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The Geelong Cats have moved to the top of the AFL ladder with a 57-point win over the Western Bulldogs, continuing to press their case as a premiership contender in 2016.
REPORT: DANGER AND THE CATS DOMINATE DOGS
Final score
Geelong 16.4.100
Bulldogs 5.13.43
The Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats will both be looking to consolidate their place in the all-important top four when they clash in the match of the round at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Cats are coming off an impressive 31-point win over the top placed Kangaroos last week, led by star recruit Patrick Dangerfield who finished with 48 possessions in one of the most impressive individual performances of recent times.
Along with captain Joel Selwood, the two midfield dynamos finished with 44 contested possessions between them. Up forward the Cats were well served by Daniel Menzel and Shane Kersten who kicked seven goals between them and helped ease the loss of power forward Tom Hawkins, who missed through suspension.
The Bulldogs are coming off a nail-biting three-point win last week over Port Adelaide, led by their young gun Marcus Bontempelli who finished with 29 disposals.
The win was even more meritorious when you consider the Dogs were missing four of their starting defenders in Bob Murphy, Marcus Adams, Jason Johannisen and Easton Wood plus they lost key midfielder Luke Dalhaus with a knee injury.
The Dogs will welcome back Adams back into the side, timely as he will asked to tackle Hawkins who returns from suspension for the Cats in what will be one of the key duels in the match.
This will be an exciting clash with talent all across the ground. The midfield will dictate who gains ascendancy and the Cats have been very pleased with the form of ruck recruit Zac Smith.
The former Sun has had an excellent past two weeks, matching Shane Mumford two weeks ago and having the better of Todd Goldstein last week, although Goldstein seem hampered. Smith with the help of Mark Blicavs will play a key role against the Dogs ruck duo of Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead and will decide who gains all important first use out of the middle.
Prediction
The Dogs will find it hard to score against a very organised Cats backline led by Harry Taylor. Dogs forward Jake Stringer struggled last week until he was thrown on a wing in the last quarter and kicked two crucial goals. The Dogs will need more from him and Jack Redpath who kicked four goals last week.
Menzel has been selected by the Cats but he may be in some doubt after rolling his ankle last week on Etihad’s astro turf.
Injuries to some key players for the Dogs may cost them in a close contest.
Cats by 12 points.
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