The beginning of season 2018 means the beginning of the road back to the finals for the Western Bulldogs, and it doesn't get any bumpier than this first-up clash with a familiar rival. The Sons of the West travel up to the nation's capital to take on the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Manuka Oval on Sunday afternoon and to try and put a halt on the Giants' two-game winning run they have going against the Dogs. These two sides met twice last year, with the Orange and Charcoals garnering the spoils on both occasions and narrowing the head-to-head at 5-4 in favour of the Bulldogs.
Both teams' seasons ended up on sour notes last year. The Giants missed their opportunity to get into the Grand Final for the second-year in a row, bettered by Richmond in the Preliminary Final, whilst the Dogs, premiers in 2016, failed to even make it back to the finals to defend their title, finishing the 2017 year in 10th.
If we are to base their 2018 seasons on pre-season form, both teams finished the JLT campaign with a win and a loss each to their name. The Giants smashed Collingwood in the first game, before falling just under two goals short against the Swans. The Bulldogs defeated Hawthorn in their first game, before being overran by the same Collingwood team that got belted by GWS in the second game. Whilst it's obvious to everyone that the Giants have a list that can contend for finals football, questions remain about the Western Bulldogs: Can they regain their hunger? Will they return to the Finals this year? What magic can the apparent supercoach that is Luke Beveridge conjure up? We may not get the full answers to these questions on Sunday, but this game will be a fair indication to where things are heading for the Western Bulldogs in 2018. If the Bulldogs are up for the fight against GWS, then we will have a massive game on our hands on Sunday.
The Teams Western Bulldogs: NEW: Aaron Naughton (AFL Draft). Hayden Crozier (Fremantle), Jackson Trengove (Port Adelaide), Billy Gowers (Rookie Draft)
B: Fletcher Roberts, Zaine Cordy, Lachie Hunter HB: Shane Biggs, Aaron Naughton, Hayden Crozier C: Matthew Suckling, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae HF: Bailey Dale, Jackson Trengove, Toby McLean F: Luke Dahlhaus, Easton Wood, Jason Johannisen FOL: Jordan Roughead, Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley INT: Mitch Honeychurch, Billy Gowers, Bailey Williams, Tim English EMG: Lukas Webb, Tory Dickson, Caleb Daniel, Lin Jong
The Western Bulldogs have named four men to make their debut in the red, white and blue this weekend. Among this group include first pick in last year's draft Aaron Naughton, who has been mightily impressive during the two pre-season games and off-season acquisitions Hayden Crozier from Fremantle and Jackson Trengove from Port Adelaide. It's also very nice to see former Carlton player Billy Gowers given a chance to line-up round one after a great year for Footscray in the VFL last year.
It was expected that Dale Morris (Knee), Liam Picken (Concussion) and Jack Redpath (Suspension) weren't going to line-up for this game, but it is very fascinating that Beveridge has opted to go to players such as Gowers, Tim English, Bailey Williams and Mitch Honeychurch over premiership Dogs such as Tory Dickson and Caleb Daniel, who were named as emergencies. They are moves that aren't sitting well with a number of supporters, but let's just wait and see what happens here. GWS Giants NEW: Zac Langdon (AFL Draft) B: Heath Shaw, Phil Davis, Sam Reid HB: Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson C: Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Finlayson HF: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Tim Taranto F: Matt De Boer, Harry Himmelberg, Josh Kelly FOL: Jon Patton, Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward INT: Rory Lobb, Brett Deledio, Daniel Lloyd, Zac Langdon EMG: Dawson Simpson, Nick Shipley, Aiden Bonar, Lachie Keeffe Only one man making his debut for the Greater Western Sydney Giants on Sunday, that being mature-aged recruit Zac Langdon. Described as a ready-made recruit for the Giants after a big season for Claremont in the WAFL, Langdon is a small player who is incredibly quick and plays his best football in the forward line, kicking 16 goals from 14 games and averaging 16 disposals, four marks and four tackles per game in the WAFL before being selected with the 56th pick in the AFL Draft.
Recent History (Past 9 Meetings)
Round 21, 2017 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 7.15.57 def by GWS Giants 16.9.105 Round 6, 2017 – Manuka Oval: GWS Giants 11.9.75 def Western Bulldogs 9.19.73 Preliminary Final, 2016 – Spotless Stadium: GWS Giants 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 13.11.89
Round 9, 2016 – Spotless Stadium: GWS Giants 15.8.98 def Western Bulldogs 10.13.73
Round 9, 2015 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 16.17.113 def GWS Giants 11.2.68
Round 23, 2014 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.19.109 def by GWS Giants 18.7.115
Round 4, 2014 – Manuka Oval: GWS Giants 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 17.8.110
Round 15, 2013 – Manuka Oval: GWS Giants 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 13.9.87
Round 5, 2012 – Manuka Oval: GWS Giants 9.8.62 def by Western Bulldogs 15.14.104
Players To Watch Western Bulldogs Jason Johannisen
After a 2017 season plagued with an out-of-contract storyline that could've gone anywhere, as well as that portion of the year where he got tagged out of games very heavily, Jason Johannisen is primed for a big 2018. His speed, skill with the footy in hand and his game sense will make it a nightmare for the opposition wherever you put him. Whether as a rebounding half-back flanker, up forward or on the wing, Johannisen's best is very lethal – reference the 2016 Norm Smith Medal. Needs a big game to set the tone for this year.
Easton Wood
A little sub-plot that has me fascinated is the move of new captain Easton Wood from defence to the forward line. Everyone – even the non-Bulldogs supporters reading this – knows that Easton Wood's best footy is in the defensive 50. His reading of the game is first-class and his ability to intercept off half-back has been proven to be as effective as it gets. He hasn't set the world on fire in his two JLT games up forward this year, kicking three goals in total. But it's going to interesting to see what transpires here on Sunday – Will they persist with him up forward?
GWS Giants
Toby Greene
You can sense that Toby Greene is in fact public enemy number one when it comes to the Bulldogs supporters. In both games last year, he has managed to go and do something that drew major heat from the red, white and blue faithful. Early in the year it was hit on Caleb Daniel that saw him suspended for two games, followed by a kung-fu style kick that got Luke Dahlhaus square in the mouth later on in the year. But whether you love him or you hate him, you can't question the talent that this man has on display.
Sam Reid I'm putting the spotlight on the former Bulldog, who has been one player I've been keeping an eye on since he departed Whitten Oval at the end of 2011. He has been picked up by the Giants, delisted at the end of 2013, picked up again at the end of 2015 as a rookie-listed player, delisted again at the end of the 2017 season, only to be rookie-listed again. Reid may not have the talent to be a superstar player, but the one thing that I admire in his game, is his determination and the fact you will always get 110 percent out of him.
Final Verdict
I look at the two teams on paper, I look at the the recent history between these two sides and I look at how these two teams have performed during the pre-season. As much as I want to back the Bulldogs here, I think it's going to be impossible to back the Giants unless the Bulldogs begin to show a string of consistency of that magical September 2016 form.
The Dogs still have a hell of a lot of talent that's representing the club on Sunday, but you look at where the Giants have come from – two-straight Preliminary Final losses now – Leon Cameron will be facing a bit of scrutiny if he doesn't get them, at the very least, a step further. Both teams have a hell of a lot to prove, but I think the Giants might just get on top of the Bulldogs here.
GWS by 28 Points