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Round 3 Western Bulldogs versus St Kilda
When and Where:
7.40pm Saturday 14th April- Etihad Stadium
Live on Fox Footy
Last Time They Met:
Round 19, 2011
Western Bulldogs 8.9.57 defeated by St Kilda 12.9.81
Last 5 Games Head to Head:
Round 12, 2011 WB 57 defeated by StK 81
Prelim Final, 2010 WB 64 defeated StK 88
Round 6, 2010 46 WB defeated by StK49
Prelim Final, 2009 WB 53 defeated by StK 60
Round 17, 2009 StK 106 defeated by WB 61
Form Leading In:
The Bulldogs have lost their first two games against pre-season finalists West Coast and Adelaide. The coach has spoken about improvements in key fundamental areas and an ability to defend as a team. There were good signs against Adelaide and some very good team play, although a costly first quarter and an inability to finish off the game saw a 3 goal loss against the Crows. There were some good signs for the Doggies with the form of Lake, Dahlhaus and Griffen giving the fans something to talk about as well as the continued improvement on implementing a new game plan.
The Saints have had an indifferent start, after losing a close game against Port which many a St Kilda fan would have expected to win. They came out and comprehensibly disposed of Gold Coast by 92 points. St Kilda fans would be buoyed by the form of their skipper and continued good play from the regular stars (Goddard, Dal Santo and Lenny Hayes).
St Kilda has had the wood over the Dogs for a number of years, beating the Dogs in their last 5 encounters including two preliminary finals. Both teams have welcomed new coaches to their club over the off season and are looking to further develop their young kids and implement a different style of play from the predecessors.
Western Bulldogs Line Up
FB - Murphy, Lake, Addison
HB - Hargrave, Markovic, Wood
C - Cross, Smith, Griffen
HF - Giansiracusa, Jones, Cooney
FF - Cordy, Roughead, Higgins
FOL Minson, Boyd, Liberatore
INT Grant, Picken, Djerrkura, Dahlhaus
St Kilda Saints Line Up
FB Blake, Gilbert, Geary
HB Dempster, Fisher, Cripps
C Dal Santo, Hayes, Goddard
HF Steven, Riewoldt, Milera
FF Milne, Koschitzke, Stanley
FOL McEvoy, Jones, Montagna
INT Armitage, Simpkin, Ledger, Newnes
Key Match Ups
Minson versus McEvoy The Bulldogs need a consistent effort from Minson on a weekly basis, he is our number one ruckman and against the underrated McEvoy it is crucial for Will to beat the Saints ruckmen. McEvoy is very good around the ground and if he is able to give the St Kilda mids first use of the ball on a regular basis we are in trouble. If Will can win this duel, allowing the Bulldog mids to get the ascendency in the middle will be critical to our chances.
Lake versus Riewoldt It will be a team effort to stop the St Kilda captain but if Lake can neutralise his effect in the forward 50 that is one less headache for our backs. Allowing Nick to run up the ground and get cheap kicks on the wings etc is not a high priority but rather impeding his ability to run hard to provide an option in the forward line and give himself the chance to hit us on the scoreboard. If anything Riewoldts goal scoring ability has slightly decreased over the years but make no mistake he is still very much a premium forward in the competition and Brian will have to play very well to stop him.
Picken versus Goddard- Goddard sets the Saints up through the midfield and across half back. We have to stop this and for that we put Picken our best stopper on him. Goddards ball use was back to its best last week and we simply cant let him off the leash. Goddard has a tendency to play the third man up in defensive situations so if Picken can get on the end of a couple and hit the scoreboard this will be a win for us.
Where The Game Will Be Won and Lost:
The Bulldogs need to get on top in the midfield- this is going to rely on Minson/Roughy getting their hand first to the ball to feed the likes of Boyd, Griffen, Libba and Cooney. Effectively stopping St Kilda around the clearances will be vital to ensure that Riewoldt, Kosi, Milne et al are not getting effective delivery up forward and in hurting us on the scoreboard.
The Dogs must kick a winnable score- Our forward line has struggled to hit the scoreboard particularly last week. We need to use a number of options and be smarter with our forward entries. We need to kick the ball to advantage whether that is on the lead or simply to advantage in a one on one marking contest. We cannot simply bomb it in on Liam Jones head and expect him to mark it. Our ruckmen need to contribute up forward and not just in the middle, St Kilda are quite short in defence and this could play into our hands if we force Fisher or Gilbert to go one on one with a taller opponent this will ensure that Goddard may have to play the third man up and hopefully reduce his effect on the contest
Ball use- We simply cannot turn the ball over in dangerous positions on the ground. Missed handballs and short kicks are unacceptable especially coming out of defence. Im looking to Hargrave, Wood and Murphy to have a greater effect with the ball in hand when turning defence into attack. Conversely we need to shut down the space and time for Dal Santo, Montagna and Goddard to work in. If we can make them rush their disposal causing them to kick to a contest we have a good chance of clearing the ball away.
Four Quarter Effort- To win this game it will take a consistent 4 quarter effort; we have had glimpses of what we are capable of against WCE and Adelaide. If we can keep our intensity high, our structures in place and get a consistent effort from 22 Bulldog players. We can win this game. GET IN
Verdict:
Western Bulldogs by 15 points.
