After a sensational year, a strong finals series, the Western Bulldogs Premiership dream ends.
As the Western Bulldogs hit the turf in Western Australia, they had the hopes of bring the Premiership cup back to the West of Melbourne. They had an outstanding season, consistently in the top four, for over 20 Rounds, a loss in Round 23, the third in a row pushed them fifth on the ladder. They had a big Finals series ahead of them, needing a win each game to ensure their Grand Final birth.
And what a show they put on, beating Essendon in the Elimination Final, Brisbane at home in Semi- Final and demolishing Port Adelaide in the Prelim. They set themselves up for a Grand Final against the Melbourne Demons. The Grand Final was Melbourne’s first in 57 years.
The Demons came out firing, in the first quarter, kicking four goals and ending the first change with a 21 point lead. The second quarter, Melbourne missed the targets and the Bulldogs soared kicking six goals straight. By the third quarter, Marcus Bontempelli kicked his third goal in the middle of the term and the Bulldogs lead had stretched to 19 points.
Melbourne then dialed it up, kicking twelve back-to-back goals through the third and into the fourth quarter. It all happened so quickly, the Bulldogs couldn’t compete with the surge from the Dees. Adam Treloar managed to squeeze one more in but another four straight from the Dees sealed the Bulldogs fate. The end result a 74 point win to the Melbourne Demons.
Coach Luke Beveridge said “There’s no doubt it’s [the journey] been arduous, we’ve had some challenges, but I couldn’t be more grateful for what our players have been able to do to get us to this stage.”
Proud partnership
Victoria University is proud of our partnership the Western Bulldogs and what they have been able to achieve in this challenging year.
We are also proud of the seven VU students; Bailey Dale, Zaine Cordy, Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley, and alumnus, Easton Wood who lined up in the Grand Final this year and other students including; Ryan Gardner and Lewis Young who played in the other finals games.
These players, have done an amazing job juggling study, training and playing and most doing so while recording distinctions or high distinctions in their studies. There are a few who are also only a couple blocks off finishing their studies, we look forward to celebrating their graduations in the very near future.
