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Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide Power: AFL live scores

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20th August, 2021
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Top four is on the line for the Western Bulldogs as they prepare to host the red-hot Port Adelaide Power, who are themselves can secure a home final with a win. Tune into this blockbuster Friday night clash here on The Roar with live scores from 7:50pm (AEST).

Having been in the top two for virtually the entire season, two consecutive losses leave the Dogs, remarkably, in trouble heading into the final round of the home-and-away season. A third defeat would leave them in serious danger of dropping out of the top four entirely, with Brisbane needing to only defeat the struggling West Coast and make up a slight percentage gap to ensure the Bulldogs miss the precious double chance.

Even more concerning for Luke Beveridge has been his side’s form in those two defeats. Their much-vaunted midfield has copped a battering from both Essendon and Hawthorn, while the first signs for their forward line without the injured Josh Bruce look bleak. They could only manage five goals against the Hawks, and must urgently find a way to fix their structure pronto.

They did, however, beat the Power at their Adelaide Oval fortress earlier in the season, and are favourites to repeat the dose here.

Port’s ‘flat-track bully’ tag is there for a reason – they’re yet to beat any of the current top five this season. But off the back of hardly losing to anyone else, they’re now assured of a second straight top four berth, last week’s incredible thrashing of Carlton proof they’re peaking at the right time.

Ken Hinkley’s men piled on the last nineteen goals against the Blues after a sluggish start, and loom as a premiership dark horse if they can keep their form going. Victory here would guarantee them a top-two berth, and likely mean they wouldn’t need to leave Adelaide to reach a Grand Final – unless of course the AFL shifts the entire competition to a Perth hub.

The Dogs have opted against mass changes after last week’s horror show, with fringe player Roarke Smith the only inclusion for youngster Riley Garcia; while for Port, the big news is goalsneak Orazio Fantasia’s unavailability through injury.

Game information

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Opening bounce: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV: Channel Seven, Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Bulldogs $1.72, Power $2.12 (odds via PlayUp)

Teams

Western Bulldogs
B: 15 Taylor Duryea, 42 Alex Keath, 34 Bailey Williams
HB: 10 Easton Wood, 12 Zaine Cordy, 31 Bailey Dale
C: 5 Josh Dunkley, 1 Adam Treloar, 7 Lachie Hunter
HF: 35 Caleb Daniel, 2 Lewis Young, 6 Bailey Smith
F: 21 Tom Liberatore, 33 Aaron Naughton, 19 Cody Weightman
FOLL: 44 Tim English, 11 Jack Macrae, 4 Marcus Bontempelli (c)
I/C: 23 Laitham Vandermeer, 29 Mitch Hannan, 37 Roarke Smith, 39 Jason Johannisen
EMG: 13 Josh Schache, 20 Ed Richards, 28 Anthony Scott, 30 Lachlan McNeil
IN: Roarke Smith
OUT: Riley Garcia

Port Adelaide Power
B: 3 Ryan Burton, 12 Trent McKenzie, 21 Aliir Aliir
HB: 14 Miles Bergman, 1 Tom Jonas (c), 33 Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: 7 Xavier Duursma, 16 Ollie Wines, 5 Dan Houston
HF: 15 Karl Amon, 19 Mitch Georgiades, 18 Zak Butters
F: 20 Connor Rozee, 22 Charlie Dixon, 9 Robbie Gray
FOL: 29 Scott Lycett, 10 Travis Boak, 28 Willem Drew
I/C: 4 Todd Marshall, 6 Steven Motlop, 26 Riley Bonner, 38 Peter Ladhams
EMG: 2 Sam Powell-Pepper, 17 Tom Clurey, 32 Sam Mayes, 40 Jarrod Lienert
IN: Steven Motlop, Trent McKenzie
OUT: Orazio Fantasia, Tom Clurey

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