The GWS Giants are firmly inside the AFL’s top four after recording a 25-point win at home over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
REPORT: GIANTS CONFIRM TOP 4 STANDING WITH WIN OVER DOGS
Final score
GWS 15.8.98
Western Bulldogs 10.13.73
The GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs will be motivated to cement a spot in the top four of the premiership ladder when they do battle at Spotless Stadium this afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
The in-form Giants are placed third on the ladder having managed to win their past five games in convincing fashion, including dominant victories against the Hawks and Suns. The Bulldogs are not far behind them, sitting fifth on the table coming off compelling victories against Melbourne and the Adelaide Crows.
Both teams have a win/loss record of 6-2 in season 2016 and both have top four aspirations.
The Bulldogs have a strong record over the Giants in their short history, winning four of the past five encounters. However this will be the first meeting at Spotless Stadium between the two sides, where the Giants have won five of their last six on their home turf.
The away game means the Bulldogs will be facing the challenge of travelling interstate for the first time this season, having played their first eight matches in Victoria.
A suspension to club leader Matthew Boyd has compounded a long injury list for the Bulldogs. Marcus Adams, who underwent recent finger surgery, is also out, as are defensive options Robert Murphy, Jason Johannsen and Matt Suckling.
For the Giants, Heath Shaw will provide plenty of run off half-back while Tim Mohr, who returned last week after a long absence from senior football, will play for a permanent position in the GWS back six.
The Giants are in relatively good shape as their young midfield will be looking to dominate again. Former Bulldog and current Giants captain Callan Ward will be in action alongside Dylan Shiel, Steven Coniglio and Josh Kelly.
Opposing them are key Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore, who made 19 tackles last week, and Marcus Bontempelli, who is coming off a career-high 33 disposals.
Expect a shootout up front. Jeremy Cameron, who slotted seven goals against the Suns last week, will be the Giants’ main man up front, while Jake Stringer will be the main target up forward for the Bulldogs who booted five straight against the Demons.
Dogs’ ruckman Robert Campbell more than held his own against Max Gawn last week, and will be looking to compete well against another quality big man in Shane Mumford this week.
Many will be intrigued to see how the last week’s Rising Star nominee, Jacob Hopper, will fair in his second game. Hopper, who debuted last week, racked up an impressive 32 disposals and nine clearances.
Prediction
This match should provide an intense midfield battle between two young sides eager to prove their premiership credentials. The Bulldogs’ lack of running defenders will hurt the away side, and the home ground advantage will be enough to give GWS the win.
Giants by 14
Will the Western Bulldogs be able to overcome their key outs and win their fist interstate trip of the season? Or will the Giants be too strong at home?
Join The Roar this afternoon at 3:20pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Agent11 I think it's called tin foil hat syndrome.
clipper
Guest
Agent11 - that might be plausible, we all hear predictions of much lower figures, especially for easts games, except that spotless does the count - are you saying that the AFL are in collusion with spotless?
Agent11
Guest
doesn't really matter, no one believes the GWS crowds that get reported anyway. I have heard some predictions for yesterdays game at spotless as low as 2000...
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Some interesting stats there clipper
clipper
Guest
It's interesting to note GWS have only been the least attended team once this season - round 8 against the Suns. Round 2 they had 13,656 -both Manly (9603) and the Roosters (10113) were lower Round 4 10,028, wests got 9216 Round 6 13,766 Easts, again (9502) Penrith (6721) Souths (11229) and Manly (11734) were lower
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Sorry soccer fans, but kicking the ball around the back half line wasting minutes is a tactic from soccer, i like it when it backfires during red time.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
You are kidding me !!
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
is it as exciting as rugby league players kicking off a tea cup Gazza
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
I reckon the big boys can sort out some fixturing joshie boy, don't stress.
clipper
Guest
Wasn't the lowest turnout in Sydney - Wests managed sub 9,000
josh
Guest
Unless it conflicts with the A League season
gary
Guest
I went to my first game of AFL found it totally boring the boquet toss is the most exciting thing about this game
mds1970
Roar Guru
Another sensational win against a highly-fancied opponent. I'll have to admit I was a bit worried when Buntine & Mohr were out of the game in the opening quarter; and with a tiring game plan and only two on the bench, there was always the risk the Bulldogs could run the Giants down. But the Giants dug deep - none more so than Heath Shaw, time and again getting the ball and clearing it out of the danger zone. 36 kicks was a seriously awesome return. And another bag of 5 from Jeremy Cameron, including four in the first half when the Giants were establishing their lead. A very enjoyable day at the Land of the Giants. There's a seriously good team in action when the Giants are at home.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Will be Spotless Joshie boy.
Agent11
Guest
hard to get atmosphere when there is lucky to be 7k people watching, oops I mean 9k....
Josh
Guest
Which home, inner west Sydney or Canberra ?
justinr
Guest
I've just got back from the game. Heath Shaw is SUPERMAN! Giants are a major chance of top 4, and should have a home final at least. Sick of the haters.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Incredibly boring match to watch - absolutely zero atmosphere. Its fortunate that GWS have been given an armchair ride by the AFL. The local supporters provide nothing at Spotless Stadium. I sense another Gold Coast Suns type scenario once GWS are weaned off the subsidised draft picks.
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
The Roar's MVP Votes 3 VOTES: Heath Shaw. 38 disposals, 36 kicks, 14 marks at 97% efficiency dominated across half back. unstoppable today. 2 VOTES: Steven Coniglio: 32 disposals, 16 kicks, 16 handballs, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50's and 1 goal. Played brilliantly in the midfield over some quality bulldogs on ballers. 1 VOTE: Toby Greene: 3 goals, 22 touches, 14 kicks, 8 handballs. Managed to slot 3 goals home and provide plenty of run for the Giants with 7 inside 50's
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Match Summary KEY STATS Disposals: GWS 396 - DOGS 380 Kicks: GWS 250 - DOGS 191 Handballs: GWS 146 - DOGS 179 Free Kicks: GWS 14 - DOGS 21 Clearances: GWS 36 - DOGS 34 Inside 50: GWS 52 - DOGS 51 Tackles: GWS 84 - DOGS 53 Leading Possession getter's: GWS :Shaw 38, Coniglio 32, Ward 30 BULLDOGS: Bontempelli 32, Dahlhause 28, Macrae 26 Goals: GWS: Cameron 5, Greene 3, Johnson 2 Bulldogs: McLean 2, Dickson 2, Lin Jong 2 GWS proved to be to strong today dominating the tackles count and the kicks count. Bulldogs struggled to win the football and when going forward the giants had all the answers over half back. GWS claim their 7th win go the season sitting 4th on the table. Bulldogs will sit tight at 5th position. Thank you for joining me this afternoon in what was an entertaining game of football. What were your thoughts on the match? How close are GWS from contending this season? Where can the bulldogs improve? Let's keep the discussion going in the comments. Thank you.