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Round 10: Sydney vs Western Bulldogs
Sun 3 Jun 3:15pm AEST SCG
(Forecast is for showers)
Recent History
Round 18, 23 Jul 2011 SCG Sydney defeats Western Bulldogs 114-75 A. Goodes 34 dp
K. Jack 34 dp, B. Hall 5 goals
Round 7, 7 May 2011 Manuka Oval Western Bulldogs defeated by Sydney 65-73
M. Boyd 33
Semi Final, 11 Sep 2010 MCG Western Bulldogs defeat Sydney 77-72 J. Kennedy 32
B. Hall 4
Round 21, 21 Aug 2010 SCG Sydney defeats Western Bulldogs 114-70 D. Hannebery 27
T. Dennis-Lane 4
Round 8, 15 May 2010 Manuka Oval Western Bulldogs defeat Sydney 101-63 D. Cross 32
B. Hall 5
Recent Form
Western Bulldogs WLWWL (ladder position 13th)
Sydney WLLWL (ladder position 5th)
Both sides coming off a loss last week.
Key Statistics
Western Bulldogs
points for 14th
points against 9th (760)
1st quarters won 3
last quarters won 4
Ranked 3rd in Handballs Per Game
Ranked 2nd in Disposals Per Game
Ranked 14th in Points Per Game
Averages
Kicks 209.1
HB"s 173.9
Disposals 383.0
Tackles 67.3
Hitouts 41.7
conversion 48.1%
M.Boyd 32.8 disposals per game
Griffen 27.1
Cross 25.7
D.Giansiracusa 15 goals
L.Picken 6.6 tackles per game
Sydney
points for 8th (895)
points against 1st (685)
1st quarters won 6
last quarters won 4
Ranked 1st in Tackles Per Game
Ranked 1st in least Opponent Points Per Game
Ranked 4th in least Opponent Tackles Per Game
Averages
Kicks 198.8
HB"s 149.9
Disposals 348.7
Tackles 75.7
Hitouts 36.1
conversion 56.3%
J. Kennedy 26.0 disposals per game
K.Jack 22.4
J.McVeigh 22.4
L.Jetta 20 goals
C.Bird 6.4 tackles per game
Selection Table
Western Bulldogs
Not that the performance against Geelong warrants it but it is quite possible McCartney will make a few changes this week with players coming back from injuries.
Addison, Easton Wood, Ayce Cordy, Jarrad Grant are all possibles, perhaps caution might be shown to Wood by playing him in the vfl followed by the bye to make sure of his recovery, alternatively the smaller SCG with less room to run at full pace, and the need for a running half back might be worth the risk for his inclusion.
Cordy is a favourite with the coach but may have to squeeze another big man out to get in. Likely outs would be first gamer Daniel Pearce who showed a bit but clearly has some catching up to do in fitness and experience. Skinner may also be an unlucky out after his brief cameos as a substitute.
Sydney
Almost a full squad to choose from other than their best player Adam Goodes who is out until rnd 12 with a quad injury, and Gary Rohan for the season.
Mumford is back in full training and is a possilbe inclusion for this week, depending on match fitness or lack of as he hasn't been running for 5 weeks.
Alex Johnson and LRT will both face fitness tests later in the week from injuries sustained from round 9 against the saints.
Match Up's
The Tag's
Picken likely to go to Kennedy or McVeigh, they are the two highest possesion getters for the swans, Kennedy is the second highest goal scorer as well.
Griffen will more than likely get some attention from the swans.
Sam Reid v ?
Wouldn't surprise me to see Austin match up against the talented but out of form swan. This would free Lake up to zone or provide more rebound or even float forward.
If things went pear shaped Lake could always be moved but McCartney doesn't make many key defensive changes throughout a game.
Jones v Richards
I'm guessing Ted will get the job on Jones. After showing some glimpses of form (at least with his pack marking), Jones may find the smaller SCG actually to his advantage.
Jones has been horribly out of form and having lost confidence in his marking ability earlier in the season by getting double or triple teamed, he has developed some bad habits of running under the flight of the ball and dropping simple chest marks. I'd throw in his woeful kicking for goal as well but it has always been an issue.
Last week after the first drop mark he bounced back with some strong grabs.
The smaller ground may actually suit Jones by forcing him into more pack mark situations instead of messing up the timing of his leads at full pace.
