Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Sunday 25 August 2013, 4:40pm
Venue: Gabba

 

Head to head:
R1, 2013 – Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) defeated Brisbane Lions 7.17 (59), Etihad Stadium
R23, 2012 – Brisbane Lions 19.14 (128) defeated Western Bulldogs 9.7 (61), Gabba
R13, 2012 – Western Bulldogs 7.14 (56) defeated by Brisbane Lions 18. 6 (114), Etihad Stadium
R2, 2011 – Western Bulldogs 19.9 (123) defeated Brisbane Lions 6.9 (45), Etihad Stadium   
R12, 2010 – Western Bulldogs 17.19 (121) defeated Brisbane Lions 8.8 (56), Etihad Stadium
 

Last time they met:

  • The Bulldogs led from the outset with an commanding six-goal to none first quarter. The Bulldogs went on to win every quarter and ultimately the match by 68 points. 
  • The Dogs controlled the ball against the NAB Cup Premiers, winning the overall disposal count 380 to 304.
  • Playing keepings-off footy, the Dogs finished with +66 uncontested possessions, +58 uncontested marks and a disposal efficiency of 75% (to Brisbane’s 63%).
  • Debutant Brett Goodes played superbly with seven marks and six rebound-50s. 21 of his 24 disposals (88%) hit their intended target.
  • Tom Liberatore was the prime mover in the middle for the Dogs, racking up 16 contested possessions and 11 clearances. The Bulldogs won the centre clearances 17 to eight overall.
  • Brisbane provided plenty of threats with 13 players registering scoring shots to the Bulldogs’ 11.
  • However, inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Lions dearly. Brisbane managed a goal conversion rate of just 29% to the Bulldogs’ 59%.


Recent form:
 

Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are enjoying scintillating form as the season draws to a close. With three wins from their past four matches and seven thus far in season 2013, the side’s relentless attack on the ball is beginning to yield impressive victories. The Dogs remain the competition’s contested ball specialists, ranked first in the AFL for contested possession differential and second for clearance differential this year. 

In the month before facing Adelaide, the Dogs led the competition for total disposals and total tackles while ranking second for inside-50s. While the Crows reversed many of these statistical trends last weekend, the Dogs’ pressure (+14 tackles) generated more turnovers and scoring chances (+3 opposition clangers). This pressure, along with precision use and an excellent conversion rate from inside-50s, ultimately saw the Bulldogs kick their highest score under Coach Brendan McCartney. 

Liam Jones pushed his case for re-selection with three goals for Williamstown last weekend, although Nick Lower’s fractured cheekbone sustained in the same match will rule him out of contention.
 

Brisbane Lions

NAB Cup victory, an early home-and-away form slump, unlikely upsets of the Bombers and Cats and the replacement of Michael Voss as coach punctuate a dramatic year for the Lions. Having won just three games by round 12, Brisbane has since managed six victories in its past nine outings. Their recent good form has dovetailed their defensive pressure. 

The Lions rank third in the AFL for tackle differential and have only been out-tackled twice since round 12. Last weekend, the Lions took to the field with new coach Mark Harvey at the helm and didn’t miss a beat. 

Brisbane vanquished GWS by 60 points, narrowly out-tackling their opponents despite a winning the disposals with a colossal +102 differential. 

Running defender Pearce Hanley looks likely to overcome a minor hip flexor injury to play this weekend, while Brent Moloney is still at least one week away with a hamstring complaint.
 

Key match ups and game breakers:

  • Brisbane midfielder Tom Rockliff has enjoyed a stellar six weeks, averaging 31 disposals and five tackles since round 16. Leading his club for clearances and contested possessions, Rockliff will look to continue his ominous form against the Bulldogs. In this endeavour he has history on his side, averaging 26 disposals in his past three encounters with the Dogs. The Dogs’ onballers will need to be accountable to contain him and stifle Brisbane’s stoppage work.
  • Tenacious tacklers Jack Redden (number one in the AFL with 138 tackles this season), Dayne Zorko (102 tackles) and Rockliff (95) will square off against Tom Liberatore (120), Ryan Griffen (91) and Luke Dahlhaus (84). With both teams full of prolific tacklers and vying for dominance in the contests, the match is likely to be played amidst extreme pressure. Humid conditions in Brisbane could force even more errors and exacerbate the importance of worrying opposition players into hurried decisions with the ball.
  • The Bulldogs forward line performed clinically last weekend, registering 31 scoring shots and 20 goals from just 47 inside-50s. Tory Dickson and Tom Campbell kicked six and four goals respectively, marking strongly. Dickson especially out-pointed taller opponents in the air and on the ground. Brisbane leading spoilers Joel Patfull and Daniel Merrett will look cut off wayward forward thrusts, but they will need the help of speedsters Jed Adcock, Elliot Yeo and Pearce Hanley once the ball spills to fully contain a versatile Bulldogs attack.