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CibbuanoRound one preview: Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
March 27th 2010 16:26
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 28 March, 2.10pm (AEDT)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 143: Bulldogs 42, Collingwood 100, Drawn 1
LAST TIME: Bulldogs 14.16 (100) d Collingwood 10.16 (76) at Etihad Stadium, Round 22, 2009
RECENT HISTORY: The Western Bulldogs have won four of their past five matches against Collingwood.
FORM: The Bulldogs claimed their first piece of silverware since 1970 with a 40-point win over St Kilda in the NAB Cup grand final. Collingwood went down to the Saints by just one point in the first round of the NAB Cup before recording impressive wins over Adelaide, Richmond and Port Adelaide.
MEDICAL ROOM: Dogs veteran Nathan Eagleton will miss with a hamstring injury while Stephen Tiller (groin), Jamason Daniels (knee), Sam Reid (groin) and Christian Howard (hip) are also unavailable for selection. For the Magpies, Brad Dick (shoulder), Cameron Wood (ruptured finger tendon) and Josh Thomas (calf) are out.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Liam Picken vs. Scott Pendlebury
Pendlebury was one of Collingwood’s most influential midfielders last season, averaging just under 26 possessions per game.
The Magpies vice-captain is a clearance machine and quality user of the football.
Limiting his influence in the middle will be a key for the Bulldogs if they are going to starve the Pies’ multi-pronged attack of quality supply.
Picken looms as the obvious candidate to run with Pendlebury after impressing in a tagging role last year.
The Dogs will need Picken to deny Pendlebury any time or space at the stoppages otherwise he will hurt them with his clean skills.
Simon Prestigiacomo vs. Barry Hall
Hall starred during the pre-season competition, booting 17 goals in three games - seven of which came in the NAB Cup grand final.
Prestigiacomo was simply superb last year, consistently quelling the influence of the competition’s elite forwards, and will be given first crack at Hall in what shapes as being a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
If the Magpies veteran is going to win his duel with the former Sydney premiership captain he will need his midfield to suffocate the Bulldogs’ running game with relentless pressure.
Don’t be surprised if Pies’ skipper Nick Maxwell is used as a loose man in defence to try and clog up the space in which Hall leads into.
Tom Williams vs. Travis Cloke
Cloke was bitterly disappointing in 2009 and will be keen to begin the season with a big performance.
When Cloke is up and about Collingwood invariably wins, so shutting him down will be a key.
Williams has shown glimpses of his talent since being taken with pick six in the 2004 national draft but due to a poor run with injuries he has been unable to fulfil his potential.
By all reports the 23-year-old has had a stellar pre-season and will be desperate to show the football world what he is made of.
Ben Johnson vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ 24-point win over Collingwood in round 22 last year with 31 possessions.
Shutting down the drive the 2008 Brownlow medallist provides through the middle of the ground will be a key for the Magpies if they are going to have any hope of restricting a Bulldogs side that was the most potent in the AFL last year.
Johnson was used in a run with role number of occasions last season and will most likely be given first crack at Cooney.
It is vital for the Pies that Johnson isn’t reactive otherwise Cooney will dictate terms and dominate.
VERDICT: This match promises to be a high-quality contest with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood expected to be contenders for this year’s premiership. The Bulldogs - who are one of the most skilled sides in the competition - have added a defensive edge to their game with their tackling pressure in the NAB Cup decider against St Kilda simply first-class. The Dogs’ ability to force the Magpies into turnovers and punish them on the rebound should prove to be pivotal. Bulldogs by 20 points.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Tom Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Josh Hill
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Shaun Higgins
F: Jason Akermanis, Barry Hall, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
I/C: Liam Picken, Will Minson, Brad Johnson, Andrejis Everitt
Emg: Brodie Moles, Dylan Addison, Callan Ward
COLLINGWOOD
B: Alan Toovey, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tarkyn Lockyer
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw
C: Luke Ball, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson
HF: Josh Fraser, John Anthony, Alan Didak
F: Paul Medhurst, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Shane O’Bree, Sharrod Wellingham, Steele Sidebottom, Leigh Brown
Emg: Dayne Beams, Nathan Brown, Brent Macaffer
New: Luke Ball (St Kilda), Darren Jolly (Sydney Swans)
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