"We had to match their pressure, and we did."
Western Bulldogs midfielder Matt Kennedy
Bulldogs Bounce Back to Dominate Saints
In Round 15 of the AFL Premiership Season, the Western Bulldogs defeated St Kilda by 22 points at Marvel Stadium. The victory extends a painful recent history for St Kilda, who have now lost their last four meetings against the Bulldogs by an average margin of over 11 goals.
St Kilda were hungry for a response. Coach Ross Lyon told journalists on Friday his team had been "their bunnies" in recent clashes and needed to turn things around. The Bulldogs, aware of Lyon's comments, were ready for a fight.
Matt Kennedy said his team had their own motivation. The midfielder acknowledged the Bulldogs were disappointed with their performance against Adelaide the previous week. "St Kilda brought pressure, but we matched it," he said.
Injuries and Key Events
- Jack Sinclair (calf) and Tom De Koning (ribs) both left the field with injuries for St Kilda.
- Kennedy was a standout, finishing with 28 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven marks, and a goal.
- He also spent time rucking in the first half, allowing teammate Tim English to push forward.
The Bulldogs now sit at 9-6 heading into their mid-season bye.
Injury Ward
- Bailey Williams (hamstring) and Riley Garcia (knee) are recovering.
- Sam Darcy remains absent due to an ACL injury sustained in Round 6.
Personal News
Kennedy will spend the bye week attending his brother’s wedding in Wagga.