TonyK
CibbuanoRound seven preview: Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
May 9th 2009 14:58
VENUE and TIME: AAMI Stadium, Sunday 10 May, 1.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 31, Adelaide 15, Western Bulldogs 16
LAST TIME: Adelaide 10.16 (76) def Western Bulldogs 9.13 (67), Round 22, 2008 at AAMI Stadium.
RECENT HISTORY: Adelaide has won seven of its past ten against the Western Bulldogs with six of those wins coming at AAMI Stadium. The Bulldogs haven’t defeated the Crows at the venue since 2001.
FORM: Adelaide is yet to string together back-to-back wins so far this season and currently occupy 11th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-3 win-loss record. The Western Bulldogs have lost their past three matches to West Coast, Carlton and St Kilda after starting the season with three straight wins. The Dogs are inside the eight due to their superior percentage.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Crows welcome back midfielder Chris Knights who has recovered from a fractured eye socket but will be without defender Nathan Bock (hamstring). Key forward Trent Hentschel (knee) is two weeks away from playing while fellow forward Brett Burton is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. The Bulldogs welcome back defender Tom Williams from a foot injury but Stephen Tiller (groin), Jamason Daniels (quad) and Paul O'Shea (hip) remain on the sidelines.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Graham Johncock vs. Brad Johnson
Johnson has struggled in recent weeks and will be keen to fire on Sunday and help his side snap a three-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs skipper played a key role in his side’s last win over Adelaide in round one last year, booting five goals to inspire his side to a thrilling five-point victory.
If Adelaide is going to secure a much-needed win they will need to contain Johnson who is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter.
Johncock is able to match Johnson in the air and at ground level and will most likely be given first crack at the Bulldogs veteran.
The Dogs rely on clean delivery into the forward line given their lack of a genuine marking target, so if the Crows can apply immense pressure all over the ground the likes of Johnson will struggle to have an impact.
Jarrod Harbrow vs. Jason Porplyzia
Poryplzia has been Adelaide’s most consistent forward so far this season, booting 16 goals in six games.
The Bulldogs will be keen to contain Porplyzia as the Crows will struggle to kick a winning score without him having an impact.
Harbrow did a superb blanketing job on St Kilda’s Stephen Milne last weekend, keeping the dangerous small forward goalless.
Expect Harbrow to be given the task of matching up on Porplyzia in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
Harbrow, who racked up 20 possessions in the loss to the Saints, will run off Porplyzia at every available opportunity and try and hurt him on the rebound.
Matthew Boyd vs. Tyson Edwards
Edwards was among his side’s best in the loss to the Power and has arguably been Adelaide’s best midfielder so far this season.
The 295-game veteran has averaged 25 disposals per game in 2009 and leads the Crows for clearances.
Like Edwards, Boyd is effective at the stoppages - he leads the Dogs for clearances and first possessions.
Boyd has shown during his 121-game career that he is not only capable of winning his own football but also being able to quell the influence of some of the competition’s best midfielders.
Expect Boyd to go head-to-head with Edwards in the middle in what shapes as being a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
If Boyd is able to keep Edwards quiet you would expect the Bulldogs to dominate at the stoppages and break the game open with their run and slick movement of the football.
Robert Shirley vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney was well below his best against the Saints - he did manage 22 possessions but he wasn’t his usual damaging self which was to be expected given that he missed two matches with a knee injury.
However, he will be better for the run and will need to be watched closely on Sunday.
Cooney was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ last win over Adelaide last year with 31 possessions, 10 marks and six inside 50’s.
Shutting down his run and carry will be a key for the Crows if they are going to contain the Dogs’ mid-sized forwards.
Shirley has clearly been brought back into the side to do a tagging role and you would expect him to get the job on the 2008 Brownlow medallist.
The last time Shirley played was in the loss to Geelong when he was humiliated by Cats star Gary Ablett who racked up a staggering 46 possessions.
Shirley will be keen to redeem himself and will need to not give Cooney any time or space otherwise he will punish him with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and create scoring opportunities for teammates.
VERDICT: Adelaide is yet to win at home this season while several of the Western Bulldogs’ key players are down on form and confidence. This match could go either way but the Dogs have more options in attack and should kick a big enough score to overcome a Crows side that has broken the 100-point barrier just three times in its last 17 matches. Bulldogs by 25 points.
ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andrew Otten
HB: Simon Goodwin, Scott Stevens, Andrew McLeod
C: Michael Doughty, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Brent Reilly, Taylor Walker, Nathan van Berlo
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Richard Douglas
Foll: Brad Moran, Bernie Vince, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Brad Symes, Chris Knights, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley, Ivan Maric
In: Knights, Moran, Symes
Out: Myke Cook, Jonathon Griffin, Nathan Bock (hamstring)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Josh Hill, Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jason Akermanis, Will Minson, Shaun Higgins
Foll: Ben Hudson, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
I/C: Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Picken
Emg: Scott Welsh, Dylan Addison, Callan Ward
In: Williams
Out: Dylan Addison
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 31, Adelaide 15, Western Bulldogs 16
LAST TIME: Adelaide 10.16 (76) def Western Bulldogs 9.13 (67), Round 22, 2008 at AAMI Stadium.
