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The Western Bulldogs were lucky to escape with a ten-point win over the Richmond Tigers on Saturday night, after the Tigers led for large portions of the game.
» Click here for the full match report
Final score
Bulldogs 12.13.85
Tigers 11.9.75
The Western Bulldogs will be looking to continue their push into the top four when they take on the struggling Richmond Tigers at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for our live scores and blog from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Bulldogs are coming off one of their best wins of the season after defeating the Swans at the SCG by three points with Jason Johannisen the hero. Playing his first game since severely injuring his hamstring in Round 4, Johannisen kicked a 45-metre goal seconds before the siren to give his side victory.
It may not have been one of their prettiest victories but it was the type that wins finals. Led by midfielders Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hansen and Matthew Boyd, the Dogs came from 16 points down in the third quarter to hold off the Swans.
The Tigers are coming off another disappointing loss, this one against Port Adelaide by 38 points last Friday. The defeat put the Tigers in the spotlight this week after coach Damien Hardwick declared their finals chances had all but gone.
The Tigers’ struggles this season are due to the lack of development of their middle-tier and some of their younger players. Players such as Ivan Maric, Tyrone Vickery and Troy Chaplin have been very disappointing and younger players such as Brandon Ellis and Nick Vlastuin have stalled.
Richmond’s best players – captain Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Alex Rance and, in particular, Dustin Martin – have been very good. Martin has taken a big step up this season, averaging 28 possessions a game, and seems to have matured as a player. His last few weeks, in particular, have seen him produce the best football of his career.
Unless these players get more support the Tigers will continue to struggle and it’s no surprise they rank a lowly 14th in inside 50s this season.
The Bulldogs will trouble the Tigers with their pace in the midfield and across half-back and the Tigers’ forwards will have to work harder than they did last week in keeping the ball in their forward line.
The Dogs also have areas they can improve in, particularly up front. The last six games have seen the Bulldogs average just 76 points a game.
Jake Stringer has been good this year but has taken a step back and Tom Boyd hasn’t played enough due to injury, poor form and now a club suspension. Jack Redpath has shown improvement at times but you get the feeling the Dogs need a lift from their forwards to be a threat come September.
Down back, the Dogs have once again lost defender Marcus Adams and will need to ensure Jack Riewoldt doesn’t cause too much damage up forward.
The Tigers have bitten the bullet and dropped four players, including Maric and Vickery, and have decided to give youth a chance with rookies Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna, Liam McBean and first-gamer Oleg Markov all coming into the side.
Prediction
With such an inexperienced team it’s hard to see the Tigers overcoming a highly skilled side like the Bulldogs, although it will be great to watch Martin and Bontempelli battling it out in the middle.
Bulldogs by 46 points.
Be sure to join The Roar from 7:25pm (AEST) to follow all of the action with our live scores and blog.
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