The Western Bulldogs have survived a see-sawing thriller against Narrm in a thrilling three-point win at Marvel Stadium.
A heroic Rhylee West chase-down tackle on Jack Steele in the dying minutes set up Joel Freijah’s match-winning goal and fourth lead change in the final period for the 14.9 (93) to 13.12 (90) win.
Ed Richards bounced back to his best form with 30 disposals, 10 clearances, three goals and 773 metres gained in his best game of the season.
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And the injury-hit Dogs bounced back after last week’s shock loss to Carlton as Luke Beveridge’s side improved to 6-5.
It meanwhile snapped a two-game winning streak for Steven King’s 7-4 Demons, who remain sixth on the ladder.
The 3-2-1 (what we learned) …
3. ‘STRUGGLING WITH CONSISTENCY’: STAR’S ADMISSION AFTER EPIC BOUNCE BACK
Ed Richards bounced back to his best in the Dogs ace’s best game of the season to lead his side’s midfield authority.
Having been down on his enormous 2025 heights, Richards on Sunday night looked every bit the superstar from last year.
He racked up 30 disposals, 10 clearances, three goals and 773 metres gained to carve up the Dees with maximum damage.
The 26-year old admitted he’d been “struggling with consistency” so far this season in an area that can separate the best from the rest.
Though the All-Australian might be his own biggest critic, already with an eye on backing up Sunday’s performance next week.
“That’s the thing with this game, it’s been hard to be consistent,” Richards told Fox Footy post-match.
“I’ve been struggling with that consistency.
“It was good to have a good performance tonight, but it means nothing if I can’t go again next week.”
Ed Richards bounced back to his best (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
Richards was crucial to the Dogs responding to Luke Beveridge’s call for greater effort in contest and contested possessions in areas they got “touched up” in last week’s shock loss to Carlton.
Despite the absences of injured stars Tim English and Tom Liberatore, the Dogs beat Narrm in contested possessions (+10) and clearances (+9) in a step forward.
“Super pleasing. I thought we were pretty hard in there tonight, which was something we wanted to go after,” Richards added.
“The Blues obviously touched us up in that space.
“I don’t know what the stats looked like, but it felt really good in there.
2. DOG GOES FROM ZERO TO HERO AFTER EPIC CLUTCH TACKLE
Frin zero to hero, Joel Freijah sure paid the Dogs back!
After letting Ed Langdon get out the back for a goal that put Melbourne in front minutes earlier, Freijah responded with the match winner.
Langdon slipped through as the winger on the fat side of the ground for an easy goal in the goalsquare with just over five minutes to play in a tense, see-sawing fourth quarter.
“Freijah’s just blazing inside, gets a little bit ball watchey. Langdon identifies that he’s head’s turned and he needs a bit of luck for that ball to go over his head, but it does,” Saints great Nick Dal Santo said.
Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis added: “Usually close games like this, it comes down to the finer detail. Joel Freijah just got caught.”
But the Dogs youngster made amends.
An epic chase-down tackle from Rhylee West on Jack Steele stopped the Demons in their tracks and rebounded the ball the other way.
Aaron Naughton marked deep in the pocket before chipping inbound to Freijah, who nailed the set shot and game-winning blow.
“Once again it comes down to moments,” Dal Santo said.
“Freijah allows a goal against, then kicks the winner at the other end.”
1. CONCUSSION CONCERNS FOR BOTH SIDES
There’s concussion concerns for both clubs coming out of the contest after Demon Jake Lever and Bulldog Luke Cleary got struck down.
Lever came from the ground midway through the final term after an epic spoiling effort where he came off second best.
He took no further part in the game given he needed to undertake a standard 15-minute concussion test.
According to AFL journalist Tom Morris, Lever failed that concussion test, ruling him out of next week’s Alice Springs clash with GWS.
It’s a big blow for the Demons after Lever has been a key pillar in Steven King’s defence in a superb season.
Meanwhile, the Dogs can’t take a trick on the injury front, with Cleary their latest casualty.
Playing in his first game this season, Cleary copped an accidental shoulder to the head from from Max Heath in the second quarter.
The defender was officially ruled out for the rest of the day with concussion, which means he’ll miss next week’s meeting with Collingwood.
Re-live Dogs vs. Dees in our live blog below!