Another calf issue for Adam Treloar was the only concern for the Western Bulldogs as they returned to the top eight with a dominant win over a hapless Richmond at Marvel Stadium.
Treloar, playing just his fourth match for the season, was subbed out of the game before half-time with calf tightness after hobbling around the ground during the second quarter. He had played the previous two matches without an issue after struggling with a calf injury for most of the season.
Adam Treloar was subbed out of the game against Richmond.Credit: AFL Photos
He wasn’t needed as the Bulldogs, led by smooth-moving skipper Marcus Bontempelli, ran riot in the second quarter kicking 7.3 (45) to the Tigers one behind to put the result beyond doubt.
In an otherwise dreary encounter, Bontempelli was good to watch as he loped around the forward half of the ground, damaging with his possessions and kicking three goals, including the first of the match.
Marcus Bontempelli on the burst against Richmond.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Bulldogs were a class above the young Tigers in that quarter, although Richmond didn’t help themselves as Noah Balta refused to pay Sam Darcy any respect. Darcy kicked three goals in the first half without breaking into a sweat while Balta gave him too much leeway. Darcy finished with five goals as he continues to build his form after returning from his knee injury last week.
Darcy’s teammates inside the Dogs’ forward 50 metres, Rhylee West and Aaron Naughton, did the heavy work as the midfield gave them ample opportunities to score. If the midfield didn’t win the ball, then Rory Lobb, Bailey Dale and Bailey Williams rebounded from the defensive 50m.
Richmond’s work rate was poor, with their midfield not as interested in spreading from the contest to defend. Bontempelli, Richards, Kennedy and Liberatore made them pay, while Sam Davidson roamed his wing to rack up possessions whenever support was needed.
The freedom Richmond allowed their opponents was unforgivable because it’s well known that this version of Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs can slaughter inferior opposition, which is what they did as they went to work on the Tigers.
They dominated uncontested possession and did as they pleased in the second and third quarters.
The Bulldogs’ past four wins have been by more than 72 points, with this match’s 79-point margin a fair reflection of the gap between the two teams.
Although their game appears in good shape, the Dogs do need a big scalp in the back half of the year as they vie for a finals berth.
Tom Lynch shaped as Richmond’s only avenue for goal with three goals, and Nick Vlastuin – who twice copped a knee to the back of the head from Naughton in marking contests – battled hard in his usual fashion.
After three promising wins earlier in the season, the young Richmond team appears to be tiring, while the Bulldogs now look to be up and running, and it’s likely both clubs will take vastly different trajectories in the back half of the season.
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