Western Bulldogs Vs Lions match preview

The Bulldogs won 10 of their last 13 home-and-away matches before going down to Geelong by 14 points in the second qualifying final at the MCG last weekend.

Brisbane finished the season with victories over Port Adelaide and Sydney to secure a home final before recording a stunning win over Carlton in the second elimination final.

The Lions trailed by 30 points early in the final term but they lifted their rating and slammed on the last six goals of the contest to record a memorable seven-point victory.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Western Bulldogs have only one player on their injury list – Sam Reid (groin) while key defender Tom Williams will make his return from a fractured foot via the VFL. For the Lions, creative defender Josh Drummond and vice-captain Jed Adcock return from quad and knee injuries respectively but Scott Harding (foot) will miss. Joel MacDonald (back) is also unavailable while Bart McCulloch (quad), Pat Garner (knee), Jamie Charman (ankle), Albert Proud (foot) and Joel Tippett (back) won’t play again this season.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Brian Lake vs. Jonathan Brown

Brown was instrumental in his side’s come-from-behind win over the Blues with 15 possessions, 10 marks and four goals – two of which came in the final quarter.

Brisbane will need a similar performance from their skipper if they are going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to overcome a Western Bulldogs side that has the most productive attack in the AFL.

However, Brown’s task won’t be an easy one as he will be matched up by one of the best defenders in the competition in Lake.

The last time these two sides met in round 20 the Lions finished the match with more handballs than kicks – 189 to 175.

They will need to be more direct with their use of the football to give Brown the best chance of having an impact on the contest.

Michael Rischitelli vs. Adam Cooney

Cooney was among his side’s best in the clash between these two sides last month with 25 disposals and four inside 50’s.

Last year’s Brownlow medallist is damaging with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Shutting down Cooney’s run and carry will be a key for Brisbane if they are going to starve the Bulldogs’ dangerous mid-sized forwards of quality supply.

Rischitelli spent some time on Chris Judd and Marc Murphy last Saturday night and will most likely be given the job on Cooney.

The Lions will need Rischitelli to apply relentless pressure all night otherwise the classy Bulldogs midfielder will hurt them with his blistering pace and clean use of the football.

Joel Patfull vs. Brad Johnson

Johnson led from the front in the Western Bulldogs’ win over the Lions last month with 23 possessions, 10 marks and two goals.

The Bulldogs skipper wasn’t at his best last weekend and will be keen to put in a big performance to help lift his side to a second straight preliminary final.

Patfull has the ability to match Johnson in the air and also go with him when the football hits the deck so you would expect him to be given first crack at the 33-year-old.

If Patfull is going to have any chance of winning his duel with Johnson he will need his teammates to suffocate the Bulldogs’ run with their pressure skills otherwise the 347-game veteran will feast on plenty of quality supply from his on-ball division.

Liam Picken vs. Simon Black

Black starred in the middle against Carlton, racking up a team-high 29 touches.

The 2002 Brownlow medallist is an integral part of the Brisbane midfield with his ability to win the football at the stoppages and use it cleanly by hand or foot.

The Dogs will be keen to limit his impact in the middle as it will help them contain Daniel Bradshaw and Brown who kicked nine of their side’s 16 goals last Saturday night.

Picken has quelled the influence of some of the AFL’s premier midfielders in 2009 and looms as the obvious candidate to tag Black.

The Bulldogs will need Picken to be switched on defensively for the full four quarters and not give Black any time or space at the stoppages otherwise he will continually set up his runners and also deliver the football lace out to the Lions’ two star forwards.

VERDICT: Only two teams in the past nine years have gone out in straight sets and we don’t expect the Western Bulldogs to join that list. The Bulldogs are one of the quickest and most skilled sides in the competition and they boast seven players that will play on Friday night that have kicked 20 or more goals this season while Brisbane has just the three. Bulldogs by 22 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v BRISBANE LIONS
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave
HB: Liam Picken, Dale Morris, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Shaun Higgins, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Brad Johnson, Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy
F: Jason Akermanis, Will Minson, Scott Welsh
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
I/C: Tim Callan, Nathan Eagleton, Daniel Giansiracusa, Callan Ward
Emg: Dylan Addison, Andrejs Everitt, Josh Hill
In: Callan
Out: Josh Hill

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Ashley McGrath, Daniel Merrett, James Hawksley
HB: Joel Patfull, Josh Drummond, Jed Adcock
C: Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, James Polkinghorne
F: Sam Sheldon, Daniel Bradshaw, Tim Notting
Foll: Mitch Clark, Luke Power, Justin Sherman
I/C: Rhan Hooper, Matt Austin, Travis Johnstone, Jack Redden
Emg: Bradd Dalziell, Joel Macdonald, Cheynee Stiller

In: Drummond, Adcock, Notting
Out: Jason Roe, Cheynee Stiller, Scott Harding (foot)

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