Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney stuck to his mantra of playing veteran Daniel Giansiracusa as the substitute player and the move paid dividends in the last quarter. Giansiracusa, in his 14th season, came on for Jordan Roughead, who had a sore shoulder from a first quarter incident, for the entire final stanza. The seasoned forward kicked two final term goals, including the sealer that reclaimed the lead with two minutes left after Brandon Ellis gave away a costly free kick deep in attack for holding. Having been the starting sub for the opening three rounds, McCartney said before the game his veteran would get more minutes next week, meaning he might not be destined for the green vest for four weeks running. McCartney also said this week he believed his side was closer to where they wanted to be than many realised. Against the Tigers, who were a top eight fancy and even talked about as top four material before the season started, they looked like a team not destined for a low ladder finish, which made the coach's words ring true.
2. Old dogs, important tricks
Jack Riewoldt might have ended with four goals but things weren't going his way in the first half – and that's because of Dogs' veteran Dale Morris. At 31, Morris is one of the most senior Dogs and his performance against 25-year-old Riewoldt – who is also five centimetres taller – was crucial in stymieing the Tigers' attack. Riewoldt didn't touch the ball in the first quarter, started the second on the bench and registered his first kick as red time approached before half-time. That was his only touch in two quarters of football with Morris sticking close and ensuring the Tigers' forward couldn't get into the game. Then there was Robert Murphy, whose 19 touches across half back against Nathan Gordon were significantly measured, and gave himself a moment for the highlights reel in the second quarter when he shimmied around Reece Conca on the forward flank and centered the ball to Shaun Higgins, who goaled. The poise of the two senior Dogs – plus the midfield effort of Matthew Boyd – were influential in the win.
Dogs survive Tiger attack
3. Contested ball win a positive for Tigers
It was a low possession game for both teams after they averaged 370.5 (Bulldogs) and 378 (Richmond) over the first two rounds. On Saturday, they racked up 312 and 306 respectively. The turning point for the Tigers, and what got them back from a 37-point deficit to lead by two points in the second half, was their step-up in winning the contested ball. At half-time, they trailed by seven in that area but had broken even by the final change, and had closed the gap of five clearances in favour of the Dogs to two. Coach Damien Hardwick is well known for his love of such stats and despite the final result would have been buoyed by his players' ability to fight back to win the contested ball overall, 128 to 127. The Tigers also continued to stand-up at the clearances, winning them 46 to 45 after entering round three ranked third in the league with an average of 44 per game.
4. Tough tackle to temper Tiger Thomas?
Damien Hardwick has spoken openly of his desire to get Daniel Jackson and Matt Thomas in the same team to give the Tigers a pair of "battering rams" to help protect the likes of Trent Cotchin. After Jackson got over his pre-season hamstring injury and came into the team this week, his wish was fulfilled and the two combined for 18 contested possessions and six clearances. But, his tough new pairing might be short-lived with Thomas sure to have a crude tackle on Ryan Griffen looked at by the match review panel. Thomas pinned Griffen's arms and slung him into the ground, which left the Dogs' captain stunned for a few moments but able to finish the game. Nathan Foley would be the obvious replacement for Thomas if he does time for the incident after being omitted this week. Cotchin had another brilliant game himself with 28 disposals – 19 contested – and 11 clearances.
5. Welcome back Williams
Tom Williams' return for the Bulldogs was a welcome sight after the key position player's most recent battle with injuries. A dislocated shoulder in round 10 last year against Port Adelaide ended his season after two games and he hasn't played since, apart from four pre-season hit-outs. In his sixth game since 2012, Williams started in defence against Ben Griffiths, but McCartney admitted before the game he wanted to swing his man up forward at some point. A tweaked shoulder to Roughead in the first quarter that limited his movement meant the 27-year-old had to play the game out in defence, and while he had some shaky movements, no doubt caused by his lack of exposure to football in recent years, he got through the game and took four marks. "Eventually he'll have a year where he holds together and I'd love it to be this year," McCartney told 3AW before the game. After a clean start against the Tigers, Williams has cleared his first hurdle to do just that.
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
This tackle ended badly for Ryan Griffen but could be worse for Matt Thomas. Picture: AFL Media
