After securing their first win of the 2018 AFL Season, the Western Bulldogs' chances of securing back-to-back wins for the first time hits a massive roadblock in the form of the Sydney Swans as the two sides go head-to-head on Saturday evening at Etihad Stadium.
The Dogs rediscovered their hunger for the footy and their appetite for the contest against Essendon last week, and if it weren't for wayward accuracy, they could've garnered much more percentage than what was actually attained from last weekend. Still, a win is a win and one has to hope that they will build upon that game as the year progresses.
However, Sydney is not Essendon and rather a much more powerful foe. It's sort of hard to believe that these two sides played off in a Grand Final under two years ago, yet one side is still well in premiership contention, whilst the other is struggling at the moment to be in the Finals picture. After making finals last year after a 0-6 start, the Swans have won two of their first three matches this season and are in position to make it three of their first four, with last week's win against local rivals Greater Western Sydney stamping their credentials.
Whilst the Swans have lost four of their past five matches against the Bulldogs – including the 2016 Grand Final – it should be pointed out that the average winning margin of Sydney's last six wins against the Bulldogs is 59.5 points, when they beat the Bulldogs, they usually do a damn good job of it. Last year's win over the Swans was the first time the Bulldogs actually defeated Sydney under the roof, with Sydney winning the past three games at Docklands.
It's going to be a massive task for the young and understrength Bulldogs to keep the Swans down on Saturday afternoon. Will they be able to win their second game of 2018?
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Shane Biggs OUT: Zaine Cordy (Suspended)
B: Ed Richards, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Williams HB: Matt Suckling, Easton Wood, Jason Johannisen C: Lachie Hunter, Luke Dahlhaus, Bailey Dale HF: Josh Dunkley, Marcus Bontempelli, Lin Jong F: Tory Dickson, Jack Redpath, Billy Gowers FOL: Tim English, Toby McLean, Jack Macrae INT: Mitch Wallis, Mitch Honeychurch, Shane Biggs, Caleb Daniel EMG: Lewis Young, Lukas Webb, Jordan Roughead, Pat Lipinski
The Western Bulldogs have had to make one change after their win over Essendon last weekend, with Zaine Cordy rubbed out for a week after a remarkably soft elbow on Cale Hooker, which saw Michael Christian rule as 'Intentional'. Don't understand the reasoning when I saw worse on the weekend get a fine, but unfortunately, that's the way it is sometimes in the AFL. Shane Biggs makes his return to the side after being dropped following the Bulldogs' loss to Greater Western Sydney in round one.
There was talk during the week that Jordan Roughead (concussion) and Jackson Trengove (shoulder) could be available for this weekend, subjected to fitness tests. Roughead is named as an emergency, and is named in the VFL side this weekend, whilst Trengove looks like he has failed his fitness test, not even named for Footscray this weekend. In good news though, Josh Schache has been named to play for Footscray this weekend, so fingers crossed he has a ripping debut in the VFL.
Sydney Swans
IN: Aliir Aliir, Nic Newman, Zak Jones OUT: Sam Reid (Hamstring), Lewis Melican (Hamstring), Gary Rohan (Personal Reasons)
B: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe HB: Callum Mills, Aliir Aliir, Jarrad McVeigh C: Jake Lloyd, Luke Parker, Isaac Heeney HF: Will Hayward, Dean Towers, George Hewett F: Tom Papley, Lance Franklin, Kieran Jack FOL: Callum Sinclair, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery INT: Harry Cunningham, Oliver Florent, Zak Jones, Nic Newman EMG: Robbie Fox, Harry Marsh, Daniel Robinson, Ben Ronke
Three forced changes to the Sydney line-up will see Sam Reid miss the next two months with a hamstring injury, whilst promising defender Lewis Melican will most likely miss three weeks with a hamstring strain. It was at Etihad Stadium last year that Sam Reid kicked a career-best six goals in a losing effort to the Bulldogs – so that's a huge blow up forward. Gary Rohan sits out of this game due to the death of one of their twin daughters – I sincerely wish Gary and his wife Amie well as they deal with such a difficult time in their lives.
