The Western Bulldogs’ unbeaten start to the AFL season has been spoiled by an injury to “critical” ruckman Tim English in what proved to be an inconsistent performance against Essendon on Sunday night.
The 28-year-old failed to finish the Dogs’ 14.15 (99) to 9.11 (65) win with a knee concern.
Three-goal star Arty Jones also sat out the late stages as a hamstring complaint ended his impressive night early, while Ed Richards was a late out with knee soreness.
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But the potential absence of English spells danger for the Dogs ahead of difficult month against Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydney and Fremantle.
“(English is) critical,” skipper Marcus Bontempelli told Channel 7.
“He’s probably one of the best centre-bounce jumpers, and he makes a significant difference to our ability to win the ball and hopefully get first access there and obviously around the ground then what he’s able to do in terms of getting it away.
“We saw others get a bit of a spell there — Jordan Croft, who’s young and still developing. Rory Lobb obviously came up and ideally we’d probably keep him down back.
“I’m not sure what the result will be, hopefully it was just precautionary and we’ll see how we go. Unfortunately a couple missing at this stage and we’ll see the severity as we go.”
Lobb is prepared to give up his spot in defence — for now — to step up and replace English, should coach Luke Beveridge ask.
“I’m always saying to Bevo whatever the team needs,” Lobb told Channel 7 in the rooms.
“I did a little bit last year or the year before, I went into the ruck when Timmy wasn’t able to get up. If I have to do it I’m happy to do it.
“We’ve got Jedd Busslinger and Ryan Gardiner playing some really good football in the VFL and pushing for their spot (in defence).
“If I need to ruck I’ll do it or wherever I’m happy to do it — just as long as we’re winning.”
Lobb said there were no concerns over the late knee knock that also brought an early end to his night.
The Bulldogs appeared destined for a thumping win after keeping Essendon to just one goal in the opening half but the tables turned somewhat after half-time.
Sunday night’s loss still means the Bombers have equalled the club record of 17 consecutive defeats, set when Essendon used top-up players in 2016 amid their supplements saga.
And it won’t relieve the pressure on the team and their coach Brad Scott.
Essendon shipped the first five goals and were put to the sword by Bontempelli (35 disposals) and Sam Darcy (three goals), who destroyed Zach Reid early.
Matt Kennedy (36 disposals) and Ryley Sanders (34 were prolific) while Aaron Naughton kicked three goals and Jones nabbed a career-high three goals and took two huge first half hangers to set the Bulldogs on their way.
Archie Roberts (37 disposals) and Zach Merrett (30) had plenty of the ball while Jade Gresham nabbed three goals and Tom Edwards, on return from an ACL tear, kicked two majors along with Archer May.
In the first half, Essendon consistently turned the ball over, missed tackles and left Bontempelli in acres of space.
The Bulldogs exploded to life when Sam Durham was caught ball watching and Bontempelli ghosted in to receive a handball and snap under no pressure.
It was the first of five goals on the spin as the Dogs completely exposed the Bombers’ lack of pressure out of the midfield.
After Darcy outmarked Reid and dobbed his second goal, Essendon swapped Ben McKay onto the Bulldogs sensation.
Luke Beveridge’s men had a scratchier second quarter and took their foot off the pedal but still kept Essendon goalless for the term to lead by 54 at half-time.
Essendon came out of the break with much-needed renewed intent, while the Bulldogs’ skills were all over the shop.
Edwards grabbed two goals while Gresham and Peter Wright also hit the scoreboard as Essendon reeled in the margin.
But the Bombers didn’t make the most of their chances and when Naughton goaled at the start of the final term, the result was sealed.
Essendon fought out the match but will now face rejuvenated Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in Gather Round.
The Bombers have their own injury concern with Zach Reid suffering hamstring tightness, a serious concern given he has been limited to just 23 games by similar issues.
“We’re pretty cautious with our approach with Zach,” captain Andy McGrath said.
“The Bulldogs obviously move the ball pretty fast and we didn’t want to put him under any risk in that last quarter, but we’ll wait and see how we go.”
Meanwhile, Lachie McNeil played almost half the game for the Bulldogs after replacing Richards despite having played three quarters in the VFL curtain raiser.
The 24-year-old found out he was in the mix for an AFL call-up “probably an hour before the game”.
“All of a sudden it was get the boots ready, it might be happening and it was probably about 45 minutes before the game it was ‘yep, you’re on mate’. Crazy, crazy night,” he said.
“(The body) wasn’t great but I was never going to say I wasn’t feeling great.
“The adrenaline kicks in and you can run alright, it’s not the end of the world. Long day, I feel OK now but I’ll be cooked probably tomorrow morning.”
– with AAP
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