WESTERN Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli has put West Coast to the sword for the second time this year to lead his side to a 55-point AFL win at an empty Optus Stadium.
Bontempelli tallied 29 disposals, 10 clearances, and three goals in the 13.20 (98) to 6.7 (43) win on Sunday.
The Eagles trailed by 21 points at three-quarter time, but the Bulldogs slammed home the first six goals of the final term – including three to Aaron Naughton – to turn it into a demolition.
Bontempelli suffered a late scare when he grabbed at his right shoulder after crashing to the turf in a spoiling attempt.
The 25-year-old, who starred with 30 disposals and three goals in the round two win over West Coast, was able to play on despite the discomfort.
The result improved the Bulldogs’ record to 11-3, while West Coast dropped to 8-6 and lost 5.3 per cent.
West Coast’s underdone midfield was destroyed despite the utter dominance of Nic Naitanui in the ruck.
Naitanui, up against Tim English, tallied 20 disposals, 39 hitouts and eight clearances.
But the returning Luke Shuey (20 possessions) and Tim Kelly (14 disposals), and the likes of Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden, and Dom Sheed couldn’t capitalise at ground level.
In contrast, the Bulldogs had Bontempelli, Jack Macrae (32 disposals, one goal), Bailey Smith (31 disposals, two goals), and Lachie Hunter (27 disposals) starring.
Eagles goalsneak Liam Ryan could be suspended for a high bump that caught Jason Johannisen in the jaw.
Although Johannisen was able to play on after being medically cleared, the fact Ryan chose to bump could result in a one-match ban, much like the incident that saw Jordan De Goey cop the same penalty.
The Bulldogs won the inside 50m count 17-8 in the opening term and had eight scoring shots to two, but their lead at quarter time was just 13 points due to inaccuracy.
Their frustrating run in front of goal continued early in the second term, with the Bulldogs having 2.12 to their name before Bontempelli nailed one from 30m out when the conditions started to dry out.
A strong mark to Naughton in the dying minutes of the term set up a goal to Toby McLean, giving the visitors a 20-point lead at the major break.
Bulldogs defender Ryan Gardner was subbed out early in the third quarter when he injured his right shoulder in a heavy collision with Josh Kennedy.
There was more carnage to come, with English, Eagles midfielder Andrew Gaff, and Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore all suffering cuts on their head.
Smith booted two goals for the term, but two goals to Eagles forward Oscar Allen within the space of a minute kept West Coast in the match.
However, the game was put to bed early in the final quarter as Naughton put on an aerial show and duly converted his good work.
Bontempelli put the icing on the cake with a miracle snapped goal from the pocket.
The final-quarter onslaught was so bad that Eagles coach Adam Simpson put his face mask over his eyes at one point.
(C) AAP 2021
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.8 4.12 7.15 13.20 (98)
WEST COAST 1.1 2.4 5.6 6.7 (43)
Goals: Western Bulldogs: A Naughton 4 M Bontempelli 3 B Smith 2 C Weightman J Macrae R Garcia T McLean. West Coast: O Allen 2 A Gaff J Cripps J Kennedy J Petruccelle.
Umpires: Jeff Dalgleish, Alex Whetton, Dan Johanson.
Venue: Optus Stadium.
