Saturday afternoon at the MCG looks like a mismatch on paper, but it's going to be interesting to see what the Bulldogs make of their one and only match-up with the reigning premiers in Richmond. The fixture is a crazy thing, with these two sides scheduled to match up in the final round of the home and away season.
There isn't really much at stake here. The Bulldogs, despite missing Finals for the second straight year, will want to end the season on a high-note, having won their last three games. Last week's win against Carlton was ugly and scrappy, but they got the job done, and that's what matters in a side that has struggled mightily at times this year.
The Bulldogs could make it four, and end the season on a high note. But they are going to have to do it against a Tigers line-up that are unstoppable at the home of football. Richmond's history at the MCG in recent memory has been well documented, having won an unprecedented 20 games in a row, and will be vying for 21 on Saturday.
Last week saw Richmond sew up the minor premiership, beating Essendon in what was a tight finish. Season 2018 the Tigers have proven that their success in 2017 was no fluke and there are no premiership hangover in sight, unlike the Bulldogs, who have endured a very ordinary 24 months since winning the premiership in 2016. Destined for a bottom six finish in 2018, the Tigers will be seeing this game as nothing more than a dress rehearsal for finals.
The Tigers have not beaten the Bulldogs in their past four games – their last win was five years ago in the 2013 AFL Season. But given the form-line of these two sides, the Tigers are well-placed to knock off the Bulldogs and break that losing streak.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith
OUT: Lin Jong (sternum), Tory Dickson (Hamstring)
B: Easton Wood, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Williams
HB: Hayden Crozier, Dale Morris, Jason Johannisen
C: Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae, Ed Richards
HF: Billy Gowers, Josh Schache, Caleb Daniel
F: Toby McLean, Marcus Bontempelli, Jordan Roughead
FOL: Jackson Trengove, Josh Dunkley, Mitch Wallis
INT: Patrick Lipinski, Fergus Greene, Roarke Smith, Brad Lynch
EMG: Lewis Young, Mitch Honeychurch, Callum Porter, Tim English
The Western Bulldogs have been forced to make two changes to their side that beat Carlton last Sunday. They will miss Lin Jong with a sternum injury and Tory Dickson will sit out the final game of the season with a hamstring injury. Marcus Bontempelli, who had been nursing a bad back in recent weeks, has been named at full-forward. They will welcome back the hard-running utility Bailey Williams after he a foot injury in round 15, whilst Roarke Smith is back for his first game since round 20, where he was concussed.
A special mention goes out to Shane Biggs, who announced his sudden retirement on Thursday. Whilst his form hasn't been spectacular over the past couple of years, Biggs will always be remembered for being a big part in the 2016 premiership team. Not many people are going to forget those spectacular efforts he made in the last quarter, which led to a Liam Picken goal. Speaking of Picken, he has committed to season 2019 after missing all of this year due to severe concussion issues dating back to the Pre-Season.
Richmond
IN: David Astbury, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia
OUT: Liam Baker, Ryan Garthwaite, Sam Lloyd (All Omitted)
B: Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
HB: Jayden Short, Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Kamdyn McIntosh
HF: Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards, Jason Castagna
F: Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin, Josh Caddy
FOL: Toby Nankervis, Reece Conca, Dion Prestia
INT: Nathan Broad, Jack Higgins, Brandon Ellis, Jack Graham
EMG: Ryan Garthwaite, Connor Menadue, Liam Baker, Sam Lloyd
Richmond have come into this game with the Western Bulldogs with a near full-strength line-up – as they prepare themselves for a serious tilt of back-to-back premierships. They have brought back in key defender David Astbury to bolster their defence, as well as captain Trent Cotchin and another integral part of the middle in Dion Prestia – all three were rested last week. Liam Baker, Ryan Garthwaite and Sam Lloyd have all been forced to make way for the big-name trio.
Recent History (Last 10 Matches)
Round 7, 2017 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 11.14.80 def Richmond 11.9.75
Round 16, 2016 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 12.13.85 def Richmond 11.9.75
Round 2, 2015 – MCG: Richmond 9.12.66 def by Western Bulldogs 12.13.85
Round 3, 2014 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.10.100 def Richmond 15.8.98
Round 13, 2013 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 8.13.61 def by Richmond 17.19.121
Round 3, 2013 – Etihad Stadium: Richmond 20.15.135 def Western Bulldogs 10.8.68
Round 20, 2012 – MCG: Richmond 22.18.150 def Western Bulldogs 12.8.80
Round 8, 2011 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 23.15.153 def Richmond 18.10.118
Round 2, 2010 – MCG: Richmond 7.6.48 def by Western Bulldogs 17.18.120
Round 11, 2009 – Etihad Stadium: Richmond 14.5.89 def by Western Bulldogs 24.13.157
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs
Marcus Bontempelli
The last three weeks from The Bont have been some of the best football he's played. Kicking four goals in a quarter against St. Kilda, followed by 35 disposals against North Melbourne and then 37 disposals against Carlton, playing with a sore back. But Richmond are no Carlton, and it will be interesting to see what transpires here. He's named in the line-up, which means he has passed the fitness tests required at training – he may be in for another big game this weekend.
Aaron Naughton
Despite not having a Rising Star nomination to his name, I'd mark down first-year player Aaron Naughton's season as an overall success. He has played 17 games and has taken some very nice intercept marks in defence throughout the course of the year. Looks set to get the job on Jack Riewoldt, who is in some red-hot form going into the final round of the season, having bagged 60 goals for the year and currently leading the Coleman Medal – and just kicked 10 on the Gold Coast the other week.
Richmond
Josh Caddy
Since crossing over from Geelong at the end of 2016, Josh Caddy has flourished at Tigerland and is well poised for a spot in the All-Australian team, jagging a very accurate 43.13 for the Tigers this season, playing predominantly up forward. I would love to see a match-up between him and the evergreen Dale Morris, who has had the job of taking on many forwards – both tall and small. Along with Riewoldt, Caddy looms as a big threat up forward for teams come September.
Dustin Martin
After winning pretty much nearly everything that there was for a midfielder to win in 2017, Dustin Martin has taken a step back this year, averaging just 25 disposals, and five clearances – as opposed to the 30 and six he averaged last year. Has still been somewhat of a threat up forward, kicking 29.19 this year after kicking 37.29 last year. He has good history against the Bulldogs, averaging 27.8 disposals in nine games and is 11.1
Final Verdict
Even with the minor premiership sewn up, I cannot see Richmond going easy here on a Bulldogs side that has struggled so much this year. With Astbury back in, the Tigers will have the second-best defence in the league in full swing. They are currently conceding an average of 70 points per game, and given that the Bulldogs have struggled to score this year, this has the hallmarks of a game that could get ugly.
The Bulldogs will no doubt use Richmond's winning streak as something to inspire them to break the streak, but they're going to get overmatched in most aspects of the ground, the Tigers will go into September with 21 straight wins at the MCG next to their name.
Richmond by 60 Points