AFL 2021: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne Demons – round 11 live!
Gawn #Gawn
7.57am EDT 07:57
3QT: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 12-8 (80)
Big quarter from the Demons, not obviously on the scoreboard, but they gave the Dogs no space, no time, no favours and are full value for their six-goal lead. Their pressure is intense, their class next level. It would take a miraculous resurgence from the Bulldogs to get back into this.
Glad I’m not the only one…
7.49am EDT 07:49
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 12-8 (80) Goal! Weideman again! The Dees clear the ball from the middle – again – and Weideman takes a strong mark in front of goal before converting for a second goal in as many minutes. Danger signs for the Dogs, if they weren’t there already.
7.47am EDT 07:47
Q3: 4 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 11-7 (73) Goal! The Dees regain possession in their back half and try to keep the ball. It works as they chip the ball around before finding Weideman inside 50, a shade to the right. It’s not the easiest of set shots but he slots it nicely to extend the Dees’ lead.
7.42am EDT 07:42
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-8 (44) vs Melbourne 10-7 (67) Salem coughs up the ball in a dangerous area and the Dogs pounce, setting up Naughton but he too misses his set shot. Straightforward chance; should have done better. Needed to have done better if the Dogs are to get back in this one.
7.39am EDT 07:39
Q3: 9 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-7 (43) vs Melbourne 10-7 (67) Great pass under duress from Lever paves the way for a big grab by Harmes on the 50 and then Fritsch has a chance to swell the lead but his set shot hits the left post. Not much of an angle, not far out. Poor miss.
7.36am EDT 07:36
Q3: 11 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-6 (42) vs Melbourne 10-6 (66) Goal! Fritsch is awarded a free for high contact on the right pocket and does very well with his set shot, drilling the ball home with a deft snap. Advantage Demons.
7.34am EDT 07:34
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-6 (42) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Now it’s the Dees who try to chip it around. The ball becomes unstuck but the Dogs can’t do anything with the turnover and the Demons rebound with ease. Slow, watchful start to the third term but that probably suits the Demons just fine.
7.30am EDT 07:30
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-6 (42) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Petracca goes a torp from defence and though it’s a good kick the Dogs mop up and creep the ball forward. Gawn is on hand, however, to punch the ball over the boundary line. Nothing direct nor precise from the Dogs.
7.28am EDT 07:28
Q3: 17 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Oliver is good in congestion but the Dogs win a free deep in defence to clear the ball from danger. But their ball movement is stagnant and the Dees bottle it up.
7.26am EDT 07:26
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Back for the second half. Centre clearance for the Dogs but Petty takes a timely mark to centre-half back to nullify the threat.
7.07am EDT 07:07
HT: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60)
It’s been mostly the Dees but the Dogs struck back at the end of the second term to get within three goals and change. Melbourne can still go into half-time on good terms with themselves. They are winning the ball out of the middle, moving the ball well and defending the ground beautifully. The Bulldogs have looked off the pace but are still in it. On a plus note from their point of view, they can’t play much worse.
If anyone is wondering why the Dees aren’t wearing their Indigenous jumper, it’s because of an apparent clash.
6.59am EDT 06:59
Q2: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 6-5 (41) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Goal! Crozier takes a nice contested mark from a kick-in before finding English with a measured pass inside 50. English converts from about 40 and suddenly the Dogs are back inside 20 points when they’ve looked outplayed for most of the night.
Updated at 7.08am EDT
6.56am EDT 06:56
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 5-4 (34) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Goal! Another messy inside 50 by the Dogs is handled easily by the Dees. But the Bulldogs soon regain control and work the ball across the ground before Daniel shoots and scores to pull one back. Much-needed late goal for the Bulldogs.
Updated at 6.59am EDT
6.51am EDT 06:51
Q2: 5 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-4 (28) vs Melbourne 9-6 (60) Goal! The Dogs go backwards to go forward from defence but it’s hard work and the Dees soon turn the ball over. The pressure shows and Pickett gets onto the end of an Oliver pass inside 50 before kicking truly and putting more space between themselves and the Dogs.
6.48am EDT 06:48
Q2: 7 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-4 (28) vs Melbourne 8-6 (54) Lovely intercept mark by Rivers and again Melbourne nullify a Bulldogs move forward. The Dogs have been lacking for intent and the Dees are set up well.
