Round 21 kicks off with two of the real premiership contenders do battle, as the Western Bulldogs host the GWS Giants at Docklands. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:50pm AEST.
These two sides played in one of 2016’s most memorable games, with the Bulldogs narrowly getting through to the Grand Final by a single goal.
Earlier this year the Giants got a small measure of revenge, just barely outlasting the reigning premiers by two points at Manuka Oval.
With that sort of recent history one would expect to see another close one tonight.
And while the stakes might not be quite as high as they were in September last year, they’re not that far off.
The Giants have displaced Geelong in the top two as we near the end of the season, and if they can keep winning they ensure a home final and the best possible run to the season’s last match.
The Bulldogs appear to have hit form at the right time of the year, but despite winning their last four games they remain only barely inside the top eight.
Realistically they could still finish anywhere from 5th to 11th, so each of the last three games carries a great deal of consequence.
GWS for their part may have turned a corner last week, with a convincing win over Melbourne.
But that was in the familiar environment of Manuka Oval, where the Giants have an excellent record.
Prior to this season, the AFL’s newest club had a pretty good record at Docklands; winning six of the previous eight games they played there.
But so far this season they’ve failed to reproduce that form, with disappointing losses to St Kilda and the bottom-four Blues. In fact, this is just their fourth game so far this season in Melbourne, and they’re yet to record a win in the home of footy.
At selection, the Giants get some fire back in their forward line, with Jonathon Patton and Toby Greene returning. The suspended Shane Mumford and injured Devon Smith make way.
The Dogs also get some potency back through Jake Stringer and Tory Dickson, while Josh Dunkley returns from injury. Clay Smith, Lukas Webb and Easton Wood are out.
Prediction
This is just about too close to call, but at this venue I think the Dogs have a slight advantage.
Western Bulldogs by 10 points.
Micko
Guest
Not sooking mate. Happy to see doghies win last year even tho im swans fan.. Don't follow giants. Not sure how you judge a comment is proper or not. A comment is a comment. Greene is a marked man.
Mighty Richo
Guest
1. The head is sacrosanct. 2. What on earth is this shameful media 'get-Toby-off' campaign doing? 3. Kids playing AFL need to know they won't be kung-fu kicked in the face by a thug's sprigs raised head high. 4. 4 down to 3 for Toby if he's lucky. High, reckless, medium impact, plenty of priors. 5. Eternal shame if the AFL do not send a loud message that this disgraceful act has no place in our game.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
amazed that the commentators (or at least one of them) was trying to suggest there was nothing in it. Even at careless, high contact, medium impact, it's two weeks (down to one with early plea), and the careless grading is being very generous.
Mattyb
Guest
Micko,comment properly and stop sooking. I guess a comparison could be how Cordy kneed Ward to the head in the prelim,there's going to be lots of talk about this kick to the face. Personally I have no idea,I don't really like Greene but I'm thinking he gets off. Really strange and unique incident. Did Fev kick someone in the face once going for a mark which is slightly different?
TomC
Roar Guru
I just got the Martin Pike afterparty joke. Ooooh.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Green gets four. Comes back for GF, kicks six, is presented with Norm Smith Medal by James Hird. Hilarity ensues.
Bill larkin
Guest
Ever watch Garry Ablett senior?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Thanks for the blog, Tom. And thanks to all the others for making it a fun blog to stay on! Have a good weekend everybody! :)
Micko
Guest
fair suck. taking out hanneberys legs in the GF last year and not even a free kick. could have ended his career. Majak Daw couple of weeks ago..marks with knee up and takes out someone. Fair mark as it should be.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
It's going to be like the Somme up there! PS don't forget to use MMM for creative inspiration
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Meh, I much prefer it to the game finishing, a huge amount of ads playing and then listening to the commentary team dissect the game, usually poorly.
TomC
Roar Guru
Love your work, Chancho. I'll just watch the first fifteen minutes of Full Metal Jacket thirty times.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Haha, I'll keep those ideas noted. Well, you guys are favourite tomorrow. Which is good? Or possibly a worrying sign.
Mattyb
Guest
Good comments as always Tom,no excuses for the dogs tonight.
XI
Roar Guru
Ironically terrible is still terrible. And I'm fine with interviews in the room. It's just that when BT interrupts conversations with family members to ask asinine questions it makes it feel really awkward. I can tell a few players want to tell him where to stick it but they never will because they can't.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
Seems the Giants are the Dog's Waterloo on this occasion! Thanks for blogging the game TomC, it wasn't the greatest game so thanks for sticking with it... and thanks to all others for the golden commentary... I think we covered a good deal of ground on all fronts and left no man behind. I'm off to watch Saving Private Ryan, Top Gun, Platoon, Black Hawk Down, Apocalypse Now, and The Little Mermaid
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Well, yeah, I find it invasive as all hell whenever he interrupts radio interviews and the like, but for the most part the humour comes from the awkwardness. This is an argument I'm never going to win, though. I don't have a hatred for him like you guys, and to me that's entirely okay. Whatever, it's 5 minutes every Friday night. Not the end of the world?
TomC
Roar Guru
Zorko the Magician would be the obvious one. Let's see if Dean Solomon can pull a rabbit out of the hat in his first game in charge. You probably won't see much of me, though. I try to stay off social media during Lions games.
TomC
Roar Guru
I think Greene definitely has a case to answer, but I think it's a little unfair to tar the whole team with that brush.
TomC
Roar Guru
Don't you find it a bit hard to watch though? To me he comes across as an invasive, unwelcome guest. The players have to put up with it, but I don't think anyone wants him there.