A couple of weeks ago, I brought in one of my co-hosts from the A3 Footy Podcast to talk about his club against my club. The result was a couple of nice little collaboration pieces and some positive feedback about the format.
Now it’s time to introduce the last third of the group, and this young man supports the club that have won two of the last three premierships. They are also the Western Bulldogs' opposition for Wednesday night - the Richmond Tigers.
Alex Miller speaks very well for himself every episode and has a good knowledge of the game and he has joined me in collaborating this week’s preview and review of the game between the Bulldogs and the Tigers.
Below is what we have both come up with for our respective sides.
The Form Guide
Western Bulldogs: The Bulldogs have won four of the past five, which is a pretty good month and a bit of football. The one loss was a bad one, but most of the wins have come against opposition that will be thereabouts at the pointy end of the season. Last week’s win against the Gold Coast came on the back of sheer grit and determination. The Suns dominated the second quarter as they pressed the Dogs to the point they struggled to get the ball out of defensive 50. But for all that, the defence only conceded one goal out of it.
The Dogs got their opportunities to strike and made the most of them, but full credit to the Gold Coast, because they didn’t quit and didn’t stop fighting towards the end. We haven’t had a close win like that in a little while, so I think and hope that will hold the group in good stead in the future. They know they can hold firm defensively in crunch time situations.
Richmond: The Western Bulldogs will serve as a big test for the Tigers, as they will look to bounce back from last week's loss to Greater Western Sydney. While the last month has shown a good result of 3-1 the wins have come versus “lesser” opponents to some extent with wins agents Melbourne, Sydney and North Melbourne. Last week's loss would have been disappointing for both the team and supporters alike, 6.14 in very good conditions was a result of the Tigers shooting themselves in the foot. I thought the defence did a good overall and with some premiership talent to come back into the fold over the next few weeks should be make things a bit more optimistic.
Last Time They Met
Western Bulldogs: Last time the Bulldogs played the Tigers, it was dubbed as the ‘Aaron Naughton Show’ as the big man broke through with a game for the ages. He would take a staggering nine contested marks, which sits equal-second all-time for contested marks in a game. He would also kick 5.3 and take the three Brownlow votes as the Bulldogs won in very comfortable fashion. They started slow and missed some early opportunities, but not long after the quarter time break, Naughton turned it on with three goals in the opening eight minutes of the second quarter.
Marcus Bontempelli had a very good game, with many of his 27 touches hitting targets. He also kicked three goals himself and was perhaps not too far behind Naughton as the best on ground. This would’ve also been Josh Dunkley’s first game in the middle for the year and he caused a lot of problems in the middle with his 35 disposals, as did Jack Macrae, who played one of his many standout games. Caleb Daniel was at his brilliant best down back, mopping up everything down back and moving it out swiftly and effectively.
Richmond: The last time the Tigers and Bulldogs faced off was round seven last season, which feels like a lifetime ago now. A Saturday night clash I have tried to whip from my mind but as I recall we clearly got outplayed by an impressive Dogs outfit, the score was Western Bulldogs 15.9 99 defeating the Richmond Tigers 7.10 52
The Dogs dominated the game with both Caleb Daniel and Jackson Macrae having 36 touches - I remember Daniel in particular was outstanding dominating the tempo of the game and his excellent use of the ball with 6 tackles and 390 meters gained from driving out of the back half to set up the Dogs. Josh Dunkley also was fabulous with 35 disposals 8 tackles 8 marks and 5 clearances, and of course, Marcus Bontempelli along with Aaron Naughton were in peak form with Naughton himself kicking 5 goals 16 disposals and a huge tally of 14 marks and dominated the air and score board.
We had an off night, but a few Tigers that I believed held their own were the likes of Dustin Martin and Kane Lambert, who were solid in the middle, whilst Liam Baker could hold his head high with a strong performance down back. All in all, the Bulldogs dominated the game and on the stats sheet and deserved the win.
Our Predicted Team Changes
Western Bulldogs: IN: Toby McLean, Sam Lloyd OUT: Cal Porter, Laitham Vandermeer
Only one out has been confirmed so far, with debutant Cal Porter to miss this week. He hurt his shoulder during last week’s win over the Suns and whilst he played out the match, it’s not worth the risk leading into a block of four games in the space of three weeks.
