2ND SEMI FINAL: WESTERN BULLDOGS vs. SYDNEY, FRI NIGHT, MCG

[Bodicifer]

Tough game to pick. On form I'd have to say the Swans, purely because they've gone into the game with a good win and good players firing up while we're limping badly which is such a cause for frustration for us Dog's fans.

I'll go into the game with a bit of hope though seeing as though we've managed to defeat the Swans when we were up, and when we were down, both times not really playing our best brand of footy. That we were ablw to defeat them twice, when they've been a bit of a bogey team is a good sign I suppose.

MCG might help us break the game open and generate run, but if we can't win the footy in the middle I think Basil might have a day out against a defence that is still shellshocked.

Exactly my sentiments SOS. We have to turn things around otherwise it is a disappointing end to what was a promising season after round 15.

 

[arkie]

Can't wait for the game, hopefully there is a decent crowd!

Go dogs!

 

[Thunderbird]

The Bulldogs will become the latest side to receive an education in the Swans' school of finals football.*

Swans by 14. Bulldogs to learn from the experience and take their first steps on the way to winning the 2010 premiership.

* Port Adelaide, West Coast and Geelong all won premierships one or two years after losing to the Swans in a final.

 

[ash17]

the dogs spotted us a 5 goal headstart and still beat us in Canberra last time the two teams met. We won 3 out of 4 quarters that day, but got blown to pieces in the 2nd.
Earlier in the year at the SCG, the swans had more of the play but woeful kicking for goal cost them the match. The dogs flooded and hit us on the counter attack. They barely wasted an entry to their forward 50 and were ruthlessly effecient in front of goal.

I'm tipping the swans to be much better than they were in either of those games, and be too hard at the ball. The dogs peaked way too soon this year. Swans by 22.

When did Geelong peak? Have you guys peaked?

 

[TheMase]

The Swans really have not beaten any team of note to date, the roos should have put them away early and missed their chance.

Swans kicked 1.5 at the start, you could also say we missed our chances to stay in the game early on.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Your a Sydney supporter so I will excuse your ignorance about not understanding the game, to appreciate that comment. The result was flattering in the end, as in elimination finals.

Uh, they dominated one quater and even then it was only because we missed our chances. There's no way you watched the game if you seriously believe what you're posting.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Swans kicked 1.5 at the start, you could also say we missed our chances to stay in the game early on.

You're a Sydney supporter so you're ignorant.

 

[yebiga]

The result will depend on what's going on in the Bulldog's head. They have proven themselves to be the better team this year but I fear their lack of confidence more than Sydney's talent.

The dogs will need to have this won at 3 quarter time or I fear Sydney will run over the top of them.

 

[potatomasher]

Sydney have put in two pretty good efforts against the Dogs this year and been beaten by a better team on both occasions. This is our best chance to play them, but I say that most times when we play Collingwood and it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Still have to back the Swans though.

 

[Pigdog]

The result will depend on what's going on in the Bulldog's head. They have proven themselves to be the better team this year but I fear their lack of confidence more than Sydney's talent.

The dogs will need to have this won at 3 quarter time or I fear Sydney will run over the top of them.

On what basis do you predict that?

The Bulldogs have had 1 extra day break and played there game in perfect conditions whereas Sydney played in a hard fought slogging game which would have had to sap there energy reserves.

 

[Dawn2Dark]

I'm thinking experience will probably win out, happy to be wrong though.

Sydney by 25.

 

[PUSSIES_07_FLAG]

Do something dogs

 

[SM]

On what basis do you predict that?

The Bulldogs have had 1 extra day break and played there game in perfect conditions whereas Sydney played in a hard fought slogging game which would have had to sap there energy reserves.

Because of course that's what happened in the '05 Preliminary...

 

[funkyfetlock]

On what basis do you predict that?

The Bulldogs have had 1 extra day break and played there game in perfect conditions whereas Sydney played in a hard fought slogging game which would have had to sap there energy reserves.

I make the same prediction that the Swans will win the second half easily as they have against most sides throughout the season. Unfortunately we have given some sides too big a head start, particularly in the latter stages of the season.

But the fact remains we have been the 2nd best performing side in second halves all year, with only Geelong ahead of us.

Second Half Quarters won: (home and away season)

Geelong 34
Sydney 30
Hawthorn 29
St Kilda 24
W. Bulldogs 23
North Melbourne 22
Richmond 22
Adelaide 21
Collingwood 20
Essendon 20
Fremantle 20
Carlton 19
Port Adelaide 19
Brisbane 16
Melbourne 16
West Coast Eagles 12



By all accounts the boys pulled up extremely well after the game against North and I don't think it took much out of them at all. If we are close at half time the game is ours.

ps that West Coast Eagles figure looks highly suspicious.

 

[2nutz]

As a long time swans supporter I certainly hope we can continue on in the finals by beating the bulldogs, forget the regular season, all history now, the mentally tougher team will win this one!

 

[thepower]

will be a great game. sydney deserve to be there, dont care what anyone says.
i like the dogs too, skillful, fast.

contrasting styles. the dogs as said fast, skillful, attractive footy
sydney, dour and lock down style of gameplan traditionally.

defense wins overall, i reckon sydney can knock off the dogs.

 

[Pigdog]

The conditions will ceratinly play a part. It's a very windy day here in Melbourne and it has the making's of being a very scrappy affair which will Sydney down to the ground.

If the Bulldogs aren't clean with their disposal I think the pressure that Sydney can and will supply might be too great.

 

[Bodicifer]

Bulldogs by 47points...they will take the Swans to the cleaners tonight by running harder than they have ever run in their lives Cooney and Griffo will burn, Johnno and Welsh will kick a dozen between them and Aker will star. Barry Hall to get reported as well.

 

[chesson]

Can't wait for the game, hopefully there is a decent crowd!

Go dogs!

will be more than 19,000 Being in Melbourne an all.

Dogs by 21.

 

[rip it up]

Hate to say Sydney in a close one 4points

 

[Prem87]

Finals football is all about contested possession and Sydney will beat them in this area. Sydney in a close one.

 

[Skystyler]

I expect the dogs to come out as hard as they have all season. I'd put money on them leading at quarter time. Can they keep it up all game though? I expect it to be a close, scrappy, scramble for the ball all game long with goals hard to come by. I think i said earlier swans by 22. I'm reducing that margin to single figures. Swans by 7.

 

[ashs35]

Doggies will be too quick & won't want to go out in straight sets after an outstanding year & a home ground advantage will definately help them. Sydney have it over the dogs in finals experience but their defensive mind set will shoot them in the foot and the dogs should win by atleast 5 goals.

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

C'mon Doggies, show everyone why you finished a clear third

You can beat the Swans with pace, and their defensive mindset shouldn't stop you from attacking at all costs

WOOF!

 

[Dawn2Dark]

Geez, only 4 pages in this thread on a Friday afternoon!