2nd SEMI FINAL - MATCH PREVIEW - DOGS v SWANS

[Rocket Science]

Footnote: Not sure I was the ideal person to cobble this together...I'm decidely out of love with the Dogs right now so that might explain the sombre tone.

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2008 AFL SEASON
2nd SEMI FINAL - MATCH PREVIEW:

WESTERN BULLDOGS (3rd) versus SYDNEY SWANS (6th)
MCG, Friday 12th September, 7:50pm

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WHEN THEY LAST MET:

Round 18, 2008 Home and Away Season
Manuka Oval, Sunday 3rd August

Bulldogs: 17.11.113
Swans: 14.13.97

Looking to regroup after their first consecutive losses (GEE, CARL) for season 2008, the then 2nd placed Bulldogs were jumped early by the switched on 4th placed Swans, conceding four quickfire majors before the echos of the starting siren had scarcely left the vicinity...However the visitors would respond in emphatic fashion after the first break courtesy of an eight goal to one 2nd stanza, the spurt transforming a 13 point quarter time deficit into a 28 point half time advantage, and thus laying the foundation for an eventual 16 point triumph despite being outscored by the dogged Swans in three of four quarters and a 27-to-15 disparity in the free kick count.

Jarrad McVeigh was left largely unmolested for the afternoon, the hunter-come-hunted midfielder proving instrumental for the Swans, booting a career-high six goals en route to 26 disposals, and was ably assisted by Ryan O'Keefe (team-high 28 possessions), Barry Hall (3 goals) and rookie mid Craig Bird who racked up a career-high 23 touches...Meanwhile for the victors new arrival Scott Welsh chimed in with a season-high five goals, plucky skipper Brad Johnson booted four, while Bulldog quartet Cross, Cooney, Hargrave and Boyd were busy, all enjoying games of 20 or more touches.

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RECENT FORMLINE: PREVIOUS FIVE OUTINGS

BULLDOGS
LOSS vs Hawks (51 points - 2nd Qualifying Final)
LOSS vs Crows (9 points - Round 22)
WIN vs Bombers (46 points - Round 21)
LOSS vs Lions (11 points - Round 20)
LOSS vs Kangaroos (20 points - Round 19)

SWANS
WIN vs Kangaroos (35 points - 2nd Elimination Final)
WIN vs Lions (61 points - Round 22)
LOSS vs Magpies (45 points - Round 21)
LOSS vs Cats (39 points - Round 20)
WIN vs Dockers (4 points - Round 19)


THEIR LAST OUTING: BULLDOGS

2008 2nd Qualifying Final
MCG, Friday 5th September

Bulldogs: 11.10.76
Hawks: 18.19.127

Recap: The nervy Bulldogs were scarcely in the opening contest of the 2008 AFL Finals series, wilting in the face of an organised and tenacious Hawthorn squad, whom the Dogs' convincingly accounted for earlier in the season, but which this time around cruised to a comprehensive 51 point victory to claim a preliminary final berth.

Precocious Hawk Lance Franklin terrorised the Dogs with an 8 goal haul, while spare-parts man Michael Osborne proved a handy foil, bobbing up with four majors. Midfielders Sam Mitchell (30 touches) and Brad Sewell (31 touches) powered the Hawthorn engine room and Luke Hodge was prolific off half back with his incisive run and carry...By contrast, the Dogs had few winners on the evening, their game characterised by turnovers, hesitancy with and without the football, and structural disarray. Ryan Griffen and a miscast Daniel Cross toiled hard with little reward, while Brian Lake and Dale Morris did their best to hold an increasingly penetrable fort in the face of largely unencumbered Hawk forays forward, which goes some way toward explaning how the Dogs fell to their 2nd heaviest defeat of the year.

Bulldogs' Best: Griffen, Cross, Giansiracusa, Harris, Cooney

THEIR LAST OUTING: SWANS

2008 2nd Elimination Final
Homebush Stadium, Saturday 6th September

Swans: 17.8.110
Kangaroos: 11.9.75

Recap: Despite sub-par recent form and early problems versus the Roos by way of a four goal to one opening term, the Swans emerged a galvanised outfit after half time, outscoring the Roos 13 goals to 5 throughout the 2nd half to emerge with a steely 35 point win, staving off elimination while putting to bed the Roos' 2008 campaign.

