Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Saturday 30 March 2013, 1:40pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium

Head-to-head:

Round 23, 2012: Brisbane Lions 19. 14. (128) defeats Western Bulldogs 9. 7. (61)
Round 13, 2012: Western Bulldogs 7. 14. (56) defeated by Brisbane Lions 18. 6. (114)
Round 2, 2011: Western Bulldogs 19. 9. (123) defeat Brisbane Lions 6. 9. (45)
Round 12, 2010: Western Bulldogs 17. 19. (121) defeat Brisbane Lions 8. 8. (56)

Last time they met:

  • The Western Bulldogs got the better of the Brisbane Lions around the stoppages, winning both in the ruck (WB 45, BL 30) and in clearances (WB 40, BL 34)
  • Lion Daniel Rich was dominant with four goals, 25 disposals and 11 kicks inside 50
  • The Bulldogs rallied in the final quarter to kick five of their nine goals in the fourth term
  • Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen were the leading ball winners on the day with 37, 29 and 27 possessions respectively on the day

Recent Form:

Western Bulldogs

The Western Bulldogs NAB Cup campaign produced mixed results, however one thing is for certain – when the Club fields its strongest starting 22 they are capable of being a highly competitive unit. The Bulldogs will approach the season with an increased confidence from last year after a number of their young brigade demonstrated their ability to step up over the pre-season. Bolstering the midfield depth with a mix of matched hardened mature-aged recruits and exciting young prospects, the Dogs will continue to develop their ruthless brand of football.

Brisbane Lions

The 2013 NAB Cup winners are one of the league’s in form teams and will be eager continue their red-hot form. Notching 10 wins last season, the onus is on the emerging, young squad to take the next step in 2013 and live up to their pre-season potential. The addition of Melbourne’s Brent Moloney is set to give their midfield some added grunt, while ex-Demon Stefan Martin strengthens their forward and ruck stocks.

Key match ups and game breakers:

  • The Lion’s key ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has been battling the clock in the lead up to the season opener as he rehabilitates a lingering Achilles complaint. With only two halves of competitive match practice under his belt since he first sustained the injury in round three last year, his lack of minutes could be telling against a full strength Bulldogs ruck duo in Will Minson and Ayce Cordy.
  • It will be a battle of the midfields on Saturday, with each team’s ability to get first touch a crucial factor in how the game will play out. Both sides boast young talent through the midfield, and while the Lions are a few years ahead in their development, the Bulldogs emerging crop have demonstrated an insatiable appetite to win the contested ball and don’t like to be beaten.
  • Daniel Merrett registered an impressive 20 one percenters in the NAB Cup grand final against Carlton, while fellow defensive constituents Matt Maguire and Joel Patfull are also known for their ability to punch the ball out of danger at marking contests. Both Liam Jones and Cordy have made strides in their development over the pre-season, however, and have already shown improvement against quality opposition in recent weeks.

What we said:

“I think people should respect what Brisbane have done really well. They have gone to the draft and they have selectively bought people to their club and they have invested heavily into some terrific, young players and they have played terrific footy in the pre-season. We are just looking forward to just getting out in [an] AFL game and have a real crack at the game, irrespective of who we play and seeing some improvement and being able to compete for longer.”

Western Bulldogs Senior Coach, Brendan McCartney

What they said:

"I've seen a few of their games over the pre-season and they've been tough and hard and competitive. They've run some pretty good teams to the wire … and you know those guys are going to crack in. I think they've been pretty impressive the way they've been going about their business, and quietly really. I think the general public will not have high expectations of them, but I think the Bulldogs will have high expectations of themselves."

Brisbane Lions Senior Coach, Michael Voss