Geelong laid the second most tackles since statistics were recorded, with its 129 tackles only topped by Richmond's 142 against Port Adelaide in round 10, 2010. The Cats laid 48 tackles in the final quarter when the game was on the line. Jimmy Bartel had 15 tackles, just four off the record now retired Sydney Swans' hard nut Jude Bolton set in 2011. Amazingly Geelong also had 85 marks compared to the Western Bulldogs 25, which is probably no surprise given the Cats have wet-weather marking machine, Harry Taylor, in the team. Taylor, in his 150th game, took 11 marks. The Cats fans were also upset at the free kick count that went the Bulldogs' way 25 to 13 however it was difficult to find much fault with the umpires in what was a tough game to adjudicate. The Western Bulldogs also won the inside-50 count 47 to 43 but lost where it mattered – on the scoreboard – as the Cats scored heavily on the rebound.
2. Contested game, contestable decisions
The Western Bulldogs dragged themselves back into the game in the third quarter winning nine consecutive clearances, narrowing the margin from 34 points to 14 points as they pressed hard against Geelong. They led the contested ball count (175 to 139), the free kick count (much to the consternation of the locals) and showed intent as they out-hunted Geelong. Marcus Bontempelli kicked two classy goals in the quarter and Ryan Griffen had nine disposals and kicked a goal. It was able to dry up Geelong's ability to score on the counter attack and at three-quarter time looked capable of pulling off an upset. In the end they failed by 13 points but could consider themselves unlucky not to be closer after a contentious decision denied Mitch Wallis a goal in the first quarter after the umpire thought it was a goal and the video review appeared inconclusive.
3. Old-fashioned debut on old-fashioned day
Poor Jack Redpath could not have picked a worse day to make his debut with the wet slippery conditions a nightmare for the 194cm forward who came to the Western Bulldogs via country football at Kyneton. After two knee reconstructions, the Bulldogs took a punt on him via the rookie draft when he caught the eye of assistant Shannon Grant. The Bulldogs only took four marks inside 50 but he battled hard and should be interesting to watch on a dry day. He finished the game with five disposals and a few bruises.
4. A miss for the ages
Geelong Jordan Murdoch shapes as an enigmatic type of player, brilliant at times, sloppy at others. Late in the second quarter Murdoch confirmed that assessment to be true when he missed a goal from 15 metres out directly in front. It was such a bad miss that it reminded old-timers of North Melbourne's Malcolm Blight mistakenly running into the points and Carlton's Percy Jones kicking the post instead of the ball in a reserves game back in the early ’80s. Two minutes into the third quarter however Murdoch made amends running into an open goal and kicking straight, one of just three goals the Cats kicked in the second half.
5. Western Bulldogs home at Geelong?
During his pre-match address Geelong president Colin Carter popped the question to Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon, reminding him the Dogs had a standing offer to consider playing a couple of home games at Simonds Stadium in the future. "We would even like to see the Bulldogs playing a few games down here and I know you have been interested in that in the past. Don't lose that idea as you push forward," Carter said. The Cats make about $500,000 at every home game at Simonds and have suggested the Bulldogs could do the same if they took up the offer. Carter also re-affirmed his belief that the Cats should be given eight home games at Simonds Stadium in 2015 rather than helping the AFL fulfill its obligations at Etihad Stadium. It would be familiar territory for many Bulldogs with its coaching staff consisting of former Cats assistant coach Brendan McCartney and players Ben Graham, Cameron Mooney, Joel Corey and Brent Prismall.
