It’s the battle of the western suburbs as the Western Bulldogs face the Essendon Bombers on Saturday evening. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
Both teams lost games they should of won last round, and they also share a win loss record of 2-4.
These teams have more in common than long lost identical twins – both teams have an average age of 24, both are outside the top eight and both need to pick up a win to keep pace with the top eight.
Essendon lead the competition in kicks as they look to play a possession based free flowing game – they’re second last for tackles however. If the game becomes a scrap, don’t write off the Bulldogs to post a win.
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Brendan McCartney has looked to utilise his sides strength in youth and pace, as they are second for handballs.
The young side will look to get it out of defence quickly and put pressure on Essendon’s suspect defending group.
It’s a catch-22 for the Dogs, if they shut down the game it won’t suit Essendon too well, but if they attempt to play the way they want to, they might find Essendon are a season or two ahead of them in ability.
Both teams are outside the top eight when in comes to tackles, which should mean a free flowing game, unless Brendan McCartney attempts to out-fox Bomber Thompson.
Why Essendon will win: Essendon lead the competition in kicks, handballs and marks. One good quarter from the bombers and the game could blow out.
If they play the game on their terms, the Bulldogs won’t be able to stop them. Essendon on their day can thrash any club.
However, like we saw last week, Essendon haven’t worked out how to counterattack the defensive, hard tackling press that many clubs are now using.
Why the Bulldogs will win: Brendan McCartneys side showed against Adelaide last week that they can go the distance if the game becomes a slog. Whilst they lost they showed their capable of playing four quarters of tough footy – this is where they can shock the bombers.
Ryan Griffen, Matthew Boyd and Tom Liberatore will need to be on their game to make sure Essendon’s sleek midfield don’t run away with the game.
Prediction
By no means is an Essendon win a certainty, they will go in as favourites. The Bulldogs will need to have a strong first half if they’re to contend.
Patrick
Guest
"I put Essendon’s victory especially down to the experience of Fletcher, Goddard, Watson and Chapman." Couldn't agree more. The confusing part about the match was that Essendon have Mark Thompson and Neil Craig and the head of player management - and yet the couldn't play the game on their terms. Started to rate McCartney highly now, he took the game to the more experienced side and never gave Essendon breathing space.
patrick
Guest
Thanks mate, thought the only people reading were my brother and my mate! Feel free to join in next game - gets a bit isolated with 70 odd comments mainly to myself. Number of tight games this round, the quality between the top 8 and bottom 8 is very close now, not like the last couple of seasons. Well, Except St Kilda yesterday.
Aransan
Guest
The result of this game was as close as I expected, Essendon are not in good form and have been playing without confidence and you are not going to get that back quickly. Footscray have to be given credit for putting themselves in a position where they could have won. I put Essendon's victory especially down to the experience of Fletcher, Goddard, Watson and Chapman.
Aransan
Guest
Somehow the umpire felt that he either had to pay a 50m penalty for the player being scragged after marking or a free kick against the player for being caught when playing on. Common sense would have just paid the mark. I will be interested in a review of this decision by the umpire department.
Aransan
Guest
An assist by Carlisle, goal kicked by Goddard.
Gecko
Guest
Patrick this is one of the more creative, entertaining commentaries. Dennis Commeti will have to borrow your expression "looking to milk more time than a disliked bedridden grandmother". Well written. Bad luck to everybody's 2nd favourite team - the Doggies.
Macca
Guest
In their 4losses plus tonight they have had 15 quarters (3 in each game) where they have scored just 27 goals.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Full Time, Bombers win by 8 points! They had to play a scrappy game and still don't look comfortable with their own game plan. The bulldogs didn't necessarily play any worse, and it's a tough defeat for them. The fourth quarter was full of ball ups, throw ins with the odd contested mark. Both teams want to play quick hand ball footy but neither of them can do it with out passing to the opposition. Essendon 10.13 (73) defeat Western Bulldogs 9.11 (65). Watson, Hooker, Winderlich and Zaharakis were good for the bombers. Dalhaus, Cooney, Jones and Murphy played well for the Bull dogs.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Melcham decides to go back to basketball and dribbles the ball 5 times bombers mark. 20 seconds to go
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Dalhaus hits Dixon from the defence, Dixon can't find a target. Dogs with a mark in side the centre square. Higgins with an around the body shot at goal from outside 50. He does whatever would think could be the only result from that, and finds an opponent.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Bombers looking to deliberately keep the ball out of bounds, without being pinged for deliberate out of bounds. 2:15 to go, bombers with an 8 point lead.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
It's too early for the bombers to wind the clock down, but they're disagreeing with the wisdom and are looking to milk more time than a disliked bedridden grandmother.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Goddard is taking his time to choose a target, he decides none of them are Brendan Goddard so he goes for goal. It's behind. Can the Dogs get two goal in under 5 minutes? 73- 65 Bombers lead.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
The replay shows an awful hyper extension for Winderlich, hopefully nothing serious.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Goddard kicks to Hocking who goes for goal! Its a behind, it must of scraped the post. 72 - 65.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Cooney wins the throw in but hand balls over his team mates head. The ball is tied up just outside of the bombers forward 50. Winderlich is on the ground in pain, holding his right knee.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Hibberd gets away with a sprint and hits his target, the next kick is poor and the dogs defence recovers. 8 minutes to go, still 71 to 65. Bombers way.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Fletcher has an array of targets and hits Stringer, the dogs back man says thanks an sends it back with added interest.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Crameri marks outside 50 and torpedos the ball to the square, Jones marks but the others gave away a free. Throw in on halfway.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Liver wins the ball after Stringer makes himself a problem for the bombers midfield. It's marked by Dempsey, he doesn't give the ball to the opposition, passing to the umpires instead. Ball up just outside the bulldogs 50. Draw anyone?