Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide
Sunday, 17th June, 2012. 4:40pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Team Line-up:
Western Bulldogs
IN: L Jones, C Howard, F Roberts, C Smith
OUT: D Pearce (hip)
To see the full team announcement, click here.
Port Adelaide
IN: M Thomas, M Lobbe, T Logan
OUT: Nil
Head-to-head:
Round 22, 2011: Port Adelaide 15. 7. (97) defeated by Western Bulldogs 24. 13. (157), AAMI Stadium
Round 16, 2010: Western Bulldogs 12. 11. (83) defeat Port Adelaide 7. 5. (47), TIO Stadium
Round 12, 2009: Western Bulldogs 21. 11. (137) defeat Port Adelaide 7. 2. (44), Metricon Stadium
Round 14, 2008: Western Bulldogs 20. 15. (135) defeat Port Adelaide 11. 15. (81), TIO Stadium
Last time they met:
• Young Bulldog Jason Tutt made an impact on debut with four goals, 26 disposals and six marks - he also earned his first Brownlow Vote.
• Skipper Matthew Boyd was in scintillating touch with 39 disposals, three goals, eight inside 50s and three marks.
• The leading goal scorer for Port Adelaide was John Butcher with six goals - although he only managed six disposals and five marks.
• Port Adelaide won convincingly in the ruck battle (WB 25, PA 53) with Matthew Lobbe winning in the hit-outs with 35.
Watch match highlights from the last time the Bulldogs and Power met on the media player above or on the Club Mobile App.
Recent Form:
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs come off the bye round eager for a win after a comprehensive loss to Sydney in Round 10. Wet weather footy and a heavily drilled Swans outfit got the better of the Dogs in Sydney.
The Bulldogs will be hoping the loss was just a blip on the radar, looking to regain the form that they showed over the two months preceding Round 10 that included four wins from six outings and highly competitive performances against Geelong (7th) and Collingwood (1st).
Coming back rested and refreshed after the bye, the Dogs will be mindful of starting the game strong.
With four wins apiece this season, Port Adelaide (13th) and Western Bulldogs (14th) sit side by side on the ladder, however the Dogs still have a game in hand.
Port Adelaide
Last week saw Port Adelaide fall to a dominant Hawthorn outfit 108 - 62, resulting in the end of their three game winning streak. The week prior the Power proved their quality as an opponent with an upset win against top-four contenders Carlton in Round 10.Previous to this win they had only taken away the four points against Gold Coast, North Melbourne and St Kilda. Two of those wins (North Melbourne and St Kilda) were by a margin of less than 5 points.
Port will be very keen to break their hoodoo against the Bulldogs having not secured a win against the Melbourne side since Round 19, 2006.
Key Players
• Port Adelaide’s key forward target Jay Schultz has been dominant in the forward line for the Power. With 25 goals to his name from nine games this season he is one to watch. A seven goal haul against North Melbourne was his season high to date.
• Leading Port’s disposals and marks is vetran Kane Cornes who found 29 disposal, 10 marks and five clearances last weekend against the Hawks. His experience through the middle cannot be disregarded
• Emerging midfielder Hamish Hartlett has started to produce competitive footy on a more regular occasion this year. While he was kept quiet last weekend against the Hawks, a 26 disposal, four marks, seven clearances, nine tackles and three goal performance against Carlton shows he has the ability to make an impact.
• Port Adelaide could not maintain composure as the Hawks piled on the defensive pressure last weekend so the likes of Bulldogs Dylan Addison, Luke Dahlhaus and Liam Picken will be required to step up.
• Tory Dickson is another Bulldog who is not afraid of applying defensive pressure and laying a solid tackle, but his ability to provide a target in the forward line could could be more valuable on Sunday. A four goal haul against North Melbourne shows he is capable and will now be looking to add to his tally as he becomes more comfortable at senior AFL level
By the numbers
• The Bulldogs are currently leading the competition in average contested possessions per game (157) in comparison to Port Adelaide who are ranked 15th (139)
• Port are taking almost ten more marks per game than the Bulldogs (PA 86, WB 78.1)
• Port Adelaide have also laid 81 less tackles than their opponents this season while the Bulldogs have laid five more than their opponents
Injury List
Western Bulldogs
Dale Morris (leg) - Indefinite
Tom Williams (shoulder) - 2 weeks
Jason Johannisen (knee) - 1 week
Jason Tutt (knee) - 1 week
Lukas Markovic (hamstring) - Test
Nathan Djerrkura (quad) - Test
To see the full Bulldogs injury list, click here.
Port Adelaide
Matt Thomas (corked thigh) - Test
Jasper Pittard (hamstring) - Test
Mitch Banner (knee) - 2 - 3 weeks
Nick Salter (foot) - 2 - 3 weeks
Travis Boak (foot) - 3 weeks
Robbie Gray (knee) - Season
