Westernbulldogs.com.au looks at four hot topics ahead of Sunday’s season opener at Etihad Stadium.
Silver Service
The Dockers had no peer at the stoppages in 2015, ranking number one in most statistical categories, and a lot of the credit must rest with a single man: Aaron Sandilands. But with the big man out suspended it poses an intriguing question as to how the Fremantle midfield performs minus Sandilands’ elite tap work.
Still, with names like Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Lachie Neale, the powerful Dockers engine room will likely find a way, and it will be important that the young Bulldogs midfield get their hands on the footy early and often.
Clearance kings
Fremantle ranked number five in the AFL last season for points from clearances (35.5) and number one for points against, restricting opposition sides to just 21.7 points per game. They’re imposing numbers, but one thing the Dogs do have in their favour is the return of 2014 Sutton Medallist, Tom Liberatore to the line-up.
At his best, Liberatore is the preeminent inside player in the competition and his ability to extract the ball out of the stoppage and feed the Bulldogs runners will be a welcome addition against the dour Dockers.
Attack v Defence
Is it really going to be this simple? Lyon’s defence against, Beveridge offence? Probably not, but the numbers don’t lie. Fremantle held opposition sides to an average of 71.1 points per game in 2015, while the Dogs’ average score of 95.5 saw them ranked fourth in the League. The roof is likely to be closed this Sunday at Etihad Stadium which should favour the free-wheeling Bulldogs but Ross Lyon’s teams are renown for putting the best of teams in a sleeper-hold.
A big game from a forward on either side could make the difference.
Bont v Nat
Now this is worth the price of admission. Fyfe is the prototype of the modern AFL midfielder, he can play tall, he can play small and is a wrecking ball when he doesn’t have the footy. He’s also great fun to watch. Do you know who else is great fun to watch? Marcus Bontempelli. At 192cm and 93kg, the Bont more than matches Fyfe’s 190cm, 80kg frame and will no doubt relish the opportunity to test himself against the reigning Brownlow Medallist.
Even for the non-aligned fan, it will be a treat watching these two thoroughbreds go head-to-head. Bevo, Ross, can we make this happen, please?
