The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Western Bulldogs vs GWS Giants Highlights: AFL live scores, blog

Roar Guru
11th August, 2017
Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST
Etihad Stadium, Friday 11 August 2017

R6, 2017, GWS 11.9 (75) d Western Bulldogs 9.19 (73) at Manuka Oval
1PF, 2016, Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) d GWS 12.11 (83) at Spotless Stadium
R9, 2016, GWS 15.8 (98) d Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) at Spotless Stadium
R9, 2015, Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) d GWS 11.2 (68) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2014, GWS 18.7 (115) d Western Bulldogs 15.19 (109) at Etihad Stadium

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B Shane Biggs, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Williams
HB Robert Murphy, Lewis Young, Matthew Suckling
C Lachie Hunter, Mitch Wallis, Bailey Dale
HF Toby McLean, Travis Cloke, Liam Picken
F Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Redpath, Tory Dickson
FOL Jordan Roughead, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae
I/C Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Josh Dunkley, Caleb Daniel

GWS GIANTS
B Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Nathan Wilson
HB Adam Tomlinson, Phil Davis, Josh Kelly
C Lachie Whitfield, Dylan Shiel, Heath Shaw
HF Brett Deledio, Harrison Himmelberg, Steve Johnson
F Tom Scully, Jonathon Patton, Callan Ward
FOL Rory Lobb, Stephen Coniglio, Jacob Hopper
I/C Zac Williams, Matt de Boer, Toby Greene, Matthew Kennedy
How many neutral fans are cheering now for Bulldogs victory? (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
11th August, 2017
222
2488 Reads

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Western Bulldogs by 10 points.

close