Scraggers
05-07-2012, 03:27 PM
When and Where
Sunday 8 July, 2.40pm (WST),
Patersons Stadium (formally Subiaco Oval)
Odds
Fremantle $1.16
Western Bulldogs $5.25
Last time they met
(Etihad) Round 24, 3 Sept 2011 WBFC 15.17 (107) def. FFC 8.13 (61)
Boyd 35 disposals, Hall 5 goals
(send-off game for Barry Hall, Mitch Hahn, & The People’s Beard)
Previous 5 games head to head
(Pattersons) Round 5, 25 April 2011 FFC 12.13 (85) def. WBFC 11.12 (78)
Boyd 45 disposals, Sherman 4 goals … Bradley 4 goals
(Etihad) Round 17, 25 July 2010 WBFC 24.14 (158) def. FFC 12.4 (76)
Cooney 36 disposals, Hall 4 goals … Pavlich 4 goals
(Etihad) Round 18, 1 Aug 2009 WBFC 17.9 (111) def. FFC 11.14 (80)
Cross 35 disposals, Akermanis 5 goals
(Subiaco) Round 1, 29 Mar 2009 FFC 13.16 (94) def. by WBFC 25.7 (157)
Boyd & Gilbee 33 disposals, Hahn 5 goals
(Subiaco) Round 8, 18 May 2008 FFC 17.9 (111) def. by WBFC 17.12 (114)
Johnson 5 goals … Bell 34 disposals, Pavlich 4 goals
Form leading in
Bulldogs (14th) L L W L L
Fremantle (13th) L L W L L
Fremantle
Fremantle were comprehensively beaten last week by Collingwood (although the scoreboard was a lot kinder). They have been hit by injury again this year, Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands their biggest exclusions, but are set to get a few names back this week. They have had a tough six weeks of footy; their last win against Richmond at the MCG, but Ross Lyon says the best football is just around the corner. Lyon predicts their next two months of football will be their best for the year (considering their next four games are against us, Melbourne, GWS and Port Adelaide, he may be right).
Western Bulldogs
Having lost 3 out of last four matches by an average of 13 goals, McCartney says he is “filthy” about the way we are playing … and “disappointed” by what we are dishing up. This game gives the players a chance to actually stand up and show us what ‘intestinal fortitude’ they have.
I hope he is right, but I’m not so sure … I think we will be competitive for a while, falling away in the last (PLEASE prove me wrong !!)
Selection Table
Fremantle :- Zac Dawson, Stephen Hill, and Anthony Morabito are all possible inclusions with likely outs Lachie Neale (ankle), Hayden Crozier (glandular fever), and Alex Silvani (not up to AFL level).
(just as an aside, if Morabito doesn’t come in, look out for Cam Sutcliffe … he’s been racking up the numbers in the WAFL for East Fremantle … Go Sharks …, last week getting 34 disposals, 8 marks, and two goals.)
Western Bulldogs :- Mitch Wallis, Ayce Cordy, Mark Austin definitely coming in (according to McCartney) with likely outs Bob Murphy (hamstring), Dylan Addison (broken jaw), and a tall (please don’t play 3 rucks)
Key Matchups
Boyd V Crowley
Regardless of our results over the last five weeks, Matthew has been getting a lot of the ball. Crowley will go to him. Crowley has been playing the tagger role (very well) all year to the detriment of his own game. He will be given the job on Boyd … If Boyd uses the ball well, this will be a big win for us.
Lake V Pavlich
Pavlich has found form over the last four weeks, kicking 17 goals, and unfortunately he always seems to lift his performance against us. Even though I think Lake will get him to start with, I don’t think Brian has the wheels to go with Pavlich all day; I wouldn’t be surprised if Austin goes to him at some stage … either way Pavlich will need to be quelled if we are to stand any chance.
Griffen V Hill
Griffen copped a knock on the calf last week, but McCartney said he’ll be right to go this week. I think Stephen Hill will go to him to try and subdue his influence … This match up (if Hill plays) will have all supporters licking their lips. The two players have fantastic speed and superior ball use. Although I think this will be a win for us, I think Griffen will have his influence restricted (by both Hill and calf).
Minson V Clarke / Griffin
Minson has shown us all what he is capable of. In a poor season, he has been one of the shining lights. Given the fact that Sandilands is out injured, you would think this would be an easy win for Minson. But both Clarke and Griffin have stepped up over the last three weeks. Wil will have his hands full with these two, but should come out on top.
Lower V Picken
Lower who is an in-and-under type player, has had a purple patch (if you’ll pardon the pun) for Freo. We will need to stop his influence early as he is a ‘confidence’ player (a lot like Clay Smith) who improves throughout the game with more and more ball use. I think Picken will go to him and try to muscle him early … it might cost a a few free kicks early, but playing him rough might be the way to go.
Conclusion
In recent visits the Western Bulldogs have proved that Patterson Stadium is no hoodoo ground; but we will have to have all of the planets align to get over the Dockers this Sunday. The likely inclusions of Hill and Morabito is no coincidence; the pace they bring to the team will (I feel) prove the difference in the end.
