We have finally arrived at the Finals and the Bulldogs find themselves in a pretty similar position to where they were three years ago – they finished the home and away season in seventh and find themselves on the road for the first week, in what is a cut-throat elimination final. Only it’s not a trip to Perth, they’re back at Giants Stadium for a round 22 rematch against the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
It was only a few weeks ago that the Bulldogs went up there and handed the Giants a 10-goal toweling. Only thing is, it is not going to be so easy this time around. Whilst the Bulldogs are the close favourites for this game. Since then, the Giants have had a massive win over Gold Coast in the final week to get some confidence back into their system and also the week off would have helped some of their injured players get up for what is going to be a massive game.
As folks in the media who write and talk about everything and anything, the week off benefitting the sides that have been battered around with injury and suspensions is one that always gets tossed around – the Bulldogs were in that position in 2016 and it did them wonders. What is it going to hold for them this time around? The past three weeks have seen them play an unbelievable brand of football, will the week off hurt their momentum?
So much is going to unravel on Saturday afternoon. There has been somewhat of a rivalry between the two sides dating back to almost when GWS existed. Since then, the two clubs have had some very good games and others that have had a bit of tension amongst the ranks. The past couple of years has seen it dissipated a fair bit due to the strength of GWS, but all of that picked up in round 22.
Will the Bulldogs get stuck into Heath Shaw again? He seems to do some silly things when he’s under the pump. Will the Giants make a beeline for Marcus Bontempelli? After his bump on Nick Haynes last time left him with a fractured larynx. Perhaps most importantly, will we see classic sequel to the marvelous game that was the 2016 Preliminary Final? I say marvelous in the sense of such a close game that left you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Buckle up for a big game.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
No Changes
B: Taylor Duryea, Lewis Young, Hayden Crozier HB: Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards HF: Bailey Dale, Josh Schache, Sam Lloyd F: Bailey Smith, Aaron Naughton, Toby McLean FOL: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae INT: Matthew Suckling, Rhylee West, Patrick Lipinski, Will Hayes EMG: Jackson Trengove, Tory Dickson, Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith
So far the Bulldogs walk in with an unchanged lineup, but very interesting to see that Jackson Trengove and Tory Dickson – blokes who do have that Finals experience – named as emergencies. Meaning blokes like Rhylee West will play just his third league game in a big final, blokes like Will Hayes, who gives it his all every week, will play in his first final and other young kids such as Patrick Lipinski, Bailey Smith, Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Lewis Young, Tim English and Aaron Naughton will also play their first final – That’s a lot of talented youngsters that club has and regardless of the result, it’ll hold them in good stead for the future.
GWS Giants
IN: Brett Deledio, Jacob Hopper, Nick Haynes, Toby Greene OUT: Adam Tomlinson, Ian Hill, Isaac Cumming, Lachie Keeffe (All Omitted)
B: Heath Shaw, Phil Davis, Sam J. Reid HB: Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Lachie Whitfield C: Zac Williams, Tim Taranto, Adam Kennedy HF: Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Himmelberg, Brent Daniels F: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Brett Deledio FOL: Shane Mumford, Harry Perryman, Daniel Lloyd INT: Sam Taylor, Jacob Hopper, Josh Kelly, Matt de Boer EMG: Isaac Cumming, Adam Tomlinson, Lachie Keeffe, Ian Hill
The Giants have named four massive ins ahead of this clash. The quartet of Adam Tomlinson, Ian Hill, Isaac Cumming and Lachie Keeffe have been forced to make way for Toby Greene, Jacob Hopper, Nick Haynes and a retiring Brett Deledio. Haynes is a good in considering when he was injured a couple of weeks ago, at that time, it was said he wasn’t going to be a chance to play Finals. Toby Greene in the forward line will be concerning, as will Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson – both of whom did not play in the round 22 loss.
Recent History (Past 10 Matches)
Round 22, 2019 – Giants Stadium: GWS 9.11.65 def by Western Bulldogs 19.12.126 Round 1, 2018 – Manuka Oval: GWS 20.13.133 def Western Bulldogs 7.9.51 Round 21, 2017 – Docklands: Western Bulldogs 7.15.57 def by GWS 16.9.105 Round 6, 2017 – Manuka Oval: GWS 11.9.75 def Western Bulldogs 9.19.73 Preliminary Final, 2016 – Giants Stadium: GWS 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 13.11.89 Round 9, 2016 – Giants Stadium: GWS 15.8.98 def Western Bulldogs 10.13.73 Round 9, 2015 – Docklands: Western Bulldogs 16.17.113 def GWS 11.2.68 Round 23, 2014 – Docklands: Western Bulldogs 15.19.109 def by GWS 18.7.115 Round 4, 2014 – Manuka Oval: GWS 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 17.8.110 Round 15, 2013 – Manuka Oval: GWS 12.11.83 def by Western Bulldogs 13.9.87
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs – Lewis Young
He came into the round 22 team as a late inclusion for Tim English but since then he has not just held his spot, but he has thrived in defence across the past two games. His performance against the Giants was good, despite a poor start which saw him commit a few turnovers early, but after that, really settled down and was able to intercept and spoil and do all the things that a big tall defender is required to do. Him and the defensive six in general, face a big challenge this week, trying to curtail Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg – all three are deadly weapons up forward.
GWS Giants – Matt De Boer
Matt de Boer is a renowned pest – which is good for the Giants because he’s doing the role that has been undoubtedly set out for him. He proved it with his tactics against Marcus Bontempelli in round 22. Until half time, his tactics worked and he had the Bont agitated and annoyed. I expect him to get the job again on Saturday and I have no doubt that he will have taken some notes on what he can do to get the better of him for over four quarters. As annoying as he may be, he is a big piece of the Giants team and the Dogs have to find a way to get in his way during the game.
This goes with very little confidence – if the Bulldogs can keep the momentum they have had in the past month, they should still beat them, but the Giants will take them to the end in what will be another thrilling installment to this rivalry.
Obviously the battle in the middle is where a bulk of it will be decided. The Bulldogs are a high-possession team and they have been so fluent when they’ve been able to get their running game going. Last time they met the Giants lost the contested possession count by 20 and the tackle count by 22 – this will need to change if they are to win.
I look forward to see whether or not Bailey Dale can keep up his unbelievable form – he kicked five goals on Adelaide when it could’ve easily have been more. The ruck battle will be intriguing to watch. Tim English has a ton more athleticism on Shane Mumford, but he’ll have him beat on physicality by a country mile. It’ll be very interesting to see how Luke Beveridge can combat that in the ruck.