In the first match of the final round of the JLT Community Series the Gold Coast Suns will look to remain unbeaten in the preseason as they welcome the Western Bulldogs who will look to end the series with their first win. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:50pm AEDT.
As expected both sides have named strong squads for the final hit out before the real stuff starts in two weeks’ time (how exciting!).
It has been awhile but we will final see Gary Ablett step out for the first time since Round 16 last year, while Adelaide recruit Jarryd Lyons has also been named for his first game.
Captain Tom Lynch is also back as he looks to build on his great season last year.
The Western Bulldogs have named 10 premiership players to return to the squad this week after missing against Brisbane last week.
While everybody’s favourite captain Bob Murphy is expected to play his second game since his ACL injury, high-profile recruit Travis Cloke has also been included.
Cloke will be looking to build on his solid first game in the red white and blue from Round 1 of the JLT series.
Gold Coast will come up against their toughest test so far after beating Brisbane and Essendon in the first two matches.
They have looked very solid so far and some of the new recruits have played well. Michael Barlow topped the disposal chart last week with 31 and Pearce Hanley is averaging 20 disposals in his first two games for the club.
Gary Ablett is expected to play a lot more forward this season so will be good to see how he looks, and we will get another look at top 10 pick Jack Bowes.
It is only the pre-season and its fair to say the Bulldogs haven’t looked that great so far, but have only just lost on each occasion.
Welcoming back a host of stars will sure change that. They had their moments against Brisbane last week especially in the second half. Jake Stringer played a lot more up the ground and collected 19 disposals and kicked two goals in what he will hope will be a better season than 2016, on an individual level.
Marcus Bontempelli will be hoping he steps out for his first game of the year as he continues to building towards becoming a top-three player in the league.
Prediction
I expect the Dogs to just send a friendly reminder out to the rest of the competition that there will be no premiership hangover this year and put in a good performance.
Gold Coast will have their moments and show what they are on the improve but still a ways off from a top 8 berth.
Bulldogs by 35.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:50pm AEDT.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 16.8.105 Western Bulldogs 4.13.12.126 Fulltime at Metricon with the dogs coming away with the win after a 9goal final term. It was a tale of two completley different halves. The first half was all Gold Coast with at one point them having a 54 point lead. Lynch and Ablett were on fire having kicked a combined 7 goals in the first half. There pressure was enormous and they were handball happy but it was slick and looked great. Lots of positive signs if they can keep that up once the season starts. But as everybody knows you must play 4 quarters of football and from about the 10minute mark in the 3rd term it was all one way. The Bulldogs got their press going and looked good going forward. They piled on the goals to kick 9 in the final term. Stringer with his more midfield role had 26 and kicked 4. Suckling and Jong nailed down round 1 spots with good performances. Suckling kicked 4 and looked clean off half back while Jong was in and under everything. Both teams can take alot of positives out of this game onwards to round 1. Feel free to give me a follow on twitter to discuss anything from tonights game or in future @dats0nn.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 16.8.105 Western Bulldogs 4.13.12.126 Dahlhaus strolls into the 50 to add another. 9goals for the term now.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 16.8.105 Western Bulldogs 4.12.11.120 Suckling with his 3rd supergoal!! and thats probably the game with a 15point margin 3minutes left. What a contrasting 2halfs of football.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 16.8.105 Western Bulldogs 3.12.11.111 4minutes left and 6points is the difference.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 16.8.105 Western Bulldogs 3.12.11.110 Stringer with his 4th and upto 24disposals. Just was in range for a supergoal and Dogs are back in front.
XI
Roar Guru
I really hope Lynch gets a Coleman and the chance to win a flag. He's such a great player
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 16.9.105 Western Bulldogs 2.12.11.101 That man Lynch again with his 6 of the game to put the Suns back infront. Great one on one mark.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.8.99 Western Bulldogs 2.12.11.101 7 Minutes left and we have a 2point ball game.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.98 Western Bulldogs 2.12.11.101 Bontempelli snaps the Dogs infront for the first time today! Gold Coast seem out of legs even though they have rotated alot more.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.98 Western Bulldogs 2.11.9.94 Forgot update the scores below. Crameri kicks another and its back to 4points. Can the gold coast hang on?
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.98 Western Bulldogs 2.8.9.88 Macrae brings the margin to 10points with a goal from 45m.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.98 Western Bulldogs 2.8.9.82 13minutes left to play in this game. Dogs looking full of run at the moment.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.98 Western Bulldogs 2.8.9.81 Witts drops a sitter and it falls into the hands of Picken who snaps the goal.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.97 Western Bulldogs 2.7.9.75 Stringer kicks his 3rd for the game after a nice hit up from Biggs.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 15.7.97 Western Bulldogs 2.6.9.69 Gold Coast answer straight back with a goal from Touk Miller to just keep the margin at arms length.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 14.7.91 Western Bulldogs 2.6.9.69 Stringer with a goal from the stoppage. One of the positives for the Dogs tonight he is now upto 20disposals and 2 goals.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 14.7.91 Western Bulldogs 2.5.9.63 Final quarter underway and it almost began with some Jack Martin magic but his shot hits the post.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
It'd be fantastic for the Suns if Martin has a breakout year.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 14.6.90 Western Bulldogs 2.5.9.63 3 quarter time. Tom Boyd is down after clipping May's shoulder, nothing to worry about for the defender. Hall upto 29disposals and is looking a lock for my fantasy this year. Both teams will look to close the game out strong.
Mat Datson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast 14.6.90 Western Bulldogs 2.5.8.62 Sexton with a great mark over Smith just on the edge of the 50. Comfortably kicks the goal. 1minute left in the quarter. Sexton upto 17disposals for the game and is playing well.