GWS Giants vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday 12 April 2014, 4:40pm
Venue: StarTrack Oval

Head-to-head:

Round 15, 2013: GWS Giants 12. 11. (83) defeated by Western Bulldogs 13. 9. (87), StarTrack Oval
Round 5, 2012: GWS Giants 9. 8. (62) defeated by Western Bulldogs 15. 14. (104), Manuka Oval
NAB Cup Round 1, 2012: GWS Giants 1. 3. 3. (30) defeated by Western Bulldogs 0. 5. 5. (35), Blacktown Olympic Park

Last time they met:

  • Michael Talia won the Rising Star nomination in round 15 for his 32 disposal performance
  • The Bulldogs played a more physical game, accumulating +39 contested possessions, +9 clearances, while the Giants posted +5 tackles.
  • Dylan Shiel was most prolific for the Giants with a team-high 25 disposals, three goals and four tackles. Key forward Jeremy Cameron also finished with three goals
  • Despite registering almost 20 more inside 50s the Dogs had less scoring shots than the Giants, who were unable to convert their chances up forward.

Recent form:

Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have claimed their first scalp for 2014 and are now hunting their second in GWS Giants.  Yet to be defeated by the youngest franchise in the AFL, the Bulldogs will be looking to continue that streak and registering back-to-back wins this season. The Bulldogs defensive efforts last week against Richmond produced great results, locking the ball in the forward half and allowing the Dogs to capitalise on the scoreboard. Replicating that intensity against the Giants, who also thrive on the contest, will go a long way to winning.

GWS Giants
It has taken less than three rounds for GWS to announce that they will not be the competition easy beats this season. Two wins from three rounds including cross-town rivals Sydney show how the side has matured from boys to young men. The Giants are fielding a team with over 50 games per player on average – in comparison to 27.8 games the last time the two teams met.

Key match ups and game breakers:

  • The Giants midfield trio Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio  and ex-Bulldog Callan Ward have continued their ascendency  in season 2014, ranking top three at their club in disposals, contested possessions and clearances, as well as making up three of the top four in inside 50s alongside Toby Greene
  • Will Minson again has a hard task in front of him, preparing to face the in-form ruckman of the competition, Shane Mumford. Since defecting from Sydney Swans, Mumford has dominated the ruck stats – accumulating 27 more hitouts than Minson (151 – 124) in just the first three rounds
  • The Bulldogs multi-faceted forward line looked potent against Richmond last weekend, with a number of quick goals instigated from the back half. Three goals to Liam Jones and multiple majors to Stewart Crameri, Daniel Giansiracusa and Lin Jong were promising – while 2012 recruits Lachie Hunter and Jake Stringer also produced multiple attempts on goal.
  • A three-pronged Giants forward line of Jeremy Cameron , Jonathon Patton and Johathan Giles will pose a challenge for the Bulldogs tall defenders but a successful return from injury by Tom Williams and the consistent form of Dale Morris goes a long way to stopping the young trio. A third tall defender could also be added to the Bulldogs mix to better contend with the match up, with a number of players pressing for selection.