or back and be the seventh defender,a role he performed well,until he was sent forward in the third term.

You’re the voice

After much controversy over booing through the week,it was Jones’ turn to face supporter wrath,the Blues’ fans having not forgotten he quit the club and retired - briefly - in November 2021 over his vaccination status. Jones had the job on McKay,the latter also copping a mouthful from supporters when,having marked almost in front of goal and only 35 metres out,he opted to snap around the corner,rather than take a conventional drop punt. McKay sprayed his shot to the point it was barely a point. This contributed to the Blues having their first goalless opening term against the Bulldogs since 1991.

On the run

Amid the media focus on Brownlow Medal fancy Bontempelli and other teammates with a greater profile,Richards has quietly been having a career season. The dashing half-back has been in superb touch,and had an equal team-high nine touches in the first term,while opponent Motlop was not seen.

On the front foot

A whirlwind month for former cricketer James O’Donnell,20,continued when he made his AFL debut,just 35 days after signing with the Bulldogs as a category B rookie. O’Donnell began on the bench but was sent forward five minutes into the first term,where he led well,but was ignored a few times. While he was subbed off early in the final term,having had had only five touches,the former promising fast bowler adjusted to the speed of the game. He became the third generation of O’Donnells to play at AFL/VFL level following his grandfather Kevin and father Simon who played for St Kilda in the 1940s and 1980s respectively.

Best
Carlton: Walsh,Kennedy,Saad,Cottrell,Owies.
Western Bulldogs: Smith,Dale Richards,Bontempelli,Williams,Johannisen.

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