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.
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)
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
jutsie
Roar Rookie
Def not you mate (nor berrlins), don't want to single people out but there were two posters that were very bad losers after the dons game, and refused to give the dons any credit. Anyway my post on fri was after a few too many beers so probably a bit more combative than normal :laughing:
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
i sort of did a pretend shout, not loudly, (as ppl already think I'm losing it). :laughing:
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Ha ha, did you yell it?
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
Yeah, maybe Vardy is playing for his spot on the list.
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Love it! Thanks Brendan, I hope da Paer win it this year
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Listen l commended your efforts l never suggested that the dogs deserved to win game! Don’t throw us under a bus with views of that nature name names or get off your high horse!
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
The comparison stems from a previous discussion I had with a Hawks fan who was trying to throw shade over the Suns passing over Worpel for Ballard. Much as I rate Worpel, the Suns simply never draft Geelong Falcons. It's tempting fate since so many of them end up wanting to go home. Ours might be the only the with no Geelong juniors. Heaps of SA kids cos they never want to go home.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
No,but he has been good the last 5 or 6 weeks.It is a bonus for us to win games without him having an input,along with marshall last night 2 key talls had off nights and we won,both those players hopefully better next week
XI
Roar Guru
?
XI
Roar Guru
No. He had a terrible game. There have been times when Buddy was a waste of space, he's still Buddy. But Port can't have him play like that rest of the finals
dab
Roar Rookie
A good game to win rather than a good win. PA need to kick the ball between the big sticks more often. They made hard work of it.
Nimble Norris
Guest
Dogs are gone. They must be bitterly disappointed after spending most of the year on top of the ladder. They'll feel like this is the one that got away.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I thought English played OK. He did lose confidence being played too many weeks in a row as the main ruck, that can happen when a player has been played out of position. The Dogs haven’t worked out the best role for him, but last night was close. He should be persisted with as a forward ruck, too many have pigeonholed him as a straight ruckman. When he regains confidence he can spend more time in the ruck but keep it under 30% game time unless you are desperate.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
That is correct, you went back to first principles.
nics
Roar Rookie
Good thing it's round 22 eh? I really cant believe Vardy got another game - is Williams unfit? Glad to see Brander and the other youngsters in. The tank is on.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
I know,was trying to find out from x1 why he is a waste of space is all,I know how important he is to us even without kicking goals,
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
Come on Nics, we only need to win
3-56 more games than the rest to make top 4 Haha.Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea he’s moved on he has a great bunch of blokes that admire him & respect him, Bevo very respectful of his situation & gives him lots of support. Like a coach should respond!
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Nah, he's kicked 30 odd goals in the last 10 weeks. Still brings the ball to ground, no chance he gets dropped, just had a slightly average game
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
When your at a Port game you hear it heaps. C'mon da Pear! Say it with a really Aussie accent and it will make sense. Than yell it :stoked: