1. What was at stake?
You could make the argument that the Kangaroos had nothing to gain on Saturday, and keeping their cards close to their chest against the Western Bulldogs was perhaps the smartest play they could make. The Bulldogs were still fighting to snatch a top-four spot, so a win and a percentage boost would prove valuable. These teams hadn't met in more than 12 months, last playing in round 21 last season, but they could face each other in an elimination final in two weeks. Before the ballistic fourth quarter the Kangaroos played like that match, rather than the immediate challenge, was the priority, giving just a hint of the attacking style that has taken them to seven straight wins. 

Click here for full match coverage and stats

2. Bulldogs hit the turbo
After three quarters of dour, conservative football that produced a combined 12 goals, the Bulldogs decided to revert to their attacking, running game. The result? One of the most entertaining quarters played this season. By the 12-minute mark it was already the highest scoring quarter of the match, with the Kangaroos pulling their weight. The Dogs went on to kick 6.0 from their first eight inside 50s. Highlighting their adjusted approach, Luke Beveridge's team had 58 handball receives for the quarter, compared to 99 across the first three quarters. That count finished 157-101 in their favour. Controlling the temp of matches has been a focus for Beveridge this season, but there is little doubt that the ballistic style of the fourth quarter is the style opposition clubs will most fear in September.     

3. Jacobs and the Bont learning new crafts
Young Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli is learning to deal with taggers this season, while Ben Jacobs is learning to tag. The pair's battle on Saturday was an interesting match within a match, with both shaping as key players in September. Jacobs has impressed in recent battles against Marc Murphy, Nathan Jones and Nat Fyfe, and he had Bontempelli in his sights at quarter-time, with his man sitting on four disposals. By half-time, however, Bontempelli had added eight possessions, four inside 50s and a goal after drifting forward. He took his man to the contest and finished one of the best players on the ground, with 23 possessions (18 contested) and a game-high 10 clearances. 

4. Tarrant shines in top-heavy defence
In-form defender Robbie Tarrant started with a clear match-up, standing tall forward Jack Redpath, but by three-quarter time he'd been as good as a spare man. Tarrant had a career-high 23 possessions, 13 marks and seven rebound 50s at the last change, using the ball to that point at 100 per cent efficiency. So effective was he dropping off and taking intercept marks, the Kangaroos didn't have a role for Lachie Hansen and he was substituted in the third quarter with 10 possessions and two marks. It was an indication of how the Bulldogs' smaller forwardline can force the opposition to adjust, and Tarrant did that well.      

5. Higgins goes from friend to foe
It was a long time to wait, but Shaun Higgins finally got his first game against his old club out of the way. The Kangaroos' recruit, largely seen as the pick-up of the year, was roundly booed by the Bulldogs crowd but didn't lower his colours. He was involved early and went on to kick 3.1, getting his goals by keeping his feet and reading the play in the forwardline. The typical class with which he has used the ball this season was on display, going at 81 per cent efficiency with his 16 possessions.