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When and Where:
MCG, Sunday April 22, 4.40pm
Live on Fox Footy
Last 5 Games Head to Head:
Melbourne hasn’t beaten the Dogs since 2007.
Note: 3 of the 5 wins have been at the MCG.
Form Leading In:
The Bulldogs have lost their first three games against pre-season finalists West Coast and Adelaide and the Saints. Last week’s game was the worst performance by a Bulldogs team at Eithad Stadium that I can remember. The Dogs won the inside 50’s but lost the match by 10 goals.
The coach said “ We had too many people reactive to the opposition and not thinking their way through it and that is going to be a challenge for myself and the coaches to realign” he also said “We are on the hunt for good teammates and we are on the hunt for people who want the team to be more efficient and not just going into games thinking “gee I hope I get a kick, I hope I play well and I hope I play a starring role”. Those days are gone and we are not going down that path. We are looking for good teammates who drive the team.”
The Demons have also started the season in disappointing fashion going down to Brisbane, West Coast and Richmond by an average of 68 points and have lost 9 of their last 10 matches. Inside 50’s have been the biggest issue as well as just getting their hands on the ball. Melbourne is ranked last on total disposals, last in tackles and second last in contested possessions.
Leading Player Stats
Western Bulldogs
M. Boyd 17.7 kicks, 17.3 hballs, 35.0 disps, 7.3 marks
R. Griffen 16.5 kicks, 8.0 hballs, 24.5 disps
R. Hargrave 13.7 kicks, 9.3 hballs, 23.0 disps, 6.3 marks
S. Higgins 12.7 kicks, 9.3 hballs, 22.0 disps, 6.0 marks
A. Cooney 12.7 kicks, 9.0 hballs, 21.7 disps
Melbourne Demons
J. Howe 14.0 kicks, 17.7 disps, 7.3 marks, 1.3 goals
J. Magner 12.7 kicks, 8.7 hballs, 21.3 disps
N. Jones 12.7 kicks, 8.7 hballs, 21.3 disps, 1.0 goals
J. Trengove 10.7 kicks, 18.0 disps, 1.0 goals
J. Watts 8.7 kicks, 15.7 disps, 6.0 marks
Western Bulldogs Line Up
B: Robert Murphy, Lukas Markovic, Dylan Addison
HB: Patrick Veszpremi, Ryan Hargrave, Easton Wood
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Adam Cooney
F: Nathan Djerrkura, Ayce Cordy, Justin Sherman
Foll: William Minson, Ryan Griffen, Liam Picken
I/C: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Grant, Jordan Roughead, Mitchell Wallis,
In: Patrick Veszpremi, Justin Sherman, Mitchell Wallis,
Out: Brian Lake (Suspension), Clay Smith (Soreness)
Melbourne’s Line up
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
HB: Rohan Bail, Colin Garland, Luke Tapscott
C: Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Nathan Jones
HF: Jordie McKenzie, Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe
F: Tom McDonald, Mitchell Clark, Aaron Davey
Foll: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jack Trengove
I/C: Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Cale Morton, Jack Fitzpatrick, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Thomas Couch
In: Brent Moloney, Ricky Petterd, Jack Fitzpatrick, Joel Macdonald, Thomas Couch
Out: Jack Grimes (Suspension), Stefan Martin
New: Thomas Couch (Grovedale)
Key Match Ups
Minson versus Jamar– The Bulldogs need a consistent effort from Minson on a weekly basis, he is our number one ruckman and against one of the better AFL ruckman in Jamar and big Will needs to play his best footy to beat him. Jamar is averaging 29 hitouts per game and is ranked 3rd whereas Minson ranked 14th and is averaging 21 hitouts.
Markovic versus Clark – When the ball does enter the Melbourne 50, they are efficient in getting goals with Clark one of their key targets. Clark kicked 5 against a very good defence in West Coast but was starved of opportunities against Richmond kicking only 2. Markovic is now playing against some big name players and other than the first quarter against West Coast when Kennedy kicked 4 goals he has been very solid, opting to punch the ball instead of going for the big mark.
The X Factor - Wish we had one
Where The Game Will Be Won and Lost:
Once more the midfield is where the game will be won or lost and both teams rely on one or two players. The Bulldogs captain has been in great form but must make sure his kicking efficiency is high. Boyd is averaging 35 disposals per game and needs to hurt the opposition. The Dees rely on Nathan Jones who also gets a lot of the ball, but is down on form and reflects on the team. Both midfields need help, and Griffen will need to make sure if he is tagged he is able to still influence the game. When Griffen dominates the dogs play well. Libba, Cooney must play their part and DJ, Sherman need to provide the run.
Both teams have failed to hit the score board, however, the dogs have been able to get the ball in their forward 50, but have not hit targets. Melbourne on the other hand are struggling to get the ball in their 50, but when they do, Clark, Howe have capitalised and kicked goals. Will we see a different forward set up this week? Jones is being slaughtered and has not had the ball delivered to him with any accuracy. I think we are looking for Jones too much and the opposition are double tagging him. Dahlhaus needs to play deeper and let Jones, Cordy bring the ball down so he can scoop on it.
Gia needs to show some leadership this week and direct the forward line and ensure every opportunity is fully exploited.
Verdict:
This is anyone’s game, both teams are desperate to win and show their new coaches they have come to grips with the new game plan.
Western Bulldogs by 1 point.
