Bulldogs Crush Demons, Eye Finals Glory

The Western Bulldogs have made a powerful statement in the AFL, decisively defeating the Melbourne Demons by 51 points at Marvel Stadium. After a tough loss to Port Adelaide earlier in the season, Luke Beveridge‘s side has been on fire, taking down four top teams, including the Demons.

This latest victory over Melbourne, who struggled throughout the match, sent the Bulldogs into the top four of the ladder. With a bright percentage of 122.4, they’re looking to finish strong against teams like Adelaide, North Melbourne, and the Giants in the coming rounds as they chase a flag.

On the flip side, it’s been a rough season for the Demons. Once a team that seemed set to dominate after their breakthrough in 2021, they have faced back-to-back disappointing finals exits and now find themselves likely out of contention for the finals this year. Their injury woes continue, with defender Steven May hospitalized with a rib injury, and superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver not at their best.

Despite the bleak performance from Melbourne, there might be a silver lining. With the chance of slipping down the ladder, they could end up with a high draft pick that could set them up for a better future, akin to their turnaround in 2019.

One of the highlights of the match was Adam Treloar celebrating his 250th game. He expressed his gratitude for being able to play and contribute to the Bulldogs’ success. Treloar finished the game with 30 possessions and two goals, showcasing his importance to the team.

Throughout the game, the Bulldogs dominated in terms of clearances, though Melbourne managed to improve slightly in the latter parts. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s goalkicking also stood out, albeit for the wrong reasons, as he ended the night with a disappointing 2.6.

As the match progressed, the Bulldogs continued to extend their lead, ultimately finishing with a score of 110 to 59. This win underscores their position as a serious threat heading towards the finals.

In another game happening simultaneously in Perth, the Gold Coast Suns were battling the West Coast Eagles, managing to secure an edge as they moved closer to clinching their first win on the road this season.