Considering that there will be some bodies that will be sore from Thursday night, Luke Beveridge might make a few changes to rest some of the younger boys. Patrick Lipinski was solid on the stats sheet, but looked a bit fatigued at various points, Laitham Vandermeer has had a quiet couple of weeks and Ed Richards had just the eight disposals on Thursday night. I can see any of the three listed there given a spell for Port Adelaide next week.
Toby McLean needs to come back into the team after tearing up the scratch match and Sam Lloyd got through his first outing coming back from a shoulder injury with flying colours - I think they’ll find themselves back in the team this week.
I was thinking about Billy Gowers after Thursday night, and as much as I want him out of the team, I think he keeps his spot and tries to work on one of Richmond’s talls. With Naughton still a few weeks away and Josh Schache out this week for concussion, it leaves Josh Bruce as the sole key forward and he will get eaten alive by Dylan Grimes and Noah Balta. Gowers does play a bit taller for his actual size, and if he can keep his aggression under control, he could play a handy role.
Richmond: IN: Ross, Stack and Cotchin
OUT: Rioli, Mcintosh and Pickett
Toby Nankervis and Dion Prestia and still both 3-6 weeks off with ankle injuries still. Josh Caddy is 4-6 weeks off with a hamstring strain he got in the North Melbourne game. But the captain Trent Cotchin is set to return for the Tigers, David Astbury has had a set back and wont return for at least another week, Sydney Stack looks also to return to the team after getting back into shape after a lack of pre-season, so hopefully he can work back into form on Wednesday night.
Our Own Players In Form
Western Bulldogs: It's easy to point at the likes of Tim English, Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith, but our defence has been one of the biggest strengths this season. The addition of Alex Keath has enabled the likes of Easton Wood, Zaine Cordy and Hayden Crozier to play with a bit more freedom and the result has payed off massive dividends. Wood has shown plenty of glimpses that remind me of his 2015 year, Crozier is playing some of his best footy and Cordy doesn’t have to battle the forwards that are nine or ten metres taller or 10 kilos heavier, and because of that, he’s winning a lot more one-on-ones or getting the ball to ground. On top of that, the runners in Caleb Daniel and Jason Johannisen are playing some scintillating footy.
I’ve also been wanting to talk about the renaissance of Bailey Williams, who will actually play his 50th game on Wednesday night. As a late draft pick in 2015, there was always a bit of potential about him. Often a brilliant user of the footy and an elite runner, he always found himself in and out of the side over the years and couldn’t break into the side in the second half of last year, but he has played every game this year and is averaging some solid numbers over the last month: 14.5 disposals, 6.2 rebound 50s and 3.5 marks per game, he’s found a role in this team and is playing it to perfection.
Richmond: Dustin Martin was elite last week with 2 goals, 23 disposals, 9 clearance, 506 meters gained along with 8 inside 50s and 7 score involvements he single-handedly kept us in the game and played his heart out, moved around the ground very well and his ball use was best on the ground. Shai Bolton I believe has been one of the best players this year, I am still unsure why he was dropped a few weeks back, his last month in particular has been fantastic for the Tigers since he’s been included in the midfield group. It has also been great to see that he is still impacting the scoreboard each week, against the Giants he had 1 goal, 19 disposals, 5 clearances , 6 inside 50s and 7 score involvements.
Kane Lambert, despite being tagged out last week, has been another player that is in very good form, Lambert last year made the all Australian 40 squad for his for his hard running on defence was a highlight, we have seen him take a high half forward role even with the injuries to Cotchin and Prestia, coach Damien Hardwick has opted for a young core in the midfield.
