1. Moore please
With Pies spearhead Travis Cloke sidelined with a calf injury, young gun Darcy Moore was promoted to a key forward role in his third AFL game. The 19-year-old son of club great Peter Moore hadn't kicked a goal in his previous two games but proved a bright spark in attack with a game-high five goals. Moore slotted three of four goals the Pies scored between the 19-minute mark of the second term and the 22-minute mark of the third. He kicked Collingwood's only two goals of the third term to keep the Pies in touch, using his pace to run in for an easy goal, and four minutes later took a contested mark and converted from just inside 50. He moved well, competed strongly, showcased an impressive arm extension to the ball and displayed terrific athleticism.
2. Lachie becomes the Hunter
Bulldogs youngster Lachie Hunter had broken the 20-disposals barrier just twice in his previous 28 games, but amassed a game-high had 20 by half-time. Late in the third quarter the skillful left-footer had already passed his previous personal best of 24 touches. In just his fifth game of the season, the 20-year-old finished with 32 possessions and was one of the best-afield. Another Bulldog to enjoyed a career-high was former Swan Shane Biggs, who controlled play in the back half and ended with 28 possessions.
3. Deadeye Dickson's half-century
Dogs goalsneak Tory Dickson started his 50th game on fire, and appeared set to challenge his career-best haul of seven goals, which he bagged in the round seven loss to Fremantle at the same venue. By the five-minute mark of the second term, he'd had three kicks and kicked three goals. The best of them was his third, which came from a neat left-foot snap from 25m. He finished with four majors and now has 18.1 from set shots. The 27-year-old, in his fourth season with the Dogs after VFL stints with Frankston and the Bendigo Bombers, is second on the club's goalkicking list with 30 goals, behind only Jake Stringer (32).
4. Macrae reported
In the dying minutes with the result beyond doubt, Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae was reported for rough conduct on Brayden Maynard, after bumping him in the back after a free kick had been awarded to the Pies. At first glance it seems Macrae would be stiff to cop a suspension, but it was certainly a silly thing to do and marred an otherwise terrific 28-possession game from the left-footer.
5. Dress rehearsal for the 2016 opener?
At the pre-match function, Bulldogs president Peter Gordon revealed the Dogs and Pies are lobbying the AFL to play an annual round-one clash at the MCG, and this clash proved a great advertisement for the concept. The two promising young teams opened the game at breakneck speed, with a goal to Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury inside 20 seconds, and the tempo was maintained for much of the contest, as the Bulldogs strengthened their finals chances while the Magpies slumped to a fifth straight loss.
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