7.10pm, Saturday April 7, 2011, AAMI Stadium
Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 14.16.100 def Adelaide Crows 10.10.70, round 13, 2011 at Etihad Stadium
Possible Line-up:
B Murphy, Lake, Addison
HB Hargrave, Markovic, Wood
C Cross, Smith, Griffen
HF Giansiracusa, Jones, Cooney
F Dickson, Roughead, Higgins
Foll Minson, Boyd, Picken
Inter (from): Cordy, Djerrkura, Wallis, Liberatore, Dahlhaus, Panos, Grant, Sherman
Bulldogs Preview: This week the Dogs travel to Adelaide for what looks like a tough assignment against the Crows. The Bulldogs looked impressive at times against West Coast, but were outplayed all around the ground and fell away badly towards the end of the game. Adelaide had an outstanding preseason, beating West Coast in a home grand final, but are yet to be tested in the real stuff after smashing Gold Coast in round 1.
At The Selectors Table: Round 1 gave us a good indication of where several players are at, some positive and some negative. Howard at this stage is the only definite out after picking up a knee injury which will keep him on the sidelines for 2-4 weeks. The biggest bullet would be pointed at Grant’s head after coming on as a substitute in the 3rd quarter but failing to make a strong impact, albeit at a difficult time. Names next in line would be Addison, Wallis, Roughead and Dickson but don’t expect a large turnover in players. Markovic was soundly beaten by Kennedy, but is needed for size and will get another shot. Griffen will return if his hand injury has healed, whilst Cordy and Djerrkura both impressed for Williamstown. Our biggest worry is finding a forward line which can deliver a winning score, which may give Panos his first game. McCartney is unlikely to be making many changes early on, so the lineup should look fairly similar to round 1. Prediction: In: Griffen, Cordy Out: Howard, Grant
The Game: Adelaide are a bit unknown at the minute, following a very strong preseason and easy win in round 1, with many tipping them to challenge for the top 8. Once again, the Bulldogs come up against a tall forwardline in Lynch, Tippett and Walker, the latter two sharing 9 goals between them last week. Our backline will need to bounce back this week after allowing 21 goals through against the Eagles, Markovic and Lake in particular have big tasks again. The midfield will be an interesting battle. Thompson was everywhere against the Suns and will be tagged by Picken. The Bulldogs last week were well serviced by Liberatore, Boyd and Cross however kicking efficiency is a worry as we can’t afford to turn the ball over against Adelaide with Dangerfield, Sloane and Vince lurking to take advantage of a fast break. The Crow’s defence looks their weakest area, and the Dogs once again need that important spark which was provided on the weekend by Dahlhaus and Smith. Much like Tippett, Jones has the ability to find the ball but needs to hurt the opposition when he does, whilst we desperately need straight shooting from Higgins, Giansiracusa and Dickson when they get their chances.
Players to Watch:
Markovic- Badly beaten by Kennedy last week. Will take one of Tippett or Walker who are in good form, the Bulldogs cannot afford them to get on top of him.
Dahlhaus- Brilliant game last week, looks to be so important across half forward and needs to back up. Delivery into the forward line is so important and he is central to that.
Picken- Kept Kerr to just 7 touches against West Coast. Big game against Thompson needed, which will go along way towards deciding the result of the match.
Prediction: The experts will be tipping Adelaide at home, but I don’t expect the game to be so one sided. If Picken can get on top of Thompson, the Dogs should win the midfield battle. Once again, if our forwards and mids find ways to goal, we are a big chance. Western Bulldogs by 11 points.
Preview by AFC979810
When: 7.10pm, Saturday April 7, 2011, AAMI Stadium
Last 5 at AAMI: 2006 - Adelaide 132-55, 2007 - Adelaide 107-73, 2008 - Adelaide 76-67, 2009 - Doggies 118-86, 2010 - Doggies 61-53.
Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 14.16.100 def Adelaide Crows 10.10.70, round 13, 2011 at Etihad Stadium.
