TonyK
CibbuanoRound sixteen preview: Essendon v Western Bulldogs
July 16th 2009 14:49
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Friday July 17, 7.40pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 147, Essendon 87, Western Bulldogs 58, Drawn 2
LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 23.13 (151) d Essendon 15.15 (105) , Round 21 2008 at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: The Western Bulldogs have won their past five against Essendon.
FORM: The Western Bulldogs almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Collingwood last Friday night but they fell agonisingly short as they went down by one-point. The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine matches to occupy third place on the AFL ladder with a 10-5 win-loss record. Essendon has one three of their past four and are in eighth spot with eight wins for the season.
MEDICAL ROOM: Essendon will be without midfielder Angus Monfries (hamstring) for a fortnight while Scott Gumbleton is sidelined indefinitely with a back injury. David Hille and Jason Laycock are out for the season with knee and foot injuries respectively. For the Bulldogs, classy forward Daniel Giansiracusa (knee) is five weeks away from playing while youngster Ayce Cordy (back) will miss at least another week.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Liam Picken vs. Andrew Lovett
Lovett continued his brilliant season with 29 possessions and eight inside 50’s against Sydney.
The 26-year-old is an integral part of Essendon’s midfield with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
Picken has been a revelation in the middle as a tagger for the Bulldogs in 2009 and looms as the obvious candidate to tag Lovett in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
The Bulldogs will need Picken to apply relentless pressure all night and deny Lovett any time or space in which to work in otherwise he will cut them to shreds with his blistering pace.
Tayte Pears vs. Brad Johnson
Johnson failed to kick a goal against the Magpies but the Bulldogs skipper rarely goes goalless two games in a row and could well prove to be the match-winner on Friday night if his side’s midfield gets on top.
Not only is Johnson capable of kicking a bag but he is also highly effective at setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clever use of the football, so keeping him quiet will be vital for the Bombers.
Pears, who has impressed down back so far this season, has the ability to match Johnson in the air and also at ground level and could well be given first crack at the 339-game veteran.
The promising young Essendon defender will need his midfield to suffocate the Bulldogs’ run with their pressure skills and also deny them the use of the corridor otherwise Johnson will feast on plenty of quality supply.
Matthew Boyd vs. Jobe Watson
Watson was instrumental in the win over the Swans with a team-high 29 disposals - 18 of which came by hand.
The 25-year-old is highly effective at winning the football in close and use it cleanly by hand to find the likes of Jason Winderlich and Lovett in space.
Limiting Watson’s influence in the middle will be a key for the Dogs if they are going to shut-down the Dons’ running game.
Like Watson, Boyd is proficient at winning the contested football and will most likely go head-to-head with the Bombers midfielder in what will be a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this contest.
The Bulldogs will need Boyd to be switched on and proactive at the stoppages otherwise Watson will be able to dictate terms.
Heath Hocking vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney was among his side’s best against the Magpies with 31 possessions, one goal and four inside 50’s.
The 2008 Brownlow medallist is damaging with his ability to break the lines, set up scoring opportunities for his teammates and also kick goals.
If the Bombers are going to have any hope of containing the Bulldogs’ multi-pronged attack they will need to shut-down Cooney’s run and carry.
Hocking has been given some big run with roles so far this year and will be given the job of quelling the influence of Cooney.
The 21-year-old, who has averaged 18 possessions per game so far in ‘09, can’t afford to be reactive and will need to try and hurt the Bulldogs star going the other way.
VERDICT: Both sides have plenty of pace through the middle and like to play an attacking brand of football so a high-scoring affair is on the cards. The Western Bulldogs appear to have a slight edge in the ruck with the bigger Ben Hudson and Will Minson to go up against Patrick Ryder. Expect Hudson and Minson to outmuscle Ryder and provide their classy on-ball division with first use of the football. Bulldogs by 22 points.
ESSENDON v WESTERN BULLDOGS
ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Tayte Pears, Michael Hurley
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Dustin Fletcher, Adam McPhee
C: Brent Prismall, Ricky Dyson, Andrew Lovett
HF: Sam Lonergan, Scott Lucas, Heath Hocking
F: Jason Winderlich, Matthew Lloyd, Alwyn Davey
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Andrew Welsh, Jobe Watson
I/C: Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh, Kyle Reimers, Cale Hooker
Emg: Bachar Houli, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Hayden Skipworth
No change
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Dale Morris
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jason Akermanis, Scott Welsh, Robert Murphy
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
I/C: Will Minson, Josh Hill, Liam Picken, Callan Ward
Emg: Dylan Addison, Tim Callan, Brennan Stack
No change
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 147, Essendon 87, Western Bulldogs 58, Drawn 2
LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 23.13 (151) d Essendon 15.15 (105) , Round 21 2008 at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: The Western Bulldogs have won their past five against Essendon.
