WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney says the character of his players shone through in the dying stages of Sunday's thrilling win over Melbourne, which was sealed with a brilliant snap by teenager Marcus Bontempelli.
Selected with pick No.4 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, Bontempelli kicked the last two goals of the match and positioned himself brilliantly in the dying seconds to take a crucial mark as the Demons pushed forward.
McCartney, who fielded one of the youngest teams in his two-and-a-half seasons in charge, was a proud coach as he reflected on Bontempelli's short career so far at Whitten Oval.
"He’s just so level, things don't worry him," the coach said.
"The first time I met him, you feel an attachment to him as a person because the quality shone through in him and his family.
"It was a different home interview when we go and meet young people but I’m so glad we did it, I’m so glad we made it and I’m so glad we connected.
"There was some really good habits and character shine through late."
Having led for almost the entire match, the Bulldogs fell one point behind late in the third term and trailed by a goal 21 minutes into the thrilling final quarter.
Bontempelli then kicked two goals in four minutes, the second of which will challenge for goal of the year after he avoided a handful of opponents and snapped from deep in the pocket.
As well as the Bulldogs' prized youngster, McCartney praised lower-profile developing players Fletcher Roberts, Mark Austin, Sam Darley and debutant Mitch Honeychurch, who all played roles.
"The young boys brought the exuberance and the talent and the old boys just delivered some good sense," he said.
"There were a couple of experienced players out there at the end that just had a really clear, calm head, and that helps.
"Everyone's going to talk about our higher-ranking picks and marvel about them, but we think our lesser lights that have been taken later are just starting gradually bit by bit to get there too."
Former captain Matthew Boyd was superb in the midfield, finishing with 32 possessions and nine clearances while also playing "a little bit of a role" on Demon Bernie Vince.
Jake Stringer kicked a career-best four goals, including a classy snap, to add a dangerous edge to the Bulldogs' forward line.
"Jake is a very talented young man still with a lot to learn about the game. The end product should be pretty good though," McCartney said.
"Him and young Lachie (Hunter), they had to fight their way through a couple of muddy Saturday afternoons at suburban grounds that aren’t that glamorous and their behaviours were very sound and they came out today for us."
