4.40pm, Sunday April 22, 2011, MCG
Last time we met: Western Bulldogs 19.13.127 def Melbourne 8.15.63, round 15, 2011 at Etihad Stadium
Line-up:
Western Bulldogs:
B: Robert Murphy, Lukas Markovic, Dylan Addison
HB: Patrick Veszpremi, Ryan Hargrave, Easton Wood
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Adam Cooney
F: Nathan Djerrkura, Ayce Cordy, Justin Sherman
Foll: William Minson, Ryan Griffen, Liam Picken
I/C: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Grant, Jordan Roughead, Mitchell Wallis, Thomas Liberatore, Tory Dickson, Mark Austin
In: Patrick Veszpremi, Justin Sherman, Mitchell Wallis, Tory Dickson, Mark Austin
Out: Brian Lake (Suspension), Clay Smith (Soreness)
New: Mark Austin (Carlton)
Melbourne:
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
HB: Rohan Bail, Colin Garland, Luke Tapscott
C: Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Nathan Jones
HF: Jordie McKenzie, Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe
F: Tom McDonald, Mitchell Clark, Aaron Davey
Foll: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jack Trengove
I/C: Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Cale Morton, Jack Fitzpatrick, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Thomas Couch
In: Brent Moloney, Ricky Petterd, Jack Fitzpatrick, Joel Macdonald, Thomas Couch
Out: Jack Grimes (Suspension), Stefan Martin
New: Thomas Couch (Grovedale)
Bulldogs Preview: The game has been announced as the Jim Stynes Tribute Match in honour of the great man. After one of their poorest performances in many years, the Dogs are still looking for that first win and will need to prove that the team is better than their game against St Kilda where almost everything went wrong. As are Melbourne, they have been unimpressive in all three outings this year and look far from turning that around. This game is not going to be one for the ages and will be of little interest to anyone other than supporters of the two teams, but times like these are where the club needs as much support as it can get, provided they put in a solid effort on the back of last week.
At the Selector's Table: After a poor performance across the board, over half the team will have question marks on their heads. However, McCartney does not look like one to make huge changes, so don’t expect more then 3 or 4 outs .Following his brain fade, Lake will miss one week through suspension. Smith may be given a week off to rest, having had quiet games following his outstanding round 1 performance. Roughead has been quiet all year and may be sent back to Williamstown to find touch, however this will depend on whether the coach is willing to persist with three ruckmen or not. Next in line are possibly Grant, Wood and perhaps even established names Cross and Higgins. Sherman and Wallis had impressive games for Williamstown, whilst Dickson was pulled out early for possible late inclusion before being overlooked. Both Hill and Campbell have played well for the Seagulls and could possibly be tested at full forward.Prediction: In: Wallis, Sherman, Dickson Out: Lake, Smith, Roughead
The Game: Melbourne’s big target up forward this year has been recruit Mitch Clarke, who impressed with 5 goals in round 2 but has been inconsistent. Markovic once again has a big job with Lake out of the side as the only tall KPD. Watts and Howe can be dangerous, however the Demon’s fowardline should not be of great concern. Under Neeld, Melbourne have been bringing the ball up the ground out wide rather than through the centre corridor, and do so through longer kicks. This exposes them to quick turnovers, so guys like Dahlhaus and Griffen will be important to run the ball back through the middle with speed to capitalise on this. The Demons have some hard nuts in McKenzie, Magner, Tapscott and Jones, but should be outclassed in this aspect by Boyd, Cross and Liberatore. Yet again, if the Bulldogs are to have a chance this week, they need to have some sort of functionality in their forwardline. The Dogs managed to beat St Kilda on inside 50’s, but had no impact on the scoreline, having kicked just 2 goals until the 20 minute mark of Q4. Delivery from the midfield must improve, and the forwards must be accountable to stop the loose Melbourne defenders from taking the ball out with ease as is what happened last week. Jones will be matched on the impressive Frawley and will be up against it, and needs support from Cordy. Melbourne’s defence leaked 20 goals against Richmond so is vulnerable, but with a missing Dogs forwardline, this area of the ground is up for grabs.
Players to Watch:
The Forwardline: Must step up, every single player in there. Jones, Grant and Cordy need to take marks, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Dahlhaus and possibly Dickson need to be there to crumb and provide alternative marking options. Whilst the blame is not to be placed entirely on these players, 2 goals in three and a half quarters of football is not good enough.
Robert Murphy: May play on Watts at half back, his dash out of defence will help to set up movements forward, and if he can hit the right targets, will help to give our mids a chance to kick inside 50 with greater efficiency.
Prediction: Absolute must win. If the team shows up as they did in rounds 1 and 2, they should win, and win easily. However if they pull off another performance like last week, the game will go to Melbourne, and serious questions will need to be asked. McCartney should have almost all players in the gun, and they will be keen to make amends for last week’s embarrassment. Bulldogs by 30.
