It’s now or never for both the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium. With both sides occupying 12th and 11th on the ladder respectively, some have already begun to bill this as an Elimination Final with the run-up to the 2019 Finals Series fast approaching. In what will be their second encounter of the year, both sides sit a game out of the eight with five matches to go (including this one) making this one a definite must-win for both teams.
Six weeks ago, Fremantle were sitting in sixth position on the ladder, winning seven from their 12 matches at the end of round 13. Since their win against Port Adelaide, they have only won just once from five starts and that came last week in a very unconvincing yet thrilling one-point win over Sydney over in Perth. Keep in mind they did that without arguably their most important player in the roster in Nat Fyfe.
Their record against the Dogs has been strong, winning their past four matches against the red, white and blues, and eight of the last 10 games all up. There is no doubt Ross Lyon – despite all the scrutiny he has faced by the media this year – will be rallying his charges up, looking for five in a row here and their first win against the Dogs at Docklands since 2015.
The Western Bulldogs’ finals aspirations hit a red, white and black brick wall last Sunday in the form of St. Kilda, who got up for caretaker coach Brett Ratten’s first game in charge. Before that, the Dogs had won four of their previous five games. However, the poor percentage they currently possess makes things even more difficult in their pursuit of playing in September.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Rhylee West, Dale Morris, Ed Richards OUT: Josh Schache (Concussion), Matt Suckling (Back), Roarke Smith (Omitted)
B: Dale Morris, Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen HF: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd F: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson FOL: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae INT: Rhylee West, Taylor Duryea, Ed Richards, Patrick Lipinski EMG: Will Hayes, Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith, Jordon Sweet
The Bulldogs have made three changes to their side following the loss to St. Kilda. Ed Richards comes back into the team after missing last week with hamstring tightness. Dale Morris makes his long-awaited season debut after missing a large bulk of the year due to a partially torn ACL and gradually building up both fitness and form in the VFL the past few weeks, and finally given his debut in the red, white and blue is Rhylee West, the son of Bulldog great Scott West. His work in the congestion in recent weeks have been outstanding and he could see some midfield minutes straight away.
They will miss Josh Schache after he could not pull through with his concussion after his nasty fall last Sunday, whilst Matt Suckling will also miss this week due to a back complaint. Roarke Smith has been dropped this weekend after a quiet one.
Fremantle
IN: Nat Fyfe, Lachie Schultz, Hayden Ballantyne
OUT: Sam Switkowski, Cam McCarthy, Ethan Hughes (All Omitted)
B: Nathan Wilson, Joel Hamling, Luke Ryan HB: Reece Conca, Griffin Logue, Adam Cerra C: Bradley Hill, Nat Fyfe, Ed Langdon HF: Darcy Tucker, Michael Walters, Brett Bewley F: Brandon Matera, Rory Lobb, Sean Darcy FOL: Aaron Sandilands, Connor Blakely, David Mundy INT: Andrew Brayshaw, Lachie Schultz, Taylin Duman, Hayden Ballantyne EMG: Sam Switkowski, Bailey Banfield, Mitchell Crowden, Ethan Hughes
Fremantle have made three unforced changes following their one-point win over Sydney. They will regain Nat Fyfe after he missed last week’s win due to an elbow infection and will no doubt give their mids a much-needed boost. First-year player Lachie Schultz will play his first game since round four, whilst Hayden Ballantyne will make his first appearance since round one this year. Having been somewhat of a forgotten man in the AFL, Ballantyne has only played 28 of a possible 61 games since the start of 2017. The trio replace Cam McCarthy, Sam Switkowski and Ethan Hughes.
Recent History (Past 10 Matches)
Round 6, 2019 – Optus Stadium: Fremantle 13.10.88 def Western Bulldogs 9.15.69
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
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs – Marcus Bontempelli
After hurting his ankle against Melbourne nearly a fortnight ago, there was a lot of interest about how the Bont would respond the following week after getting through the corresponding fitness tests. His return was very quiet, but it would be unfair to single him out as there were quite a few others that were very disappointing last weekend. Nonetheless, for the Bulldogs to get up this weekend, they need Bontempelli back to his best and his best is certainly capable of winning games off his own back.
Fremantle – Brandon Matera
Alongside Michael Walters, Brandon Matera looms as Freo’s most dangerous forward. With Jesse Hogan and Matt Taberner – their most dangerous talls out for the year with injury – and Rory Lobb’s form very up and down, they need these two to fire up. Walters has been in All Australian touch all year long, but Matera’s 2019 has been very good. When these two matched up earlier on in the year, Matera kicked five goals and it proved to be the difference, however his past month has seen him kick just three goals.
Final Verdict – Western Bulldogs By 16 Points
I’m just going to consider last week an aberration. They can’t drop this game as well can they? The Dogs are favourites with the punters ahead of this match, and we all know how they go as the favourites – they flop like a house of cards. With that said, I think these guys know how much is at stake here and will build themselves back up after a very poor game last Sunday. I’ll back them to bounce back here.
In addition to Bontempelli needing a big game, there were quite a few of their players who were in that premiership team three years ago that need a big game this week. Tom Liberatore and Caleb Daniel both came back from injury last week and were underwhelming. Jason Johannisen needs to lift his intensity a notch and Lachie Hunter was barely noticed last week. These are the guys that need to get the Bulldogs back into September football and I think they’ll all be in for good games Sunday.