FORM: The Western Bulldogs almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Collingwood last Friday night but they fell agonisingly short as they went down by one-point. The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine matches to occupy third place on the AFL ladder with a 10-5 win-loss record. Essendon has one three of their past four and are in eighth spot with eight wins for the season.
MEDICAL ROOM: Essendon will be without midfielder Angus Monfries (hamstring) for a fortnight while Scott Gumbleton is sidelined indefinitely with a back injury. David Hille and Jason Laycock are out for the season with knee and foot injuries respectively. For the Bulldogs, classy forward Daniel Giansiracusa (knee) is five weeks away from playing while youngster Ayce Cordy (back) will miss at least another week.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Liam Picken vs. Andrew Lovett
Lovett continued his brilliant season with 29 possessions and eight inside 50’s against Sydney.
The 26-year-old is an integral part of Essendon’s midfield with his ability to break the lines and kick goals.
Picken has been a revelation in the middle as a tagger for the Bulldogs in 2009 and looms as the obvious candidate to tag Lovett in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
The Bulldogs will need Picken to apply relentless pressure all night and deny Lovett any time or space in which to work in otherwise he will cut them to shreds with his blistering pace.
Tayte Pears vs. Brad Johnson
Johnson failed to kick a goal against the Magpies but the Bulldogs skipper rarely goes goalless two games in a row and could well prove to be the match-winner on Friday night if his side’s midfield gets on top.
Not only is Johnson capable of kicking a bag but he is also highly effective at setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clever use of the football, so keeping him quiet will be vital for the Bombers.
Pears, who has impressed down back so far this season, has the ability to match Johnson in the air and also at ground level and could well be given first crack at the 339-game veteran.
The promising young Essendon defender will need his midfield to suffocate the Bulldogs’ run with their pressure skills and also deny them the use of the corridor otherwise Johnson will feast on plenty of quality supply.
Matthew Boyd vs. Jobe Watson
Watson was instrumental in the win over the Swans with a team-high 29 disposals - 18 of which came by hand.
The 25-year-old is highly effective at winning the football in close and use it cleanly by hand to find the likes of Jason Winderlich and Lovett in space.
Limiting Watson’s influence in the middle will be a key for the Dogs if they are going to shut-down the Dons’ running game.
Like Watson, Boyd is proficient at winning the contested football and will most likely go head-to-head with the Bombers midfielder in what will be a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this contest.
The Bulldogs will need Boyd to be switched on and proactive at the stoppages otherwise Watson will be able to dictate terms.
Heath Hocking vs. Adam Cooney
Cooney was among his side’s best against the Magpies with 31 possessions, one goal and four inside 50’s.
The 2008 Brownlow medallist is damaging with his ability to break the lines, set up scoring opportunities for his teammates and also kick goals.
If the Bombers are going to have any hope of containing the Bulldogs’ multi-pronged attack they will need to shut-down Cooney’s run and carry.
Hocking has been given some big run with roles so far this year and will be given the job of quelling the influence of Cooney.
The 21-year-old, who has averaged 18 possessions per game so far in ‘09, can’t afford to be reactive and will need to try and hurt the Bulldogs star going the other way.
VERDICT: Both sides have plenty of pace through the middle and like to play an attacking brand of football so a high-scoring affair is on the cards. The Western Bulldogs appear to have a slight edge in the ruck with the bigger Ben Hudson and Will Minson to go up against Patrick Ryder. Expect Hudson and Minson to outmuscle Ryder and provide their classy on-ball division with first use of the football. Bulldogs by 22 points.
ESSENDON v WESTERN BULLDOGS
ESSENDON
B: Henry Slattery, Tayte Pears, Michael Hurley
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Dustin Fletcher, Adam McPhee
C: Brent Prismall, Ricky Dyson, Andrew Lovett
HF: Sam Lonergan, Scott Lucas, Heath Hocking
F: Jason Winderlich, Matthew Lloyd, Alwyn Davey
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Andrew Welsh, Jobe Watson
I/C: Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh, Kyle Reimers, Cale Hooker
Emg: Bachar Houli, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Hayden Skipworth
No change
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Dale Morris
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jason Akermanis, Scott Welsh, Robert Murphy
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
I/C: Will Minson, Josh Hill, Liam Picken, Callan Ward
Emg: Dylan Addison, Tim Callan, Brennan Stack
No change
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