At Subiaco, up against not just the Eagles but more than 36,000 parochial fans and 30 degree heat, it wasn’t the ideal start for Brendan McCartney’s team.
A 65-point loss would have had fans wondering whether they would see a repeat of 2013.
An area they pride themselves on, the Bulldogs were smashed in contested possession (125-160), saw their All-Australian ruckman overpowered in the hit-outs (31-53) and were dominated in the inside 50 count (37-59).
It wasn’t all somber though despite the result.
Former Bomber Stewart Crameri was a solid performer in his first game with two goals and 15 disposals, youngsters Jack Macrae (31 disposals, 2 goals) and Lachie Hunter (24 disposals, 2 goals) impressed, while Shaun Higgins was back to a semblance of his best form after close to a year on the sidelines.
Can the Bulldogs turn it around against North?
Well they were arguably the better-performed side in the pre-season downing Carlton, a task North couldn’t achieve, and playing well against Grand Finalist Fremantle.
In Round 1, sheer weight of numbers in attack meant the Eagles found key avenues to goal (Mark LeCras 5, Jack Darling 4), but it could be argued Brad Scott’s team doesn’t have the same luxury at the moment with Robbie Tarrant injured and Majak Daw perhaps a little underdone.
Dale Morris held Josh Kennedy to two goals and he’ll be eyeing a shutdown role on Drew Petrie or Aaron Black after both struggled against the Bombers.
Any side boasting the experience of Adam Cooney, Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiracusa, who kicked four goals when the teams last met in 2013, demands respect.
Liam Jones, coming back through the VFL will also be eager to win back his spot.
And while the Bulldogs were smashed on the scoreboard against West Coast, they were able to match them for clearances.
When you consider the 14th ranked clearance player in the competition Ryan Griffen is a ‘strong’ chance to be back, it looms as a big challenge in the middle for the Kangaroos.
Last time North met the Bulldogs, Griffen had 33 possessions and kicked a goal, the time before 29 possessions, and 31 going back to Round 7, 2012. In that time he’s polled five Brownlow Medal votes against the Kangaroos.
Some newspapers have labelled Sunday’s match as a ‘redemption’ clash, with both sides desperate to kick-start their season. The victor has reason for optimism, the loser will be on the back-foot.
