Bulldogs and Hawks Deliver a Gripping Encounter at Marvel
Honestly, the clash between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night was a cracker. Both teams showed some seriously impressive footy, especially in that second quarter. It was a back-and-forth affair that kept you on the edge of your seat. The Dogs came out swinging, landing the first few blows, but Hawthorn fought back strongly, matching the Dogs goal for goal in a thrilling 3-3 second term.
Beveridge's Defensive Strategy: A Gamble That Paid Off (Sort Of)?
Something interesting to note was Luke Beveridge's decision to keep an extra man back in defense. It meant the Bulldogs were often a man down in attack. They only managed 18 inside 50s by half-time – their lowest tally all season – a testament to Hawthorn's ferocious pressure. Whether Beveridge sticks with this strategy remains to be seen. I'm intrigued to see how it plays out in the coming weeks.
Hawthorn's Tackle-Happy Approach
Hawthorn came to play. They were absolutely relentless in their tackling, smashing their previous week's tally of 38 with an impressive 35 tackles by half time alone. Jai Newcombe was a standout, but Josh Weddle was a real force with a massive 338 meters gained. You could feel the intensity on the ground; it was electrifying.
Star Power, But Not Enough Goals
While the Bulldogs had some bright sparks – Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Kennedy (Carlton fans are probably still kicking themselves!), and the league's top-rated player, Ed Richards, showed flashes of brilliance – they just couldn't quite translate that into enough scoreboard pressure. It felt like they were dominating possession at times, but that extra defensive player did impact their finishing.
- Bontempelli's Influence: Will Sam Mitchell put a tag on him next time?
- Kennedy's Class: A reminder of what Carlton might be missing.
- Richards' Impact: Even the top-rated player needs help!
High Stakes for Both Sides
This game had huge implications for both teams' ladder positions. A Hawthorn win could have stopped their slide and lifted them out of danger. On the other hand, a Bulldogs victory would have pushed them above the Hawks, giving the GWS Giants a chance to leapfrog them too. The pressure was palpable.
Looking Ahead
The third quarter was the one everyone was waiting for after such a tight first half. Unfortunately, I didn't see the full game but I'll be keeping my eye out for how this strategy ultimately impacts both team's performance going forward. I really liked the back-and-forth nature, however.
Want More AFL Action?
Check out our other AFL round 13 previews and predictions for the rest of the weekend's games. We've got you covered!
