Port Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday 21 June 2014, 1:45pm
Venue: Adelaide Oval

Head-to-head:

Round 10, 2013: Western Bulldogs 10. 7. (67) defeats Port Adelaide 8. 10. (58), Etihad Stadium
Round 12, 2012: Western Bulldogs 13. 17. (95) defeat Port Adelaide 8. 9. (57), Etihad Stadium
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


Last time they met:

  • Ryan Griffen was impressive against Port Adelaide in round 10 last season, collecting 40 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and a goal. The performance also secured him the three Brownlow votes
  • It was a high pressure affair with 187 tackles for the match but the Bulldogs capitalised on their comprehensive win in the ruck (WB62,PA38), finding eight extra clearances
  • A five goal to zero third quarter set the victory up for the Bulldogs
  • Chad Wingard (PA) and Daniel Giansiracusa (WB) were the only multiple goal scorers for the match with two each

Recent form:

Western Bulldogs
An impressive win against Collingwood on Sunday marked a full four quarter effort from the Bulldogs. The team was strong defensively, challenging Collingwood and putting pressure on the ball carrier for the majority of the game. More pleasingly the Bulldogs illustrated how they can convert that pressure and contested style of play to work in their advantage and capitalise on the scoreboard. Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Liam Jones were standouts while Tom Liberatore took his game to the another level with a season high 23 contested possessions.

Port Adelaide
Port have shown that stockpiling high talent and developing them the right way, will inevitable mean the team’s fortunes can and will change quickly. Falling to only North Melbourne and Sydney so far this year, Port’s average win margin is an impressive 41.1 points as they sit a game clear on top of the ladder.

Key matchups and gamebreakers:

  • Port Adelaide are not without avenues to goal with nine players averaging at least one major a game so far this season. Jay Schultz is their main forward target but Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray are also very handy near the big sticks. Former Essendon recruit Angus Monfries is also returning to form with ten goals from the past four outings and will need to be watched.
  • Jason Tutt may not be the Bulldogs most influential player but the pacey youngster is proving to be a valuable contributor each week. Averaging one and a half goals a game, the 23-year-old has missed just one shot on goal this season. He is also averaging three extra tackles per match than 2013 after working hard on his defensive craft in the VFL in recent seasons.
  • Missing just one game this season Port’s Matthew Lobbe is finding form after an extended run at senior level in the ruck. Posing as Will Minson’s direct matchup on Saturday, Lobbe has averaged over 40 hitouts in the past two outings against St Kilda and Sydney. The Bulldogs big man has also found some form recently, having exceeded 40 hitouts in seven games this year – including in last weekend’s win against Collingwood.