The game won't be won or lost in this battle alone but Jones taking some grabs and kicking 2 goals will do wonders for the Bulldogs.
The midfield
Fairly evenly matched up, the dogs have two A graders in Griffen and Boyd who you know will play well, and two rookies in Libba and Wallis who have been strong consistent performers this year, both in and under and contested ball guns.
In previous years McVeigh and in particular Adam Goodes have destroyed the dogs, especially at the SCG. Thankfully this time around Goodes won't be there, and it appears to be a really close match up, one that will no doubt bring lots of stoppages and bruising contested footy.
The swans may take a risk and bring in Mumford to battle Minson. Big Will has been more than holding his own this year and should win the ruck contest. Willbur loves the smaller grounds, and the wet (forecast is for 18 and a few showers) so could be a DT or SC special this week if you have him.
The Verdict
Going to be a close one if the dogs can stay in the game early.
Wet weather footy, small ground, two big contested footy, tackling sides that don't let the opposition score much. No Adam Goodes might bring the swans back down a peg from previous meetings, although you can also say that about Barry Hall.
In previous years the dogs struggled with the closed space and constant pressure from the swans at the SCG, forcing them to kick along the boundary line with no clear marking options through the middle of the ground. The big difference this time is that the dogs are matching it in the defensive pressure areas.
Most of Sydney's goals are coming from their midfielders rather than key forwards, Kennedy, Jetta, Goodes, McGlynn and Jack the major ones. If the dogs midfield can be accoutable they should limit Sydney's ability to score. On the other hand Giansiracusa and Higgins are pretty much the lone rangers on the dogs goal tally. Both are small forwards who can be shut out of games at times.
The dogs ability to run the ball out of defence will be tested with the limited space. Murphy and a semi fit Veszpremi may need Easton Wood to help them out.
For Sydney Rhyce Shaw is always a dangerous weapon and there is plenty of run from their backline in Richards, Malceski and Mattner.
If the dogs are to win this game then quite simply Jones and Roughead or Cordy need to kick a couple of goals each from marks. Jones/Roughead kicked 1.5 from relatively straight forward shots at goal last week which is simply not acceptable. The same this week will guarantee another loss.
Heart says dogs but the head is swaying to the swans for now.
Team selection will be a crucial factor.
Sun 3 Jun 3:15pm AEST SCG
(Forecast is for showers)
Recent History
Round 18, 23 Jul 2011 SCG Sydney defeats Western Bulldogs 114-75 A. Goodes 34 dp
K. Jack 34 dp, B. Hall 5 goals
Round 7, 7 May 2011 Manuka Oval Western Bulldogs defeated by Sydney 65-73
M. Boyd 33
Semi Final, 11 Sep 2010 MCG Western Bulldogs defeat Sydney 77-72 J. Kennedy 32
B. Hall 4
Round 21, 21 Aug 2010 SCG Sydney defeats Western Bulldogs 114-70 D. Hannebery 27
T. Dennis-Lane 4
Round 8, 15 May 2010 Manuka Oval Western Bulldogs defeat Sydney 101-63 D. Cross 32
B. Hall 5
Recent Form
Western Bulldogs WLWWL (ladder position 13th)
Sydney WLLWL (ladder position 5th)
Both sides coming off a loss last week.
Key Statistics
Western Bulldogs
points for 14th
points against 9th (760)
1st quarters won 3
last quarters won 4
Ranked 3rd in Handballs Per Game
Ranked 2nd in Disposals Per Game
Ranked 14th in Points Per Game
Averages
Kicks 209.1
HB"s 173.9
Disposals 383.0
Tackles 67.3
Hitouts 41.7
conversion 48.1%
M.Boyd 32.8 disposals per game
Griffen 27.1
Cross 25.7
D.Giansiracusa 15 goals
L.Picken 6.6 tackles per game
Sydney
points for 8th (895)
points against 1st (685)
1st quarters won 6
last quarters won 4
Ranked 1st in Tackles Per Game
Ranked 1st in least Opponent Points Per Game
Ranked 4th in least Opponent Tackles Per Game
Averages
Kicks 198.8
HB"s 149.9
Disposals 348.7
Tackles 75.7
Hitouts 36.1
conversion 56.3%
J. Kennedy 26.0 disposals per game
K.Jack 22.4
J.McVeigh 22.4
L.Jetta 20 goals
C.Bird 6.4 tackles per game
Selection Table
Western Bulldogs
Not that the performance against Geelong warrants it but it is quite possible McCartney will make a few changes this week with players coming back from injuries.
