Over the past couple of years, both North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have put on thrilling contests for supporters on both sides of fence. However, Saturday night under the roof of Etihad Stadium may be a case of a one-sided affair as the two sides lock horns for the 160th time in the history of these two clubs and the first of two meetings in 2018.
Season 2018 has virtually become a lost cause for the Bulldogs, who have now lost their past four clashes, having been comprehensively beaten by Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval last Thursday night, but they will be entering this contest minus their captain Easton Wood, who now looks done for the year, and also their best player this season in Jack Macrae, which will hurt their chances of winning the midfield.
At the start of the year, Bulldogs supporters would've relished the chance of playing a North side that on paper, looked like a side that was set for another long year of rebuilding and generating games into their youth. To the shock of many, North have been amongst the league's most improved sides this year and are poised to claim a shock Finals berth.
Amongst their results include an impressive against Fremantle in Perth, easily accounted for GWS and Hawthorn – sides also aspiring for finals and have been clinical in beating sides below them such as St. Kilda and Brisbane. Despite being soundly beaten by Geelong at Kardinia Park in round 12, they will be refreshed, rejuvenated and are in a fantastic position to not just beat the Bulldogs, but to really put some punishment on the scoreboard.
How have they improved? In 2017, they were the third-worst defence in the league, conceding an average of 102.9 points per game. This year they are ranked in the top echelon of defensive teams, conceding an average of just 73.4 points per game. Whatever way you look at that, that is a tremendous turnaround, and in conjunction with the individual improvements of several players, it's not hard to see why North deserve to be in Finals contention, just months after many ridiculed them for believing they could play Finals.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Aaron Naughton, Dale Morris, Marcus Adams, Josh Dunkley OUT: Easton Wood (Hamstring), Jack Macrae (Hamstring), Lukas Webb (Thumb), Shane Biggs (Omitted)
B: Bailey Williams, Jackson Trengove, Ed Richards HB: Dale Morris, Zaine Cordy, Jason Johannisen C: Hayden Crozier, Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter HF: Caleb Daniel, Josh Schache, Mitch Wallis F: Luke Dahlhaus, Billy Gowers, Patrick Lipinski FOL: Tom Boyd, Toby McLean, Josh Dunkley INT: Mitch Honeychurch, Marcus Adams, Aaron Naughton, Roarke Smith EMG: Lewis Young, Jordan Roughead, Bradley Lynch, Lin Jong
Four changes to the Bulldogs from the side that lost out to Port Adelaide last Thursday night. As expected, Easton Wood and Jack Macrae will not play this week, as both suffered hamstring injuries in the game. Whilst Macrae might miss three weeks at best, Wood could miss the rest of the year. Lukas Webb will miss some time with a broken thumb. Shane Biggs has been omitted after an ordinary game. This means Marcus Bontempelli, Toby McLean and Tom Boyd, who were all hurt last week, will play this week, which is a positive.
They will regain veteran defender Dale Morris, 11 days after having minor knee surgery. It was expected that he would miss around four weeks, but that is a tremendous effort to come back before then. However, one has to wonder whether or not it is too soon. Aaron Naughton is also back for his first game since round eight, having missed the past four matches with an ankle injury. Marcus Adams is in for his first game this year after a foot injury ended his 2017 season and an ankle injury delayed his start to 2018. Josh Dunkley is also back into the team and should get a chance to shine in a midfield that is needing some grunt.
North Melbourne
IN: Jed Anderson, Nathan Hrovat OUT: Billy Hartung, Cameron Zurhaar (Both Omitted) B: Marley Williams, Majak Daw, Scott Thompson HB: Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Jamie Macmillan C: Trent Dumont, Ben Jacobs, Nathan Hrovat HF: Jed Anderson, Mason Wood, Shaun Atley F: Jy Simpkin, Ben Brown, Jack Ziebell FOL: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins INT: Paul Ahern, Kayne Turner, Tom Murphy, Luke McDonald EMG: Ryan Clarke, Alex Morgan, Billy Hartung, Cameron Zurhaar
North Melbourne have made two unforced changes ahead of their first match since the bye. Both Billy Hartung and Cameron Zurhaar have been dropped after disappointing outings against the Cats before the bye. Ex-Bulldog Nathan Hrovat is named for his fourth senior game after a lengthy stint on the sidelines, whilst Jed Anderson is also back in the team after missing the last game with hamstring soreness.
