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I've never really like the name Western Bulldogs for Footscray - there are four teams, and at least 75% of the continent more “west” than they are*, but anyway, that's for another topic. This week Friday Night footy heads west for a rematch of that somewhat unexpectedly disappointing Elimination Final.
This match sees a couple of teams that are misfiring a little at this point in the season, but are doing enough to win games and hold a spot where a proper run at the season can happen. Big match on the big stage, and both teams will be desperate to win it.
*OK, it's smarter than the NRL's “Wests Tigers” who are not only based in a city on the east coast, but aren't even based in the western half of Sydney (what with their Inner West only being “west” compared to Sydney's CBD)
Squads |
| West
Coast Ruck |
B |
Sam Butler (26)
|
Tom Barrass (37) |
Elliot Yeo (6) |
Western Bulldogs
Ruck |
| Nathan Vardy (19) |
F |
Lin Jong (46) |
Jack Redpath (43) |
Liam Picken (42) |
Tom Boyd (17) |
| Matthew Priddis (11) |
HB |
Shannon Hurn (25) |
Jeremy McGovern (20) |
Brad Sheppard (5) |
Marcus Bontempelli (4) |
| Luke Shuey (13) |
HF |
Caleb Daniel (35) |
Zaine Cordy (12) |
Clay Smith (14) |
Tom Liberatore (21) |
| |
C |
Jack Redden (8) |
Sam Mitchell (1) |
Chris Masten (7) |
|
| |
C |
Lachie Hunter (7) |
Luke Dahlhaus (6) |
Jack Macrae (11) |
|
| |
HF |
Andrew Gaff (3) |
Jack Darling (27) |
Mark LeCras (2) |
|
| |
HB |
Easton Wood (10) |
Fletcher Roberts (18) |
Bailey Williams (34) |
|
| |
F |
Fraser McInnes* (36) |
Josh Kennedy (17) |
Kurt Mutimer (38) |
|
| |
B |
Matthew Boyd (5) |
Marcus Adams (25) |
Jason Johannisen (39) |
|
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|
| West
Coast Interchange |
Josh Hill (33), Liam Duggan (14), Sharrod Wellingham (12), Dominic Sheed (4), |
|
|
Bailey Dale (31), Bailey Dale (31), Toby McLean (16), Matt Suckling (1), |
Western Bulldogs
Interchange |
Weather |
 |
Fine
Overnight Minimum:9
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Changes |
The Eagles might have won last week, but it was a win based on - well it looked a lot like theft, though the Eagles defence were outstanding in blocking Port's around the ground dominance from converting to scoreboard victory. Either way, there are two changes with Jon Giles and Mark Hutchings sent back to the WAFL, with Liam Duggan straight back in, alongside a resurrected Fraser McInnes, back off the rookie list.
The Dogs have a few bigger outs with Bob Murphy, Jake Stringer and Josh Dunkley out of the team, while they recall Lukas Webb, Bailey Dale and Jack Redpath to the senior team. |
Injuries and Suspensions |
The Eagles injury list reduces a bit this week with Liam Duggan available again for selection.
The Bulldogs have a notable injury list, with captain Bob Murphy rested this week, while they're also missing Jordan Roughead (hamsting), Jake Stringer (knee), Josh Dunkley (shoulder), veteran Dale Morris (leg) and the resurrected Travis Cloke (ribs). |
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Lead up |
| Both the Eagles and Dogs sit at 5-2 after seven rounds, and both come off victories over higher placed teams last week, with the Eagles holding on against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval while the Dogs knocked off Richmond in Melbourne. |
Matchups |
When the Eagles crashed and burned in the Elimination Final last year, it was the Bulldogs' runners who dominated the game. This is not exactly an unusual event for the Eagles who have a quality midfield, but not one known for leg speed. Countering that speed will be a key part of the Eagles' game plan for this match. Interestingly though, the Bulldogs come into this game without a real ruckman, so the Eagles have elected to lead with Nathan Vardy, who is at best a part timer - might we see Lin Jong up against Elliot Yeo in the ruck at some point to name a couple of players who are known to fill in at a pinch?
The other important parts are where they always are for West Coast: kick straight up front (witness the value of this last week), and hold defensively. The back six for the Eagles were outstanding last week, and why, with a dash of luck, the Eagles came home with four points. Port could dominate the midfield, but not find any real avenues to goal, thwarted by outstanding defence - this will be important again this week if the Bulldogs get on top in the middle. |
Recent Meetings
|
| The Eagles comfortably won the home and away clash at Subiaco last year, but crashed and burned against the eventual Premiers at the same venue in the Elimination Final. |
| 2016, Elimination Final |
Subiaco Oval |
| Western Bulldogs |
|
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
|
14.15 (99) |
| West Coast |
|
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
|
7.10 (52) |
| Thu 8th Sep 2016 |
Western Bulldogs by 47 |
| 2016, Round 11 |
Docklands |
| Western Bulldogs |
|
4.1 |
|
6.6 |
|
10.7 |
|
12.11 (83) |
| West Coast |
|
4.4 |
|
5.4 |
|
8.6 |
|
11.9 (75) |
| Sun 5th Jun 2016 |
Western Bulldogs by 8 |
| 2015, Round 21 |
Subiaco Oval |
| West Coast |
|
5.5 |
|
11.9 |
|
16.10 |
|
25.12 (162) |
| Western Bulldogs |
|
3.2 |
|
9.5 |
|
12.6 |
|
13.7 (85) |
| Sun 23rd Aug 2015 |
West Coast by 77 |
| 2015, Round 1 |
Docklands |
| Western Bulldogs |
|
4.0 |
|
7.5 |
|
11.6 |
|
14.13 (97) |
| West Coast |
|
3.1 |
|
7.1 |
|
12.2 |
|
14.3 (87) |
| Sat 4th Apr 2015 |
Western Bulldogs by 10 |
|
Head to Head |
| Overall: |
|
West Coast |
31 |
|
Western Bulldogs |
18 |
|
Draws |
1 |
| At Subiaco Oval |
|
West Coast |
14 |
|
Western Bulldogs |
5 |
|
Draws |
1 |
| West Coast biggest win: |
123 points; West Coast 26.19 (175) d Western Bulldogs 8.4 (52) at Subiaco Oval, 2011, Round 9 |
| Western Bulldogs biggest win: |
70 points; Western Bulldogs 18.13 (121) d West Coast 7.9 (51) at MCG, 1998, Qualifying Final |
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Summary |
| This game isn't quite a final, though it's a big match for both clubs. The Eagles will be looking a bit for redemption for last year's finals crash, and with the Dogs having a few big names absent (something not true for the final last year), the Eagles *should* be able to prevail in this clash |
Prediction: West Coast by 19 points. |
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