It was Sydney's old guard who engineered the come-from-behind win with gritty captain Brett Kirk leading the way (23 disposals, 8 tackles) along with fellow in-and-under types Jarrad McVeigh (25 touches) and Jude Bolton (17 touches, 11 tackles), while Adam Goodes, Barry Hall and freshman Kieren Jack contributed 3 goals apiece to help wrest control from the Roos who struggled to find regular avenues to goal and ultimately fell away badly when it mattered most.

Swans' Best: McVeigh, O'Keefe, Kirk, Hall, Richards

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SELECTION TABLE:

BULLDOGS:

Injured duo Scott West and Tom Williams head up the unavailable list for the Dogs, while hard-nut utility Dylan Addison has missed the past six games through injury and despite a recent return to gameday action for Williamstown his chances of a sudden recall appear remote...or do they?

The Dogs' recent slide has many wondering about the club's pre and mid-season conditioning policy, and its resultant effect on team energy levels and general player wellbeing in the latter stages of the season. To what extent lacklustre individual and collective form can be attributed to workload is up for debate.

Despite lacing them up against the Hawks last Friday eve, veteran recruit Ben Hudson sat out two of the club's final four home and away contests and appears to be playing with reduced capacity. Although, hampered or not it's inconceivable the Dogs would consider entering the fray versus the hard-nut Swans without the services of their meat-n-potatoes ruckman. If Hudson registers a pulse, he'll play...Likewise, despite heavy knocks incurred by prime movers Lindsay Gilbee (corked hip) and Robert Murphy (bruised knee) versus Hawthorn, both are believed certanties to line up versus Sydney, while rugged forward Mitch Hahn (ribs) will also be expected to soldier on.

Turning to possible form-related changes, few Bulldogs would be feeling safe in the wake of the capitulation to Hawthorn but some may have more cause for concern than others. Is it too late in the year and the stakes too high for drastic measures at the selection table? If not, an army of fingers continue to point in the direction of runners Nathan Eagleton and heir apparent Farren Ray, while fellow regular Scott Welsh who has just four goals from his last five games, has been increasingly invisible for a player recruited to help keep the scoreboard ticking over.

However, failing a slash and burn policy at the selection table, fringe players Shaun Higgins, Tim Callan and Jarrod Harbrow may bear the brunt of the coach's ire. The burning question's are, (a) is this the safe, or the smart option?, and (b) are their potential replacements likely to contribute anything greater?...The cupboard's looking increasingly bare.

In what might be the overstatement of the year, those deemed to have the 'strongest' claims for selection include Andrejs Everitt, Cam Wight, Stephen Tiller, Callan Ward, and Wayde Skipper, whose combined finals experience amounts to the grand sum of two games.

The rangy Everitt has struggled mightily in year two of his AFL career, while Wight's early season blunders when with the senior side appear to have sealed his fate. On paper, both have the sort of physical attributes the Dogs appear to crave, but in light of what they've demonstrated this year can either be trusted with everything on the line?...Tiller, who effectively replaced Wight during the 2nd half of the season also produced unsettled football and has yet to find his ideal spot in the greater team structure, while too much shouldn't be expected of '08 debutante Ward who'll give this team plenty, but not this year.

Furthermore, none of the aforementioned quintet have been what you might call 'standouts' at the lower level in recent weeks.

Other longshots who may garner attention if the coach is feeling particularly desperate are single-gamer Sam Reid, young mid Easton Wood who's performing solidly at VFL level but is yet to debut for the Dogs, and out of favour beanpole Peter Street.

If any of this trio burst through the banner on Friday night, you'll know preparations for Season 2009 are well underway.

SWANS:

Swans coach Paul Roos has publically declared forward Michael O'Loughlin a non-starter due to an ongoing ankle injury, while ex-Cat Henry Playfair who's been missing from the Sydney lineup since Round 18, has recently been pronounced fit but also appears on the outs after a so-so year (10 goals) and appears unlikely to squeeze back into the lineup at this late stage.

