If ever a game deserved to end up as a draw, it would have been this one. Not because neither team deserved to lose, but rather, neither team really deserved to win.
That’s a horrible way to start a review, right? However, it genuinely felt that this game was one of those contests that was crying out for a hero, but try as they might, the Western Bulldogs or Port Adelaide found it tough to find one. Don’t get me wrong – players tried, looked out on their feet, and in conditions that were a little slippery, what we ended up with was 46 players doing their best to play the worst footy a little better than their opposition.
In the end, I guess it was fitting that it was not a running goal that sealed the game, or a towering mark to break the heart of the opposition, but a scrappy kick on the end of a scrappy piece of play, registering a behind to Harvey Gallagher to give the Dogs the advantage.
It kind of summed up the game – it needed something special, but it was something relatively ordinary that made the difference.
All that said, four points on the road is a big four points for the Dogs, and they’ll take an ugly win at this stage of the season, any way they can get it. And there were still several moments and players that warrant some in-depth discussion.
Let’s jump into The Mongrel’s Big Questions
This is just the introduction – the remainder of this article is for our members. They support me, and I provide for them. It’s a good deal.
Oh… a Mongrel paywall… the worst of all paywalls. We’re all in on the 2026 AFL season. Player articles, stats, awards, game coverage. Dump the mainstream lip service and dive into articles like this – you will never look back. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I consider it your loss as we get into the grind of the season, and you’re stuck with the stuff that’s frustrated you for years.
