AFL 2017 - R13 - Western Bulldogs v Melbourne 3:20 PM AEST : Etihad Stadium

[_Mike_]

Sunday 3:20 PM
Etihad Stadium
15° Possible shower




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PREVIEW

For the Bulldogs it's now time to show it on the scoreboard. Luke Beveridge has lamented how his side has "stagnated" this season. Some would say they regressed after a 46-point thumping from the Swans in Sydney in their first clash back from the bye making three forced changes (five including injury) ahead of Sunday's clash against Melbourne. Has there ever been a premiership side undergo more weekly changes than the Dogs of this season? The latest cull includes Boyd. No-one would suggest the resilient defender has lacked hunger, rather his kicking efficiency has become an issue, slipping from 75 per cent to 68 per cent in his rebounding role.

Melbourne, on the other hand, will head into the clash full of confidence following a gutsy Queen's Birthday win over Collingwood. Christian Petracca, Nathan Jones and Jack Viney were brilliant in the victory and will need to again be at their best to get the Demons over the line this weekend. The Dees are now coming off two wins in a row and sit in sixth place on the ladder. Star ruckman Max Gawn is a chance to return for his first game since round three to boost an already prolific midfield.

When the teams last played the Bulldogs dominated the disposal count with 426-373, had 13 more inside 50s and won the clearances 39-35. Marcus Bontempelli starred with 33 disposals, six inside 50s and eight clearances.

The Bulldogs have struggled to score this season ranked 15th for points per game with 83, their final score of 6.6 (42) last week was their lowest under Luke Beveridge. The Western Bulldogs have had the better of Melbourne in recent seasons winning five of the last six matches including a 98-point win in 2015 and since 2010 have won eight of 10 contests. Both teams play high disposal football in 2017, the Demons are ranked second averaging 410.8 per game while the Bulldogs are fifth at an average of 402.

Kiss of Death: Demons by 8

 

[Pannalstaroz]

Like about 6 out of 9 games every week, this is a classic 8 pointer.

 

[The Wrecker]

Following Melbourne's form line this season the Doggies will win by 2-3 goals. Not sure we have it in us to win three in a row. Bridge too far.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Hopefully some of our players pull the finger out.

 

[ManOfClay]

Jeez our backline is decimated

 

[Power Raid]

The doggies by 6 goals but I'd love to see the dees get the 4 points

 

[TedDougChris]

Would be nice to play something even approximating our best form.... Rather than the crap we have served up most weeks...

 

[SterlingArcher]

Melbourne by 19 in an upset. Must not start slow though, if they do the Dogs will be too good to give them a sniff.

 

[puntking]

dogs at eitihad should be too strong

 

[WWSD]

I have a feeling these two teams could meet in an Elimination Final come september.

Tip: Melbourne by 11 points

 

[donkeypunchd]

dogs at eitihad should be too strong

Not sure that will be a factor for this Melbourne outfit, this year we have a higher winning rate at Etihad than at the G

 

[schmuttt]

McLean is in

Ffs this is going to be a long afternoon

 

[Astro_]

McLean is in

Ffs this is going to be a long afternoon

Huh?

 

[schmuttt]

Huh?

Can't stand him

 

[Super Hans]

Joran Lewis and Jack Viney $1.01 to be extremely tough and snip Johannisen before the bounce.

 

[Super Hans]

Tom Bugg is such a tool.

You can take the boy out of GWS, but you can't take the GWS out of the boy.

 

[Bluelegs]

^

Love it!

 

[Rich01]

Big test for the Dees today. They always seem to let their supporters down for these sorts of games. Hope they can step up.

 

[schmuttt]

Big test for the Dees today. They always seem to let their supporters down for these sorts of games. Hope they can step up.

Unless we get belted I don't think a loss is 'letting the supporters down'. Dogs are a better side and should win on paper.

 

[Astro_]

$10 they don't target JJ, instead it will be Dahl

 

[Astro_]

Coming from Bugg that's ok, but including Watts in the photo kinda devalues the message

 

[Dez!]

Coming from Bugg that's ok, but including Watts in the photo kinda devalues the message

Why?

 

[TW Sherrin]

Tom Bugg is such a tool.

You can take the boy out of GWS, but you can't take the GWS out of the boy.

There's alot of faux tough guys in the AFL now.

Jack Watts and tough. A few words that have never been in the same sentence before.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

Why?

because people think watts is a soft ****

 

[Looney]

Why isn't this game televised?