Western Bulldogs rebound with impressive AFL victory over Essendon

Australia World

The Western Bulldogs have bounced back from last weekend’s heavy loss to Carlton to thrash Essendon by 42 points at Carrara.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge’s decision to axe four players — including out-of-sorts forward Josh Schache and premiership player Toby McLean — following the 52-point loss to the Blues at the same venue paid off as the Bulldogs claimed an impressive 14.9 (93) to 7.9 (51) win.

The Bulldogs were dominant throughout the contest and blew apart the match by kicking five goals to none in the third term.

Mitch Wallis registered three goals for the Bulldogs, while Matt Suckling had two majors.

Young ruckman Tim English was sensational for the Bulldogs, kicking a goal, notching 22 disposals and winning 17 hit-outs, seven of which were to advantage.

Debutant Cody Weightman scored two goals for the Bulldogs, including a sensational banana kick from the pocket in the opening quarter — it was his first touch in the AFL.

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The loss is Essendon’s sixth in a row against the Bulldogs, a streak stretching back to 2015.

It drops the Bombers back to a 4-2 win-loss and sixth place on the ladder, with the Bulldogs leapfrogging them into fifth after their fourth win of the season.

Essendon’s forward line was starved of the ball with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Jacob Townsend and Shaun McKernan all having quiet nights.

Jayden Laverde was the only multiple goalkicker for the Bombers, kicking two majors.

The Bulldogs take on Gold Coast at Carrara next Thursday night, while Essendon travels to Adelaide to play the Crows on July 26.

AAP