When and Where:
7.40pm Saturday 14th April- Etihad Stadium
Live on Fox Footy
Last Time They Met:
Round 19, 2011
Western Bulldogs 8.9.57 defeated by St Kilda 12.9.81
Last 5 Games Head to Head:
Round 12, 2011 WB 57 defeated by StK 81
Prelim Final, 2010 WB 64 defeated StK 88
Round 6, 2010 46 WB defeated by StK49
Prelim Final, 2009 WB 53 defeated by StK 60
Round 17, 2009 StK 106 defeated by WB 61
Form Leading In:
The Bulldogs have lost their first two games against pre-season finalists West Coast and Adelaide. The coach has spoken about improvements in key fundamental areas and an ability to defend as a team. There were good signs against Adelaide and some very good team play, although a costly first quarter and an inability to finish off the game saw a 3 goal loss against the Crows. There were some good signs for the Doggies with the form of Lake, Dahlhaus and Griffen giving the fans something to talk about as well as the continued improvement on implementing a new game plan.
The Saints have had an indifferent start, after losing a close game against Port which many a St Kilda fan would have expected to win. They came out and comprehensibly disposed of Gold Coast by 92 points. St Kilda fans would be buoyed by the form of their skipper and continued good play from the regular stars (Goddard, Dal Santo and Lenny Hayes).
St Kilda has had the wood over the Dogs for a number of years, beating the Dogs in their last 5 encounters including two preliminary finals. Both teams have welcomed new coaches to their club over the off season and are looking to further develop their young kids and implement a different style of play from the predecessors.
Western Bulldogs Line Up
FB - Murphy, Lake, Addison
HB - Hargrave, Markovic, Wood
C - Cross, Smith, Griffen
HF - Giansiracusa, Jones, Cooney
FF - Cordy, Roughead, Higgins
FOL Minson, Boyd, Liberatore
INT Grant, Picken, Djerrkura, Dahlhaus
St Kilda Saints Line Up
FB Blake, Gilbert, Geary
HB Dempster, Fisher, Cripps
C Dal Santo, Hayes, Goddard
HF Steven, Riewoldt, Milera
FF Milne, Koschitzke, Stanley
FOL McEvoy, Jones, Montagna
INT Armitage, Simpkin, Ledger, Newnes
Key Match Ups
Minson versus McEvoy The Bulldogs need a consistent effort from Minson on a weekly basis, he is our number one ruckman and against the underrated McEvoy it is crucial for Will to beat the Saints ruckmen. McEvoy is very good around the ground and if he is able to give the St Kilda mids first use of the ball on a regular basis we are in trouble. If Will can win this duel, allowing the Bulldog mids to get the ascendency in the middle will be critical to our chances.
Lake versus Riewoldt It will be a team effort to stop the St Kilda captain but if Lake can neutralise his effect in the forward 50 that is one less headache for our backs. Allowing Nick to run up the ground and get cheap kicks on the wings etc is not a high priority but rather impeding his ability to run hard to provide an option in the forward line and give himself the chance to hit us on the scoreboard. If anything Riewoldts goal scoring ability has slightly decreased over the years but make no mistake he is still very much a premium forward in the competition and Brian will have to play very well to stop him.
Picken versus Goddard- Goddard sets the Saints up through the midfield and across half back. We have to stop this and for that we put Picken our best stopper on him. Goddards ball use was back to its best last week and we simply cant let him off the leash. Goddard has a tendency to play the third man up in defensive situations so if Picken can get on the end of a couple and hit the scoreboard this will be a win for us.
Where The Game Will Be Won and Lost:
The Bulldogs need to get on top in the midfield- this is going to rely on Minson/Roughy getting their hand first to the ball to feed the likes of Boyd, Griffen, Libba and Cooney. Effectively stopping St Kilda around the clearances will be vital to ensure that Riewoldt, Kosi, Milne et al are not getting effective delivery up forward and in hurting us on the scoreboard.
The Dogs must kick a winnable score- Our forward line has struggled to hit the scoreboard particularly last week. We need to use a number of options and be smarter with our forward entries. We need to kick the ball to advantage whether that is on the lead or simply to advantage in a one on one marking contest. We cannot simply bomb it in on Liam Jones head and expect him to mark it. Our ruckmen need to contribute up forward and not just in the middle, St Kilda are quite short in defence and this could play into our hands if we force Fisher or Gilbert to go one on one with a taller opponent this will ensure that Goddard may have to play the third man up and hopefully reduce his effect on the contest
Ball use- We simply cannot turn the ball over in dangerous positions on the ground. Missed handballs and short kicks are unacceptable especially coming out of defence. Im looking to Hargrave, Wood and Murphy to have a greater effect with the ball in hand when turning defence into attack. Conversely we need to shut down the space and time for Dal Santo, Montagna and Goddard to work in. If we can make them rush their disposal causing them to kick to a contest we have a good chance of clearing the ball away.
Four Quarter Effort- To win this game it will take a consistent 4 quarter effort; we have had glimpses of what we are capable of against WCE and Adelaide. If we can keep our intensity high, our structures in place and get a consistent effort from 22 Bulldog players. We can win this game. GET IN
Verdict:
Western Bulldogs by 15 points.
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