TonyK
CibbuanoRound nineteen preview: Western Bulldogs v West Coast
August 7th 2009 15:01
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Saturday 8 August, 2.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 38, Western Bulldogs 13, West Coast 24, Draws: 1
LAST TIME: West Coast 17.14 (116) def Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83), Round 4, 2009 at Subiaco Oval
RECENT HISTORY: West Coast has won four of its past five matches against the Western Bulldogs.
FORM: The Western Bulldogs consolidated their place on the top four with an unconvincing 31-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium last Saturday. The Bulldogs are in third place on the AFL ladder with a 12-6 win-loss record. West Coast snapped a four-game losing streak with a 27-point win over Essendon at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. The win - the Eagles fifth of the season - saw them move to 13th spot on the ladder and tipped them over the priority pick threshold.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Western Bulldogs will be without Robert Murphy (hamstring), Tim Callan (lower back), Stephen Tiller (groin) and Scott Welsh (ankle) for at least another week while classy youngster Shaun Higgins (hamstring) and Daniel Giansiracusa are expected to return in round 21. For the Eagles, key defender Eric Mackenzie (thigh) is out while Matt Spangher (hamstring), Brett Jones (thigh) and Mark Nicoski (back) remain on the sidelines. Star midfielder Daniel Kerr (abdominals), highly-rated youngster Luke Shuey (leg) and Beau Waters (elbow) are out for the season while number one ruckman Dean Cox (groin) is unlikely to play again this year.
FORM: The third-placed Bulldogs' 31-point win over Fremantle last Saturday was their 12th from 18 starts this season. The Eagles jumped a spot to 13th after upsetting Essendon by 27 points at Subiaco last Sunday. The victory, West Coast's fifth for the season, tipped them over the priority pick threshold.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Dale Morris vs. Mark LeCras
LeCras continued his brilliant season with 26 possessions and three goals against the Bombers.
West Coast will need their leading goal kicker to fire once again on Saturday if they are going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to overcome a Bulldogs side that is the most attacking in the AFL.
LeCras is dangerous at ground level and also very good overhead for his size.
Expect Morris who has the ability to match him in the air and also when the football hits the deck to be given first crack at the classy Eagles goal sneak.
If LeCras is going to have any chance of having an impact he will need his midfield to be quick and clean with their use of the football going forward otherwise the Eagles will be punished on the rebound by the Bulldogs who are one of the most skilled sides in the competition.
Adam Selwood vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney has been one of his side’s most influential midfielders so far this season, averaging 26 disposals per game.
Last year’s Brownlow medallist is damaging with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Shutting down his run and carry will be a key for the Eagles if they are going to contain the Bulldogs’ dangerous mid-sized forwards.
Selwood is West Coast’s best stopper in the midfield and will be given the task of running with Cooney on Saturday.
The Eagles will need Selwood to be proactive and get his hands on the football at the stoppages otherwise Cooney will dictate terms and dominate.
Liam Picken vs. Andrew Embley
Embley continued his recent run of good form with 31 possessions and six inside 50’s against Essendon.
The 2006 Norm Smith medallist provides the Eagles with plenty of drive - he is fifth for uncontested possessions and second for inside 50’s.
The Bulldogs will be keen to quell his influence as it will help starve West Coast’s forwards of quality supply.
Picken has been a revelation in a tagging role this season and looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on Embley.
Embley will need to utilise his biggest weapon - his hard run - as Picken will most likely employ a very tight tag.
Shannon Hurn vs. Jason Akermanis
Akermanis was instrumental in the Bullodgs’ win over Fremantle with 23 touches and five goals.
The last time these two sides met at Etihad Stadium in round six last year Akermanis booted four goals as the Dogs cruised to a convincing 60-point win.
The former Lions star is capable of turning a game on its head with a quick burst of brilliance and will n need to be contained if the Eagles are going to have any chance of recording their first win away from home in more than 18 months.
Hurn, who has the ability to go with Akermanis in the middle and also when he pushes forward, will most likely be given first crack at the three-time premiership player.
While the Eagles will need Hurn to be switched on defensively and not give Akermanis any time or space they also need him to run off him at every available opportunity and try and hurt him going the other way.
VERDICT: West Coast was impressive against Essendon last weekend and has a good recent record against the Western Bulldogs. However, the Eagles will suffer their 20th straight loss away from home with the Bulldogs simply having too much class all over the ground. Bulldogs by 33 points.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Callan Ward, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Josh Hill, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Brennan Stack, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C: Dylan Addison, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Liam Picken
Emg: Guy O’Keefe, Wayde Skipper, Easton Wood
No change
WEST COAST
B: Adam Selwood, Darren Glass, Mitch Brown
HB: Shannon Hurn, Beau Wilkes, Sam Butler
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Tim Houlihan
HF: Andrew Embley, Josh Kennedy, Scott Selwood
F: Mark LeCras, Callum Wilson, Quinten Lynch
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Brad Ebert, Chris Masten
I/C: Pat McGinnity, Ben McKinley, Tom Swift, David Wirrpanda
Emg: Ryan Davis, Chad Fletcher, Will Schofield
In: Wilkes
Out: Eric Mackenzie (thigh)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 38, Western Bulldogs 13, West Coast 24, Draws: 1
LAST TIME: West Coast 17.14 (116) def Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83), Round 4, 2009 at Subiaco Oval
RECENT HISTORY: West Coast has won four of its past five matches against the Western Bulldogs.
