Inexperienced key forward Sam Darcy's night could very easily have unravelled.
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After cannoning into Collingwood's Brayden Maynard and giving away two 50m penalties that led directly to shots at goal, Darcy was benched and had an animated exchange with coach Luke Beveridge down the phone line.
But what transpired after that nightmare start could well be the making of the Western Bulldogs' 20-year-old talent.
Darcy finished with three goals and a game-high five contested marks in a vital contribution to his side's gritty 15.10 (100) to 12.10 (82) victory over the Magpies at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
"He did well to settle himself," Beveridge said.
"I just spoke to him about the (second) 50 more than anything, and what his thought process was.
"He didn't think he encroached into the protected area, but he clearly did.
"The message was just that the start had been a bit shaky from everyone and it was important he restarts and focuses on what he's capable of.
"He was really important for us."
Darcy's collision with Maynard drew the ire of Collingwood fans, who jeered the Bulldogs tall whenever he went near the ball in a potentially distracting sideshow.
The emerging star has been handed a two-match ban for the hit, meaning he will miss crunch games against Brisbane and Fremantle unless he can reduce or overturn the suspension.
"Sometimes with such a big, parochial crowd, especially when it's full of the opposition supporters at their home game, you can go into your shell," Beveridge said.
"There's a little bit of pressure and it feels like the world can be closing in on you at times, so I think it definitely shows maturity and probably character as much as anything from young Sam.
"He had a really influential game in the end."
Taylor Duryea escaped with a $2500 fine for striking Nick Daicos behind play.
The Bulldogs have other concerns, with James Harmes and Laitham Vandermeer added to a growing injury list when they were both struck down by hamstring trouble.
The win squared the Dogs' season record at 6-6 ahead of a clash with the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium next Friday night.
Important midfielders Tom Liberatore and Ed Richards are expected to be available for that contest after being sidelined under concussion protocols.
Australian Associated Press