Rookie Craig Bird, who has played 21 of 22 home and away games in 2008 has also overcome recent injury concerns and in light of his strong showing versus the Dogs in Round 18 could be in contention for a recall to the senior side, but might be hard pressed dislodging someone given the Swans' impressive elimination final triumph...One who may be forced to make way in that event is fringe player Luke Ablett who reportedly received a heavy knock to his shoulder versus North, while the spots of chronological opposites Peter Everitt and rookie Pat Veszpremi may also come under some scrutiny.

The form of running half back Nick Malceski has sagged of late, attracting questions about his fitness and immediate spot in the senior side. Malceski, who overcame a serious knee injury to debut in Round 8 this year, missed six of the Swans' last eight home and away outings and appears limited in his capablities, gathering just 10 disposals in the recent win against the Kangaroos. If fit, he's a key player, but if not the Swans may opt for a more able bodied replacement.

Another potential inclusion is tall utility Heath Grundy who played 10 senior games this season including the Swans' last 7 home and away games before being omitted for last week's elimination final.

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2008 STATISTICAL COMPARISON:

Individual Statistical Leaders:

BULLDOGS
Possessions: Daniel Cross (612) - 5th leaguewide
Kicks: Daniel Giansiracusa (309)
Handballs: Daniel Cross (390) - 1st leaguewide
Marks: Robert Murphy (182) - 5th leaguewide
Goals: Brad Johnson (48)
Tackles: Daniel Cross (106)
Frees For: Daniel Cross (49)
Frees Against: Will Minson (41) - 5th leaguewide

SWANS
Possessions: Brett Kirk (517)
Kicks: Ryan O'Keefe (294)
Handballs: Brett Kirk (270)
Marks: Ted Richards (150)
Goals: Barry Hall (37)
Tackles Brett Kirk (146) - 1st leaguewide
Frees For: Jude Bolton (37)
Frees Against: Darren Jolly (40) - 6th leaguewide

Team Statistical Averages Per Round:

BULLDOGS:
Disposals: 377 (2nd leaguewide)
Kicks: 216 (2nd)
Handballs: 161 (6th)
Marks: 111 (3rd)
Goals: 16.6 (2nd)
Tackles: 50 (14th)

SWANS:
Disposals: 334 (14th leaguewide)
Kicks: 192 (11th)
Handballs: 142 (13th)
Marks: 97 (11th)
Goals: 13.9 (11th)
Tackles: 60 (2nd)

[Rocket Science]

DID YOU KNOW?

- If selected, the Bulldogs' Robert Murphy will rack up his 150 game milestone this Friday eve.

- The Bulldogs and Swans have opposed eachother on 143 occasions, with the Dogs holding a narrow 73-to-69 advantage over their north of the border foes, in addition to one draw...However the two clubs have faced off at the MCG just once previously, resulting in the Dogs' memorable 35 point qualifying final win in 1997.

- By virtue of successive home and away wins over the Swans in 2008 the Dogs broke a five-year old hoodoo versus the club, having previously failed to register a victory over Sydney during any of the 2003-to-2007 seasons inclusive while racking up an average losing margin of 35 points during that span.

- Not only have the Swans lost their previous three games at the MCG by an average margin of 31 points, but they enjoy just a 35.5 all time winning percentage at the ground, with 50 wins from 141 encounters...By comparison, they hold a more flattering 55.5 winning percentage at the SCG.

- The Swans are participating in a club record 6th consecutive finals series in 2008.

- Since the existing finals format began in 2000, only two teams that have lost qualifying finals in week one, have lost again in semi-finals in week two: Port Adelaide (beaten by Hawthorn) in 2001, and West Coast (beaten by Collingwood) last season.

- This match pits the AFL's 2nd ranked attack (Dogs: 2506 points for) versus the league's 4th ranked defence (Swans: 1863 points against).

- Stretching back to their round 16 loss to Geelong, the Bulldogs have failed to win more than two quarters of football in any of their past 7 matches...A feat they previously managed to achieve on 9 of 15 occasions this season.

