Dogs by 16 points
Macrae BOG
Wallis FG
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Dogs by 16 points
Macrae BOG
Wallis FG
Dogs by 42 points
Bont BOG
Bruce first goal
WB by 16
First Goal Bruce
BOG Bont
Freo talls will fail to keep ball in forward line. Walters a huge out.
Dogs by 28 points
Bont BOG
First goal: Naughty
Dogs by 23
BOG: Bontempelli
First goal: Wallis
Walters or no Walters, we don't deserve to be playing finals if we can't take care of business against Freo. That being said, seeing him listed as an out on the team sheet calmed a lot of nerves. Will be a very tricky game if we can't capitalise on our opportunities in greasy conditions.
We need to be up and about early.
Dogs by 32
First Goal Wallis
BOG Macrae
Dogs by 21 pts, margin not important.
FG Wallis
BOG ex Docker Hayden Crozier.
Longest. Round. Ever.
Only realised this game isn't until tonight. What a pain!
Dogs by 9
First goal Wallis
BOG Libba
https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/n...watch-round-18
Four things to watch: Round 18
The hot topics and talking points ahead of the Bulldogs' crucial clash against Fremantle in Cairns.
1. All on the line
A finals berth is up for grabs, it’s as simple as that.
The Bulldogs have it all to play for against the Dockers on Sunday night. The Dockers can’t play finals, but they’ve put a strong block of form together in the run home and will have their sights firmly set on halting the Bulldogs in their tracks.
After results in other games on Friday and Saturday, only a win will do for the Bulldogs.
Melbourne jumped into the top eight after defeating Essendon, while St Kilda locked in their finals spot by defeating the GWS Giants.
The Bulldogs sit ninth at the moment, knowing a win would get them through to the business end of the season for a second consecutive year.
2. Guarding Freo’s forwards
There’s some star power in Fremantle’s forward line.
Big men Jesse Hogan, Matt Taberner and Rory Lobb combined for eight goals in their last outing.
Shutting down those avenues to goal will be ultra-important for the Bulldogs.
They’ve gone with three talls down back, in Alex Keath, Zaine Cordy and Ryan Gardner. Easton Wood also returns to bolster the Bulldogs’ intercept ability, alongside high-flyer Hayden Crozier.
The flipside is, can the Bulldogs’ rebounding brigade – led by the silky-skilled Caleb Daniel – drive them out of defence and into scoring opportunities.
3. Skipper v skipper
It’s a big game for first-year skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
The 24-year-old has been sensational in his new role, leading the Bulldogs to a position where they can reach the finals.
A big test awaits in his opposite number, Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, on Sunday.
Fyfe has been an influential player against the Bulldogs in recent times, particularly with his stoppage work.
That’s been an area of strength for the Bulldogs all season – and particularly in recent weeks – led by Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore in the clinches.
4. The conditions
How much impact will the Cairns conditions have?
If games over the past month have been anything to go by, both teams can expect to be confronted with a strong breeze and a slippery footy at Cazalys Stadium.
Who can handle them best remains to be seen.
The Dockers have experienced it first-hand this season, but the Bulldogs will have a bit of understanding too, having played home games at the venue from 2014-17.
Adapting quickly – particular after a day game in perfect conditions at Adelaide Oval – will be crucial for the Bulldogs.
Gonna be a big mood no matter what the result.
As always, just happy with a win, the margin is irrelevant.
First goal: Naughton
B.O.G. : Libba
Go "Dogs.
It will be tough, but confident we can get over the line.
Dogs by 16
First goal Bont
BOG Hunter
The balance of side looks a little out of whack, but we have been building to out best form and I'm really confident we win today.
It's been a strange year in many ways, but have we improved this year? It's an interesting one and we might find the answer to that question in the next few weeks.
After round 2 I would have taken this position no doubt about it, there is another gear left in this group I just hope we find it sooner rather than later.
Prediction: 24 degrees, dry with light winds
Wally to get the opener
bog: Hunter
***Health department has advised to have adequate medication on hand for before, during and after the game.***