FORM: The Western Bulldogs consolidated their place on the top four with an unconvincing 31-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium last Saturday. The Bulldogs are in third place on the AFL ladder with a 12-6 win-loss record. West Coast snapped a four-game losing streak with a 27-point win over Essendon at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. The win - the Eagles fifth of the season - saw them move to 13th spot on the ladder and tipped them over the priority pick threshold.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Western Bulldogs will be without Robert Murphy (hamstring), Tim Callan (lower back), Stephen Tiller (groin) and Scott Welsh (ankle) for at least another week while classy youngster Shaun Higgins (hamstring) and Daniel Giansiracusa are expected to return in round 21. For the Eagles, key defender Eric Mackenzie (thigh) is out while Matt Spangher (hamstring), Brett Jones (thigh) and Mark Nicoski (back) remain on the sidelines. Star midfielder Daniel Kerr (abdominals), highly-rated youngster Luke Shuey (leg) and Beau Waters (elbow) are out for the season while number one ruckman Dean Cox (groin) is unlikely to play again this year.
FORM: The third-placed Bulldogs' 31-point win over Fremantle last Saturday was their 12th from 18 starts this season. The Eagles jumped a spot to 13th after upsetting Essendon by 27 points at Subiaco last Sunday. The victory, West Coast's fifth for the season, tipped them over the priority pick threshold.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Dale Morris vs. Mark LeCras
LeCras continued his brilliant season with 26 possessions and three goals against the Bombers.
West Coast will need their leading goal kicker to fire once again on Saturday if they are going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to overcome a Bulldogs side that is the most attacking in the AFL.
LeCras is dangerous at ground level and also very good overhead for his size.
Expect Morris who has the ability to match him in the air and also when the football hits the deck to be given first crack at the classy Eagles goal sneak.
If LeCras is going to have any chance of having an impact he will need his midfield to be quick and clean with their use of the football going forward otherwise the Eagles will be punished on the rebound by the Bulldogs who are one of the most skilled sides in the competition.
Adam Selwood vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney has been one of his side’s most influential midfielders so far this season, averaging 26 disposals per game.
Last year’s Brownlow medallist is damaging with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Shutting down his run and carry will be a key for the Eagles if they are going to contain the Bulldogs’ dangerous mid-sized forwards.
Selwood is West Coast’s best stopper in the midfield and will be given the task of running with Cooney on Saturday.
The Eagles will need Selwood to be proactive and get his hands on the football at the stoppages otherwise Cooney will dictate terms and dominate.
Liam Picken vs. Andrew Embley
Embley continued his recent run of good form with 31 possessions and six inside 50’s against Essendon.
The 2006 Norm Smith medallist provides the Eagles with plenty of drive - he is fifth for uncontested possessions and second for inside 50’s.
The Bulldogs will be keen to quell his influence as it will help starve West Coast’s forwards of quality supply.
Picken has been a revelation in a tagging role this season and looms as the obvious candidate to match-up on Embley.
Embley will need to utilise his biggest weapon - his hard run - as Picken will most likely employ a very tight tag.
Shannon Hurn vs. Jason Akermanis
Akermanis was instrumental in the Bullodgs’ win over Fremantle with 23 touches and five goals.
The last time these two sides met at Etihad Stadium in round six last year Akermanis booted four goals as the Dogs cruised to a convincing 60-point win.
The former Lions star is capable of turning a game on its head with a quick burst of brilliance and will n need to be contained if the Eagles are going to have any chance of recording their first win away from home in more than 18 months.
Hurn, who has the ability to go with Akermanis in the middle and also when he pushes forward, will most likely be given first crack at the three-time premiership player.
While the Eagles will need Hurn to be switched on defensively and not give Akermanis any time or space they also need him to run off him at every available opportunity and try and hurt him going the other way.
VERDICT: West Coast was impressive against Essendon last weekend and has a good recent record against the Western Bulldogs. However, the Eagles will suffer their 20th straight loss away from home with the Bulldogs simply having too much class all over the ground. Bulldogs by 33 points.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Callan Ward, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Josh Hill, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Brennan Stack, Will Minson, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C: Dylan Addison, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Liam Picken
Emg: Guy O’Keefe, Wayde Skipper, Easton Wood
No change
WEST COAST
B: Adam Selwood, Darren Glass, Mitch Brown
HB: Shannon Hurn, Beau Wilkes, Sam Butler
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Tim Houlihan
HF: Andrew Embley, Josh Kennedy, Scott Selwood
F: Mark LeCras, Callum Wilson, Quinten Lynch
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Brad Ebert, Chris Masten
I/C: Pat McGinnity, Ben McKinley, Tom Swift, David Wirrpanda
Emg: Ryan Davis, Chad Fletcher, Will Schofield
In: Wilkes
Out: Eric Mackenzie (thigh)
| 18 |
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