Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The Western Bulldogs blew a golden chance to secure a wildcard berth as North Melbourne snapped a seven-year losing streak against them to claim their biggest scalp of the season.
As important as the win was for Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos in a rare prime-time appearance, the biggest beneficiaries of the shock result were not even at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Wildcard hunters Carlton, St Kilda and GWS stand to gain the most from North’s 23-point win, which has left the Dogs needing to beat either the Blues or Melbourne at the Demons’ MCG fortress to guarantee a spot in the top 10.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he didn’t know enough about the Geelong waiver story to comment on it, but he did speak about Tom Liberatore’s health and his future at “the Kennel”.
Liberatore was asked pre-game about his battles with concussion, saying his main goal was to make sure he didn’t have any more of them, and that he wanted to finish the season healthy before discussing a new contract.
“That’s the discussion after that [he finishes the season healthy],” Liberatore told Seven.
“The main priority is my health and safety, making sure I look after my future after footy. [I’ll] prioritise that and we’ll go from there.”
An honest Luke Davies-Uniacke has credited football boss Todd Viney and coach Alastair Clarkson for ridding the club of players who weren’t helping them win.
The match-winning midfielder admitted he had plenty of doubts in recent years as the side continued to lose matches, but he sees the silver lining heading towards the future.
“It’s bloody exciting the talent that we have around the club,” Davies-Uniacke told Kayo Sport.
“It’s been frustrating times, no doubt. There have been times where I’m sitting after a 60- or 100-point loss, and I’m just thinking, ‘Where are we going here?’
Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson can’t wait for the year his side gets 23 games from George Wardlaw.
Clarkson praised his performance and his ability to run hard when the Roos have the ball and when they are on defence.
“He’s such a warrior on both sides of the ball. He hunts it really hard when it is in dispute, but when they’ve got it, he runs just as hard and that’s why he is highly respected,” Clarkson told Kayo Sports.
“[Luke] Hodge was a bit like that as a player as well. [We’re] disappointed he missed the last four games – we missed him and he was pretty important for us tonight.”
A matter-of-fact Marcus Bontempelli admits his side needs to look at why they fell short of matching the energy of the Roos tonight.
“They were the better team and played with a higher energy, and that’s something we’ll have to work on,” Bontempelli told Seven.
The Western Bulldogs are playing for their season in the next fortnight after North Melbourne snapped a seven-year losing streak against them to claim their biggest scalp of the season.
Denied a September berth on the last day of the home and away season last year, the Dogs face another nervous finish after a shock 23-point loss – 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77) – on Thursday night.
In another blow to the Dogs, ruckman Tim English limped off the field late in the game with concerns over his knee. He did not return to the field.
The Dogs could have booked themselves at least a wildcard berth by knocking off North, but now may need to beat either the in-form Carlton or Melbourne at the Demons’ MCG fortress to guarantee finals football.
Roos midfielder George Wardlaw admits he is “pretty exhausted” but couldn’t be prouder of his side for gutting out a tough win tonight.
Wardlaw, playing his first game since round 17, who led the effort plays for his side and he praised his side for holding their nerve in a tight finish.
“It hasn’t been easy watching from the sidelines,” Wardlaw told Kayo Sports.
“We’ve been in so many games and doing so much right, so it is good to get the points
The Roos season remains alive for another week and the Dogs face a difficult run home as they chase a wildcard spot.
Paul Curtis was the spark and midfielders Colby McKercher, Caleb Daniel and Luke Davies-Uniacke controlled the match from the middle in an impressive win.
Tim English’s injury could be huge for the Dogs but time will tell.
Luke Parker’s goal on the siren just topped off the win.
Zac Banch is a little man who just finds a way to mark the ball and make big plays.
He has booted a clutch goal to push the lead to three goals with three minutes to play.
The Dogs have to throw everything at it from here.
Roos 94, Dogs 76 with three mins to go.
