WE DON'T have a designated rivalry round in the AFL any more, and for many that is a shame.
We have rivalries of course. Some based on what is, in footballing terms, ancient history, such as Collingwood and Carlton. Then there is the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide, a rivalry that has come to life very quickly and all of a sudden, is very real.
It had its roots in last year's magnificent elimination final (although embittered Bulldogs types still bring up the 1997 preliminary final and Tony Liberatore's controversial point) and the aftermath involving the Talia brothers and sensitive team information that may, or may not have been shared.
We may never get to the bottom of that one.
In any event, the frantic end to Saturday night's Dogs-Crows clash at Etihad Stadium spoke volumes for the depth of feeling that appears to exist between the two clubs, with the Dogs' interchange players charging on to the ground to embrace their teammates. Coach Luke Beveridge could not stop clapping, all the way from the coach's box to the rooms.
The Crows by contrast, looked filthy at losing a game, while not nasty in any sense, was played with a distinct edge. And lest you think Don Pyke carries himself like a mild-mannered accountant all the time, we caught a glimpse of his fiery side. It might have been the manner of the defeat, but it might also have been the 28-11 free kick count.
It was an important win for the Dogs. We're heading into that stage of the season where the ladder is starting to take shape with some permanence and the evidence is mounting that the top eight as it stands might not change from now to the finals.
That makes the remaining 15 rounds something of a qualifying tournament for places in the finals and the Dogs will be well-pleased to have emerged from their seven weeks at Etihad Stadium with a 5-2 record, and having rediscovered that frenzied, free-flowing attacking footy that has been their hallmark, but which has not been as evident at times this year.
They played a brilliant and mature final couple of minutes on Saturday night after Josh Jenkins goal bridged the gap to just three points. The next centre bounce was straight out of the textbook as the Bulldogs won the clearance and got the ball to Marcus Bontempelli, who calmly slotted the sealer. If there were any demons lurking for the 'Bont' after the elimination final last year when he missed a couple of set shots in the final term, they've been put to bed.
The Dogs finally hit the road now, with Melbourne at the MCG next week. Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium the following week should be really good.
Read the rest of 'After the siren' on AFL.com.au
