Western Bulldogs vs. Port Adelaide
SportsBet Odds: $1.17 vs $5.00
5th vs. 14th
Port Adelaide last round said goodbye to premiership coach Mark Williams and welcomed in caretaker coach Matthew Primus. It will be interesting to see how the players respond this week after a good showing last week against St Kilda. The Bulldogs on the other hand demolished Carlton and kept their top four hopes alive.
The Dogs are going into the game without Barry Hall and will have to look to other avenues to goal. Port Adelaide has struggled all season in attack and will again find it difficult against the defence of the Dogs and especially the in form Brian Lake.
Previous Encounters:
Western Bulldogs –21.11(137)
Port Adelaide –7. 2(44)
The Western Bulldogs have cemented the third position on the ladder, at the mid-way mark of the season with a absolute thrashing of Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Darwin, under 27 degree temperatures.
Key Players for Western Bulldogs:
Adam Cooney – Cooney has recaptured some of the form he showed in his Brownlow year. He has the ability to get plenty of the ball and not only that but he uses it very well. Cooney up and going will be a huge positive going into September for the Bulldogs.
Robert Murphy – Murphy was very good last week and this week will need to impact the scoreboard considering that Hall is not making the trip. Murphy is strong overhead and on the lead and could worry the Port Adelaide team.
Key Players for Port Adelaide:
David Rodan – Was very impressive last round, breaks the lines consistently which provides a great amount of run for Port. Has got great pace and for Port Adelaide to have any chance will also need to contribute goals through the middle.
Justin Westhoff – Without any genuine tall targets up forward Westhoff is looked upon as the next target. Has not set the world on fire this season and finds himself playing against one of the best backlines in the league. Needs to have an impact.
Prediction:
Even with the loss of Hall for this weeks game I cannot give Port Adelaide too much of a chance in this encounter. They were good for most of last week’s game against the Pies in terrible conditions but do not possess the firepower to worry the Bulldogs.
The only interest for me to see if there is any noticeable difference in the coaching style and game plan this round and also on the Bulldogs side where the goals will come from. The Bulldogs by 40 points.
Teams:
Western Bulldogs
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Tom Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Ryan Griffen, Matthew Boyd, Nathan Eagleton
HF: Robert Murphy, Andrejs Everitt, Callan Ward
F: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Grant, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Daniel Cross, Adam Cooney
I/C: Jordan Roughead, Easton Wood, Liam Picken, Brad Johnson
Emg: Andrew Hooper, Liam Jones, Brodie Moles
In: Everitt, Eagleton
Out: Brennan Stack (hamstring), Barry Hall (ankle)
Port Adelaide
B: Paul Stewart, Jackson Trengove, Nick Salter
HB: Steven Salopek, Troy Chaplin, Matt Thomas
C: Kane Cornes, Domenic Cassisi, Travis Boak
HF: Justin Westhoff, Jay Schulz, David Rodan
F: Jason Davenport, Daniel Motlop, Brett Ebert
Foll: Dean Brogan, Danyle Pearce, Tom Logan
I/C: Mitch Banner, Matt Broadbent, Cameron Hitchcock, Jay Nash
Emg: Andrew Moore, Scott Harding, Daniel Stewart
In: Davenport, Nash, Schulz
Out: Atipate Carlile (back), Josh Carr, Daniel Stewart
Tags: Adam Cooney, David Rodan, Justin Westhoff, Robert Murphy
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