With 11 games to go in the Western Bulldogs’ home and away campaign, they face an almighty challenge to rise up the ladder with just four wins from their first 11 matches. They need to start winning games otherwise there may be a bit more pressure coming the way of a few people within the club. Saturday night’s game with Carlton is massive in the context of their season – This is a must win game.
The two sides met back in round five, with Carlton thumping the Bulldogs for their first win of the season. A bit has changed since that day – Carlton began falling into a downward spiral of horrendous losses which ultimately spelled curtains for Brendon Bolton’s time as head coach of the Blues. Life after Bolton started beautifully for the Blues, coming from 37 points down early in the second quarter to beat a good side in the Brisbane Lions.
Whether or not they bring that same intensity to Saturday night remains to be seen, but one would have to think that interim coach David Teague would remind them about how they had their way with the Dogs a couple of months ago. They will be seriously rating their chances of making it back to back wins for the first time in two years.
I’ve heard the term ‘line in the sand game’ thrown around in the case of the Western Bulldogs. I find the term a very accurate one. Before their bye last week, they had lost three games on the trot and are in serious danger of seeing their season spiral out of relevancy. They have lost some very winnable games in the first half of the year and when that has happened, the side has looked listless and hardly resembled a side that a few years ago had been renowned for their bite.
This needs to change on Saturday night.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Tory Dickson, Hayden Crozier
OUT: Billy Gowers (Ankle), Lachie Young (Omitted)
B: Jason Johannisen, Jackson Trengove, Bailey Williams HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Patrick Lipinski HF: Matthew Suckling, Ryan Gardner, Sam Lloyd F: Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton, Tory Dickson FOL: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae INT: Bailey Smith, Hayden Crozier, Toby McLean, Bailey Dale EMG: Rhylee West, Fletcher Roberts, Callum Porter, Lachie Young
The Bulldogs have made two big changes ahead of this game, bringing back in Hayden Crozier after he missed the game against the Eagles with a toe injury. He has been a solid player across half back and his inclusion is needed. Tory Dickson also comes back into the side after a bit of a spell in the VFL. Billy Gowers will miss this week after injuring his ankle, whilst Lachie Young has been axed.
Carlton
IN: Marc Murphy
OUT: Jack Silvagni (Omitted)
B: Lachie Plowman, Caleb Marchbank, Sam Petrevski-Seton HB: Kade Simpson, Jacob Weitering, Dale Thomas C: Will Setterfield, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh HF: David Cuningham, Charlie Curnow, Ed Curnow F: Mitch McGovern, Harry McKay, Levi Casboult
FOL: Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Zac Fisher
INT: Michael Gibbons, Lochie O’Brien, Paddy Dow, Nic Newman EMG: Cameron Polson, Jack Silvagni, Matthew Kennedy, Matthew Lobbe
Following their win against the Brisbane Lions last week, Carlton have only made just one change to their line-up, bringing back their former captain in Marc Murphy after he missed a few weeks with fractured ribs. The one forced to make way is Jack Silvagni, who has been alright across the past few weeks.
Recent History (Past 10 Matches)
Round 5, 2019 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 7.15.57 def by Carlton 15.11.101 Round 22, 2018 – Marvel Stadium: Carlton 7.7.49 def by Western Bulldogs 10.6.66
Round 6, 2018 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 11.14.80 def Carlton 8.11.59
Round 17, 2017 – MCG: Carlton 9.8.62 def by Western Bulldogs 12.10.82
Round 4, 2016 – Marvel Stadium: Carlton 7.7.49 def by Western Bulldogs 13.7.85
Round 14, 2015 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 9.10.64 def Carlton 7.11.53
Round 5, 2014 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 13.13.91 def by Carlton 18.11.119
Round 20, 2013 – Marvel Stadium: Carlton 13.11.89 def by Western Bulldogs 16.21.117
Round 17, 2012 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 12.12.84 def by Carlton 16.6.102
Round 16, 2011 – Marvel Stadium: Western Bulldogs 14.12.96 def Carlton 9.15.69
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs – Tom Liberatore
Some good news for the Bulldogs fans this week with Liberatore signing a contract extension that will see him remain at the club until 2021. His form this year has been pretty good after spending 2018 on the sidelines with a ruptured ACL. He’s averaging 23.1 disposals, 4.5 tackles and 5.9 clearances per game this year. He would love to cap off a good week with a big game in the middle. The Dogs were absolutely decimated in this area last time they met – they need guys like him to step up here.
Carlton – Harry McKay
Last time the Blues took on the Dogs, this man was simply unstoppable. Kicking four goals from 20 disposals and 11 marks. I have no doubt that the Bulldogs would’ve done their homework on Harry McKay since then and how he plays on Saturday night will truly indicate how he’s travelling personally in his development. Has so far kicked 18.18 and has averaged 10.5 disposals and 5.8 marks per game and has stamped his claims as one of the games best contested marks, averaging 2.5 per game.
Final Verdict – Carlton By 16 Points
It’s been a crazy year for tipping so who knows where this one will end up. But I genuinely think Carlton have a lot more momentum heading into this game as opposed to the Dogs. Does the week off help? It might refresh the legs to a degree, but unless they bring in four quarters of effort, they won’t be winning many games of football this year. They stopped running after half time against West Coast a couple of weeks ago and went missing for long periods against North Melbourne the week before that. If Carlton bring that same enthusiasm they did against Brisbane, they’re not dropping this game.
Shutting down Patrick Cripps is a must for the Dogs to win this. Watching him against the Lions last week, it was the best game I’ve ever seen him play. He did everything – he won clearances at will, he kicked goals and won the contested ball. Zac Fisher and Sam Petrevski-Seton had blinders last time the two sides played, whilst Sam Walsh had himself a career-best 32 touches last week. The way this season has played out, I can’t say I have much confidence in this Bulldogs side this week.