Western Bulldogs will be massive underdogs when they face Geelong tonight in arguably the most one-sided clash of the round. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
Geelong: before the season they were labelled as fading has-beens, or more refined, as a ‘team who will need to rebuild soon’.
But the Cats bared their claws in a thrilling match against the Hawks and have not lost a game this season, placing second in the market to win the premiership (ironically, after Hawthorn).
On the other end of the scale, the Bulldogs have shorter odds for the wooden spoon than the Gold Coast Suns, and have shown why in most of their performances.
After a brilliant display against the Lions in Round 1, the Doggies have fallen flat on their face.
They lost games against Fremantle and Richmond, but their effort in the torrential Adelaide rain was more than worrying.
Their 80-28 loss against the Crows had most fans watching through the cracks in their hands, with the Bulldogs going goalless in the second and third quarters.
Geelong will field a mostly unchanged team to the one that triumphed against Sydney last week, with James Kelly coming into the side to replace the injured Paul Chapman.
In the other camp, the Bulldogs cop a massive blow in the loss of Daniel Giansiracusa for two weeks with a shoulder injury.
Ryan Griffen is also out for this match with a shoulder injury. Promising youngster Ayce Cordy is also out.
Geelong are fourth for uncontested disposals, second for scores from turnovers. The Doggies mustn’t let Geelong rule the midfield or succumb to the pressing pressure of the Cats.
Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has told his boys to be bold, and “have the courage to … move the ball and use the ball”.
He is aware that the going will be tough at times, and has called for the players to keep putting in 100 percent for the whole game (and season), saying, “There’s no doubt some of our younger players will have patches in the game where it’s getting away. It’s how well they get themselves back.
“That’s almost the definition of maturity. In any job, if you have a bad minute, you don’t let it become a bad day or week. You can correct it and they’ve got to learn to do that.”
The Dogs will sorely miss the composure and experience of Griffen and Gia, and it will show. However, if this young squad gives their all, strange things can happen in football.
Realistically though, you can be sure the Geelong staff have already pencilled this game in as a win ahead of a challenging four weeks against Richmond, Essendon, Collingwood, and Port.
This one could get ugly, quickly.
nmj1654
Roar Rookie
Proud of the Dogs. Went out there with the football world on their back expecting a record margin, and delivered on some of the promise McCartney has been preaching about. Geelong are still an excellent side and it's a credit to them that even after Rivers' injury they can swing Taylor between forward and back and plug the holes that need plugging. Excellent depth. If they can manage their players as well as they did in 2011, blooding quality youth while retaining Bartel, Enright, Corey, Johnson and co as elite performers they could go well into September. Enjoyed watching Jones and Stringer go about their business in the forward line - boy, can Jones crash a pack, and it's great to see Stringer have the composure to go back and slot 2 set shots from outside 50 as well as a snap. The only sour note of the night was the poor standard of umpiring - free kicks that went the wrong way, marks not paid (2 Geelong marks in the forward line in Q2 ignored) and general ignorance. It was an even contest regardless as it went both ways.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
AND IT'S ALL OVER here at the MCG. Geelong maintain their unbeaten start to the season, going 5-0. For the dogs, it's their 14th loss in 15 games. However, it was a gallant performance for a team that was 19-1. If the old hands of Griffen and Gia had been in the side they could have won it. Geelong were a bit flat, but flat for the Cats is still pretty darn good. FINAL SCORE: WB 86 - GEELONG 107
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
They've tried their hearts out, but you'd sense time is running out for Dogs with just under 2 minutes remaining. Geelong haven't played their best, but good enough; seeming the story of their season so far.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Bulldogs need four goals, and are running out of time, with 5 left. Geelong are holding the ball, and showing their experience.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
7' GOAL GEELONG Now it's the Bulldogs who are fading through exhuastion. The cool heads of Geelong combine to dish off to Smidts, who scores. EDIT: ONLY A BEHIND. A imperceptible glance of the ball against the post keeps the Dogs in it. WB 85 - Geelong 104
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs need to keep their composure if they're to get this one back. Starting to get a little too frantic. Cats trying to stem the flow
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
11' GOAL BULLDOGS Tenacious defence in the attacking half leads to Roughead taking a mark on 25, and scores to bring the margin back under 20. The Cats are fading faster than a winter sunset. WB 84 - Geelong 103
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
12' GOAL BULLDOGS Jones takes a mark just inside 50 from a clearance. A Dogs comeback might just be on the cards; it will be a tense last 12 minutes WB 78 - Geelong 103
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
13' GOAL BULLDOGS Adam Cooney juggles a mark on 50, turns and loses his marker, and runs to 30 before kicking the goal. WB 72 - Geelong 103
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Bulldogs are keeping numbers back to stem the flow of goals, but it's resulting in a dearth of attacking options. They are often resulting to long bombs. Geelong are cutting through the midfield like a knife through butter with their typical give-and-go handball approach. Still an even game despite the scoreboard.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
4TH QUARTER
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
3QTR TIME WB 66 - Geelong 102 Geelong have improved the half-time margin by a goal, and look set to cruise home. The Bulldogs may be behind, but not for want of trying. Dalhaus has been ferocious in the midfield, but he is only on man, and Doggies are sorely missing stalwart Giansiracusa. It looks sealed, but will still be an engaging 4th quarter.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
1' GOAL GEELONG Harry Taylor takes a mark on the lead. He lines it up from about 20 out, and scores his 5th. He is having an absolute ripper tonight, and only 1 off his all-time record of 6 goals against GWS. WB 66 - Geelong 102
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
2' GOAL BULLDOGS Stringer marks near the goalsquare, and runs on off the mark and slams it home. WB 66 - Geelong 96 Geelong can never quite pull away enough to feel comfortable.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Bulldog's sub LeCrae has made a few unforced errors since coming on. He's having a tough time tonight
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
3' GOAL BULLDOGS Smith runs through two or three defenders to score a good goal. WB 60 - Geelong 95
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
4' GOAL GEELONG Christensen crumbs, snaps, and goals. Even though the Doggies are winning many of the stats, they are getting smashed on the scoreboard. WB 54 - Geelong 94
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
LeCrae has been subbed on for Veszpremi, and promptly kicks his first attempt on goal out on the full. Impressive play though.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
8' GOAL GEELONG A stylish piece of set-up play pays off as Harry taylor takes a mark about 35 out, and scores his 4th WB 54 - Geelong 88
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Both sides are throwing everything at this contest, but the final ball or kick at goal is lacking from both sides. The Doggies have missed some chances to draw closer, and the Cats have missed some chances to but the game beyond doubt. Very entertaining football. Dalhaus is playing himself into the ground