6.45am EDT 06:45
Q2: 10 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-4 (28) vs Melbourne 8-6 (54) The Dogs go forward and Weightman looks set to pull off an audacious goal after a shimmy and then a shake but his snap misses to the left. Would’ve been a classic goal and a necessary one for the Dogs but to no avail.
6.41am EDT 06:41
Q2: 12 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-3 (27) vs Melbourne 8-6 (54) Goal! McDonald again. The Dogs have worked hard but the Demons are equal to it. Big Mac converts after some nice work from Neal-Bullen and now Melbourne regain their breathing space.
6.38am EDT 06:38
Q2: 14 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-3 (27) vs Melbourne 7-6 (48) Goal! Melbourne get one back after Petracca finds McDonald with a precise pass when everyone in the stadium – meaning no one – thought he might instead have gone for goal. Classy stuff from the Dee.
6.37am EDT 06:37
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 4-3 (27) vs Melbourne 6-6 (42) Goal! English takes a virtually uncontested mark when he really should have had some opposition and makes no mistake with his set shot from 20m out. The Bont instrumental in that play. Warming into it he is.
6.35am EDT 06:35
Q2: 16 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 3-3 (21) vs Melbourne 6-6 (42) The Dogs are getting their hands on it now, tossing it around from defence to centre wing to the forward line. The Dees nullify but good signs for the Bulldogs.
6.32am EDT 06:32
Q2: 18 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 3-2 (20) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41) Goal! And Bruce does the rest, rocking back and drilling his set shot. Just the start the Bulldogs wanted.
6.31am EDT 06:31
Q2: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41) The Dogs trail at QT for the first time this season. Let’s see what they can do. Well, the second quarter has started with a clearance that has landed in the hands of Bruce…
6.26am EDT 06:26
QT: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41)
No fans but plenty of action as Melbourne start the game much stronger after their disappointment against the Crows last week. The Dees are winning it out of the middle and the rest has been taking care of itself. Response needed from the Dogs.
6.21am EDT 06:21
Q1: 1 min remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 6-5 (41) Goal! Lever to Oliver to Gawn, but Oliver is dumped after disposal and the Dees ruckman is handed a free in front of goal before splitting the big sticks to swell Melbourne’s lead. Big quarter from Melbourne.
Updated at 6.21am EDT
6.18am EDT 06:18
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 5-5 (35) Another error in defence gives Melbourne a shot on goal but Spargo can’t convert from a tightish angle, missing to the left.
Updated at 6.18am EDT
6.17am EDT 06:17
Q1: 4 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 5-4 (34) Goal! Spargo has a set shot from the boundary but instead of having a crack he centres the ball and the Dogs fail to deal with the chaos ball as Jordon pounces and puts the Dees further in front.
6.14am EDT 06:14
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 4-4 (28) Goal! Big blue from the Dogs defence as Fritsch takes an intercept grab before spinning off the mark and snapping for another for the Dees.
6.09am EDT 06:09
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 2-2 (14) vs Melbourne 3-3 (21) Goal! That man Naughton gets his hands on the ball just inside 50 and makes no mistake with his set shot. Timely goal for the Dogs.
6.08am EDT 06:08
Q1: 10 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 1-2 (8) vs Melbourne 3-3 (21) The Dees work the ball out of defence with some sharp passing. As the ball flies high over centre wing you really get the sense of no one being there. The stands are empty. Not even canned applause from the broadcasters. It’s like 2020 all over again. Please, God, let it be brief.
6.03am EDT 06:03
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 1-1 (7) vs Melbourne 3-2 (20) Goal! Another quick break from Melbourne and the Dogs are caught unawares as Fritsch plays on and snaps truly to make it three for the Dees. Big start to the game from Melbourne.
6.00am EDT 06:00
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 1-1 (7) vs Melbourne 2-1 (13) Goal! Big clearance win for the Bulldogs and Weightman judges a chaos ball best to find space and kick truly to drag one back. Lovely finish.
5.58am EDT 05:58
Q1: 15 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-1 (1) vs Melbourne 2-1 (13) Goal! From the kick-in the Dees regain possession and Petracca does the rest with an assured snap to put the Dees further in front.
