1. Daniher's brain fade wipes out Bombers' hopes
Essendon forward Joe Daniher did not have the greatest of games, but could have had a sizeable impact on the result after taking a towering mark deep into the final quarter in the goalsquare. Had Daniher gone back and slotted his set shot, the margin would have been cut to just nine points with less than five minutes remaining. Instead, Daniher tried to shoot off a sneaky handball to Josh Green, who was immediately set upon after he couldn't handle the footy and the Bulldogs rushed it through for a behind. As often happens, the Bulldogs transitioned the ball to the other end of the ground and Toby McLean kicked the game-sealing goal.
2. McLean joins elite company
Toby McLean and Gary Ablett jnr. That is the complete list of players who have had six or more score involvements in a single quarter this season. McLean set the mark of six in the first quarter against Essendon on Sunday. The midfielder provided the spark for the Bulldogs early in the contest with his ability to find the ball. But his smother to prevent a certain goal in the second quarter was just as impactful. It epitomised the Dogs' mindset in the game, a far cry from what they demonstrated last week against West Coast. McLean finished the game with 25 disposals, four inside 50s and two goals to be one of the Bulldogs' best players.
DOGS OFF THE MARK: Full match coverage and stats
3. Stringer's mixed bag on a dog day for Essendon
The former Bulldog may have only played three games with his new side Essendon, but already the jungle drums were starting to beat from outside the four walls about the recruit's form. Bombers coach John Worsfold called for patience around Stringer as he gets used to a role through the midfield. The former Bulldog led Essendon's disposal count at half-time (12) and showed some of his burst through ability at stoppages. He also got in the face of former teammates Bailey Williams and Jason Johannisen after an Essendon goal, and copped plenty of jeers from Bulldogs fans. However, the powerful midfielder sat out most of the third quarter as he was checked for concussion (which he was cleared of) and a nasty eye injury that needed to be patched up. He returned to the field and kicked a nice right foot snap goal in the last term. Stringer was far from Essendon's worst on a day where the Bombers were well and truly beaten.
4. Bontempelli up forward makes the Dogs' machine work
A lot had been spoken about the Bulldogs' lack of tall targets inside 50, and with Jackson Trengove and Jordan Roughead missing from last week's side against West Coast, due to injury, it became even more pronounced. But with Jack Redpath playing his first game of the season (after suspension) and Marcus Bontempelli playing the majority of the game in attack, the Bulldogs looked far more potent up forward. But it was their method, on the back of their midfield dominance led by Luke Dahlhaus, Toby McLean and Lachie Hunter, that was the decisive factor. Luke Beveridge's team had 23 marks inside 50 to the Bombers' 13, with the forwards working hard to create space for each other. It is the benchmark performance Luke Beveridge was looking for from his under siege side.
5. Bulldogs fight to keep their season alive
The Bulldogs had not lost their first three games of a season since 2012 and they were determined to ensure that did not happen again against the Bombers. It was noticeable early on the switch in mindset from the first two weeks of the season that the Bulldogs had come to play. After speculation about unrest and disunity at the kennel during the week, the response of the players was swift and purposeful. The Bulldogs were far more organised in defence, they ran and spread hard from the contest and it was clear their hunger for the fight was back. Only inaccuracy cost the Bulldogs from recording a bigger victory as they thoroughly outplayed the Bombers in almost every facet of the game.
