AFL 2017 - R9 - Geelong v Western Bulldogs 19:50 AEST, Simonds Stadium

[_Mike_]

Friday 7:50 PM AEST Simonds Stadium​

Forecast for the rest of Friday
Summary

Max 18
Rain developing.
Chance of any rain: 95%

Geelong and Surf Coast area
Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of rain, mainly during the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.

Preview

The Bulldogs are likely to start favourites against a Geelong side off the boil, but the visitors will need to snap a 10-game losing streak against the Cats since 2009 if they're to claim the four points. Another glaring stat is the Dogs haven't won at the Cattery since 2003. Whether playing for Adelaide or Geelong, Patrick Dangerfield has been a constant thorn in the Dogs' side, and limiting the Brownlow medallist's impact will be central in Luke Beveridge's planning.

Cats​

Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood come into the side, while George Horlin-Smith (omitted) and Rhys Stanley (knee) are out.Henderson is back after missing the games against Gold Coast and Essendon due to injury. Selwood is back after finding form and fitness in the VFL in recent weeks following an interrupted pre-season.

Dogs

The Western Bulldogs have made five changes to the side that fell narrowly to the Eagles in Perth last Friday night, with veterans Bob Murphy, Dale Morris and Travis Cloke headlining the inclusions.
Midfielder Mitch Wallis has also been recalled for his first game in nine months, sharpshooting forward Tory Dickson will play his first game for 2017, and big man Jordan Roughead has been named as an emergency.

Matthew Boyd (shoulder), Tom Liberatore, Fletcher Roberts, Zane Cordy and Toby McLean will all miss out.

PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs to break the Cats hoodoo to win by 23 points

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Strangely confident for a side we haven't beaten at Kardina Park since 2003.

With most players back we should start to see us get back to our better form.

It is a risk to go so short in the backline, but the rain is that assured of happening it could be the right move. Even then, they sort of struggle with a side like that of half back.

 

[Liger]

Looks like it'll be raining cats and dogs tonight.

 

[Adz]

Do Geelong let opposition fans in?

 

[JackFlash]

Sorry to say we have no chance tonight....

 

[Power Raid]

I would normally back the doggies but the wet weather may favour the cats

also tipping selwood to duck in a few

 

[TedDougChris]

The Cats have been our bogey side for as long as I can remember.... Not looking forward to this...

 

[HBF]

Have no idea who to tip tonight.

 

[Lsta062]

I would say Geelong by 25, but the long drought that Bulldogs have against them may spur them on.

Having said that, Geelong have no issue keeping up dominance over a team for years, so we could have a good game at hand.

 

[Kram]

Dogs by 7 points.

 

[Pugz89]

I would normally back the doggies but the wet weather may favour the cats

also tipping selwood to duck in a few

Why would it favour the Cats more than the Dogs?

 

[JohnZ]

Why would it favour the Cats more than the Dogs?

We have less speed, so slower ball movement will favour us.

 

[Pugz89]

We have less speed, so slower ball movement will favour us.

Sure but I would expect we'd account for you in the contested ball and given you are a taller side, wet weather usually nullifies the talls.

 

[JohnZ]

Sure but I would expect we'd account for you in the contested ball and given you are a taller side, wet weather usually nullifies the talls.

It will be a close game, I won't be surprised by the result either way.

 

[Adz]

It will either be a close Geelong victory (under 15 points) or a Dogs easy win (26 plus points).

 

[footycats007]

This is a huge game, especially for Geelong. Copped a lot of criticism this week about being soft and I'd hope they come out like raging bulls this week, especially with the opening of the new stand at Kardinia Park.

 

[Bazza97]

Intriguing match this one is. Can see the Cats turning their form around and put in a big performance for their first game in Geelong this year. Still the Dogs will be tough to beat and they could win their first game in Geelong since 2003. Looking forward to it, think Geelong will win by around 3-4 goals.

 

[Power Raid]

Why would it favour the Cats more than the Dogs?

ducking and frees

 

[Dazb86]

Cats talls normally dominate us in the air all over the ground. Think the wet might suit us.

 

[GreyCrow]

Dogs by 14

 

[The Original Swooper]

This is a huge game, especially for Geelong. Copped a lot of criticism this week about being soft and I'd hope they come out like raging bulls this week, especially with the opening of the new stand at Kardinia Park.

That stand better put in a good performance tonight.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Cats play like they did last week and the Dogs will cut them to ribbons.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

This is a huge game, especially for Geelong. Copped a lot of criticism this week about being soft and I'd hope they come out like raging bulls this week, especially with the opening of the new stand at Kardinia Park.

Is the opening of the new stand the new milestone?

 

[romeohwho]

ducking and frees

You seem confused. Maclean plays for the doggies.

 

[_Mike_]

You seem confused. Maclean plays for the doggies

McLean, will be ducking for the magoos this weekend. Isnt playing tonight