Verdict
I think we will be competitive for three quarters and be run over in the last … my predictions (unfortunately) Freo by 26 points
Sunday 8 July, 2.40pm (WST),
Patersons Stadium (formally Subiaco Oval)
Odds
Fremantle $1.16
Western Bulldogs $5.25
Last time they met
(Etihad) Round 24, 3 Sept 2011 WBFC 15.17 (107) def. FFC 8.13 (61)
Boyd 35 disposals, Hall 5 goals
(send-off game for Barry Hall, Mitch Hahn, & The People’s Beard)
Previous 5 games head to head
(Pattersons) Round 5, 25 April 2011 FFC 12.13 (85) def. WBFC 11.12 (78)
Boyd 45 disposals, Sherman 4 goals … Bradley 4 goals
(Etihad) Round 17, 25 July 2010 WBFC 24.14 (158) def. FFC 12.4 (76)
Cooney 36 disposals, Hall 4 goals … Pavlich 4 goals
(Etihad) Round 18, 1 Aug 2009 WBFC 17.9 (111) def. FFC 11.14 (80)
Cross 35 disposals, Akermanis 5 goals
(Subiaco) Round 1, 29 Mar 2009 FFC 13.16 (94) def. by WBFC 25.7 (157)
Boyd & Gilbee 33 disposals, Hahn 5 goals
(Subiaco) Round 8, 18 May 2008 FFC 17.9 (111) def. by WBFC 17.12 (114)
Johnson 5 goals … Bell 34 disposals, Pavlich 4 goals
Form leading in
Bulldogs (14th) L L W L L
Fremantle (13th) L L W L L
Fremantle
Fremantle were comprehensively beaten last week by Collingwood (although the scoreboard was a lot kinder). They have been hit by injury again this year, Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands their biggest exclusions, but are set to get a few names back this week. They have had a tough six weeks of footy; their last win against Richmond at the MCG, but Ross Lyon says the best football is just around the corner. Lyon predicts their next two months of football will be their best for the year (considering their next four games are against us, Melbourne, GWS and Port Adelaide, he may be right).
Western Bulldogs
Having lost 3 out of last four matches by an average of 13 goals, McCartney says he is “filthy” about the way we are playing … and “disappointed” by what we are dishing up. This game gives the players a chance to actually stand up and show us what ‘intestinal fortitude’ they have.
I hope he is right, but I’m not so sure … I think we will be competitive for a while, falling away in the last (PLEASE prove me wrong !!)
Selection Table
Fremantle :- Zac Dawson, Stephen Hill, and Anthony Morabito are all possible inclusions with likely outs Lachie Neale (ankle), Hayden Crozier (glandular fever), and Alex Silvani (not up to AFL level).
(just as an aside, if Morabito doesn’t come in, look out for Cam Sutcliffe … he’s been racking up the numbers in the WAFL for East Fremantle … Go Sharks …, last week getting 34 disposals, 8 marks, and two goals.)
Western Bulldogs :- Mitch Wallis, Ayce Cordy, Mark Austin definitely coming in (according to McCartney) with likely outs Bob Murphy (hamstring), Dylan Addison (broken jaw), and a tall (please don’t play 3 rucks)
Key Matchups
Boyd V Crowley
Regardless of our results over the last five weeks, Matthew has been getting a lot of the ball. Crowley will go to him. Crowley has been playing the tagger role (very well) all year to the detriment of his own game. He will be given the job on Boyd … If Boyd uses the ball well, this will be a big win for us.
Lake V Pavlich
Pavlich has found form over the last four weeks, kicking 17 goals, and unfortunately he always seems to lift his performance against us. Even though I think Lake will get him to start with, I don’t think Brian has the wheels to go with Pavlich all day; I wouldn’t be surprised if Austin goes to him at some stage … either way Pavlich will need to be quelled if we are to stand any chance.
Griffen V Hill
Griffen copped a knock on the calf last week, but McCartney said he’ll be right to go this week. I think Stephen Hill will go to him to try and subdue his influence … This match up (if Hill plays) will have all supporters licking their lips. The two players have fantastic speed and superior ball use. Although I think this will be a win for us, I think Griffen will have his influence restricted (by both Hill and calf).
Minson V Clarke / Griffin
Minson has shown us all what he is capable of. In a poor season, he has been one of the shining lights. Given the fact that Sandilands is out injured, you would think this would be an easy win for Minson. But both Clarke and Griffin have stepped up over the last three weeks. Wil will have his hands full with these two, but should come out on top.
Lower V Picken
Lower who is an in-and-under type player, has had a purple patch (if you’ll pardon the pun) for Freo. We will need to stop his influence early as he is a ‘confidence’ player (a lot like Clay Smith) who improves throughout the game with more and more ball use. I think Picken will go to him and try to muscle him early … it might cost a a few free kicks early, but playing him rough might be the way to go.
Conclusion
In recent visits the Western Bulldogs have proved that Patterson Stadium is no hoodoo ground; but we will have to have all of the planets align to get over the Dockers this Sunday. The likely inclusions of Hill and Morabito is no coincidence; the pace they bring to the team will (I feel) prove the difference in the end.
Verdict
I think we will be competitive for three quarters and be run over in the last … my predictions (unfortunately) Freo by 26 points