1. Wallis' return to form
It was a tough year for Mitch Wallis in 2014, enduring injury and a stint in the VFL. There didn't seem to be enough spots in the Western Bulldogs' midfield to fit in all their contested ball-winners, and Wallis had to work hard for his 13 games. But when teammate Tom Liberatore went down with a season-ending knee injury in the NAB Challenge, an opportunity opened up for Wallis to be the Bulldogs' leading inside midfielder. So far he hasn't disappointed, and he was vital in the Dogs' 19-point win over Richmond on Saturday. Wallis gathered 26 disposals (15 contested) and had eight clearances in an important contribution.
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2. Dogs' dangerous forward line
All the talk in the off-season centred around high-priced recruit Tom Boyd, and his inclusion to the Western Bulldogs' forward line will give them structure as the weeks and years go on. But all of a sudden the Dogs have a dangerous, exciting forward mix that goes beyond Boyd and one that was on show against the Tigers. With Boyd and Ayce Cordy the marking targets, they had Mitch Honeychurch and Tory Dickson at their feet. In between were Jake Stringer and Stewart Crameri, who are both speedy, versatile and unpredictable types. Dickson was the most productive against the Tigers, kicking four goals. But all will have their moments as they develop as a goal-scoring group.
3. Destructive Dusty back at it
After last week's scrappy win over Carlton, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he hoped to get better games from his better players in coming weeks. Dustin Martin accepted the challenge. The star Tiger was at his damaging best early against the Bulldogs, with 11 touches and a long goal in the opening term. In what would have annoyed impatient AFL Fantasy coaches who traded Martin out of their teams this week, he kept going and was clearly the most significant Richmond midfielder against the Dogs. He closed the game with 31 disposals and six tackles (and 114 Fantasy points for those who let him go).
4. Rance's value rising
After an excellent game against the Blues in round one, Tigers defender Alex Rance continued that form with a commanding display at the MCG on Saturday. Matched up against Bulldogs forward Tom Boyd, Rance was impeDogs get some netrable: he seemed to be everywhere intercepting marks, cleaning up the spoils, holding the Bulldogs at bay when he could and then bolting off. Without him there, the Tigers looked shaky in defence and he gathered 28 disposals and 13 marks. In this form Rance is one of the most valuable key backmen in the game, which bodes well for the 25-year-old who has so far put off contract talks until with Richmond.
5. The excitement scale
Under new coach Luke Beveridge the Bulldogs are being widely hailed as one of the most exciting young teams in the competition. Richmond, too, had plenty of fans in their dream run to the finals last season. But in the first two rounds of this season the Tigers have seemed to lack the dare and dash that was so obvious in the second half of last year. They will welcome back Brett Deledio next week after his one-match suspension and he will no doubt help, but their flat first half will be of some concern. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs looked sharp, vibrant and confident throughout the day to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Jake Stringer is a vital cog in the Bulldogs excitement machine. Picture: AFL Media