Noah Balta and Derek Eggmolesse-Smith have been good inclusions with the current injury crisis, Balta has been great since taking up the full back spot since David Astbury has been out, doing great lockdown roles doing an elite job on Ben Brown from North Melbourne in particular, Eggmolesse-Smith has been a good user off half back, with a lovely left foot and still only 22 year old will get better week after week. Both players have played less than 20 games for their careers: Eggmolesse-Smith the five games and Balta having played 17
Opposition To Look Out For
Western Bulldogs: Watching Richmond play GWS last Friday night, Dustin Martin was looking back to his best in the second half after a quiet start. From the games I’ve seen this year, he looks to have lacked the impact in games he would have in recent years. Is he carrying something? You’d hope not, to say he’s one of their most important players would be a bulging understatement.
For those in form, I’ve been quietly marveling over the game of Shai Bolton the past few weeks. With the likes of Prestia and Cotchin out and injured over the past few weeks, someone has had to stand up and it’s been this guy, who has often played on the outside and showed flashes of brilliance. In the past few weeks, he has been fantastic, winning contested ball and clearances and showing that he can add another string to his bow. He’ll be important for the Tigers winning the midfield battle.
Richmond: The Dogs are looking to push on after the win against the Suns last week. Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith and Marcus Bontempelli are the three men in the midfield that are playing extremely well. Macrae has been amazing all season long, Smith has improved game after game and looks to be the best second year player around so good inside and out and Bontempelli has been elite all season and has been really outstanding providing goals to his game for the Dogs.
I am huge fan of the half backs Bailey Williams and Hayden Crozier, Williams in particular has build on his very good form game after game and lastly Alex Keath what a pick-up he has been, week in week out he does a very good job as an intercept player with a great set of hands and leads the Dogs back six and makes it as strong as it's ever been.
What To Expect
Western Bulldogs: Well even though Richmond have an injury-hit roster, I expect them to make a fist of things in the middle. It is expected that Cotchin will come back and will add some added power into the midfield, you’d hope so, otherwise the Bulldogs mids could do what they like. I am half expecting the Dogs to tire as the contest progresses. Any game played in the pouring rain and is as tough and physical like that gets me nervous for the following week. I think back to 2015 when we beat the Swans in the pouring rain and then choked away a 55-point lead to St. Kilda the following week.
This one might not be a pretty game, but I expect some of the more experienced heads at the Bulldogs to hold firm and record win number six for the season. The biggest concern I have is the forward line, Vlastuin and Grimes have been in fine intercepting form over the past month and Noah Balta has done a good job in curtailing the likes of established forwards in Ben Brown and Jeremy Cameron in recent weeks and I expect him to get the job on Bruce to start.
Jack Riewoldt has been under a lot of pressure this season as he has been one of many key forwards failing to perform. And with Tom Lynch playing with a broken hand, he hasn’t stepped up the way he or Richmond supporters would like. Who Keath goes to first might be telling, but that’s if Richmond get the game on their terms. If they get the ball inside 50 in deep and quick, then as it showed against Carlton a few weeks ago, that’s where the Doggies are at their most vulnerable.
Western Bulldogs to win by 27 points.
Richmond: This clash is expecting to deliver some real high quality footy. With both teams gunning for finals it will be a test for both groups, the Bulldogs sit 6th and the Tigers sit 9th respectively so both teams need this win for their respective clubs. The Dogs are 4-1 over the last 5 games and the Tigers are 3-2 so both clubs are in decent form.
I believe this contest will be won and lost in the midfield and the clearance numbers will dictate the game, the Dogs in theory should dominate the middle as they have a stronger group, also which ever team takes their chances, efficiency in the forward will be key as well, kicking a good score will be key, if the Tigers can get the amount of scoring chances as last week, but instead flip the script and kick straight and continue to play as they where but just improve our conversion.
Marlion Pickett is a player that needs to pick it up this week. He hasn’t really build on his amazing grand final last year, I only really see him in the fold at the moment because of the midfield injuries at the moment, I would rather see some of the younger players like Patty Naish, Jack Ross, Thomasin Dow or Riley Collier-Dawkins get games whilst the mainstays are out.
Jack Riewoldt as he knows, is not the player he use to be and the Tiger faithful aren’t expecting him to kick four or five goals on a weekly basis. We just need more than what he has offered this year, he is impacting marking contest but just not hitting the scoreboard at all. And with Lynch battling a broken hand, he knows he needs to lift his game again.
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