West Coast Eagles
133
32
Western Bulldogs
72
A tough assignment ahead in Round 11 for the unpredictable Western Bulldogs, they travel to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live coverage of the match, starting at 5:20pm AEST.
The West Coast Eagles blitzed the Adelaide Crows in the second half of their clash last Saturday, kicking ten goals to three and finishing 12-point winners.
Down by as much as 33-points early in the third term, the Eagles stormed home to a fourth win in their unbeaten streak.
The 2018 premiers are putting the foot down when required and finding their groove ahead of the mid-season bye, a good sign for all Eagles’ fans.
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs are a frustrating side for fans and experts to understand.
They get up for the big games, but then fail to fire against the lower ranked sides. They’ve lost to the bottom three sides (as of the end of Round 10): Gold Coast, Carlton and most recently, North Melbourne.
Last Saturday against the Kangaroos, in an emotion-charged match, the Bulldogs came up 25-points short under the roof of Marvel Stadium.
A late fightback gave the Dogs the lead in the final term, but North swung the momentum back in their favour, to end Brad Scott’s coaching career at the club with a win.
Another missed opportunity by the Dogs, a theme emerging in their 2019 season. They currently stand at four wins, six losses.
At selection, West Coast made just one change.
Lewis Jetta returns to the side from suspension, young defender Jackson Nelson has been omitted to make way.
The Western Bulldogs have made three changes for their trip west this weekend.
Ed Richards has been omitted, while Hayden Crozier (toe) and Mitch Wallis (ankle) will miss the match, sidelined with injuries.
Billy Gowers returns to the senior side, after a week in the VFL. First-year defender Lachie Young has also been recalled.
Ryan Gardner will make his AFL debut in round 11.
Gardner has been on Footscray’s VFL list this year, following three seasons (2016-2018) on Geelong’s list. He can play at both ends of the ground and matching up in a ruck contest when required, but has been named in the forward line for the Bulldogs.
Taken at pick six in the 2019 NAB AFL Mid-Season Draft on Monday, it was announced on Tuesday that Gardner would immediately debut this weekend against the Eagles.
Round 18, 2018 is the last time these two sides met. In the run home before their successful finals’ series, the Eagles smashed the Bulldogs by 54-points.
Prediction
West Coast, particularly at home, will be too strong for the Western Bulldogs. Even if the Dogs do get up for this clash, the Eagles will stand up to secure their place in the top-four.
West Coast by 27 points.
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
When: 5:20 pm AEST
TV: Fox Footy, AFL app, Kayo Sports
Betting: West Coast $1.26, Western Bulldogs $3.90
West Coast Eagles
B: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Liam Duggan
HB: Brad Sheppard, Jeremy McGovern, Lewis Jetta
C: Jamie Cripps, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff
HF: Jack Petruccelle, Jack Darling, Dom Sheed
F: Liam Ryan, Josh J. Kennedy, Willie Rioli
Foll: Nathan Vardy, Elliot Yeo, Jack Redden
I/C: Jake Waterman, Oscar Allen, Tom Cole, Mark Hutchings
Western Bulldogs
B: Jason Johannisen, Jackson Trengove, Bailey Williams
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith
HF: Matthew Suckling, Ryan Gardner, Sam Lloyd
F: Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton, Billy Gowers
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
I/C: Toby McLean, Patrick Lipinski, Bailey Dale, Lachie Young
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Western Bulldogs have the best positive differential for frees this year, 50 - more than 4 per game. Carlton have the greatest negative differential Eagles have a positive differential of 1
Klompy
Guest
Great win by the Mighty Eagles. Great to see that Jack Darling is finding form now. I believe that the Eagles will break the losing streak in Sydney next Sunday and beat the Swans very Comfortable. With Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy leading the way in the forward line. With Shuey and Gaff and Sheed having a field day in the Midfield. Now having said that Lets hope Shannon Hurn can play in Sydney. The Captain is need in the back line for this game. Hurn is having a great year. Lets hope that Shannon Hurn gets and All Australian gig and get the All Australian Captain which he deserves this year.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Keep going, I'm nearly there
Rusty
Roar Rookie
The umpires where pretty even both ways but I must admit there was a few unfair calls heading both ways.
UseR2006
Roar Rookie
Confirmed in the WCE press conference from simmo.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
And Petrucelle and Ryan and Rioli
michael RVC
Roar Pro
On what basis does any WBFC fan complain about any umpiring decision in this game? Or any game for that matter. The only other most blessed team in this comp is the Hawks. They are a real AFL team. WB are a throwback to the middle of last century.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
* word is a tight hamstring was the problem for Shannon Hurn *
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The West Coast Eagles have smashed the Western Bulldogs by 61-points at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was a dominant performance by the Eagles, who really hit their straps after half-time. The opening quarter was fairly even, though the Western Bulldogs had many more opportunities and failed to convert. Scores were level at 19-all at the first break, but the way both teams had got there was vastly different. In the second term, it was a tight battle, thought the Eagles broke away by two goals heading to the long break. After half-time it was all the Eagles; they piled on nine goals to the Dog’s three during the third term, opening up the ground with centre clearances and their transition. Shannon Hurn and Jeremy McGovern dominated as usual in the backline, swallowing up anything that missed the leading Bulldogs’ target. The 49-point lead at three quarter time was extended to a 61-point victory, reduced from 74 thanks to two late Bulldogs’ goals. Jack Darling was arguably best on ground with six goals, though Andrew Gaff picked up 36 disposals and six clearances, in a similarly dominant performance. Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan and Jake Waterman each put three goals on the board, while Jamie Cripps also chipped in with two early goals. For the Western Bulldogs it a tough afternoon, up in the disposal count and with three players above 30 possessions – Caleb Daniel, Josh Dunkley and Jason Johannisen – the forwards failed to convert opportunities. Billy Gowers returned to the senior side with two goals, while Ryan Gardner kicked his first on debut. Shannon Hurn went off late in the third term and played no further part in the match, but it appears the Eagles were just resting their captain with the win secured. Bulldog Aaron Naughton was reported for striking Will Schofield. Next up for the Eagles is a Sunday afternoon clash with Sydney, while the Bulldogs will get a week off before a Saturday night re-match against Carlton. Final Score West Coast 21.7. 133 Western Bulldogs 10.12. 72
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Bright future with him and allen.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Gaff is simply a class act. Great team the Eagles, coasting in second gear.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for following along everyone, big win for the Eagles. I'll write up a short report now and post it here, soon.
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
Great to see Waterman getting on the scoreboard... the forward line is clicking now and I think hes a big part of it, he works hard, links up with the midfield and hes another marking option up forward. REally looking forward seeing him have a big second half of the year along with the rest of them.
User
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate, enjoyable call
User
Roar Rookie
Excellent win by the premiers.... not a bad hangover year so far. Top games Gaffy and Darling.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Full Time The West Coast Eagles have dominated the Western Bulldogs, cruising home to a 61-point victory. West Coast 21.7. 133 Western Bulldogs 10.12. 72
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' - Behind Dogs Bontempelli with a chance for a late goal, hits the post. West Coast 133 Western Bulldogs 72
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Would of had a bag in the derby as well if he had kicked straight.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2' Just two minutes left in this one, Bulldogs finding a bit of the footy late. West Coast 133 Western Bulldogs 71
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4′ – Goal Dogs Suckling kicks one and then debutant Gardner puts through a second in a row. Liberatore takes a diving mark, quickly dishes off and the leading debutant Gardner is hit on the lead. Gardner sneaks it through, his parents happy with that goal on his debut. West Coast 133 Western Bulldogs 71