The Western Bulldogs upset Melbourne by three points at the MCG on Sunday night, 14.9 (93) to 13.12 (90). Ed Richards kicked three goals from the wing. Marcus Bontempelli racked up 29 disposals, two goals and looked best on ground. Aaron Naughton added two. Joel Freijah, Arthur Jones (two) and Rhylee West (two) rounded out the Dogs' goal scorers. The Demons led by five points at three-quarter time but the Dogs' midfield, led by Bontempelli and Ryley Sanders (30 disposals), controlled the final stanza for the four-point margin to expand to seven before a late Christian Petracca consolation. Western Bulldogs move to 6-5. Melbourne slip to 6-5 with the loss and the season's three-quarter-time form line is starting to look fragile.
The Midfield Battle That Decided It
Bailey Dale led all comers for the Dogs with 31 disposals and racked up 17 marks. Ryley Sanders added 30 disposals. Bontempelli's 29 disposals and two goals were the standout. Ed Richards' wing role produced three goals and 30 disposals, the kind of contribution that Luke Beveridge has been getting closer to all season. For Melbourne, Jake Bowey racked up 27 disposals at half back. Kysaiah Pickett, the Demons' small forward who kicked one and a behind on the night, was the most dangerous Demons attacker. Tom Sparrow, fined from Round 10 for umpire contact, added 23 disposals. Max Gawn racked up 42 hitouts and a goal but the ruck contest belonged to Tim English late. Christian Petracca's late goal was the consolation. The Demons' inside-50 efficiency dropped through the third and fourth quarters with the Dogs' midfield pressure forcing turnovers.
The Eight Now Has Five Sides on Six Wins
Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hawthorn and Carlton are now all on six wins from 11 starts. The Bulldogs sit eighth on percentage after the win. Melbourne are sixth. Adelaide are fifth. Hawthorn the new entrant after Thursday's UTAS Stadium win. The other Sunday Round 11 results: Adelaide beat St Kilda at Marvel, and Carlton played GWS at Engie Stadium. The Crows' next two are Saints and Lions, the Demons travel to Adelaide for the Round 12 Sunday afternoon. Beveridge said post-match he was happy with the Bulldogs' four-quarter performance and the side's young midfielders had carried the load against a Demons side that has been the form team of the past month.
Where the Markets Land
Western Bulldogs opened at $2.10 with the line at +6.5 and the result spat both back at the books. Top-eight markets shorten on the Dogs, with our reviewed bookmakers dabble, Ladbrokes and bet365 moving Beveridge's side into single figures for a finals appearance. Brownlow markets shorten on Bontempelli for the 29-disposal, two-goal night and the captain's-stamp performance. Coleman markets put Naughton back into the conversation after the two-goal night, and Ed Richards has shifted up the All-Australian wing chatter on the back of the three-goal night. The Demons drift on premiership futures but stay in finals contention. Round 12 Friday opens with Essendon v Geelong at the MCG, and the Bulldogs travel to Adelaide for the Sunday afternoon fixture. Full Round 11 match wrap via AFL.com.au.