Recent History (Past 10 Meetings)
Round 14, 2017 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.17.107 def North Melbourne 16.10.106
Round 4, 2017 – Etihad Stadium: North Melbourne 12.14.86 def by Western Bulldogs 12.17.89
Round 20, 2016 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 9.7.61 def North Melbourne 7.5.47
Round 6, 2016 – Etihad Stadium: North Melbourne 9.7.61 def Western Bulldogs 6.9.45
Round 22, 2015 – Etihad Stadium: North Melbourne 10.13.73 def by Western Bulldogs 14.12.96
Round 21, 2014 – Etihad Stadium: North Melbourne 17.9.111 def Western Bulldogs 8.13.61
Round 2, 2014 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 8.6.54 def by North Melbourne 12.11.83
Round 7, 2013 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.7.97 def by North Melbourne 22.19.151
Round 19, 2012 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 8.13.61 def by North Melbourne 18.7.115
Round 7, 2012 – Etihad Stadium: North Melbourne 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 15.11.101 Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs
Caleb Daniel Last week was perhaps one of the worst games that I've seen Caleb Daniel play. Just five touches in four quarters of football for someone who has the talent, the composure and the IQ to be such a solid player is absolutely not good enough. It's rare for him to have back-to-back shockers, so I'm backing him in for a good rebound game here. His history against North isn't particularly impressive, averaging just 16.5 disposals in two meetings.
Ed Richards
We’ve seen over the last few weeks that this little red-haired kid can play the game of football and is improving with each game. Often a defender, we witnessed last week against Port Adelaide that he can be very useful up forward as well, snagging three second quarter goals. It will be interesting to see where he’s positioned on Saturday night, goal scoring has been a big issue for this club over the course of this season.
North Melbourne
Ben Brown
After narrowly missing out on an All-Australian selection in 2017, booting a career-high 63.30 for a struggling North Melbourne outfit. Big Ben Brown's first half of 2018 has him matching that tally, if not bettering it, kicking 35.11 before North had their bye last weekend. Given how understrength the Bulldogs' defence has become, this will provide the big Tasmanian with an opportunity to extend his lead in the Coleman Medal race.
Majak Daw
For years now, we’ve seen Majak Daw often play as a tall forward, and despite a six-goal game against this week’s opposition in the past, he has often struggled to hold a place in the senior team. This year, we’ve seen him play more in defence, and has played some solid football. His averages won’t say much, averaging 10.7 disposals, 4.1 marks and 2.2 rebound 50s, but he’s so far played eight games this year - his personal best of games played in a season is nine back in 2016.
Final Verdict
The injury list that the Bulldogs have got is starting to really pile up. Wood and Macrae are just another couple of names added into an extensive list of players hampered with injury, and it includes premiership players such as Clay Smith, Tory Dickson, Dale Morris, Liam Picken and Tom Liberatore. What will Marcus Bontempelli's knee be like come the first bounce? He will lead the side out on Saturday night, but one has to imagine that the knee he injured on Thursday night can't be at 100 percent.
The Bulldogs have won four of their last five games against North Melbourne, and their last encounter was such a gripping contest. But I'm struggling to see them get anywhere near a Kangaroos team that has looked so invigorated this year. The likes of Mitch Wallis, Caleb Daniel and Luke Dahlhaus must stand up against Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington – both men in hot form. If this can’t be achieved, then North will have their way.
North Melbourne By 44 Points