WHERE AND WHEN: TIO Stadium, Saturday May 19, 7.10pm (CST)
LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) d Gold Coast 13.10 (88), round 14, 2011 at Metricon Stadium
TV: Fox Footy

The Western Bulldogs will be making the long trip up to Darwin to face Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The Doggies will be looking to build on their current form and make it four wins from the last five matches. Gold Coast on the other hand will be looking to to make up for last week’s embarrassing loss to the Giants by getting their first win on the board.

With the finals race as close as it has ever been The Western Bulldogs have to win games like these if they are to be a chance. A win will leave them at a respectable 4-4 and act as a good launching pad for the rest of the season.

Now in their second season in the AFL the Sun’s will be expecting some improvement. Last weeks loss was a big blow to the steps they have taken forward but a win this week will get them back on track.

Players to Watch

Brian Lake

Lake has returned to his form of old in the last few weeks, beating premier key forward of the competition Travis Cloke a few weeks ago. The Dogs need him to keep up his performance so that they can dictate the backline, at his best Lake will let nothing past him but at his worst he can make some costly mistakes, the Doggies need the better Brian Lake out there this week.

Ryan Griffen

Griffen has been one of the best players in the competition this year elevating his status to an elite player. Griffen is not only able to win his own hard ball but his speed on the outside plus his sublime skill make him one for the Suns to watch. He also had the ability to hit the scoreboard which is necessary considering the weaker forward line of the dogs.

Josh Caddy

Caddy was one of the hottest topics during trade week last year, Gold Coast put a high price on his head and did do for a reason. Caddy has the potential to grow into a great footballer he is strong around the football and can kick a goal but he is year to dominate a game, this is the perfect opportunity for him to step up.

Karmichael Hunt

The rugby league convert has come along in strides this year. He had elevated his game to a new level, not only is he getting more of the ball he is having an influence of the game. For such a talented athlete it was probably only a matter of time until he hit his strides, he will look to continue his good form on Saturday night.

Final Say

The Suns will have been hurt last week and will come out firing, the will yet again look to their younger players to step up and support Gary Ablett.
However the Bulldogs are coming into this game with good form. That have played in Darwin before and that experience will be invaluable.
The Dogs will be too strong and will come away with the win.
Dogs by 35

Teams:

Western Bulldogs

B: Robert Murphy, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave

HB: Dylan Addison, Mark Austin, Justin Sherman

C: Mitchell Wallis, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross

HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Luke Dahlhaus

F: Jarrad Grant, Ayce Cordy, Shaun Higgins

Foll: William Minson, Ryan Griffen, Liam Picken

I/C: Nathan Djerrkura, Thomas Liberatore, Clay Smith, Tory Dickson

Emg: Zephaniah Skinner, Daniel Pearce, Fletcher Roberts

In: Liam Jones, Nathan Djerrkura

Out: Jordan Roughead (Calf), Patrick Veszpremi (Groin)

Milestones: Ryan Griffen – 150 games

 

Gold Coast Suns

B: Jeremy Taylor, Matthew Warnock, Seb Tape

HB: Sam Iles, Rory Thompson, Joel Wilkinson

C: Michael Rischitelli, Karmichael Hunt, Matt Shaw

HF: Harley Bennell, Tom Lynch, Andrew McQualter

F: Campbell Brown, Sam Day, Luke Russell

Foll: Zac Smith, Josh Caddy, Gary Ablett

I/C: Daniel Stanley, Dion Prestia, Alex Sexton, Kyal Horsley

Emg: Michael Coad, Tom Hickey, Liam Patrick

In: Rory Thompson, Daniel Stanley, Matt Shaw, Jeremy Taylor, Alex Sexton, Andrew McQualter

Out: Jared Brennan, Trent McKenzie, Josh Toy, Charlie Dixon (Checkbone), Michael Coad, David Swallow (Knee)

New: Alex Sexton , Andrew McQualter (St Kilda)

 

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