3 minute read
The Western Bulldogs have beaten Port Adelaide by 25 points in a boilover AFL contest at the Adelaide Oval.
Rejuvenated forward Josh Schache has slotted three goals as the unfancied Western Bulldogs upset Port Adelaide by 25 points.
The Bulldogs revived their AFL finals hopes with a tenacious 10.6 (66) to 5.11 (41) triumph on a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Schache defied the slippery conditions to help the Dogs sneak within a win of the top eight.
The 21-year-old also kicked three goals in last week's loss to Collingwood after spending two months in state league ranks.
His scoring return against Port was crucial for the Dogs, who were superbly served by Marcus Bontempelli (27 disposals) and Jack Macrae (35 touches).
Defenders Jason Johannisen (24 possessions) and Caleb Daniel were influential, Tory Dickson booted two goals while Josh Dunkley (30 disposals) and 14-gamer Roarke Smith (25 touches, one goal) impressed.
"It's an important night because we haven't won interstate for a while," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
"The boys will get a lot of belief from it."
The Power, a week after downing ladder-leaders Geelong, blew a chance to consolidate their finals claims - they slip from seventh to eighth spot.
"We can't be reliable when we need to be reliable as a football team," Port coach Ken Hinkley said.
"That is fact."
Port spearhead Charlie Dixon kicked two goals, ex-captain Travis Boak collected 32 disposals and backmen Darcy Byrne-Jones (28 touches) and Hamish Hartlett (29 possessions) were standouts.
But after Dixon scored the opening goal of the game, the Power soon fell behind and never bridged the gap despite having 20 more inside 50s than the Dogs.
Following Dixon's early strike, the Bulldogs, sparked by Bontempelli, kicked three consecutive goals.
Bontempelli produced a dynamic first term - a dozen disposals, six clearances, four inside 50s and four tackles - and the Bulldogs led 3.2 to 1.2 at quarter-time.
Port's Robbie Gray reduced the deficit to six points early in the second term before the Dogs regained their ascendancy.
Schache booted his second goal after a sticky-fingered overhead mark and Smith added another with a curling 45m snap as the visitors crafted a 15-point halftime lead.
Port rallied to come within two points in the third term before the Dogs responded superbly.
They kicked three consecutive goals in five minutes, including a third major to Schache, and held a 13-point buffer at three quarter-time.
After a tense quarter-hour in the final term when neither side could score a goal, Bulldog Patrick Lipinski soccered a major and teammate Dickson soon booted his second to seal victory.
