West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs
Sunday 23 March 2014, 4:40pm (WST)
Venue: Patersons Stadium
Head-to-head:
Round 18,2013: Western Bulldogs 16. 15. (111) defeat West Coast 13. 11. (89), Etihad Stadium
Round 6, 2013: West Coast 21. 11. (137) defeat Western Bulldogs 10. 7. (67), Patersons Stadium
Round 1, 2012: Western Bulldogs 12. 15. (87) defeated by West Coast 21. 10. (136), Etihad Stadium
Round 19, 2011: Western Bulldogs 15. 5. (95) defeated by West Coast 15. 13. (103), Etihad Stadium
Round 9, 2011: West Coast 26. 19. (175) defeat Western Bulldogs 8. 4. (52), Patersons Stadium
Last time they met:
• Luke Dahlhaus was best afield with four goals and 29 disposals in the Western Bulldogs’ 22-point victory over the Eagles at Etihad Stadium. Dahlhaus claimed the three Brownlow votes, with Andrew Gaff (2 votes) and Robert Murphy (1 vote) also catching the umpires’ eyes.
• Tom Liberatore amassed an equal team high 29-disposals, working hard back into defence to post seven rebound 50s and 12 tackles. Around the ball, the Eagles were one of a few teams in 2014 to curb the father-son midfielders influence, restricting Liberatore to three clearances, just one of just four occasions last season in which he was kept to less than five.
• Both inside and outside the contest the Bulldogs finished on top, ending the game +16 (143-127) and +40 (283-243) in contested and uncontested ball respectively.
• While All-Australian ruckman Will Minson accumulated the most hitouts on the ground with 27, the multi-pronged ruck division of the Eagles finished on top at the stoppages leading the tap count 37-29.
• Sharrod Wellingham was influential up front for the Eagles, kicking two goals and assisting a further three. Josh Hill and Josh Kennedy also had three goals, while Andrew Gaff was their key ball winner with a game high 31 disposals and nine inside 50s.
Recent form:
Western Bulldogs
The pre-season has given the Bulldogs reason for optimism, with the young side continuing evolve as a playing group. Wins against St Kilda and Carlton provided positive reinforcement for their pre-season's work, as did taking the game up to the red-hot Fremantle. Tom Liberatore, Koby Stevens and Jack Macrae all appear to have made strong gains over summer while the new crop of Bulldogs recruits have already begun to press for spots at the selection table.
West Coast Eagles
Under new senior coach Adam Simpson, the West Coast Eagles start the new year set to atone for an indifferent 2013 by their own lofty standards. A near faultless pre-season campaign has the West Coast seemingly at the top of their game on the eve of the home and away season, with two pre-season victories over 2013 grand finalists Fremantle and perennial finalist Sydney. Nick Natanui appears set to line-up for the season opener after an injury interrupted 2013, while the Eagles also look likely unveil former Hawk and free-agent recruit Xavier Ellis off half-back and top draft pick Dom Sheed.
Key match ups and game breakers:
• It would be poetic if Robert Murphy came out firing in his 250th career game for the Bulldogs, drawing on the energy and adrenaline of the occasion. Last time they met the smooth mover found his way into the Brownlow voting and played a pivotal role rebounding in trademark fashion off half-back.
• Eagles power forward Josh Kennedy has proven a handful in recent encounters, kicking a combined 24 goals in their last four meetings. Restricting Kennedy and the Eagles’ tall forwards will no doubt be a key focus of of the Bulldogs back six, with Kennedy coming off a five goal haul in his final practice match a fortnight ago.
• Matt Priddis going head to head with Tom Liberatore at the centre bounce will be one of the key match-ups of the game. Two of the competitions elite stoppage specialists, whoever can get on top inside the contest early could well set the tone for the match.