5.57am EDT 05:57
Q1: 16 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-1 (1) vs Melbourne 1-1 (7) McDonald has space, then Fritsch has space, but the latter squanders his chance from the left as he drags his set shot to the left.
5.55am EDT 05:55
Q1: 17 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-1 (1) vs Melbourne 1-0 (6) Now Melbourne are on the attack. Clean hands from Bailey Smith on 50 gives the Dogs a shot on goal but the Dees talls are there to save the day.
5.53am EDT 05:53
Q1: 19 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0-0 (0) vs Melbourne 1-0 (6) Goal! And we’re away. Gawn fairly well strips the ball from the centre bounce and before you know it Harmes pounces on a loose ball inside 50 and kicks a very, very quick goal. Wow, that was quick.
5.48am EDT 05:48
If you’ve been a bit busy and/or avoiding the crapness of Covid-19, this is the present state of crapness.
5.42am EDT 05:42
In case anyone is unsure, Sir Doug Nicholls Round is about much more than a guernsey design tweak.
5.38am EDT 05:38
Am I the only dude who thinks Bailey Smith is a dead ringer for Billy from Stranger Things?
5.36am EDT 05:36
If anyone’s keen for a spot of background viewing, here’s some highlights of the last time these two met.
And even more recently, if you know what I mean.
5.29am EDT 05:29
Don’t sit on the fence, HoO. Worst case you’re a 50-50 shot. I’m with the Dogs.
5.27am EDT 05:27
Lest anyone be under a rock, Victoria is back in a very dark place. Please, please let it be brief.
5.15am EDT 05:15
No late team changes
Western Bulldogs
B: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Hayden CrozierHB: Bailey Williams, Zaine Cordy, Caleb DanielC: Bailey Dale, Tom Liberatore, Jason JohannisenHF: Lachie Hunter, Josh Bruce, Cody WeightmanF: Tim English, Aaron Naughton, Marcus BontempelliFOLL: Jordon Sweet, Jack Macrae, Bailey SmithI/C: Patrick Lipinski, Lachlan McNeil, Roarke Smith, Riley GarciaSub: Louis Butler
Melbourne
B: Jayden Hunt, Steven May, Jake LeverHB: Christian Salem, Harrison Petty, Michael HibberdC: Angus Brayshaw, Christian Petracca, Ed LangdonHF: James Jordon, Tom McDonald, Jake MelkshamF: Bayley Fritsch, Sam Weideman, Charlie SpargoFOLL: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Kysaiah PickettI/C: James Harmes, Luke Jackson, Trent Rivers, Alex Neal-BullenSub: Tom Sparrow
A battle of the midfield, to be sure. And it sure helps to get a run for the Dogs if your first name is Bailey.
Here’s one of them. The one with the big hair.
5.03am EDT 05:03
Preamble 
Good evening and welcome to the opening fixture of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round. It’s one that was touch-and-go to even go ahead and one that will proceed in the absence of spectators. Thankfully it is indeed happening. Not often do we see a 1-v-2 in round 11 of the season but that’s what we have on our hands tonight.
Its lustre might have been brighter had Melbourne beaten Adelaide last week and come into this contest unbeaten, but let’s be grateful for what we’ve got. This is still a Friday night worth staying in for, and let’s face it if you’re in Victoria you’ve got no choice anyway. So fill the fridge full of VB/Kombucha/Yakult and strap yourselves in for a match that will reveal more and more about the supposed leading lights for this year’s premiership.
This is a real chance for both teams. It’s a chance for the Bulldogs to prove without a shadow of doubt that they are the real deal, the finest outfit in the AFL. Beat the Demons and that cannot be in dispute. Should Melbourne bounce back, however, we’ll likely be back in the murky waters of ambiguity. All of which, it must be said, is tempered by the fact it is only round 11 and Covid-19 could still resurface to bite all and sundry on the derriere.
But that can wait. All that matters is a top-of-the-table clash and a Friday night to savour. I’m here to keep you posted. You’re here, among other duties, to keep me company. If you’d like to get involved, you know the drill. Let’s do this thing.
Updated at 5.05am EDT