Western Bulldogs threaten to rain on Melbourne’s parade as Aaron Naughton dazzles to leave grand final rematch on a knife-edge – after Demons received huge ovation as Premiers returned home after FINALLY ending their 57-year hoodoo
- Western Bulldogs are threatening to rain on Melbourne’s parade at the MCG
- The Dees received a heroes’ welcome as they returned home on Wednesday
- The Premiers won their first flag in 57 years after triumphing in Perth last season
- However, the Dogs are out for revenge after falling short in last year’s grand final
Melbourne received a superb ovation as they returned home following the Premiership triumph, but the Western Bulldogs are threatening to rain on their parade at the MCG.
Simon Goodwin’s side made history last year after ending their Premiership drought to triumph in Perth, beating the Dogs in a pulsating grand final.
Having competed for the flag in Western Australia, the Dees are determined to win in front of their fans this season and become only the fifth club in AFL history to go back-to-back.
Melbourne received a heroes’ welcome as they returned home to kick off the 2022 season
The Demons opened the new season with a grand final rematch against the Western Bulldogs
Simon Goodwin’s side triumphed last season, winning their first Premiership in 57 years
Club legends Hassa Mann and Ron Barassi were in attendance in glorious scenes for the Dees
However, all did not go to plan in this season’s curtain raiser, with the Bulldogs kicking eight straight goals to build a mammoth lead heading towards half time. Aaron Naughton was dominated in the air while the likes of Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar and Marcus Bontempelli won the clearance battle.
Demons gun Christian Petracca led the fight back towards the end of the second quarter, kicking from outside the 50 to cut the deficit to nine points with the game balanced on a knife-edge.
‘We were on the backfoot early, their intensity was better but we are back in the game,’ Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said on 7Sport at half time. ‘There have been sliding doors moments for both sides, now we have to maintain that.’
The Dees were dealt an early blow after Christian Salem hobbled off after receiving a crunching tackle from Dogs gun Marcus Bontempelli. The club confirmed that the midfielder has a suspected knee injury, and he was replaced by Toby Bedford.
Dogs fans also suffered a scare when star man Bontempelli required heavy strapping to his ankle, but the midfielder was deemed fit to continue.
Captain Max Gawn has played down the hype around his team, but the Dees masses gave their heroes an ovation fit for champions at the MCG on Wednesday night.
A giant flag reading ‘AFL Premiers 2021’ was unfurled, while club legends Hassa Mann and Ron Barassi were in attendance to bask in the glorious scenes 57 years in the making.
The Demons expressed ‘disappointment’, though, after a fireworks show was called off ‘for reasons outside of our understanding or control.’
More to follow.
Melbourne put on a show with a pulsating first quarter, but the Bulldogs rallied on Wednesday
Marcus Bontempelli dominated the midfield contest in the second quarter as the Dogs kicked eight in a row
Aaron Naughton celebrates after helping the Dogs build a decent lead heading into the break
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