Geelong v Western Bulldogs - Rd 19, 2016 - Simonds, Fri @ 7:50

GEELONG v WESTERN BULLDOGS

FORM

4th Ladder Position 7th
12 Wins 12
5 Losses 5
133.2 % 119.0
1666 Points For 1481
1251 Points Against 1245
WLLWW Form LWWWL

STATS

380 Disposals 423
38 Clearances 38
56 Inside 50 55
146 Contested Possessions 150
72 Tackles 66
39 Hit-Outs 35
20 Free Kicks 21​

LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2016, Geelong 16.4 (100) d Western Bulldogs 5.13 (43) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2015, Geelong 10.12 (72) d Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) at Simonds Stadium
R16, 2014, Geelong 10.9 (69) d Western Bulldogs 7.14 (56) at Simonds Stadium
R5, 2013, Geelong 15.17 (107) d Western Bulldogs 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2012, Geelong 16.11 (107) d Western Bulldogs 11.7 (73) at Simonds Stadium

TEAMS

Geelong Cats

B: Jake Kolodjashnij, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Jed Bews, Harry Taylor, Tom Ruggles
C: Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan
HF: Nakia Cockatoo, Zac Smith, Lincoln McCarthy
F: Jimmy Bartel, Tom Hawkins, Daniel Menzel
Fol: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Cameron Guthrie

I/C: Mark Blicavs, Josh Cowan, Sam Menegola, Steven Motlop
Emg: Josh Caddy, Shane Kersten, Darcy Lang

NO CHANGE
In: Zac Smith
Out: Shane Kersten (Omitted)

Milestones: Jimmy Bartel - Playing 300th game, Sam Menegola - Played 1st game

Western Bulldogs

B: Jed Adcock, Fletcher Roberts, Easton Wood
HB: Jason Johannisen, Joel Hamling, Shane Biggs
C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Picken
HF: Lin Jong, Jake Stringer, Clay Smith
F: Tory Dickson, Tom Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
Fol: Jordan Roughead, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore

I/C: Zaine Cordy, Josh Dunkley, Koby Stevens, Caleb Daniel
Emg: Lukas Webb, Mitch Honeychurch, Bailey Dale

NO CHANGE
In: Jed Adcock, Joel Hamling, Jake Stringer, Luke Dahlhaus, Zaine Cordy
Out: Dale Morris (Hamstring), Jack Redpath (Knee), Matthew Boyd (Achilles), Matthew Suckling (Achilles), Mitch Wallis (Leg)

Milestones: Easton Wood - Playing 100th game
 

Syphoncom

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Quick write-up for the game tonight: (Sorry Doggy fans!)

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After a massive weekend of footy that was round 18, this week brings a short reprieve for many finals aspirants. There is, or at least should be, only two games that would be nerve-wracking for fans heading into the weekend. The opener tonight, Geelong and the Bulldogs, and Saturday night's North Melbourne and St Kilda match.

Whilst the weekend will largely surround the record-breaking achievement of Brent Harvey's 427th match, tonight's game will be huge for the winner. For Geelong, a top 4 position is on the line; win tonight and the rest of the season offers a double chance on a platter. For the Dogs, a raft of injuries means every win now that much harder to achieve.

First up in the preview is tonight's game.

Geelong v Western Bulldogs

Geelong_Western_Bulldogs-300x169.jpg

Two weeks ago this game seemed destined to determine the likely top 4 contender out of these two teams. An uphill battle, against the in-form team of the competition Adelaide, awaited the Cats. An expected, if not entirely safe game against the Saints, for the Dogs. What followed has undoubtedly altered the odds, and stakes, tonight.


When & Where?

ROUND 19 7:50PM FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 at Kardinia Park​

Down at Kardinia Park … Not something Bulldog fans have liked to hear in the past, but something commonly sung after their meeting. One of the worst records at any venue in the game, the Bulldogs sport a 24.55% win rate at the ground, with 41 losses and a draw from 55 games there. Even worse for the Dogs, since their early season loss in 2007, Geelong have managed 13 wins for a single loss against them. With the odds stacked against them, can they put up a fight tonight?


How will it happen?

Cats_Dogs_Selwood.jpg

For Geelong, a suffocating press. Despite a few unexpected losses this year, Geelong has managed to maintain possession of the ball arguably better than any other team. With the third most inside-50's, and conceding the second least, they don't allow the opposition much chance to score. Interestingly the Bulldogs are the most miserly of any in the competition, besting the Cats in inside-50's conceded, but will have their work up against them tonight, missing five of their crucial back six.

With skipper Bob Murphy and Marcus Adams already sidelined, their loss of defending trio Dale Morris, Matt Suckling and Matthew Boyd may hurt the Dogs as much as my Supercoach. Although Geelong hasn't boasted the most potent forward line, with Tom Hawkins playing into some well-needed form last week, the young Dogs will have their work cut out. And with Geelong taking more marks inside their forward 50 than any other team, one may look to the midfield to curb Geelong supply.

If only it were that easy. Every team this year has attempted to mute the effects of the most dangerous midfield duo, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood. Racking up a combined average of 246 Supercoach points a game, stopping these two seems mission impossible. With neither team possessing a dominating ruckman, much of the work is done at ground level. Unfortunately for the Dogs, things there don't seem much better. What they do have however, is pace; Geelong have been hampered by quicker teams, able to damage them on the counter-attack. Whilst speed is part of the equation, the other half is quality. Without their best on the field, if they can't capitalise on turn-overs quickly, Geelong should be able to set-up and soundly defend.

Along with the injury to Mitch Wallis last week, the Dogs take in an under-performing Tom Liberatore, leaving much of the work to youngster Marcus Bontempelli. Although they do regain Luke Dalhaus and Jake 'The Package' Stringer, whether they get enough opportunities to impact the scoreboard is the question.

Tonight the Cats simply have more class on their home turf. With just as much to play for, if not more, the boys should get the job done in a record breaking night for the Geelong Football Club.


What will happen?

The odds: Geelong are incredibly short priced favourites given ladder position.

Geelong_Bulldogs_Odds_2.jpg

Last time they met:

WB_Geel_July_16_Last_Time.jpg


This time they meet:

Enright, Bartel, top 4. With everything on the line, the Cats should comfortably see off a spirited Bulldogs performance tonight. The Dogs will want to prove they're still a force this year and show support for their injured team-mates, but will need more than just spirit. A bit of rain might slow Geelong's charge early, but the dam wall should break eventually.
 

JPetro83

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Would love to see the Bulldogs win.. just for the fight for the top 4.. keep it interesting.
Shame the game is at a construction site on an oval...
 

JPetro83

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Correct me if I am wrong, Geelong have only lost 6 games at Kardinia park since 2007? 3 last season...
 
Mar 10, 2007
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With all our injuries, I'm starting to feel a little like the Black Knight from the Holy Grail - it's only a flesh wound.......

Give it everything Dogs and hopefully we can at least put up a good performance.
 
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