West coast eagles vs Western bulldogs
Well here we are round 21 Eagles vs Bulldogs who would have marked this date down in their calendar after both clubs BnF’s were no more?
Both clubs have lost key personal through retirements and injuries or in the dogs case desertion with a few injuries and retirements sprinkled on top, as a result this is a game that could have easily resembled a cripple fight between two war veterans both comparing who has the most injuries and who has lost the most comrades.
BUT! Believe it or not ye of little faith this is round 21 three games before the finals and this game looms as an “8 point” blockbuster between two top four sides with the result having huge ramifications on both teams finals aspirations.
if the eagles win this one it locks in a top four spot and gives them a good chance to finish 2nd and guarantee two home finals, dogs win and they give themselves a great chance of finishing in the top 4 ahead of a shaky Sydney that is without Franklin.
History
While these two clubs don’t really have a huge history together there have been some great moments including 'The battle of Subiaco' in the last round of the 1994 season, the eagles won 117 to 46 and went on to be the premiers while the dogs went out in straight sets, here is a comment from a dogs supporter that remembers it well.
“We had a finals spot sewn up and went to WA in the last round. Expected the normal thrashing we'd get in WA back then and leading up to half time we weren’t disappointed with the Eagles blowing out to a 9 goal lead. The ball heads for the boundary, Brett Heady "Jobby" picks up the ball and Steve Wallis arrives from nowhere and splits Heady straight down the middle with a perfect shirtfront.
Then all hell breaks loose. West Coast players fly the flag and fights break out everywhere. Danny Southern makes his famous choker hold on Peter Sumich, fist are flying everywhere and Doug Hawkins pulls a groin muscle running to the fight-he never plays for Footscray again. “
There was also the last ever game at Whitten Oval against West Coast late in 1997, the game had a fiery start but, fittingly, ended with a Bulldog victory.
The 2 teams also battled it out in a semi-final in 2006 with the eagles winning and going on to become premiers. So if history is anything to go by then every time we have a huge game against the Dogs around finals time we go on to become premiers, sounds good to me!
Other great memories
Rising Star contender Luke Shuey in one of his games of the season against the Bulldogs. Shuey accumulated 27 touches, 3 marks, 8 tackles and 5 goals in round 9, to go with Josh Kennedy's 10 goals, as the Eagles beat the Bulldogs by over 123 points.
And who could forget Josh Kennedys 50m chase down and tackle of Dahlhaus? Rumour has it that Dahlhaus cut his dreads off after that to reduce weight and drag to increase speed as to avoid being rundown by key forwards.
Form
Winning form is good form and The Bulldogs are in good form winning 8 of their last 9 but they have only played one top-eight side since round seven and that was Geelong in round 16.
This will be The Eagles 3rd top four team in three weeks which is exactly what you want in the build up to finals, they have beaten the Sydney Swans and Fremantle and narrowly lost to Hawthorn in the last month.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2015, Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) d West Coast 14.3 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2014, West Coast 21.8 (134) d Western Bulldogs 11.3 (69) at Subiaco Oval
R18, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) d West Coast 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2013, West Coast 21.11 (137) d Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) at Subiaco Oval
R1, 2012, West Coast 21.10 (136) d Western Bulldogs 12.15 (87) at Etihad Stadium
Teams
Key Match Ups
Simpson vs The Drink
Perhaps the biggest match up in this game will be between the two coaches, both are in contention for coach of the year with the outcome of this game and where they finish in the top four likely deciding the honour.
These blokes are best mates and talk on the phone a couple times a week, they have agreed to a silence and won’t talk this week though, both are disciples of Clarkson and have their teams playing fast, skilful and exciting football that is a trademark of the Hawks, matchups and tactics will be the key.
Jake Stringer vs Brad “the Commander” Sheppard
Jake stringer or as I like to call him Jack Darlings red neck cousin has been in red hot form this year, he has kicked 44 goals so far and is a very hard player to match up on he is able to get it done in the air or on the ground and just oozes x factor, he is able to really lift his team with a few freakish goals and will have to be watched very closely
I’m not sure who Simmo will give the job of Stringer to but Shep would seem the perfect candidate, he has been a revelation this year after being a source of frustration for eagles fans in the past, Shep has been ultra-consistent this year often playing on player taller and heavier than himself, he has been able to match it with these players and provide great rebound once the ball hits the ground with his run and ball use, I expect him to finish highly in the vest and fairest.
Nic Nat vs Tom Campbell
Rock your body, rock your body Nic Nats back alright!! Ahh sorry got a little excited there, any way Tom Campbell has held his own since coming into the side in round 16 averaging 25 hit outs per game, but he will have he’s hands full against Nic Nat who is returning from two weeks off due to personal reasons, Nic has been dominant in the ruck this year and while the WCE midfield have done well without him for the past two weeks they will be itching to get him back in the middle.
There are hit outs to advantage and then there are Nic Nats hit outs to advantage which often resemble a hand ball to a player in space compared to your standard hit out, if he is on it may prove to be the difference in the game as the Bulldogs match up well around the ground but the ruck is the one area where the Eagles have a huge advantage.
Josh Kolemandey vs Michael Talia
The Coleman leader usually matches up pretty well against the Dogs with bags of 10 and 7 to his name in recent times, since Darling has returned his goals have dried up a little bit while still ticking over hauls of 2s and 3s, he has been great over the last 2 weeks with 4 goals against the Hawks and while he only snagged two against the Dockers his marking and pressure around the ground was superb
Talia has been super this season getting the job done on the big forwards week in week out and at only 22 years of age looks to have a bright future ahead of him, both teams structures help the defence out and the midfield will play a big role in how often the ball comes in, if this game turns into a shoot-out Kennedy could get of the leash.
Wanted - The Bont Vs Yeo
Come on Simmo and The Drink make it happen everyone wants to see it.
The Verdict
Much to peoples surprise The eagles have been able to cover injuries and key outs for most of the season but with Jamie Cripps having a bruised jaw and Masten to miss due to suspension will the Eagles bite be able to match the dogs bark?
I think the eagles will be too strong at home with an average winning margin against interstate teams of 50+ b
p.s Josh Hill to kick 4 against his old team
Eagles by 28 points
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