ESSENDON has a problem and John Worsfold needs to do something about it quickly if his Bombers are to be a finals threat this year.
The Bombers don't - or are simply not willing to - defend well enough, a fact exposed by a hardened Western Bulldogs outfit which completely outplayed Essendon on Sunday to post a 21-point win at Etihad Stadium.
DOGS' DAY OUT: Full match coverage and stats
Only inaccuracy stopped the Dogs, coming off a pair of horror losses to open their campaign which led to murmurings about discontent within their camp, from opening a far bigger lead early in the game.
But they eventually capitalised on their chances to run out 14.19 (104) to 12.11 (83) winners, in a result that will give them some respite from the blowtorch this week and pass it on to Essendon.
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After conceding on average 92 points last year, Worsfold put a focus on his team defending better in 2018. So far, it's gone backwards in that regard, averaging 99 points against in the first three games.
The Dogs had managed just 16 goals in total in the first two weeks of the year but made scoring look easy against Essendon, whose foot skills and decision-making out of half-back was also not characteristic of a side aiming for finals success this season.
Luke Beveridge's men deserve real credit for that. Their midfield was dominant - Luke Dahlhaus (31 disposals), Lachie Hunter (35) and Jack Macrae (30) were on top throughout - while Marcus Bontempelli spent more time in attack and contributed three goals.
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Some lesser lights also did their bit, with Josh Dunkley and Billy Gowers creating chances near goal, Tim English competing well in the ruck and first-year defender Ed Richards looking at home on a half-back flank.
"I'm just so pleased for the players. It's been a challenging couple of weeks. On the eve of the season some of their teammates went down with injury so we had to adjust a few things and we were probably caught a little unawares and surprised by the first two rounds, to a degree," Beveridge said.
"It's an evolution of the Bulldogs' team, we don't know what kind of outfit we'll be at the end of the year, but we still believe we can really be hard to beat and chalk up the wins along the way."
WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full post-match media conference
Essendon recruit Jake Stringer competed against his former side for the first time and was solid, collecting a team-high 12 disposals in the first half and finishing with 16 and a goal. But only eight Bombers had more than 15 touches for the game, illustrating their struggles.
After again letting through too many goals for a team aspiring to finish high on the ladder, Worsfold said the Bombers would review their defensive mechanisms and see which players were not committing to them.
"We will stick at it and we will build it and get a better understanding of it, and the players who refuse to perform that way will be putting their spots at jeopardy," he said.
WATCH: John Worsfold's full post-match media conference
"We'll find out who wants to buy-in to the way we want to play and the players have already challenged themselves on that."
The Bulldogs were all over the Bombers in the first term, taking a seven-point advantage into quarter time.
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It could have - and should have - been more, with the Dogs booting 3.9 for the quarter and struggling to make the most of some easy chances handed to them by poor turnovers from Essendon inside their defensive half.
Essendon was sloppy, reactive and lucky to not have been five goals down by the time Worsfold addressed them at the first change, having had 40 fewer disposals and conceding 29 more uncontested marks.
Things didn't change much in the second term, as the Bulldogs kicked the first three goals of the quarter to get out to a 23-point lead. Essendon pegged it back slightly to go into the main break 16 points adrift, but again it was lucky to be that close.
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The Dogs looked a different side to the team comprehensively beaten in the first two rounds.
They were physical and combative at the stoppages, dangerous in attack and quick and efficient off half-back. It was the response Essendon surely expected after their opponent's first fortnight of the season but still one the Bombers couldn't contain.
Marcus Bontempelli feels the love from his teammates. Picture: AFL Photos
Any signs of a Bomber revival were not forthcoming until it appeared too late. The Dogs wouldn't allow it and the way Essendon played, it wasn't capable of one anyway.
The Dogs increased their lead to 21 points at the final change and when Bailey Williams, then Bailey Dale, slotted goals early in the fourth term, the contest was all but over.
Essendon made one last charge, kicking three in quick succession and should have had a fourth when Joe Daniher marked next to the goalsquare. But he fluffed his handball to Josh Green and the Bulldogs swept the ball to the other end of the ground for a match-sealing goal to Toby McLean.
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MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs: The Dogs' win was capped by a clean bill of health.
Essendon: Matt Dea was a late withdrawal due to a leg injury that will be assessed this week, but other than that the Bombers appeared to get through the game without any major concerns.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will have some confidence back as they take on Sydney next Saturday night at Etihad Stadium. Essendon faces a challenge as they face the only unbeaten team in the competition, Port Adelaide, the following day at the Docklands venue.
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WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.9 8.10 11.16 14.19 (104)
ESSENDON: 3.2 6.6 9.7 12.11 (83)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Dunkley 2, Dale 2, McLean, Johannisen, Wallis, Gowers, Hunter, Williams, McLean
Essendon: Daniher 2, Stewart 2, Green 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Parish, Green, Hooker, Smith, Stringer
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Hunter, Daniel, McLean, Williams, Dahlhaus, Macrae, Bontempelli
Essendon: Hurley, Fantasia, Heppell, Zaharakis
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Essendon: Matt Dea (leg) replaced in selected side by Josh Begley, Stringer (eye), Zaharakis (eye)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Haussen, Stephens
Official crowd: 40,499 at Etihad Stadium