MCG, Sunday April 22, 4.40pm
Live on Fox Footy
Last 5 Games Head to Head:
HTML Code:
Round 15, Etihad Western Bulldogs defeat Melbourne 127-63, Round 7, MCG Melbourne defeated by Western Bulldogs 66-70 Round 8, MCG Melbourne defeated by Western Bulldogs 97-104, Round 15, Etihad Western Bulldogs defeat Melbourne 95-64 Round 2, MCG Melbourne defeated by Western Bulldogs, 66-161
Melbourne hasn’t beaten the Dogs since 2007.
Note: 3 of the 5 wins have been at the MCG.
Form Leading In:
The Bulldogs have lost their first three games against pre-season finalists West Coast and Adelaide and the Saints. Last week’s game was the worst performance by a Bulldogs team at Eithad Stadium that I can remember. The Dogs won the inside 50’s but lost the match by 10 goals.
The coach said “ We had too many people reactive to the opposition and not thinking their way through it and that is going to be a challenge for myself and the coaches to realign” he also said “We are on the hunt for good teammates and we are on the hunt for people who want the team to be more efficient and not just going into games thinking “gee I hope I get a kick, I hope I play well and I hope I play a starring role”. Those days are gone and we are not going down that path. We are looking for good teammates who drive the team.”
The Demons have also started the season in disappointing fashion going down to Brisbane, West Coast and Richmond by an average of 68 points and have lost 9 of their last 10 matches. Inside 50’s have been the biggest issue as well as just getting their hands on the ball. Melbourne is ranked last on total disposals, last in tackles and second last in contested possessions.
Leading Player Stats
Western Bulldogs
M. Boyd 17.7 kicks, 17.3 hballs, 35.0 disps, 7.3 marks
R. Griffen 16.5 kicks, 8.0 hballs, 24.5 disps
R. Hargrave 13.7 kicks, 9.3 hballs, 23.0 disps, 6.3 marks
S. Higgins 12.7 kicks, 9.3 hballs, 22.0 disps, 6.0 marks
A. Cooney 12.7 kicks, 9.0 hballs, 21.7 disps
Melbourne Demons
J. Howe 14.0 kicks, 17.7 disps, 7.3 marks, 1.3 goals
J. Magner 12.7 kicks, 8.7 hballs, 21.3 disps
N. Jones 12.7 kicks, 8.7 hballs, 21.3 disps, 1.0 goals
J. Trengove 10.7 kicks, 18.0 disps, 1.0 goals
J. Watts 8.7 kicks, 15.7 disps, 6.0 marks
Western Bulldogs Line Up
B: Robert Murphy, Lukas Markovic, Dylan Addison
HB: Patrick Veszpremi, Ryan Hargrave, Easton Wood
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Adam Cooney
F: Nathan Djerrkura, Ayce Cordy, Justin Sherman
Foll: William Minson, Ryan Griffen, Liam Picken
I/C: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Grant, Jordan Roughead, Mitchell Wallis,
In: Patrick Veszpremi, Justin Sherman, Mitchell Wallis,
Out: Brian Lake (Suspension), Clay Smith (Soreness)
Melbourne’s Line up
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
HB: Rohan Bail, Colin Garland, Luke Tapscott
C: Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Nathan Jones
HF: Jordie McKenzie, Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe
F: Tom McDonald, Mitchell Clark, Aaron Davey
Foll: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jack Trengove
I/C: Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Cale Morton, Jack Fitzpatrick, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Thomas Couch
In: Brent Moloney, Ricky Petterd, Jack Fitzpatrick, Joel Macdonald, Thomas Couch
Out: Jack Grimes (Suspension), Stefan Martin
New: Thomas Couch (Grovedale)
Key Match Ups
Minson versus Jamar– The Bulldogs need a consistent effort from Minson on a weekly basis, he is our number one ruckman and against one of the better AFL ruckman in Jamar and big Will needs to play his best footy to beat him. Jamar is averaging 29 hitouts per game and is ranked 3rd whereas Minson ranked 14th and is averaging 21 hitouts.
Markovic versus Clark – When the ball does enter the Melbourne 50, they are efficient in getting goals with Clark one of their key targets. Clark kicked 5 against a very good defence in West Coast but was starved of opportunities against Richmond kicking only 2. Markovic is now playing against some big name players and other than the first quarter against West Coast when Kennedy kicked 4 goals he has been very solid, opting to punch the ball instead of going for the big mark.
The X Factor - Wish we had one
Where The Game Will Be Won and Lost:
Once more the midfield is where the game will be won or lost and both teams rely on one or two players. The Bulldogs captain has been in great form but must make sure his kicking efficiency is high. Boyd is averaging 35 disposals per game and needs to hurt the opposition. The Dees rely on Nathan Jones who also gets a lot of the ball, but is down on form and reflects on the team. Both midfields need help, and Griffen will need to make sure if he is tagged he is able to still influence the game. When Griffen dominates the dogs play well. Libba, Cooney must play their part and DJ, Sherman need to provide the run.
Both teams have failed to hit the score board, however, the dogs have been able to get the ball in their forward 50, but have not hit targets. Melbourne on the other hand are struggling to get the ball in their 50, but when they do, Clark, Howe have capitalised and kicked goals. Will we see a different forward set up this week? Jones is being slaughtered and has not had the ball delivered to him with any accuracy. I think we are looking for Jones too much and the opposition are double tagging him. Dahlhaus needs to play deeper and let Jones, Cordy bring the ball down so he can scoop on it.
Gia needs to show some leadership this week and direct the forward line and ensure every opportunity is fully exploited.
Verdict:
This is anyone’s game, both teams are desperate to win and show their new coaches they have come to grips with the new game plan.
Western Bulldogs by 1 point.
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