Team Line-up:
Western Bulldogs
IN: E Wood, A Cordy, D Addison, C Smith
OUT: J Sherman (omitted)
To see the Bulldogs full team line-up, click here.
Sydney Swans
IN: J White, S Mumford, T Armstrong
OUT: Nil
Head-to-head:
Round 18, 2011: Sydney Swans 16. 18. (114) defeated Western Bulldogs 11. 9. (75), SCG
Round 7, 2011: Western Bulldogs 10. 5. (65) defeated by Sydney Swans 10. 13. (73), Manuka Oval
Semi Final, 2010: Western Bulldogs 11. 11. (77) defeat Sydney 10. 12. (72), MCG
Round 21, 2010: Sydney 17. 12. (114) defeats Western Bulldogs 10. 10. (70), SCG
Round 8, 2010: Western Bulldogs 14. 17. (101) defeats Sydney 9. 9. (63), Manuka Oval
Last time they met:
• Shaun Higgins and Ryan Griffen laid on the defensive pressure with 10 and 12 tackles respectively while Luke Dahlhaus and Daniel Cross laid 9 tackles each
• In addition to the scoreboard, Sydney won the last contest convincingly across the key statistical categories: disposals (SS 399, WB 288), clearances, (SS 55, WB 45), hit-outs (SS 58, WB 42), contested possessions (SS 203, WB 162) and inside 50s (SS 74, WB 46)
• Kieran Jack (34 disposals, 4 marks, 10 clearances, 5 tackles) and Adam Goodes (34 disposals, 10 marks, 6 tackles, 2 goals) were the Swans biggest ball winners while Craig Bird led the goal scoring with four goals
Recent Form:
Western Bulldogs (W L W W L, 13th)
The Bulldogs have been regularly winning the contested ball and the clearances and now look to be more damaging on the scoreboard. As Peter German revealed in BulldogsTV’s Weekly wrap, this week’s focus has been on maximising the efficiency of the delivery inside forward 50m.
The Dogs have been highly competitive against good opposition in Collingwood (4th) and Geelong (9th) of late, but are yet to claim their first top 8 scalp. They have lost their past two matches against Sydney at the SCG, however past performance may not be a true indicator. Under Senior Coach Brendan McCartney the Bulldogs have implemented a more contested, ferocious style of football which should translate well to the SCG’s smaller confines.
Sydney Swans (W L L W L, 5th)
The Swans looked to be an impending force at the start of the season winning their first five games, but have since dropped three of their past four matches with their confidence taking a battering of late. Key injuries to Adam Goodes and Shane Mumford during this time didn’t help their cause
The Swans’ only win of the past four rounds was a 101-point victory over bottom of the ladder Melbourne. Sydney will want to reconfirm their spot in the top eight and get a few wins under their belt before the bye round.
Key Players:
• Lewis Jetta’s emergence is proving handy in the forward line for Sydney as he currently leads their goal scoring with 20 goals for the season. Playing his 50th career game this weekend, he will be keen to continue his good run - he has kicked three goals in both of his last two games.
• Bulldog Ryan Hargrave is the other player set to play a milestone match as he suits up for the Club for the 200th time. Season 2012 has seen a return to form for the veteran as he continues to approach his career best form. Hargave will be influential in the back six and critical to restricting the Swans goal scoring options.
• One player who is building form in the Swans camp is midfielder Kieran Jack. Against Melbourne he collected 33 disposals, four marks, five tackles, three goals, six clearances and five inside 50s. He backed it up last round with 26 disposals six tackles, two goals, five clearances and six inside 50s. A player the Bulldogs must watch.
• If recalled to the senior squad, defenders Dylan Addison and Easton Wood could be held responsible for shutting down Sydney’s potent small forwards. Addison’s ability to lock down his forward opponent as well as his relentless second efforts could be telling. Meanwhile, Wood will be looking to replicate the breakout form he showed against Collingwood before going down with injury. Wood’s athleticism and run will be a great addition to the Bulldogs line-up.
Injury List:
Western Bulldogs
Dale Morris (leg) - indefinite
Tom Williams (shoulder) - 4 weeks
Jason Tutt (knee) - 3 weeks
Jason Johannisen (knee) - 2 - 3 weeks
Lukas Markovic (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Nathan Djerrkura (knee) - 2 weeks
To see the Bulldogs full injury report, click here.
Sydney Swans
Gary Rohan (leg) - season
Adam Goodes (quad) - 3 - 4 weeks
Shane Mumford (back) - test
Alex Johnson (elbow) - test
Lewis Roberts-Thompson (heel) - test
Alex Brown (hips) - available
