1. Close, but no cigar
It’s an even competition… There are no easy games… Little things determining wins and losses.
Words that have been rolled out frequently in the media by AFL players and coaches alike over the first month of the season.
There’s no doubting it’s true, particularly for the Dogs and Blues.
The Dogs have been in the hunt in every game this season – with the margin either changing, or being less than a kick, in the final quarter of all four matches – but have a 2-2 record.
Despite being yet to post a win, it’s been an almost identical situation for the Blues, who have found themselves within a couple of kicks in the final quarter of each of their matches.
Both teams will be desperate for four points this week.
2. Debut X Two
That’s right – not one, but two debutant Dogs this week!
A dream come true for Will Hayes and Lachie Young, who will pull on the red, white and blue in an AFL match for the first time this Sunday.
Bulldogs supporters will have seen plenty of Hayes last year – he dominated for Footscray in the VFL, averaging 26 disposals per game playing through the midfield, and winning the club’s best and fairest.
Young has made an immediate impact after being drafted as a rookie, with the 19-year-old rebounding defender impressing with his ball use and intercept marking.
Hopefully this is the start of two long, successful AFL careers – good luck lads!
3. Bontempelli v Cripps
It’s the match up that has footy pundits drooling – you know the emoji we’re talking about.
In another life, Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps could have been dominant key forwards, but instead, the two midfield beasts are among the game’s most elite on-ballers.
Both have been in red-hot form in the first month of the season, and it’s easy to see them going toe-to-toe at stages on Sunday afternoon.
It’s a tantalizing match-up, to say the least.
Bulldogs’ vice-captain Bontempelli leads the AFLCA voting after four rounds, averaging 31.3 disposals and 6.3 clearances per game, while Blues’ captain Cripps has led his side with an average of 30.3 disposals and 9.8 clearances per game.
But don’t go thinking the midfield battle relies solely on one player from each team – Tom Liberatore, Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae have been in-form over the first month of the year, while veteran Marc Murphy and young gun Sam Walsh also feature in the Blues’ midfield brigade.
4. Timber
No, not the hit Kesha and Pitbull tune, we’re talking about Carlton’s forward line.
There’s plenty of tall timber up there.
Last week, the Blues had a forward line boasting four key targets – Harry McKay (204cm), Levi Casboult (201cm), Charlie Curnow (192cm) and Mitch McGovern (191cm).
Defensively the Dogs have stood tall so far in 2019, while Caleb Daniel, Hayden Crozier and Matt Suckling have been in fine form with their rebound off half back.
The Dogs will be without Suckling this week, but how they tackle the Blues’ talls – and whether they can use this to their advantage – looms as potentially a key factor in the match.
