In the context of the 2019 season, this is as big of a game as it gets for the Western Bulldogs. Whilst sides such as Melbourne and North Melbourne have been put under the microscope severely, this side deserves to be put on the blowtorch for their insipid performance against Carlton on the weekend.
The good thing about football is that the team is forced look towards the next game – unless it’s round 23 and you’re not playing finals. This weekend, the Bulldogs travel West to Perth to take on a Fremantle outfit that is not to be underestimated this season. Last week, they pulled off one of the upsets of the season, throttling the Giants in the fourth quarter to run away with it.
However, their best and their worst football is still miles apart and that is a little concerning for Fremantle fans. In round one, they played scintillating football to put away North Melbourne very convincingly. The following week, they struggled mightily against a very inaccurate Gold Coast Suns in a match they really should have put away. All in all, it’s a very solid start to 2019 for Fremantle and they are unquestionably the favourites here.
The Bulldogs have lost their past three and are in serious danger of making it four. Their record in Western Australia hasn’t been the greatest. In fact, it’s probably as bad as it gets. The Dogs haven’t beaten Fremantle over in Perth in 10 years. Furthermore, they have only won in Perth twice since 2010 and have yet to win at Optus Stadium since it has opened its doors last year. Will third time be the charm for the Bulldogs on Saturday night?
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Jackson Trengove
OUT: Bailey Williams (Omitted)
B: Ed Richards, Aaron Naughton, Hayden Crozier
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF: Will Hayes, Billy Gowers, Sam Lloyd
F: Josh Dunkley, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson
FOL: Tim English, Toby McLean, Jack Macrae
INT: Mitch Wallis, Bailey Smith, Jackson Trengove, Lachie Young
EMG: Josh Schache, Fletcher Roberts, Patrick Lipinski, Roarke Smith
Only one change to the side from last weekend. Jackson Trengove will make his season debut for the Bulldogs (Finally) at the expense of Bailey Williams, who I thought was a bit stiff considering he didn’t play in his usual position last week. What role he plays for the side this week will be anyone’s guess. But given the fact that Tim English had no help last week – I’d wager he’ll play as a second ruck/key forward.
Looking at the team, there are a few things to point out. 1 – Aaron Naughton is back at full back, he was towelled by Liam Jones last week, and given the fact that the Dockers are going to go tall up forward, it sounds like a logical choice. 2 – Marcus Bontempelli is named at full forward, please don’t. The man is having a career year as a midfielder, although last week was definitely not his best game. And 3 – Good to see Lachie Young and Will Hayes get given another go after their debuts last week.
Fremantle
IN: Cam McCarthy, Ryan Nyhuis
OUT: Taylin Duman (Suspension), Brennan Cox (Omitted)
B: Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan HB: Adam Cerra, Nathan Wilson, Reece Conca
C: Ed Langdon, Nat Fyfe, Bradley Hill
HF: Michael Walters, Cam McCarthy, Travis Colyer
F: Jesse Hogan, Matt Taberner, Brandon Matera
FOL: Rory Lobb, Andrew Brayshaw, David Mundy
INT: Ryan Nyhuis, Darcy Tucker, Ethan Hughes, Sam Switkowski
Fremantle have made two changes to their lineup following their big win over GWS last weekend. One of them being forced, with Taylin Duman suspended for an off-the-ball hit on Lachie Whitfield. Brennan Cox was dropped to make way for a returning Cam McCarthy, who has kicked 10 goals in four games this season. Ryan Nyhuis also comes into the side for his first game of the year – supposedly to fill the role of the suspended Duman.
Recent History (Past 10 Meetings) Round 5, 2018 – Optus Stadium: Fremantle 16.12.108 def Western Bulldogs 8.6.54 Round 3, 2017 – Subiaco: Fremantle 13.11.89 def Western Bulldogs 10.13.73
Round 23, 2016 – Subiaco: Fremantle 10.9.69 def Western Bulldogs 6.13.49
Round 1, 2016 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.13.103 def Fremantle 5.8.38
Round 7, 2015 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 14.4.88 def by Fremantle 15.11.101
Round 11, 2014 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 6.15.51 def by Fremantle 13.11.89
Round 2, 2013 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 11.12.78 def by Fremantle 16.10.106
Round 15, 2012 – Subiaco: Fremantle 14.11.95 def Western Bulldogs 8.9.57
Round 24, 2011 – Etihad Stadium: Western Bulldogs 15.17.107 def Fremantle 8.13.61
Round 5, 2011 – Subiaco: Fremantle 12.13.85 def Western Bulldogs 11.12.78
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs – Caleb Daniel
I am a huge Caleb Daniel fan. Was last week his best game? Probably not, but he was far from the Bulldogs’ worst player on the ground. He’s one to watch this weekend because he’s having himself a career year in defence – even when he finds himself one-out with behemoths like Harry McKay. His run and drive off half-back has been a standout, averaging over 27 disposals and 5.8 rebound 50s per game in 2019.
Fremantle – David Mundy
Freo are dubbing it as ‘Mundy Three-Hundy’. A stalwart of the Fremantle Football Club, David Mundy will play game 300 this weekend, and it’s been quite the career. One All-Australian and one Doig Medal perhaps doesn’t do his career justice, but he’s been a very consistent and very reliable player for so long. His start to 2019 has been very impressive –Averaging 24.4 disposals, 6.4 clearances and 3.8 inside 50s per game. Averages 25 disposals per game in his last four meetings with the Bulldogs.
Final Verdict – Fremantle By 26 Points
I did have to consider tipping the Bulldogs considering that sides – more often than not – bounce back after horrid performances in the past. I don’t doubt that they’ll be better this week, but I can’t see them getting over the top of them here. I don’t know what it is about the Bulldogs when they play in Perth, but they have been pretty lacklustre in recent years – I’m talking after 2016 that is.
Add to the fact that Fremantle love a milestone game – see Matthew Pavlich’s final game in round 23, 2016 as a prime example, it’s hard to back the Dogs here in what will be a milestone game to not just a fan favourite, but he’d be amongst the Dockers’ greatest players of all time. The Dogs need to be better in the midfield this week – if they allow the likes of Mundy, Nat Fyfe, Brad Hill and others to run rampage in the middle, this contest is going to get ugly real fast.