- Sydney's 2008 home and away campaign parallels that of the Dogs in some respects whereby a strong first half preceded flagging fortunes in the 2nd half...The Swans went undefeated through 10 of their first 13 encounters, only to win just 3 of their following nine, while the Dogs remained undefeated in 13 of 15 before slumping to just 2 wins from their next 7.

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WHERE THEY'RE AT:

BULLDOGS:

We learned last Friday that favourable recent outings against an opponent count for little in the heat of the September cauldron, and it's a lesson the reeling Dogs must heed this week in order to salvage their season.

This year's dual home and away victories over the Swans are memories as distant as the Dogs' irrepressible but seemingly forgotten early season form. The double chance is the last remaining semblance of fruit from those earlier exploits, having since pissed away their form, their nerve, large chunks of their respect from those outside the club, and not insignificant amounts of goodwill from those within. It remains to be seen whether they do likewise with their remaining opportunity to atone.

Doing so will constitute a mammoth team-wide undertaking for a club living with an elephant in the room they tried their best to politely ignore for the better part of two months before it finally became restless and embarked on a destructive rampage last Friday night.

Yet as long as they're still alive, the club must resist the urge to obsess about what's gone wrong and expend its energies on rediscovering what needs to go right.

SWANS:

If it's any consolation to the Dogs, the Swans also know a thing or two about going off the rails. But what might be of more comfort to the Dogs, or alternately less, is that the Swans feel they're back on track. If this is genuinely the case, it might serve as an instructive example of what's possible if one perseveres...or alternately cold comfort in that the Swans look back in town while the Dogs are still stuck in the sticks.

Once a virtual lock for an all-valuable top-four finish, the Swans stumbled in the home stretch culminating in an eventual 6th place finish, forcing the club to kick off their finals campaign fighting for their collective lives. Like the Dogs, the critics have been out for the Swans of late...too old, too slow, had their day. But rather than shrink in the face of adversity the battle hardened club resurrected the sort of fortitude that has seen it compete in six straight finals series, running over the top of another club not short on character themselves, the Kangaroos, thus earning another chance to progress against a younger, greener, less seasoned opponent who's seemingly on the ropes and simply awaiting the inevitable knockout blow.

So, what's not to like about Sydney's chances this Friday night?

[Rocket Science]

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KEY DUELS:

HUDSON versus JOLLY
Jolly is perhaps the AFL's best performed ruckman you don't know about...He averages more hitouts per game (23) than any ruckman bar the dynamic duo of Cox and Sandilands, and is almost as active around the ground as his West Australian counterparts...Hudson's tap work pales in comparison, averaging just 13 hitouts per game, but his ability to win contested footy and bullock through packs to clear a path for his mids is invaluable to a team whose hard ball winning ability has been found wanting of late. With Hudson evidently labouring, countering Jolly looms as a hefty and not to mention pivotal task which could prove decisive as part of the broader midfield battle. The Dogs may be forced to rob Peter to pay Paul, extracting Minson from his key forward post in order to alleviate Hudson's workload.

HARRIS versus HALL
The volatile Sydney spearhead's been dogged by controversy this season but the distractions obscure the fact he's still a vital cog in the Swans' attack...In terms of goals per game in 2008 Hall ranks 9th leaguewide, equal or better than the likes of Riewoldt, Burton, Richardson and Mooney and appears in fairly good nick of late, snaring 3 or more goals in 5 of his past 6 outings...With O'Loughlin out the Swans will be even more determined to make use of Hall, hence the job of natural opponent Brian Harris, arguably the only Bulldog with the tools and the temperament to go with Hall, becomes crucial in helping to stifle the Swans' scoring abilities. Despite the stats, Harris wasn't entirely disgraced versus a rampant Franklin last week and while his disposal can be haphazard, his rebounding abilities are underrated, although his decision making and overall impact might be better served if Hall lingers closer to goal than further upfield.

