It is the first and only Friday night game for the Western Bulldogs in 2019 this weekend as they play the visitors to the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tonight, in what will be a massive game for both sides.
For the Western Bulldogs, they suffered their first loss of 2019, with a shock five-point defeat from the Gold Coast. Whilst the effort after quarter time can't be questioned, the skills were very sloppy and were very fumbly at the best of times. The forwards were well beaten and the ability to finish was akin to last year. Overall, a very stark contrast performance-wise in comparison to the first two weeks – they would want to bounce back tonight against the runners-up of last year.
For Collingwood, sitting with just one win from three matches probably doesn't reflect how they're travelling as a football side. Their two losses came from a close one against Geelong in round one and last week in the Grand Final rematch against the West Coast Eagles. The Pies will be seeing this game as a great opportunity to be 2-2 after four rounds, and keep in touch with the top eight, currently sitting in 11th position.
On paper, you'd probably understand why Collingwood are short-priced favourites to beat the Bulldogs, particularly after their loss to the Suns last week. But the Bulldogs – for some unknown reason – thrive best as an underdog. Expect them to mount a serious challenge to the Pies tonight, whether or not they can do it for longer than a half – like the last time these two sides met – remains to be seen.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Jason Johannisen OUT: Lewis Young (Omitted)
B: Taylor Duryea, Zaine Cordy, Hayden Crozier
HB: Caleb Daniel, Easton Wood, Matthew Suckling
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Josh Dunkley
HF: Billy Gowers, Josh Schache, Mitch Wallis
F: Toby McLean, Aaron Naughton, Tory Dickson
FOL: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae
INT: Bailey Smith, Ed Richards, Sam Lloyd, Jason Johannisen
EMG: Jackson Trengove, Patrick Lipinski, Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith
One change to the Bulldogs side tonight, sees Jason Johannisen in line for his season debut. Johannisen has missed a chunk of the pre-season and the opening three rounds due to an ankle injury. It's a very bold move to place him back into the team right away after missing a large portion of time, but you'd back the club in to know what they're doing – and besides, the last time he came back from a long-term injury, he proved to be the match-winner. Lewis Young is the unlucky one to be omitted after what I thought was a solid defensive game from him.
Collingwood
IN: Travis Varcoe
OUT: Levi Greenwood (Omitted)
B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, James Aish
C: Chris Mayne, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Steele Sidebottom
F: Taylor Adams, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey
FOL: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar
INT: Jamie Elliott, Travis Varcoe, Tom Langdon, Jaidyn Stephenson
EMG: Flynn Appleby, Ben Crocker, Levi Greenwood, Callum Brown
Collingwood will also head into tonight's game with one change, with Travis Varcoe back into the side after being dropped for the Grand Final rematch last weekend. Making way for him is Levi Greenwood, who has had the tagging roles the past few weeks. Varcoe's inclusion will add pace and a bit of versatility in what is already considered a stacked team. Where he plays tonight will be anyone's guess, but I expect him to play a lot of roles around the ground.
Recent History (Past 10 Matches)
Round 10, 2018 – Marvel Stadium: Collingwood 13.12.90 def Western Bulldogs 8.7.55
Round 1, 2017 – MCG: Collingwood 12.14.86 def by Western Bulldogs 15.10.100
Round 21, 2016 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 14.11.95 def Collingwood 14.8.92 Round 10, 2016 – MCG: Collingwood, 7.11.53 def by Western Bulldogs 11.8.74
Round 17, 2015 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.14.104 def Collingwood 13.8.86
Round 13, 2014 – Marvel Stadium: Collingwood 15.8.98 def by Western Bulldogs 16.10.106
Round 12, 2013 – Marvel Stadium: Collingwood 15.9.99 def Western Bulldogs 9.11.65
Round 6, 2012 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 11.11.77 def by Collingwood 15.8.98
Round 6, 2011 – MCG: Collingwood 15.15.105 def Western Bulldogs 8.9.57
Qualifying Final, 2010 – MCG: Collingwood 17.22.124 def Western Bulldogs 8.14.62
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs – Tim English
Last week, Tim English was soundly beaten by Gold Coast's Jarrod Witts around the stoppages and his impact around the ground wasn't as good as it was against Hawthorn back in round two. It doesn't get any easier for the Bulldogs' ruckman as he'll have to shoulder a massive portion of the ruck load against Brodie Grundy, who was an All-Australian in 2018. Whilst English is averaging 16.3 hitouts and 10.3 disposals per game this year, Grundy is averaging 21 disposals and 33 hitouts per game this year. This might be apples and oranges stuff comparing the pair, but English faces a big challenge tonight.
Collingwood – Jordan Roughead
Coming up against his old side for the first time since being traded away at the end of last year, Jordan Roughead is enjoying a rich vein of form in defence for the Pies. As a Bulldogs' supporter, this hurts, but it's good to see him playing some good footy again. The stats won't read much though, averaging just 13 disposals and 1.7 rebound 50s per game, but he's averaging a career-high seven marks per game so far this year, which I think showcases his ability to read the play in defence and show good composure. I think he could be in for a big game if the Bulldogs pump the ball inside 50.
Final Verdict – Collingwood By 26 Points
I think the Bulldogs will put in a better performance than last week, but even their best probably won't be enough to put away the star power in the middle and the star power up forward. Jordan De Goey's influence needs to be quelled – wonder if Wood will get the match up to start? And the fact that Zaine Cordy will most likely get the match-up on Mason Cox and that worries me, considering the fact that the size difference is substantial.
Games are often won and lost in the middle, and with a Collingwood midfield that boasts the likes of Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Beams, Adams, Treloar and others, it's going to take a mighty effort from the likes of Liberatore, Bontempelli and Macrae among others to get the job done there. Those three have all had great starts to the year, but they someone like Josh Dunkley to step up. If Mitch Wallis is playing midfield minutes, he needs a big game in there. Bailey Smith had a personal-best 22 touches last week. I would love to see him test his skill against a midfield group that will no doubt be up there by the end of the year.