Hard knock life
The last couple of times the Dogs and Demons have squared off it’s been… well, you won’t see them popping up among Fox Footy’s classic matches anytime soon, with margins of 57, 32, 98 & 39 separating the two since 2015.
So what about this one? The Dees are in a bit purple patch at the moment, having won 18 straight quarters, and for the first time in their history, have won three consecutives games by over 10 goals.*
They’re a free flowing high scoring machine at the moment, and the Dogs are unlikely to win a shootout, so to win, we’re going to have to out-work, out-hustle and out-grunt them.
And do it early. A great man once said, “Shop early, avoid the rush.”
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Shark tank
Other than argumentative Collingwood fans, most would agree that Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn is the best big man in the competition at the moment, and a major reason why the Demons are sitting in third place on the ladder with the League’s best percentage.
At 52.7 hitouts a game, the Dees have been controlling the middle most weeks, while the Dogs sit just above the Tigers in 17th spot at 24.9 per game.
But interestingly, there’s only three clearances per game difference between the two sides, so the Dogs’ midfield brigade are sharking the opposition ruckman more often than most, and getting first hands to the ball regularly.
If this first use can be converted into scoring shots, we’ll have a game on our hands.
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I am Iron Man
With the recent renaming of Etihad Stadium to the very popular Marvel Stadium, it’s been a big couple of weeks for comic book movie fans. The Age even reported on Friday morning that someone had stolen a whiskey decanter shaped as Thor’s Hammer from a bar in Melbourne overnight, so it seems everybody is getting caught up in the spirit.
Well, the Bulldogs have gotten into the act this week too, bringing back their own version of a superhero back into the side to face Melbourne on the Saturday.
Morris’ pain threshold and ability to overcome serious injury is fast-becoming the stuff of legend, and it’s fair to say the fans are happy. Especially this guy, and certainly this guy.
Welcome back, Moz. Go well.
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Demon hunters
Speaking of Moz, he said on AFL Tonight on Thursday that until it was a mathematical impossibility, he will not give up the dream of playing finals, and Easton Wood said something similar to Channel 7 post-match last week.
And that’s exactly how you want the leaders of your Club talking.
The Dogs are 4-6, having lost the past two but having strung together three straight before that. The knock was the wins had come against sides at the lower end of the ladder, and to prove their credentials, they needed a ‘scalp.’
The Dees gave us a right whack the last time we played, and now sit in third, playing some pretty good footy.
Can’t think of a better place to start.
*Thanks @sirswampthing