COONEY versus MCVEIGH
The Dogs' coaching staff haven't made a habit of hard negating jobs on opposition mids of late so they're unlikely to begin now, opting for a freewheeling head-to-head approach which may ordinarily suit Cooney just fine, but he'll need to win enough of the ball and more importantly damage the opposition with it to make the trade-off worthwhile, particularly against a much improved McVeigh who's ignored solely at the Dogs' peril...Cooney, with 23 goals in 2008, is noted for his ability to go forward. Well his potential no frills opponent has him covered with 32 majors to his name. McVeigh also compares well with Cooney in goal assists (16 apiece) and inside 50's (67 to 70), so there should be no excuses for mystified looks in the coaches box if and when the Sydney #3 begins exerting his influence on the contest.

CROSS versus J.BOLTON
A scrappier, more displeasing to the eye donnybrook you could barely hope to imagine...Neither Cross nor Bolton accrue many style points nor likely have an NFL punting career ahead of them, but both excel at sacrificing tooth and nail for the greater
good. Cross (along with numerous armchair strategists) might be hoping he isn't employed to fill the hole in front of Hall, a la Franklin last week, but if asked again you know he wouldn't hesitate. However if ever there was a midfield brigade Cross was made for playing against, it's surely the in-and-under Swans...While not quite the prolific ball-winner Cross might be (Bolton averages 20 to Cross' 26 touches per game), Bolton arguably makes better use of his possessions, supplying his side with 97 inside 50's this season to Cross' 57. Nonetheless, the term 'hard ball' is likely to feature prominently in the wash-up of this contest and few amongst the 44 combatants involved boast an appetite for such like these two.

BOYD versus KIRK
Expect another no holds barred tussle through the middle likely measured more accurately in bruises rather than possessions. With the Swans' backs to the wall last weekend Kirk was inspirational in helping to drag his team over the line versus the Roos and has a lot to do with the newfound spring in Sydney's step. Expect Kirk to be at the bottom of every pack exerting his influence in places most Dogs' haven't really dared to venture of late...Boyd isn't one to shirk an issue, but like most of his compadres had his colours lowered versus the Hawks, participating freely in the turnover procession. It's unlikely Boyd will put together back-to-back shockers but while he's a little more polished than Kirk with the football he'll be expected help his team get their hands on it first to bring the Dogs' runners into the game.

MORRIS versus GOODES
Perhaps in response to the latter day absence of O'Loughlin, the supremely versatile Goodes has plied his trade as a forward of late, and to good effect, chiming in with goals in 9 of the Swans' last 11 games including 14 majors in his last 4 outings. Goodes naturally accrues less of the ball than he might further upfield but his combination of size, athleticism and smarts can pose considerable match-up issues...Enter Dale Morris who albeit slightly smaller in stature has the perfect physical tools to counter such an opponent. Despite his height, Goodes generates many of his scoring opportunities from ground level, where the nimble Morris can more than compete, however he should also be able to match Goodes in the air. On-paper attributes are one thing however and as usual Morris' fortunes partly rest on that of his midfield. Goodes is as talented as Morris is determined and this looms as a compelling battle...Alternately, should Goodes spend significant amounts of time through the midfield, the Dogs' don't have a ready-made opponent but may choose to deploy Cross or Boyd for periods.

HARGRAVE versus O'KEEFE
No longer does Ryan O'Keefe fly under the radar these days. Few work harder than the strong marking Swan who's become a leader both on-field and off, and is routinely amongst his clubs' best. O'Keefe ranks 17th leaguewide for inside 50's and is as adept at setting the table for teammates as he is of capitalising himself, although he could be more accurate in front of goal (23 goals, 25 behinds in 2008)...Hargrave has the engine to compete with O'Keefe but must be wary of his tendency for needless frees against, particularly in marking duels versus his stronger, aerially smarter opponent, where he may be prone to being exposed if repeatedly left one-out.

MURPHY versus C.BOLTON
The dynamic Murphy has enjoyed arguably his most influential season for the Dogs, no mean feat post-knee injury, but has visibly worn down during the 2nd half of the season curbing both his output and the team's. In cold hard terms Murph's accruing fewer touches, dragging in fewer marks, providing fewer inside 50's and vitally contributing fewer goals having notched just 9 majors over his past 11 games compared to 22 over his previous 11, but despite ebbing contributions still serves as a vital linkman for his club going forward and a difficult match-up for the best of opponents...He'll earn every touch he gets with accomplished stopper Craig Bolton riding shotgun all night and should the dogged Swan manage to quell Murphy's involvement it'll rob the Dogs' forward line of it's richest avenue of supply given Murphy leads his team for inside 50's (125).

