Western Bulldogs
106
Match Complete
Gold Coast Suns
87
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| B. Smith |  | 32:20 | ||
| R. McComb | | 30:38 | ||
| 27:58 | | M. Rosas | ||
| B. Williams | | 26:20 | ||
| 24:24 | | B. Ellis | ||
| 20:45 |  | M. Chol | ||
| 18:13 | | I. Rankine | ||
| M. Bontempelli | | 16:58 | ||
| 10:52 | | I. Rankine | ||
| 9:14 | | M. Chol | ||
| M. Bontempelli | | 6:36 | ||
| 10.16 (76) | Third Quarter [+] | 9.7 (61) | ||
| Rushed | | 33:51 | ||
| 31:57 | | L. Casboult | ||
| B. Williams | | 1:03 | ||
| 30:00 | | J. Jeffrey | ||
| 27:37 | | B. Ainsworth | ||
| 22:15 | | J. Jeffrey | ||
| M. Bontempelli | | 19:00 | ||
| R. McComb | | 17:39 | ||
| 15:58 | | L. Casboult | ||
| A. Treloar | | 13:57 | ||
| J. Dunkley | | 11:55 | ||
| B. Dale | | 9:52 | ||
| J. Macrae | | 8:04 | ||
| 6.12 (48) | Second Quarter [+] | 6.5 (41) | ||
| B. Khamis | | 33:39 | ||
| 30:04 | | B. Ainsworth | ||
| 28:45 | | W. Powell | ||
| 25:41 | | B. Ainsworth | ||
| L. McNeil | | 24:30 | ||
| 19:08 | | J. Jeffrey | ||
| R. West | | 17:21 | ||
| M. Bontempelli | | 14:38 | ||
| 12:40 | | B. Ainsworth | ||
| J. Dunkley | | 10:41 | ||
| B. Williams | | 8:09 | ||
| M. Bontempelli | | 5:52 | ||
| A. Naughton | | 3:22 | ||
| A. Naughton | | 0:25 | ||
| 4.5 (29) | First Quarter [+] | 3.3 (21) | ||
| 30:19 | | J. Jeffrey | ||
| A. Naughton | | 26:59 | ||
| 25:31 | | L. Casboult | ||
| A. Treloar | | 23:47 | ||
| B. Williams | | 22:17 | ||
| R. McComb | | 20:16 | ||
| A. Naughton | | 19:21 | ||
| 17:49 | | J. Jeffrey | ||
| L. McNeil | | 14:29 | ||
| 12:32 | | J. Farrar | ||
| A. Naughton | | 9:58 | ||
| 6:43 | | M. Chol | ||
| 5:50 | | L. Weller | ||
| A. Treloar | | 4:18 | ||
| L. McNeil | | 1:49 | ||
Fresh off two of their best ever wins, Gold Coast head to Ballarat full of confidence to face a Western Bulldogs outfit beginning to look close to their best. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 1:45pm (AEST).
Both these sides sit just outside the eight with a 4-5 record, with only percentage separating the Bulldogs (9th) from the Suns (12th). While neither are likely to push in even with a win here, victory would ensure they remain on pace with the likes of Richmond, Geelong and St Kilda.
The Bulldogs badly needed their comfortable win last week over Collingwood, with their underperforming midfield finally lifting a gear to crush the Pies.
Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae and Adam Treloar found the ball at will all weekend, with Treloar also bagging three goals in a best-afield display. With the Suns one of the more ferocious sides going around at the coalface, that trio, plus captain Marcus Bontempelli and hard nuts Josh Dunkley and Tom Liberatore, will be utterly crucial for the reigning grand finalist.
The Suns have form on their side, too, with consecutive wins over finals contenders Sydney and Fremantle. Their win over the Dockers last week has claims to being their finest ever, holding Freo to just four goals despite a whopping 64 inside 50s.
Mabior Chol has been arguably the recruit of the year, with the former Tiger slotting seamlessly into the Suns’ forward line. He and former Blue Levi Casboult have formed a lethal combination in the absence of Ben King, with Chol’s four goals crucial in their Dockers upset.
Only one change has been made between these two sides for the clash, with Tim O’Brien coming in for the Dogs and replacing an ill Taylor Duryea in defence.
Game information
Opening bounce: 1:45pm (AEST)
Venue: Mars Stadium, Ballarat
TV: Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Bulldogs $1.42, Suns $2.90 (odds via PlayUp)
Western Bulldogs
B: E. Richards, R. Gardner, T. O’Brien
HB: C. Daniel, A. Keath, B. Dale
C: B. Williams, J. Macrae, A. Scott
HF: B. Smith, Z. Cordy, T. Liberatore
F: M. Bontempelli (c), A. Naughton, B. Khamis
FOLL: J. Sweet, J. Dunkley, A. Treloar
I/C: R. West, R. McComb, L. McNeil, L. Cleary
EMG: H. Crozier, J. Schache, L. Butler, R. Smith
IN: O’Brien
OUT: Duryea
Gold Coast
B: R. Thompson, S. Collins, S. Lemmens
HB: W. Powell, C. Ballard, J. Farrar
C: L. Weller, T. Miller (c), B. Ellis
HF: I. Rankine, L. Casboult, B. Ainsworth
F: D. Swallow, M. Chol, N. Holman
FOLL: J. Witts (c), M. Rowell, N. Anderson
I/C: B. Fiorini, C. Budarick, J. Jeffrey, M. Rosas
EMG: A. Davies, A. Sexton, O. Markov, C. Constable
NO CHANGE
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Timmy and Flea will be back next week. That’s probably McComb and Sweet out. I reckon Brucey and Hunter will be back after the bye. Building nicely
Chanon
Roar Rookie
True Nort we just need to keep winning & draw away from the also ran collective. Hopefully Duryea is back next week & slowly but surely the remainder trickle back over the next 4 weeks. Bruce the Juice back in a month’s time :boxing:
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Not sure GC blew that; they were outplayed most of the game. But they certainly showed fortitude to stay in the game when they would have been blown away in the past. Definitely a team on the improve.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's not really a trend.
berrlins
Roar Pro
I'd habe them winning 6 more for the rest of the year, but if they snag a couple of home victories against Geelong and Richmond they're a real chance
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
They’re a considerably better side this year and with an easy draw coming up I reckon they’re about even Steven’s for making the eight this year
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
A difficult height too. Too big for smalls to handle too small for talls
1dawg
Roar Rookie
Well done Doggies! GC aren’t getting demolished in losses which is an improvement.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Don the GC at 4-6 should reverse that trend in the last half of season
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Well.
Macca
Roar Rookie
They could but only need 4 more wins
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Long way to go Macca even the blues could bottom out
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Should’ve won that by 6 goals or more. Good for their constitution to fight one out though. Dogs just starting to get going now.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Dogs and Port (Dixon almost back) while the Tigers will be there’s abouts, going to be a good battle for 8th which looks the only spot left unless the Swans drop out
Chanon
Roar Rookie
True think we are missing a dozen but hopefully in the next few they slowly start coming back.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
yes, dogs r going ok and will be boosted when a few top players come back.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Chris how good was Ed Richards, he flew for marks like he was 6 ft 4
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
well done Doggies
Chanon
Roar Rookie
They are improving but so are the dogs!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Every game is a winnable game but the crucial moments they went missing, stoppages hurt them.