Star ruckman Tim English will miss next Saturday’s clash with Carlton after suffering a concussion late in the Western Bulldogs’ nail-biting two-point win over Port Adelaide.
Deep into the absorbing final quarter, English came off Adelaide Oval after accidentally clashing heads with teammate Matt Kennedy at a ball-up.
After the match, the Bulldogs confirmed the news wasn’t good for English.
Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli has spoken after his side’s two-point win over the Power at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Speaking to Kayo Sports directly after the clash, he knew just how hard his side had been pushed.
“They did [make us earn it] and we knew that – they’ve challenged and beaten some really good teams of late,” he said.
“They’re just playing a really honest brand, they make you have to beat them, and they kept coming.
Harvey Gallagher scored the most important point of his life, his behind with just 22 seconds remaining allowing the Western Bulldogs to conjure a narrow escape on enemy soil against Port Adelaide.
Will Lewis added another behind after the full-time siren for a two-point margin, the Dogs mustering just 1.9 after half-time.
Literally, one point at a time was ultimately how they got the job done. The Power, who did not hold a lead at any stage, closed the gap to a point when Corey Durdin goaled with 2:34 remaining, then levelled the scores on a rushed behind with 2:09 left.
Lions superstar Lachie Neale wasn’t mincing words about his disappointment in his side’s second half against the Blues tonight.
Neale won the Robert Walls Medal as best on ground with 33 disposals and a goal, but he warned the Lions that if they repeat tonight’s performance against Geelong next week, they will lose.
“They stepped up their contests and clearance work,” Neale told Kayo Sports.
“They were probably ahead all day on contested ball, but our clearance work in the first half was pretty good, [and] then [in] that third quarter we got annihilated.
“We were probably on the move too much, and we couldn’t close out space so then they could find targets. We need to tidy that up.”
The Bulldogs have broken their goal drought, and it came from some sloppiness from Port in defence.
Aliir Aliir and Kane Farrell butchered the footy on the last line and the Dogs capitalised.
Aaron Naughton’s tackle of Farrell saw the ball slip free to Will Lewis, who handed it off to Rhylee West for a much-needed goal.
Moments earlier, Arty Jones took a spectacular mark over namesake Lachie Jones, but his shot for goal thudded into the post.
The Dogs are coming, but the Power aren’t done with yet.
The Bulldogs lead 10.10 (70) to 8.8 (56) with 13 minutes left.
Lions star Logan Morris admits his side has some work to do after allowing the Blues to come back against them tonight.
Despite taking the win, Morris was clear where things fell down after half-time.
“We knew they would come out in the second half and have a crack so we tried to kill them in the third quarter, but they were able to punish us. They smashed us around the contest and [we need to] learn from it,” Morris told Kayo Sports.
When asked what coach Chris Fagan said at three-quarter time, Morris was honest.
Well that was a slog.
On the back of a first half that featured plenty of scoring highlights, only two majors were scored in a dour, error-riddled third term.
Port notched both of them – through Mitch Georgiades and Logan Evans – while restricting the Dogs to a solitary behind.
The Brisbane Lions have resisted a pulsating comeback from Carlton to take a slim victory at the Gabba tonight.
The Lions were on track for a thumping win early in the third term, but then the Blues found the confidence and drive that has been missing from their midfield, dominating the contested possessions and beginning a comeback which saw them kick 10 of the last 13 goals.
Lachie Neale was stellar and kicked the goal that made sure of the win.
“What might have been if they didn’t start so poorly,” Jason Dunstall said on Kayo Sports.