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THE DOGS WILL WIN IF...

They can firstly shrug off the mental damage done by the last week and the last two months respectively.

Secondly, they can prevail if they somehow remember how to win their own ball, and then remember how to use it without placing it on a platter, garnish included, for the opposition.

Early season strides made in the clubs' contested possession work combined with bold and efficient ball use were reflected in results, while their sloppy 2nd half efforts in these areas saw comparable outcomes. Much has been made of team structure and available personnel but unless there's a teamwide re-commitment to these two cornerstone pursuits it won't matter who's playing where, the cause will be lost. This is particularly so versus the Swans, and doubly so in a cut throat final where appetite for the contest will be constantly tested.

To quash niggling doubts it's vital early opportunities are capitalised upon.

Nothing short of a teamwide lift in confidence and application is required. It's a big ask, but not beyond the realm of possibility.

THE SWANS WILL WIN IF...

They simply show up if the troubled Dogs' waltz out yet again having failed to shake their shellshocked trance. That scarcely requires mention.

However the Swans can also win even if the Dogs choose to compete with them on terms that suit the battle hardened Sydneysiders. It'll certainly make for a more absorbing contest if the Dogs roll their sleeves up, but it's also comfortable territory for the Swans who won't flinch in the face such a challenge. Winning that a battle will be the difference between a famine or a feast for the respective forward lines, and the key Swan forwards have the capacity to trouble the Dogs' defence in the air if granted one-out supply, and this tendency may be pressed home further should the likes of Jolly, Everitt and Richards drift forward.

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THE VERDICT:

Though not saying much the Dogs will certainly be better than they were a week ago. However it's been some time since the club fired it's best shots and a combination of the occasion, the timing and the opponent will prove too great a hurdle.

The Swans to win by 27 points to book a date with oblivion versus the Cats.

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[The Coon Dog]

^^^^

Its post like these that make this such a fantastic website. Great work RS & I think we all hear your pain. Hopefully this Friday night a win will bring the elixir we all crave.

[LostDoggy]

I have read this twice and its a vastly more consuming read than the footy records or the papers and I must thank you for your time and effort.
After reading all the match ups in the Swans forward line I think we don't have many other options than the ones that you have predicted. I particularly liked the Hargrave versus O'Keefe duel and in a round about way that might be the most critical one against the Swans forwards.
With all that in mind would would we look to bring in Everitt this week as someone capable of playing on both talls and smalls ?

[LostDoggy]

Great read, thanks

[BulldogBelle]

RS, great read & thanks for taking the time & effort to write that up. Good description on the match ups - heard Aker this evening on SEN and they were stirring him up about a possible match-up on his best buddy Crouch. Back slapping stuff. Still makes me laugh seeing Aker slap him accross the back.

Jus one thing I would change is the verdict - and make it Dogs by 27 points. ;)

[Mantis]

Good stuff RS.

Your tone is much the same as mine at present. The pricks have sucked the life out of us yet again, but I am sure come Friday night we will be as perky as ever just waiting for it to happen all over again.

I think last week I said that it was a massive test for us, well we failed that one miserably. It's hard to know how the group and the individuals within the group will bounce back. If we do we will ponder 'Why didn't we play like that last week' and if we don't it's just all doom and gloom.

Well onto the game...

We must, I mean must control the midfield. We need to at worst break even in the rucks. We need to win the hard ball and we have to dispose of it efficiently. We have to run, run, run and then run some more. Even if there is no reason, run to create, run to assist, run just because you can, just ******* run!!!

We had far too many good (I use that term loosely) midfielder's down last week and surely they can't put in two stinkers in a row, especially in finals, but who knows??

I suppose we need to wait to see what changes are made to see if the backline is strengthened, but it doesn't look like it so we will have to hope and pray that Morris, Lake and Hargrave can play out of their skins and that the forwards/ midfields apply enough pressure on their direct opponents.