RECENT HISTORY: Adelaide has won seven of its past ten against the Western Bulldogs with six of those wins coming at AAMI Stadium. The Bulldogs haven’t defeated the Crows at the venue since 2001.
FORM: Adelaide is yet to string together back-to-back wins so far this season and currently occupy 11th place on the AFL ladder with a 3-3 win-loss record. The Western Bulldogs have lost their past three matches to West Coast, Carlton and St Kilda after starting the season with three straight wins. The Dogs are inside the eight due to their superior percentage.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Crows welcome back midfielder Chris Knights who has recovered from a fractured eye socket but will be without defender Nathan Bock (hamstring). Key forward Trent Hentschel (knee) is two weeks away from playing while fellow forward Brett Burton is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. The Bulldogs welcome back defender Tom Williams from a foot injury but Stephen Tiller (groin), Jamason Daniels (quad) and Paul O'Shea (hip) remain on the sidelines.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Graham Johncock vs. Brad Johnson
Johnson has struggled in recent weeks and will be keen to fire on Sunday and help his side snap a three-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs skipper played a key role in his side’s last win over Adelaide in round one last year, booting five goals to inspire his side to a thrilling five-point victory.
If Adelaide is going to secure a much-needed win they will need to contain Johnson who is capable of turning a game on its head in the space of a quarter.
Johncock is able to match Johnson in the air and at ground level and will most likely be given first crack at the Bulldogs veteran.
The Dogs rely on clean delivery into the forward line given their lack of a genuine marking target, so if the Crows can apply immense pressure all over the ground the likes of Johnson will struggle to have an impact.
Jarrod Harbrow vs. Jason Porplyzia
Poryplzia has been Adelaide’s most consistent forward so far this season, booting 16 goals in six games.
The Bulldogs will be keen to contain Porplyzia as the Crows will struggle to kick a winning score without him having an impact.
Harbrow did a superb blanketing job on St Kilda’s Stephen Milne last weekend, keeping the dangerous small forward goalless.
Expect Harbrow to be given the task of matching up on Porplyzia in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
Harbrow, who racked up 20 possessions in the loss to the Saints, will run off Porplyzia at every available opportunity and try and hurt him on the rebound.
Matthew Boyd vs. Tyson Edwards
Edwards was among his side’s best in the loss to the Power and has arguably been Adelaide’s best midfielder so far this season.
The 295-game veteran has averaged 25 disposals per game in 2009 and leads the Crows for clearances.
Like Edwards, Boyd is effective at the stoppages - he leads the Dogs for clearances and first possessions.
Boyd has shown during his 121-game career that he is not only capable of winning his own football but also being able to quell the influence of some of the competition’s best midfielders.
Expect Boyd to go head-to-head with Edwards in the middle in what shapes as being a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
If Boyd is able to keep Edwards quiet you would expect the Bulldogs to dominate at the stoppages and break the game open with their run and slick movement of the football.
Robert Shirley vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney was well below his best against the Saints - he did manage 22 possessions but he wasn’t his usual damaging self which was to be expected given that he missed two matches with a knee injury.
However, he will be better for the run and will need to be watched closely on Sunday.
Cooney was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ last win over Adelaide last year with 31 possessions, 10 marks and six inside 50’s.
Shutting down his run and carry will be a key for the Crows if they are going to contain the Dogs’ mid-sized forwards.
Shirley has clearly been brought back into the side to do a tagging role and you would expect him to get the job on the 2008 Brownlow medallist.
The last time Shirley played was in the loss to Geelong when he was humiliated by Cats star Gary Ablett who racked up a staggering 46 possessions.
Shirley will be keen to redeem himself and will need to not give Cooney any time or space otherwise he will punish him with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and create scoring opportunities for teammates.
VERDICT: Adelaide is yet to win at home this season while several of the Western Bulldogs’ key players are down on form and confidence. This match could go either way but the Dogs have more options in attack and should kick a big enough score to overcome a Crows side that has broken the 100-point barrier just three times in its last 17 matches. Bulldogs by 25 points.
ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andrew Otten
HB: Simon Goodwin, Scott Stevens, Andrew McLeod
C: Michael Doughty, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Brent Reilly, Taylor Walker, Nathan van Berlo
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Richard Douglas
Foll: Brad Moran, Bernie Vince, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Brad Symes, Chris Knights, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko
Emg: Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley, Ivan Maric
In: Knights, Moran, Symes
Out: Myke Cook, Jonathon Griffin, Nathan Bock (hamstring)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Josh Hill, Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jason Akermanis, Will Minson, Shaun Higgins
Foll: Ben Hudson, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
I/C: Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Picken
Emg: Scott Welsh, Dylan Addison, Callan Ward
In: Williams
Out: Dylan Addison
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