The Western Bulldogs have piled more pain on Damien Hardwick’s Suns and consolidated a wildcard spot with a nine-point win at People First Stadium.
The Dogs surged ahead in a dominant five-goal third quarter that was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
Gold Coast kept fighting with the final three goals in the fourth term to get itself back in the contest. But the Suns left their run too late as Luke Beveridge’s side held on to win, 11.11 (77) to 9.14 (68).
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Bulldogs superstar skipper Marcus Bontempelli starred with three goals from 23 disposals including a brilliant chase-down tackle on John Noble and clutch finish in the fourth quarter, while Matt Kennedy also chipped in three majors.
The win importantly saw the 11-7 Dogs climb back into seventh spot on the ladder and three wins inside a wildcard spot.
Meanwhile the 7-11 Suns suffered an eighth-straight loss as their freefall continued.
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The 3-2-1 (what we learned)…
3. DOGS’ Q3 DOMINANCE FLIPS SCRIPT
They don’t call it the premiership quarter for nothing!
The Bulldogs put Gold Coast to the sword with a five goal to nothing third quarter in ultimately the difference between the two sides.
It was in large due to the Bulldogs getting on top at clearances in an area they were otherwise dominated.
That made the game played in the Dogs’ forward half as they choked Gold Coast and forced turnovers.
In fact, Luke Beveridge’s side kicked 4.2 (26) scores from turnover in the third term — its best return this year — all from the front half.
“They dominated the clearance game, they were able to absolutely flip it on its head,” Saints great Nick Dal Santo said at three-quarter time.
“But it wasn’t their score source — it was their front-half game and turnover game.
“You think about conserving energy and controlling the game and taking away some of the threats of the Suns with their ball movement.
“The best way to achieve all those things is by keeping the ball in your front half and putting pressure on them.”
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2. ‘CAUSED HEADACHES’: BONT STARS WITH EPIC HIGHLIGHTS
Marcus Bontempelli can singlehandedly turn a game when he’s on.
The Dogs superstar skipper was in full flight with three goals from 23 disposals as the highest-rated plater on the ground to help lead his side to victory.
Two of those were big-time goals.
Bontempelli caught John Noble holding the ball with a brilliant run-down tackle and clutch finish in the fourth term that put the Suns to bed.
The 31-year old’s first goal was just as good with a classy finish from outside 50m in a “feature” Saints legend Nick Dal Santo believes he’s added to his game this season.
“He’s caused headaches,” Dal Santo said of Bontempelli.
“It’s been a feature of his game, he’s added that to his game this year — the bombs outside 50.
“He’s been fantastic. The more the ball is in his heads, the more special things happen from a Bulldogs perspective.”
1. SUN’S SEASON-HIGHS LEAD ‘HIGHLY USUAL’ CLEARANCE DOMINATION
Even if his side didn’t get the four points, Touk Miller can hold his head high.
In what’s been an otherwise quiet season from Miller with a deepened Suns midfield, the dual All-Australian got back to some of his best form.
He racked up season highs in disposals (39) and clearances (nine) in a pure on-ball role and an area the Suns dominated, outside of that third quarter.
Gold Coast controlled clearances +8 (39-31), which has been “highly unusual” this year, as noted by Brisbane champion Alastair Lynch, in an area Damien Hardwick’s side has bizarrely dropped off.
“As we know, he is one of the elite workers in the competition,” Lynch added.
“His ability to get the ball on the inside but also with his transition on the outside.
“This is what you recognise from Miller over the last few years. We haven’t seen a lot of it this year.
“He, probably like his midfield partners, hasn’t been in great touch.”
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