I am almost certain we will play number's behind the ball again, but who fills this role is anyone's guess. I don't think Cross can fill the role again, he just isn't creative enough with the ball, but I am not sure who else we can use. We can't allow Hall, Goodes and co to have space to work.

Up forward we need Welsh, Johnson, Murphy and Hahn, pretty much the whole forwardline to have an impact. They need to compete strongly, take marks, chase, tackle, all the things we expect from experienced players.

Well that does it....I'm still not sure if we will win, I bloody hope so, but I awaiting the team selection's to see what sort of structural/ personnel changes we make before I decide.

C'mon Dogs... Show some fight!!!

[Beast]

Marvelous, amusing work of analysis RS.

[LostDoggy]

Brilliant well organised stuff with alot of detail and depth Rocket Science!- I'll repeat what others have said previously....these pregame reports should shame some of the so called media pundits. Would'nt be surprised if they plagiarise them quite regularly. And they get paid for it....

[bornadog]

A great read RS, enjoyed it all except the last sentance ie who will win:D

I think if the Swans try to stretch us, Hargrave will have to pick up the extra tall. Ray played on O'keefe last time and did well, do you see this happening again?

[Sedat]

Who do we match up on in Sydney's defence to create some genuine mis-matches? Apart from C Bolton, the rest of their backline has been very shaky this season. If we can bring it in quick enough (assuming we win our fair share of the midfield battle), I can see our mid sized forwards having a field day against the likes of Barry, Roberts-Thompson and Bevan. Plenty of scrutiny on our backline but I would back ours to a man compared to Sydney's any day of the week on form this season.

[Mantis]

Who do we match up on in Sydney's defence to create some genuine mis-matches? Apart from C Bolton, the rest of their backline has been very shaky this season. If we can bring it in quick enough (assuming we win our fair share of the midfield battle), I can see our mid sized forwards having a field day against the likes of Barry, Roberts-Thompson and Bevan. Plenty of scrutiny on our backline but I would back ours to a man compared to Sydney's any day of the week on form this season.

I thought the same against Hawthorn who's defence read's just as bad.

It didn't quite eventuate that way did it.

[Sedat]

I thought the same against Hawthorn who's defence read's just as bad.

It didn't quite eventuate that way did it.
Reckon you're selling Hawthorn's defence short. Whilst some of them aren't what you'd call tight checking, they have provided great rebound drive this season - Birchall, Ladson, Guerra, Gilham, Brown/Hodge and Croad represents a pretty fair backline, much stronger both on paper and in form than LRT, Barry, Malceski, Bevan, Kennelly and Crouch.

Hawks were smart to identify Gilham as not having a decent match-up against us, so they replaced him with another defensive small forward - C Stokes, Rioli and Osborne did a sensational job pressuring our defensive ball carriers on Friday night. You could tell they put a lot of work into preventing Gilbee and Hargy from creating as much as they normally do off half back.

[Mantis]

Reckon you're selling Hawthorn's defence short. Whilst some of them aren't what you'd call tight checking, they have provided great rebound drive this season - Birchall, Ladson, Guerra, Gilham, Brown/Hodge and Croad represents a pretty fair backline, much stronger both on paper and in form than LRT, Barry, Malceski, Bevan, Kennelly and Crouch.

But weren't you talking about our forwards being able to beat their opponents in duels when the ball comes inside our forwardline not about the rebound they provide?

If the ball had came into our forwardline with any sort of flow or precision last week we could have cut the Hawthorn defence to shreads, but it didn't. It came in hap-hazardly and the Hawthorn defence was made to look great. When we had clean ball (yeah it was rare) we actually looked ok.

I feel the same this week, difference being that the rebound wont be as good as Hawthorn mostly because Kennelly and Malceski are stuggling with injury.

[Twodogs]

We have to win. It's as simple as that.

[Go_Dogs]

Looks like a great read...you will keep me sane later tonight. Thank you.

