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Western Bulldogs
85
Match Complete
Essendon
36
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 32:58 |  | J. Stringer | ||
| B. Smith |  | 30:28 | ||
| A. Naughton | | 26:11 | ||
| M. Hannan | | 21:23 | ||
| A. Naughton | | 18:15 | ||
| M. Hannan | | 13:10 | ||
| L. Vandermeer | | 8:30 | ||
| L. Vandermeer | | 6:42 | ||
| 2:48 | | Rushed | ||
| 8.5 (53) | Third Quarter [+] | 4.10 (34) | ||
| 31:27 | | S. Draper | ||
| J. Schache | | 21:34 | ||
| M. Hannan | | 15:44 | ||
| C. Weightman | | 13:11 | ||
| C. Weightman | | 11:22 | ||
| 7:19 | | S. Draper | ||
| 3:38 | | T. Cutler | ||
| 5.4 (34) | Second Quarter [+] | 4.7 (31) | ||
| Rushed | | 30:29 | ||
| 28:50 | | J. Stringer | ||
| 24:42 | | D. Parish | ||
| 22:36 | | W. Snelling | ||
| 20:26 | | A. Francis | ||
| J. Schache | | 17:48 | ||
| Rushed | | 16:50 | ||
| C. Weightman | | 9:10 | ||
| A. Naughton | | 6:28 | ||
| 4:39 | | D. Parish | ||
| 2:35 | | D. Smith | ||
| T. English | | 0:47 | ||
| 2.1 (13) | First Quarter [+] | 1.4 (10) | ||
| 24:29 | | T. Cutler | ||
| 22:18 | | A. Francis | ||
| M. Hannan | | 20:22 | ||
| C. Weightman | | 18:44 | ||
| 8:23 | | W. Snelling | ||
| 5:52 | | Z. Merrett | ||
| 3:17 | | J. Stringer | ||
| A. Treloar | | 1:14 | ||
Show Preview
It’s win or go home as the Western Bulldogs and Essendon Bombers face off in the First Elimination Final at University of Tasmania Stadium. Tune into this do-or-die match right here on The Roar with live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
The Bulldogs started the year with a hot 9-1 start, but have trailed off after that. Their record stands at 6-6 since Round 10 – even more concerningly, they’ve lost their last three and slipped to fifth for the finals.
They’ve had key wins over the Eagles twice, Lions, Power, Demons, but have lost to the Tigers, Swans, Demons, Cats and today’s opponents, the Bombers.
Essendon went 0-2 to start the season and were 1-4 by round five, suffering big losses to the Power (54 points) and Lions (57). However, seven of their losses since ten have been by less than 16 points. But the Bombers have been able to win enough games to make finals, with key wins over Dockers, Eagles and Bulldogs, winning five of their last seven games to slip into eighth.
Marcus Bontempelli holds the key for the Bulldogs. He’s been averaging 27.1 disposals a game, he’s ranked second in the AFL for inside 50s (145), and fifth for goal assists. Tom Liberatore’s work around the contest will also be needed in this knockout final. He is ranked 14th in the AFL for tackles (114), 10th for contested ball (285) and second for clearances. Jackson Macrae has had a solid year and Aaron Naughton’s marking power inside 50 (no.2 in the AFL with 73, behind Tom Hawkins) will be something to watch.
For Essendon, a lot has been said about the form of Darcy Parish in his breakout year, as well as Zach Merrett’s elite consistency and Jake Stringer’s x-factor. But the Bombers are more than just three players.
Essendon coach Ben Rutten has transformed former forwards Jayden Laverde and James Stewart into defenders. Mason Redman is developing at rapid speed, as is Archie Perkins and ruckman Sam Draper. And new recruit Peter Wright has played his best football in the second half of this year. Since round 15 we’ve seen a far more competitive Bombers.
The Bulldogs will be missing key forward Josh Bruce, and Toby McLean, while Essendon will be without Nick Hind, Kyle Langford, Harrison Jones, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
Dons swingman Aaron Francis will play his 50th game.
Prediction
It’s hard to read too much into form because finals are a different beast. The team that can play their own system the best, in a measured way, will win this game.
Essendon beat the Bulldogs three weeks ago by 13 points in a true test, and will need to offer up something similar if they want to end their 17-year finals victory drought.
A cause for concern for the Bulldogs is that they will be missing goal production from the injured Josh Bruce. He’s kicked 48 goals this year, averaging nearly three per game. In the last two weeks, the Bulldogs have kicked losing scores of 5.7 and 10.4. Bontempelli, Naughton and others will need to fill that void.
Although the Bulldogs’ recent form hasn’t been great, they can definitely put those losses behind them and win this one. It’s going to be a tight game but something tells me the Bulldogs are due to bounce back.
Bulldogs by 8 points
Catch all the action on The Roar with live coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
Opening bounce: 3:20pm (AEST)
Venue: University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston
TV: Channel Seven, Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Bulldogs $1.52, Bombers $2.54 (odds via PlayUp)
Western Bulldogs
B: 15 Taylor Duryea, 42 Alex Keath, 34 Bailey Williams
HB: 35 Caleb Daniel, 12 Zaine Cordy, 31 Bailey Dale
C: 1 Adam Treloar, 5 Josh Dunkley, 7 Lachie Hunter
HF: 23 Laitham Vandermeer, 33 Aaron Naughton, 6 Bailey Smith
F: 21 Tom Liberatore, 44 Tim English, 19 Cody Weightman
FOLL: 2 Lewis Young, 11 Jack Macrae, 4 Marcus Bontempelli (c)
I/C: 10 Easton Wood, 29 Mitch Hannan, 37 Roarke Smith, 39 Jason Johannisen
EMG: 13 Josh Schache, 14 Rhylee West, 28 Anthony Scott, 43 Ryan Gardner
NO CHANGE
Essendon Bombers
B: 27 Mason Redman, 15 Jayden Laverde, 12 Tom Cutler
HB: 17 James Stewart, 14 Jordan Ridley, 21 Dyson Heppell (c)
C: 1 Andrew McGrath, 7 Zach Merrett, 45 Alec Waterman
HF: 40 Will Snelling, 10 Aaron Francis, 16 Archie Perkins
F: 25 Jake Stringer, 20 Peter Wright, 5 Devon Smith
FOL: 2 Sam Draper, 3 Darcy Parish, 9 Dylan Shiel
I/C: 6 Jye Caldwell, 8 Martin Gleeson, 35 Matt Guelfi, 42 Sam Durham
EMG: 13 Nik Cox, 33 Brayden Ham, 34 Andrew Phillips, 37 Dylan Clarke
IN: Jye Caldwell, Martin Gleeson
OUT: Nick Hind, Dylan Clarke
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