Bulldogs - Possible Line-up:
B Murphy, Lake, Addison
HB Hargrave, Markovic, Wood
C Cross, Smith, Griffen
HF Giansiracusa, Jones, Cooney
F Dickson, Roughead, Higgins
Foll Minson, Boyd, Picken
Interchange: Wallis, Liberatore, Dahlhaus,
Sub: Sherman
Adelaide Possible Lineup:
B: Talia, Rutten, Doughty
HB: Reilly, Otten, Stiffy
C: Douglas, Danger, Mackay
HF: Sloane, Lynch, Vince
FF: Walker, Tippett, Porps
Foll: Jacobs, Thompson,VB
Interchange: Petrenko, Smith, Callinan
Sub: Shaw
Emergencies: Wright, Jaensch, Kerridge
*After the Stevens concussion issues, I think the club will be very careful with Hendo and give him a week or two off... I think due to the small/midsized forwards of the doggies - Shaw will be brought in to help provide another defensive option.
Key Matchups:
Tippett/Lynch/Walker v Markovic/Lake/Murphy:
This proves to be Adelaide's big advantage in this Saturday's matchup. Watching Markovic have 7 kicked on him by Kennedy means that Adelaide will try to isolate him 1on1 vs Tippett or Walker. Murphy will probably go to Lynch and Lake to Walker with both of these forward being told to leave take their opponent away from Tippet & Markovic matchup. With Markovic's confidence down and Tippo being in the form he is - we could have a Dawson V Rocca style matchup.
Advantage: Adelaide
Jacobs v Minson, Thompson v Boyd, Vince V Cross, Van Berlo v Cooney, Sloane v Griffen, Danger V Libba, Smith V Wallis, Mackay V Picken...
This is where the game will be won and lost... Both teams have very similar midfields with one elite mid (thommo v boyd), a couple of very good mids in (Cross, Griffen, Cooney / VB,Vince, Sloane) - slight advantage WB) and some very promising young and emerging talent (Danger&Smith v Wallis/Libba) slight advantage Adelaide... The ruck battle is fairly evenly poised with Minson being underrated in my opinion and I think the midfields will come out relatively even, meaning the advantage will go to the side who uses it better..
Advantage: Nobody
Gia / Dahlhaus / Higgins / Smith V Johncock / Doughty / Otten
I think tall forwards are a big weakness for the Doggies and Roughead & Jones will be covered by Rutten and Talia - meaning we need to shut down the doggies small forwards to win. In the game against West Coast - the Doggies smalls kicked 9 of their 12 goals.
Advantage: Doggies
Bulldogs Players to Watch:
Cooney - Typically does very well against us... Hasn't looked 100% since knee injuries have derailed him... Is this the game he comes back to his elite best?
Dahlhaus- Small forwards typically hurt us and Dahlhaus is in very good form. The little cult figure could do some damage providing Jacobs doesnt mistake him for a blade of grass and step on him.
Smith- Who the hell is this kid? Absolutely blitzed it in the first quarter kicking 4 goals before suffering from 'entire body cramps' and having to be subbed at half time. Has the x factor and could kick a bag very quickly.
Adelaide Players to Watch:
Porps: Many of the posters on this board were very unhappy with Porps Rd 1 performance. He is immensely talented and after spending 18 months between actual AFL games can be expected to a bit behind the pace... The question is when will it all click - lets hope rd 2.
Callinan: This guy has made me eat some serious humble pie over the past 6 weeks... Has not put a foot wrong over preseason, kicked 2.4 (with 2 posters) against GC and is returning to his beloved AAMI stadium where he can kick a goal from anywhere.
Walker: Am amazed that he gets nowhere near the press that guys like Hurley get! If there was a 21year old forward who played 46 games for a victorian club and kicked 95 goals with the ability to kick one from 65 metres out - he would be the messiah (not a very naughty boy, like he is to some on this board).... If he puts a full game together he could kick 10.
Overall:
With the Crows being in very good form over the past 3 weeks and playing this one at home in front of over 45,000 people on a Saturday night we are deservedly the early favourites. This battle will be decided by who gets first use of the pill out of the middle.. If the two midfields negate themselves it will come down to whether the Crows talls or Bulldogs smalls can be more efficient and kick a winning score.
Prediction: Crows 16.11 - 107 over the Doggies 12.13 - 85.
Goals: Walker 4, Tippet 3, Callinan 3, Porps 2, Vince 1, Thompson 1, Danger 1, Mackay 1
Goals: Gia 4, Dahlhaus 3, Higgins 2, Jones 1, Roughhead 1, Murphy 1
Best: Sloane, Thompson, Vince, Reilly, Walker, Johncock
Best: Cooney, Griffen, Gia, Dahlhaus, Cross, Wallis.
