Latest news with #post-SimonGoodwin
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bulldogs stay alive in AFL finals race after pulsating win over Demons
Western Bulldogs still have a finals pulse after rallying from a three-quarter-time deficit to stay within a game of the top eight – and prevent Melbourne from a winning start to the post-Simon Goodwin era. After fellow finals aspirants Fremantle completed their latest comeback against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs did the same to claim a six-point victory and keep alive their September hopes. Only Adelaide and Geelong boast a superior percentage to the Dogs, but they will likely need to win their last two matches, against West Coast then the Dockers, and rely on one of their rivals above them slipping in the next fortnight. They have some of their biggest stars to thank for this escape act in a thrilling contest. Ed Richards kicked two brilliant goals early in the fourth quarter to snatch back the lead both times for the Bulldogs and elevate his best-on-ground performance, but the Demons edged back in front with back-to-back goals to Harvey Langford and substitute Blake Howes. The Bulldogs' season was on the line at that stage – almost 20 minutes into the term – but Sam Darcy delivered a magnificent pass to fellow father-son draftee Rhylee West, whose checkside finish gave them the lead for good. But it was not the end of the drama. Loading Aaron Naughton's quick thinking to keep a Marcus Bontempelli shot in play that was going to be a behind led to him snapping his fifth goal and extending their buffer to 10 points, which grew to 12 points with consecutive behinds.
The Age
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Bulldogs stay alive in AFL finals race after pulsating win over Demons
Western Bulldogs still have a finals pulse after rallying from a three-quarter-time deficit to stay within a game of the top eight – and prevent Melbourne from a winning start to the post-Simon Goodwin era. After fellow finals aspirants Fremantle completed their latest comeback against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs did the same to claim a six-point victory and keep alive their September hopes. Only Adelaide and Geelong boast a superior percentage to the Dogs, but they will likely need to win their last two matches, against West Coast then the Dockers, and rely on one of their rivals above them slipping in the next fortnight. They have some of their biggest stars to thank for this escape act in a thrilling contest. Ed Richards kicked two brilliant goals early in the fourth quarter to snatch back the lead both times for the Bulldogs and elevate his best-on-ground performance, but the Demons edged back in front with back-to-back goals to Harvey Langford and substitute Blake Howes. The Bulldogs' season was on the line at that stage – almost 20 minutes into the term – but Sam Darcy delivered a magnificent pass to fellow father-son draftee Rhylee West, whose checkside finish gave them the lead for good. But it was not the end of the drama. Loading Aaron Naughton's quick thinking to keep a Marcus Bontempelli shot in play that was going to be a behind led to him snapping his fifth goal and extending their buffer to 10 points, which grew to 12 points with consecutive behinds.
