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The second-last match of NAB Cup action this weekend sees the Western Bulldogs take on Carlton at Etihad Stadium. Join us for live scores and a blog of all the action from the first bounce at 5.40pm AEDT this evening.
The Western Bulldogs were largely unimpressive in week one of the NAB Cup.
They accounted for a spirited GWS Giants outfit before putting up a good fight against Collingwood, eventually going down by nine points in what was the second match of that triangular series at Blacktown.
New coach Brendan McCartney has selected a strong squad for tonight’s clash, with Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney and the much-maligned Brian Lake both named.
Liam Jones, Bob Murphy, Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Shaun Higgins and Ryan Griffen are also in the squad for the clash.
The Dogs have a good record at their home track Etihad Stadium, and have accounted for Carlton in five of their last eight matches in the AFL competition, including in the last two meetings between the sides– the latter, a match I covered for The Roar, saw the Dogs surprise a highly-fancied Blues team under the roof.
Conversely, Carlton has left out some guns for tonight.
The Blues will rely upon Marc Murphy and Matthew Kreuzer to lead what will be a relatively inexperienced team selected by coach Brett Ratten.
Captain Chris Judd isn’t in the squad; neither are key talls Jarrad Waite and Michael Jamieson. All three will be greatly missed by a Carlton team that underwhelmed in Adelaide last weekend.
Carlton was horrible in the first half of their match against Port Adelaide – a match they went onto to lose by six points. Against the Crows, the Blues improved somewhat but still came up short, with a super goal separating the two teams at the conclusion.
Tonight I’m going with the Western Bulldogs. I think they’ve picked close to their best squad for the match. The Blues looked like they needed the run last time and without Judd, Waite and Jamison will be vulnerable once again.
I’m going with a two-goal margin for the Dogs.
Can the Blues get on the board in 2012 with a win this evening, or will McCartney’s young pups get a confidence boost in the lead-in to the season proper?
It promises to be another interesting window as to how each side are going, and we’ll be covering the match with live scores and a blog from the commencement at 5.40pm AEDT. If you’re watching or following along, give us your thoughts in the space below.
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