7.40pm, Saturday April 14, 2011, Etihad Stadium
Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 8.9.57 def by St Kilda 12.9.81, round 12, 2011 at Etihad Stadium
Line-up:
B Murphy Lake Addison
HB Hargrave Markovic Wood
C Cross Boyd Griffen
HF Dahlhaus Jones Cooney
F Giansiracusa Minson Higgins
Foll Roughead Liberatore Picken
Inter Grant Djerrkura Smith Cordy
Bulldogs Preview: The Bulldogs come up against the Saints this week, a team we haven't beaten since midway through 2008. This year however the Saints are expected by many to drop further down the ladder and start a transactional rebuilding phase, similar to the Bulldog's 2011 season. The Bulldogs are desperate for their first win under McCartney and it would be great to break the 6 match losing streak to St Kilda on Saturday night.
At the Selector's Table: Not a lot to be expected this week selection wise. The only injury concern from the Adelaide match was a knock to Ryan Hargrave's leg late in the game, however reports are that he is fine. Clay Smith had a quiet game before being subbed off, but should keep his spot. Once again, Cordy may be looked at to provide another tall option up forward next to Jones, but this appears unlikely given the route selectors have taken in the first two weeks. Prediction: No change.
The Game: Whilst the Saints will not be as feared this year as in previous seasons, they still retain their big list of top-line talent in Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Goddard, Fisher, Hayes, Milne and Montagna who cannot be underestimated. The Saints are full of confidence having smashed the Suns, but were very poor in round 1 against Port. Yet again, we are up against some twin towers in Riewoldt and Koschitzke who will be given to Lake and Markovic. I'm not sure who will go to Milne, perhaps Wood for pace, although Addison is the right size. Our midfield will be tested as the Saints still have a lot of class, with exceptional deliverers in Goddard and Dal Santo. A point to note in their loss to Port Adelaide first up was the contested possession count which the Power won 152-127. Given this has been a strong focus for the Bulldogs, we should really be looking to have a solid advantage in this which will give us a great chance to get on top around the ground. Jones was easily accounted for last week by the Adelaide defenders as they double teamed him, so it’s important that support is provided for him, as Minson and Roughead have barely been sighted up forward in the opening two games. Things should be starting to click now with the new game style, and at Etihad we should be confident of getting the job done.
Players to Watch:
Matthew Boyd: Stood up last week in the 3rd quarter with two brilliant captain’s goals. Has admitted that his disposal thus far has been poor, hopefully he can turn it around this week.
Adam Cooney: Hampered by his knee injury, has shown signs of brilliance in his first two matches without putting together game-long performances. If he can fire then the Dogs may be close to matching the Saint’s midfield class.
Jordan Roughead: Has been quiet in the opening two rounds, needs to provide another marking option up forward and do more around the ground. Has shown last year that he has the ability, and with Cordy pushing hard for selection he has to make an impact.
Prediction: Important game for both sides. The Dogs last week showed that they won’t go away if they fall behind, so this one should be a cracker. It’s about time we got on top of them, and we’re every chance. Bulldogs by 7 points.
Saints perspective from : Richter
Line-up:
B Geary Simpkin Blake
HB Gilbert Fisher Dempster
C Montagna Dal Santo Goddard
HF Milera Riewoldt Steven
F Milne Koschitzke Stanley
Foll McEvoy Hayes Armitage
Inter Jones Newnes Ledger Cripps
Saints Preview:
In all likelihood St Kilda are going through a rebuilding phase as we try to unearth and develop some young talent over the next couple of years in order to have another crack whilst the likes of Dal Santo, Montagna, Fisher and Goddard are still around as veterans. (Assuming we keep hold of them all of course.) Question is how low will the team fall whilst doing this? We're hoping we can do it Sydney style and continue to scrape in to the 8 whilst blooding the new guys. Against Port the Saints were disappointing in contested possession, whilst last week we stepped it up big time against the easybeat Suns.
At the Selector's Table:
No change. Though expect Cripps to drop to the bench and Tom Ledger, an up and coming clearance machine, to start.
The Game:
Which St Kilda midfield will turn up? Ball in hand we have guns like Dal Santo and Goddard who can and have cut up many teams. Our clearance work is reliant on the likes of Hayes, who traditionally does well against the Dogs, Montagna, who has been relatively quiet so far this season, and the younger brigade of Steven and Armitage. There's a lot expected of these latter two, and they have given inconsistent performances in the 2 games so far.
Down back we lack a genuine key tall, and prefer not to have to play Sam Fisher in a purely negating role. Compared to last year we are missing Dawson, Ray, Baker, and in particular the excellent Gwilt, who is back in full training but probably still 6 weeks or so away from a return from an ACL reco sustained last year. However, I don't see any real menace in the Dogs forward line, so the team defence is likely to be able to hold the Dogs from getting any real dominance in that area.
Up forward, whisper it quietly, but the Saints are no longer so much of a "kick it to Roo" team. Last week he played much better compared to round 1, but the real story is that all of Roo, Kosi, Stanley, Milne and Milera are contributing. It's only two rounds in, but already we're seeing the nucleus of a new attacking approach.
Players to Watch:
Nick Riewoldt - A faded star or is there life in the champ left yet? Unlikely to rip up a team on his own any more, but with the Saints changing multi-pronged attack he could profit without needing to be the only forward Tall target for the Saints.
Lenny Hayes - Had a great game in the engine room last week, expect more of the same as the Dogs onballers battle it out with him and his young lieutenants for midfield superiority
Terry Milera - silky skills. Slight but deceptively strong, we're rapt with this guy in his first two games of AFL. Won't be the difference between the teams, but I hope you guys enjoy seeing his talent in action. Glides over the turf. Check out his goal of the round contender from last week for a taster (http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/16412/default.aspx)
Prediction:
Important game for both sides. Lose this one and whilst it is early in the season Saints fans can realistically expect that finals footy is unlikely this year as Port and the Bulldogs are 2 games that we would expect to win if the top 8 is to be a prospect. However, I expect the team to rise to the challenge, especially at Etihad on a Saturday night. Saints by 25 points.