The Western Bulldogs ended North Melbourne’s seven-match winning streak on Saturday, defeating them by 23 points.
>>MATCH REPORT: Bulldogs blow North away in final term
North Melbourne 10.13.73 def by Western Bulldogs 14.12.96
The two self-proclaimed kings of Etihad Stadium, the North Melbourne Kangaroos and Western Bulldogs, face off in a potential elimination final preview. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
After a spluttering start to the season threatened to keep them out of the finals, North Melbourne have gone on an absolute tear, winning their last seven matches in a row.
The quality of their opposition however has put a few question marks over that streak, with Essendon, Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne and St Kilda making up the bulk of their run of victories.
But the Kangaroos gave their doubters some food for thought last week, out-contesting and out-tackling the Fremantle Dockers in a gritty, come-from-behind, 11-point win.
They’ve booked themselves a spot in the finals, but with a home elimination final on the line will be attacking the last fortnight of the season with extra ferocity.
Easily the biggest surprise packet this season, and arguably one of the biggest of the decade, has been the Western Bulldogs.
Despite suffering a hefty loss to the West Coast Eagles in Perth last week, the Doggies have proven over the course of the year that they can match it with anyone – especially at Etihad Stadium, where they’ve won their last eight matches.
But North Melbourne are no dunces at the Dome, having won five of their past six at the very same venue.
With this fixture almost certainly set to feature again in a cut-throat elimination final, the plucky young Dogs will be out to run their opponents off the park.
North Melbourne welcome back star midfielder Jack Ziebell from a one-week suspension, giving the Kangaroos midfield a tough boost against their slick and speedy opponents.
Given the quality of the opposition they defeated it last week it’s hard to see North making too many other changes. None of their AFL-listed players stood out for Werribee in the VFL, while their other affiliate, North Ballarat, had a bye.
The Western Bulldogs copped a physical bruising in Perth last week in addition to the heavy loss, with Dale Morris (achilles), Michael Talia (ankle) and Jarrad Grant (nose) all in doubt for this week.
Liam Picken and Matthew Boyd both look set to overcome their respective ailments however, with Ayce Cordy, Lukas Webb, Will Minson and Nathan Hrovat listed among Footscray’s best in the VFL.
Prediction
With both of these teams in white-hot form and looking to do some serious damage in September, this has the potential to be one of the matches of the season.
While last week’s loss to West Coast looked ugly on the scoreboard, this young Bulldogs team has proven themselves to be a very resilient group. In the last four matches they’ve played after a loss, the Western Bulldogs have put together some truly superb performances – look for that trend to continue.
Bulldogs by 7 points.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Bigger issue was why Goldstein didn't kill it over for a behind - went the mark, and dropped it forward looking more like he was in the forward line trying to keep it alive - he did, for the Doggies to goal. Bad mistake by the Todd.
Perry Bridge
Guest
I think it was this one that should've been a free to Petrie in the marking contest initially and he infringed on Morris largely as a result - umpires not doing their job - frustrating.
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN The siren sounds on an electrifying 23-point win to the Western Bulldogs. NM - 10.13 (73) WB - 14.12 (96) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL KANGAROOS Drew Petrie takes the mark deep in the pocket, and his kick from the tough angle threads the needle. Superb consolation goal. NM - 10.13 (73) WB - 14.12 (96) Q4: 1'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND KANGAROOS Jarrad Waite gathers at half forward and finds an uncontested Todd Goldstein inside 50. He's been lights out for North with 53 hit-outs, but his kick is off to the right. NM - 9.13 (67) WB - 14.12 (96) Q4: 1'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND KANGAROOS Shane Biggs is able to evade Shaun Higgins down back and 'fumble' the ball over the goal line. NM - 9.12 (66) WB - 14.12 (96) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Big win for the Western Bulldogs today, keeps the top four dream alive and increases the likelihood they'll get to host a non-Victorian side -albeit at the MCG - in the first week of the finals. NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 14.12 (96) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Western Bulldogs very happy to finish the game off with some very slow ball movement. NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 14.12 (96) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL BULLDOGS Shane Biggs seals the deal! Higgins with the turnover going forward delights the Bulldogs fans, before Biggs' running shot at goal from outside 50 rolls all the way home! NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 14.12 (96) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BULLDOGS Jake Stringer with a quick kick inside 50, and Stewart Crameri takes a very strong grab in the one-on-one. A goal here would just about put the game away for the Bulldogs, but his shot from 25 out on the tough angle squirts off to the near side. Could be a handy point however, with the margin a tick over four goals now. NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 13.12 (90) Q4: 7'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BULLDOGS The Western Bulldogs with a penetrating rebound, but Stewart Crameri is forced to have a running shot at goal from outside 50 and it rolls off to the side. NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 13.11 (89) Q4: 9'
Stirling Coates
Editor
The absolute flurry of goals means we've ticked into time on with ten minutes of actual game time still on the clock, could be set for a 40-minute quarter. NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 13.10 (88) Q4: 10'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL BULLDOGS I feel sorry for anybody who ducked off to the bathroom these last few minutes. Jake Stringer with absolute breakneck speed out of the centre clearance, and his long kick to full forward is marked by Stewart Crameri in the goal square! He dobs the easy goal and the Bulldogs are out to a game-high 23-point lead after being up by only five three minutes ago! NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 13.10 (88) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL BULLDOGS The roof may be closed but it is raining goals at Etihad Stadium. Another clearance win for the Dogs, and Marcus Bontempelli fends off a few tacklers, hands to Wallis who hands to Dickson who slams home from point blank! NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 12.10 (82) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL BULLDOGS Bulldogs peg one back! The Dogs have the weight of numbers all throughout the corridor, and they're able to run and handball their way from the wing right up to full forward. Shane Biggs started the possession chain with a forced turnover, and he finishes it off with a running goal! NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 11.10 (76) Q4: 12'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL KANGAROOS Here come the Kangas! Shaun Higgins roves the tap from the stoppage in the pocket, and while his snap at goal is across the face, Jarrad Waite marks on the line. He snaps it home but is called back to go on his line, but puts the checkside banana straight through regardless and the margin is just five points! NM - 9.11 (65) WB - 10.10 (70) Q4: 14'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL KANGAROOS North Melbourne generate the turnover in the corridor and the quick kick inside 50 is marked strongly in the contest by Jarrad Waite. Lining up from 20 out on the slight angle, he puts it straight through and this final quarter is becoming a classic! NM - 8.11 (59) WB - 10.10 (70) Q4: 15'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL KANGAROOS Instant reply from the Kangas! Quick kick inside 50 from the centre clearance finds Shaun Higgins out the back, and in a case of deja vu for the Bulldogs he runs to the line and slams through his third goal! North not going anywhere! NM - 7.11 (53) WB - 10.10 (70) Q4: 16'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL BULLDOGS Bulldogs skipping away! Dale Morris gets the high contact free kick on the wing, centres it to Robert Murphy, and he hands it off to Jason Johannisen. Missed one completely earlier in the quarter, but this time he runs a bit closer and puts a big goal through! NM - 6.11 (47) WB - 10.10 (70) Q4: 16'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Western Bulldogs pressing very hard after the early Higgins goal, and look like they could put North Melbourne away with another goal. NM - 6.11 (47) WB - 9.10 (64) Q4: 16'