Addison, Easton Wood, Ayce Cordy, Jarrad Grant are all possibles, perhaps caution might be shown to Wood by playing him in the vfl followed by the bye to make sure of his recovery, alternatively the smaller SCG with less room to run at full pace, and the need for a running half back might be worth the risk for his inclusion.
Cordy is a favourite with the coach but may have to squeeze another big man out to get in. Likely outs would be first gamer Daniel Pearce who showed a bit but clearly has some catching up to do in fitness and experience. Skinner may also be an unlucky out after his brief cameos as a substitute.
Sydney
Almost a full squad to choose from other than their best player Adam Goodes who is out until rnd 12 with a quad injury, and Gary Rohan for the season.
Mumford is back in full training and is a possilbe inclusion for this week, depending on match fitness or lack of as he hasn't been running for 5 weeks.
Alex Johnson and LRT will both face fitness tests later in the week from injuries sustained from round 9 against the saints.
Match Up's
The Tag's
Picken likely to go to Kennedy or McVeigh, they are the two highest possesion getters for the swans, Kennedy is the second highest goal scorer as well.
Griffen will more than likely get some attention from the swans.
Sam Reid v ?
Wouldn't surprise me to see Austin match up against the talented but out of form swan. This would free Lake up to zone or provide more rebound or even float forward.
If things went pear shaped Lake could always be moved but McCartney doesn't make many key defensive changes throughout a game.
Jones v Richards
I'm guessing Ted will get the job on Jones. After showing some glimpses of form (at least with his pack marking), Jones may find the smaller SCG actually to his advantage.
Jones has been horribly out of form and having lost confidence in his marking ability earlier in the season by getting double or triple teamed, he has developed some bad habits of running under the flight of the ball and dropping simple chest marks. I'd throw in his woeful kicking for goal as well but it has always been an issue.
Last week after the first drop mark he bounced back with some strong grabs.
The smaller ground may actually suit Jones by forcing him into more pack mark situations instead of messing up the timing of his leads at full pace.
The game won't be won or lost in this battle alone but Jones taking some grabs and kicking 2 goals will do wonders for the Bulldogs.
The midfield
Fairly evenly matched up, the dogs have two A graders in Griffen and Boyd who you know will play well, and two rookies in Libba and Wallis who have been strong consistent performers this year, both in and under and contested ball guns.
In previous years McVeigh and in particular Adam Goodes have destroyed the dogs, especially at the SCG. Thankfully this time around Goodes won't be there, and it appears to be a really close match up, one that will no doubt bring lots of stoppages and bruising contested footy.
The swans may take a risk and bring in Mumford to battle Minson. Big Will has been more than holding his own this year and should win the ruck contest. Willbur loves the smaller grounds, and the wet (forecast is for 18 and a few showers) so could be a DT or SC special this week if you have him.
The Verdict
Going to be a close one if the dogs can stay in the game early.
Wet weather footy, small ground, two big contested footy, tackling sides that don't let the opposition score much. No Adam Goodes might bring the swans back down a peg from previous meetings, although you can also say that about Barry Hall.
In previous years the dogs struggled with the closed space and constant pressure from the swans at the SCG, forcing them to kick along the boundary line with no clear marking options through the middle of the ground. The big difference this time is that the dogs are matching it in the defensive pressure areas.
Most of Sydney's goals are coming from their midfielders rather than key forwards, Kennedy, Jetta, Goodes, McGlynn and Jack the major ones. If the dogs midfield can be accoutable they should limit Sydney's ability to score. On the other hand Giansiracusa and Higgins are pretty much the lone rangers on the dogs goal tally. Both are small forwards who can be shut out of games at times.
The dogs ability to run the ball out of defence will be tested with the limited space. Murphy and a semi fit Veszpremi may need Easton Wood to help them out.
For Sydney Rhyce Shaw is always a dangerous weapon and there is plenty of run from their backline in Richards, Malceski and Mattner.
If the dogs are to win this game then quite simply Jones and Roughead or Cordy need to kick a couple of goals each from marks. Jones/Roughead kicked 1.5 from relatively straight forward shots at goal last week which is simply not acceptable. The same this week will guarantee another loss.
Heart says dogs but the head is swaying to the swans for now.
Team selection will be a crucial factor.
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