[Twodogs]

I am almost certain we will play number's behind the ball again, but who fills this role is anyone's guess. I don't think Cross can fill the role again, he just isn't creative enough with the ball, but I am not sure who else we can use. We can't allow Hall, Goodes and co to have space to work.





Can I just keep screaming the name JOSH HILL at the top of my lungs. Yes the kids young but we have to take the L plates of him at some stage and to my eyes he's got all the tools to do this job. Good overhead mark, great anticipation, reads the play beautifully, brave and a good disposer of the ball via foot and hand.



We've got the right bloke in th team-lets play him in the hole.

[dog town]

We have sort of played on the counter attack against the swans in the last two encounters. We have had no trouble scoring when we ave managed to get the ball forward. They were both strange games this season and very similar in nature. Both times we blew them away with one quarter of dominance.

Cross and Kirk have basically nullified each other both times this season. Would happily settle for that again after seeing Kirk the other night.

I think we will stick to the same formula we have against them this season. We might have a few match up changes but thats about it. O'Keefe looms as the tough match up. Morris is needed deeper for this game and Hargrave is too valuable in an attacking sense to have him running up and down the ground after O'keefe. Ray played on him last time and while he has the engine O'Keefe still amassed 28 touches. That is too damaging from our point of view. It will be interesting to see if they stick with Ray or take a different approach. It might put Tiller or Everitt back in the selection frame even if they end up on Goodes.

[craigsahibee]

I've given up trying to work out what's going to happen.

Win the footy and run with the ball carrier to lend support AND PLAY INSTINCTIVELY.

It's a football game so let's act like footballers and play football.

[DOG GOD]

AWESOME read RS...well done!!!!

Win the contested ball and the stoppages and we SHOULD win the match.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Wow.

Just wow.

[bornadog]

Swans have not been in great form this season, and other than having the wood over North, (Drew against North and beat them in elimination final)

these are the teams they beat:

Port Adelaide twice
Brisbane Lions twice
West Coast twice
Essendon
Richmond
St Kilda.
Melbourne
Carlton
Fremantle

We have beaten them twice, but we must go in hard and really attack at all costs.

The bulldogs only ever win games when they kick big scores. I said this to Rocket once and he looked at me in a funny way. If you look at all our losses this year, we kicked in those losses, 70, 98, 79, 67 and 76 last week. The only games we lost when there was a big score was the two shoot outs with North.

All our wins this season we recorded well over 100 points.

[Bulldog Revolution]

HUDSON versus JOLLY
Jolly is perhaps the AFL's best performed ruckman you don't know about...


That's as fine a line as I can remember in a match preview, a great post RS

IMO Jolly is the swans most important player

[dog town]

IMO Jolly is the swans most important player Have to be close wouldn't he? They score so much from stoppages and put so much stock in the work they do around stoppages that he just has to be. Sydney have been good at getting these borderline ruckmen from other clubs and getting them to fit into a structure. Ball and now Jolly were both great gets by the swans. The thing they do very well is just clear a little hole around the bounce for Jolly to just drop the ball into. They will have a player hit that spot with momentum and then even if he cant grab it cleanly its going towards their goal.

[Sedat]

Have to be close wouldn't he? They score so much from stoppages and put so much stock in the work they do around stoppages that he just has to be. Sydney have been good at getting these borderline ruckmen from other clubs and getting them to fit into a structure. Ball and now Jolly were both great gets by the swans. The thing they do very well is just clear a little whole around the bounce for Jolly to just drop the ball into. They will have a player hit that spot with momentum and then even if he cant grab it cleanly its going towards their goal.
Sydney was the subject of ridicule when they traded pick 15 at the time to Melbourne for Jolly. And who did Melbourne get with that pick? Was it Nicholas Smith, who isn't even on the list any more? And what is Jeff White doing these days? Nobody is laughing now.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Sydney was the subject of ridicule when they traded pick 15 at the time to Melbourne for Jolly. And who did Melbourne get with that pick? Was it Nicholas Smith, who isn't even on the list any more? And what is Jeff White doing these days? Nobody is laughing now.

Interesting that they also had Troy Simmonds also isn't it

I wonder if it was Craig Cameron, who is now with the Tigers, who made those picks?