Sunday's contest at the MCG between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Demons was a welcome heartstopper after weeks of blowouts, with individual brilliance ultimately dragging the Bulldogs across the line. Luke Beveridge's side, known for their potent attack but glaring deficiencies, overcame a ten-point deficit at the final break to secure a vital win.
Aaron Naughton was instrumental, booting five goals for the fifth time in six weeks, while Joel Freijah's clever handballs and tap-ons directly set up three goals. Ed Richards also contributed with two difficult goals that helped his team regain the lead. With seconds remaining, Sam Darcy took a match-saving mark, hurling himself into traffic to secure the victory.
The Bulldogs' deficiencies remain evident: they are a poor intercepting team, struggle to score from turnovers, and their defensive zone is often sloppy. However, their individual talent—including Bailey Dale and Marcus Bontempelli—continues to bail them out. Despite a percentage of 135 and competitiveness in every game this year, they still face an uphill battle to make the eight.
Elsewhere, West Coast threatened but failed to roll Adelaide in a potential upset, while Sydney launched their 2026 campaign with a full list and a slingshot game that caught Brisbane off guard. Chris Fagan expressed confidence in his Lions side despite the loss, while Port Adelaide remain capable of springing surprises under Ken Hinkley.
