Round two of the NAB Cup kicks off tonight at Etihad Stadium tonight as two sides predicted to be at opposite ends of the table in 2013 – Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn – do battle. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEDT.
For the Western Bulldogs, it could be a bleak season.
They are yet to win a match since round 12 last year and, despite a full-strength team, look likely to struggle again.
The message from Whitten Oval seems to be one of patience as they attempt to get some game time and strength into this relatively young list.
Should Bulldogs fans be expecting any massive improvements this season? Probably not.
Coach Brendan McCartney isn’t worried or panicking either. He’s after improvement in some key areas such as ball movement, efficiency and contested ball.
If you’re a Dogs fan, keep an eye out for that across this game. They come in with a very healthy list and with completely no fear, as they won’t make the final of the NAB Cup after two heavy defeats in week one.
At Hawthorn, they are also unlikely to make the final following two losses to the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns.
It shouldn’t be of too much concern to fans though, as the Hawks were without the bulk of their midfield brigade.
Keep in mind they started their pre-season training a good five to six weeks after the Bulldogs, so for Hawthorn, they are just after game time for most of their players.
Playing under the controlled conditions of Etihad Stadium will suit them better than the greasy conditions up at Metricon Stadium last weekend.
There were positives with some of the new draftees at Glenferrie Oval, such as Jonathan Simpkin and Sam Grimley, but they did have to see a couple of their stars take a seat on the sidelines.
Paul Puopolo escaped serious injury, but will still need to sit out the rest of the pre-season after hyper-extending his knee. He is out with bone-bruising so he should be back by round one.
Cyril Rioli will also need to wait until the start of the season with his ankle in a moonboot, while Brian Lake will be rested this week with a slight calf strain.
There will be a couple of key inclusions to the Hawthorn line-up, with both Brad Sewell and Sam Mitchell expected to make their return.
Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson should be expecting a victory in tonight’s game as they try to amp up their charge towards the opening round.
But it could be the exuberance of the Bulldogs, who can really test teams at Etihad with their pace, that could provide us with an entertaining pre-season contest.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Thanks for joining me tonight for the coverage from Etihad. There's more AFL NAB Cup action across the weekend. Follow on Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) GOALSCORERS (* - Super Goal) WB – Ryan Griffen 2, Clay Smith 1*, Bob Murphy 1, Jason Johannisen 1, Koby Stevens 1, Brett Goodes 1, Liam Jones 1, Jake Stringer 1, Tory Dickson 1, Luke Dahlhaus 1 HAW – Lance Franklin 5*, David Hale 2, Jarryd Roughead 1*, Shane Savage 1, Isaac Smith 1 PLAYER STATS Matthew Boyd (WB) 31 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 8 clearances, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50’s, 2 goal assists Tom Liberatore (WB) 21 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 3 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50’s, 5 tackles Isaac Smith (HAW) 19 disposals, 6 contested possessions, 4 marks, 4 inside 50’s Sam Mitchell (HAW) 19 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 3 clearances, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50’s TEAM STATS Disposals: WB 291-260, Clearances: WB 41-30, Inside 50’s: WB 42-41, Contested Possessions: WB 118-107, Tackles: HAW 54-50, Marks Inside 50: Haw 11-8
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) A good contest tonight between both teams. As much as it's just the NAB Cup, it's important for the Dogs to rack up a win or two in the pre-season, especially against decent opposition. That's what they did tonight, and they showed a fair bit of intensity tonight. Good ball movement, good run and seemed to work their substitutions to perfection. In the end, the Hawks stay winless in the pre-season, while the Dogs are on the board.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
It would be rotten if it's the case. We'll hear more in the pressers I'd say.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Full Time - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Kyle Cheney had a chance to win it, got tackled... SIREN! The Western Bulldogs hang on to win by a point. Matthew Boyd the savior with the final tackle
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:11 left - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Ball under dispute, stolen by the Hawks at the centre wing... doesn't go far. Now Wallis handballs to Boyd.... intercept from Schoenmakers. Forced to play on and kicks to the boundary line
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:00 left - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Time ticking. The Dogs just chipping it around. The Hawks probably not that bothered...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:00 left - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Ball in, forward pocket for the Dogs. Can they hang on from here? Minson wins the ruck contest, but stolen by the Hawks... but only as far as Bob Murphy across half back...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:14 left - WB 1.10.6 (75) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Ball in for the Dogs at their half forward flank. Clay Smith inside 50 to Liam Jones! Marks it in the pocket. Looking for his second... POST!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:57 left - WB 1.10.5 (74) | HAW 2.8.8 (74) Good pressure from the Hawks as they force the ball to Buddy Franklin, who marks just on the 50m arc. The umpire says it'll be a 9-pointer... but he goes short to Jordan Lewis... arms chopped, so a free kick. Goes from 40m out... but misses. Scores are level
nmj1654
Roar Rookie
Oh dear god say it ain't so... Bright year for him ahead if he stays on the park.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:35 left - WB 1.10.5 (74) | HAW 2.8.7 (73) Tory Dickson with a great tackle in the middle of the ground to dispossess Sam Grimley. Ball comes free to Clay Smith... kicks from 55m out... going, going, SUPER GOAL! Dogs in front!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:30 left - WB 0.10.5 (65) | HAW 2.8.7 (73) Jake Stringer is in the rooms for his leg... it could be more to do with the leg injury he had that had him out for a very long time. We hope that's not the case.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:15 left - WB 0.10.5 (65) | HAW 2.8.7 (73) Liam Picken at centre wing, kicks long to the half forward flank. Luke Dahlhaus has got some space behind him. 45m out on the boundary has a ping, while being pressured GOAL!! Nice goal from Lukey!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:30 left - WB 0.9.5 (59) | HAW 2.8.7 (73) Substitution for Hawthorn: Taylor Duryea comes off for Amos Frank.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:00 left - WB 0.9.5 (59) | HAW 2.8.7 (73) Holding free kick to the Hawks... and it's, you guessed it... Buddy Franklin with the freebie. He's 45m out from goal... Slots it home! That might be a bit of a killer
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:20 left - WB 0.9.5 (59) | HAW 2.7.7 (67) Snap in the forward pocket for the Hawks from Franklin, but misses - just the behind. Intercept though for Kyle Cheney... then goes to the top of the goal square... FRANKLIN!!! Cracking mark! Plays on, GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:45 left - WB 0.9.5 (59) | HAW 2.6.6 (60) Ball in, forward pocket for the Dogs. And now a free kick to Mitch Wallis. A chance to put the Dogs in front from 49m out... doesn't quite make the journey - rushed behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:00 left - WB 0.9.4 (58) | HAW 2.6.6 (60) David Hale has a right foot injury, hence he was subbed off.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:45 left - WB 0.9.4 (58) | HAW 2.6.6 (60) Bob Murphy takes a great mark in the middle of the ground! Then goes off to the races. Almost gets chased down. Handballs off, then off to Tory Dickson - GOAL! Margin back to 2 points