Coming into the Sydney line up sees Aliir Aliir line up for his first game of 2018, whilst defender Nic Newman and the tough-as-nails Zak Jones make their returns to the side after missing the past few weeks and should slot in nicely to the Sydney side on Saturday evening.
Recent History (Last 10 Matches) Round 12, 2017 – SCG: Sydney 12.16.88 def Western Bulldogs 6.6.42 Round 2, 2017 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 16.14.110 def Sydney 13.9.87 Grand Final, 2016 – MCG: Western Bulldogs 13.11.89 def Sydney 10.7.67
Round 15, 2016 – SCG: Sydney 11.13.79 def by Western Bulldogs 13.5.83
Round 5, 2015 – SCG: Sydney 10.13.73 def by Western Bulldogs 11.11.77
Round 22, 2014 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 9.13.67 def by Sydney 20.10.130
Round 19, 2013 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.9.99 def by Sydney 21.8.134
Round 21, 2012 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 13.7.85 def by Sydney 26.11.167
Round 10, 2012 – SCG: Sydney 20.12.132 def Western Bulldogs 5.10.40
Round 18, 2011 – SCG: Sydney 16.18.114 def Western Bulldogs 11.9.75 Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs
Aaron Naughton Does it get any tougher for this young man? In what will be his fourth game of senior footy, Aaron Naughton looks set to get the job on the number one key forward in the game in Lance Franklin. As far as Franklin's season goes, he's kicked 14 goals in the opening three games this season – including a bag of eight against West Coast in round one. In Buddy's position, he'll be licking his lips as he goes head-to-head with a first-year player, but for me, I'll be interested to see how this Naughton reacts and plays on Saturday. Good luck young man! Toby McLean In a start to the year which has seen Jack Macrae and Lachie Hunter lead the way, Toby McLean has been one that should also go unnoticed. After a strong end to 2017, McLean has started 2018 strong, averaging 25 disposals, four clearances and four marks per game in his fourth year in the big-leagues. Needs to be one of many to stand up against a Sydney midfield that is not short of superstar power.
Sydney Swans
George Hewett Last time these two sides met, George Hewett was the man that started the whole Jason Johannisen-targeting nonsense. Whilst you can say it works, it also damages the game-plan a fair bit. We all know Jason Johannisen is an elite runner off half-back and he does use the footy very well, but the club has to make sure they have JJ's back if Hewett does decide to go to him at the start of the match. Team unity has been something that has been often talked about at the start of the year, this is something I'll be keen to watch this time around. Jake Lloyd This man has been one player that often gets overlooked in this Sydney team, but his ability to run and carry and use the ball beautifully makes him a very dangerous weapon either as a half-back flanker or as a winger. Averaged 26 disposals and four rebound 50s last year, but has started 2018 well. Averaging 23 disposals, four rebound 50s and a career-best seven marks per game and will be looking for another good performance here. Loves playing at Etihad, averaging 25 disposals a game at the venue.
Final Verdict
As much as I loved how the Bulldogs responded to critics and supporters who demanded to know why the club started so poorly, this is a match that they will struggle to win. Against Essendon last week, they hardly got tackled and they got a lot of opportunities through poor disposals. Sydney is much greater than Essendon in these aspects and they will be riding high from their win against GWS last weekend, so expect a lot more pressure to come the Bulldogs' way this weekend. In addition to this, the Western Bulldogs are the worst team in the league for contested possessions, averaging 117 per game – the next worse is St. Kilda who average 12 more contested possessions. They are also the worse tackling team in the competition, averaging 48 tackles per game. If they can brush up on these, then it may go a fair way in making this result tighter.
But the fact that Franklin is set to play on Naughton is a serious issue and one that can result in a big bag for Buddy if the Swans get their way, and with big bags of goals, it generally results in a huge win for that particular side. I think Sydney will get the four points comfortably, but as always, I pray for the Dogs to give a spirited effort in every contest in this match and make the Swans earn it.
Sydney By 40 Points