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Western Bulldogs
The injury list:
A somewhat surprising finalist unburdened by external expectations, the Bulldogs are blessed with a healthy list at the right time. Marcus Bontempelli insists his recent adductor niggle won’t affect him. Mitch Wallis (foot) is ruled out for the season but the Dogs should be able to consider 2016 Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen and Hayden Crozier for the trip out west and a sudden-death elimination final against Fremantle.
Room for improvement:
Weirdly, the Doggies have played in patches all season, not locked into a win-loss-win run since the early rounds. Thus they can maintain optimism about translating a two-match winning streak into something more substantial. They had only eight wins after round 17, so now is the time to properly click into gear. Last year’s grand finalists don’t score often enough when they enter their forward 50, while their kicking efficiency needs to get better.
Watch out for:
The time is ripe for former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to shine. With 16 games under his belt after five matches in his debut season last year, Ugle-Hagan is perfectly placed to continue to blossom. Observers got a taste of his potential in round 19, when the 19-year-old booted five goals including the match-winner in a narrow win over reigning premiers Melbourne. While we’re here, you can safely expect Bontempelli to star in the west. Furthermore, Tim English versus Sean Darcy in the ruck should be compelling.
Flag chances:
Let’s be honest - they are remote. The Bulldogs crept into the finals series and, in something of a Stephen Bradbury outcome, ended up in eighth spot after Carlton squandered their chances. Strangely, it’s familiar territory for the Dogs and coach Luke Beveridge. They famously partnered to win the 2016 premiership after winning 15 matches and finishing seventh. Then, last year, they also won 15 games and made the grand final from fifth spot (and an elimination final). However, with only 12 wins this year, the Dogs probably won’t go past week one.
Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The injury list:
A somewhat surprising finalist unburdened by external expectations, the Bulldogs are blessed with a healthy list at the right time. Marcus Bontempelli insists his recent adductor niggle won’t affect him. Mitch Wallis (foot) is ruled out for the season but the Dogs should be able to consider 2016 Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen and Hayden Crozier for the trip out west and a sudden-death elimination final against Fremantle.
Room for improvement:
Weirdly, the Doggies have played in patches all season, not locked into a win-loss-win run since the early rounds. Thus they can maintain optimism about translating a two-match winning streak into something more substantial. They had only eight wins after round 17, so now is the time to properly click into gear. Last year’s grand finalists don’t score often enough when they enter their forward 50, while their kicking efficiency needs to get better.
Watch out for:
The time is ripe for former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to shine. With 16 games under his belt after five matches in his debut season last year, Ugle-Hagan is perfectly placed to continue to blossom. Observers got a taste of his potential in round 19, when the 19-year-old booted five goals including the match-winner in a narrow win over reigning premiers Melbourne. While we’re here, you can safely expect Bontempelli to star in the west. Furthermore, Tim English versus Sean Darcy in the ruck should be compelling.
Flag chances:
Let’s be honest - they are remote. The Bulldogs crept into the finals series and, in something of a Stephen Bradbury outcome, ended up in eighth spot after Carlton squandered their chances. Strangely, it’s familiar territory for the Dogs and coach Luke Beveridge. They famously partnered to win the 2016 premiership after winning 15 matches and finishing seventh. Then, last year, they also won 15 games and made the grand final from fifth spot (and an elimination final). However, with only 12 wins this year, the Dogs probably won’t go past week one.
Western Bulldogs
| 7 | 3rd |
| 28 | 1st |
| 10 | 1st |
| 25 | 15th |
| −3 | 16th |
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