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March 30, 2007
Round 1 – Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Telstra Dome
Sunday 1 April, 2:10pm
Teams:
Western Bulldogs
B: McMahon Hargrave Morris
HB: Gilbee Wight Griffen
C: Eagleton West Ray
HF: Giansiracusa McDougall Akermanis
F: Murphy Darcy Johnson
FOLL: Minson Cross Rover: Cooney
INTER: From: Addison Boyd Higgins Montgomery Power Robbins Street
NEW: Jason Akermanis, 30, Brisbane Lions; Andrew McDougall, 23, West Coast
Geelong
B: Harley Scarlett Enright
HB: D Johnson Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Mackie
HF: Chapman Mooney Byrnes
F: Gardiner Ottens G Ablett
FOLL: Blake Corey Rover: Ling
INTER: From: N Ablett Selwood Prismall Hunt Playfair Tenace Djerrkura
NEW: Nathan Djerrkura, 18, Wanderers (NT); Joel Selwood, 18, Bendigo U18
An aggregate of 2 points separated these two sides in their encounters last season, with the winner alternating between occasions.
This new season brings renewed hope for both teams. The Bulldogs, after impressing observers last season with their free-flowing, running and attacking style, will be looking to take up where they left off. While Geelong, after a bitterly disappointing 2006, will be looking to kick start 2007 with a win against quality opposition.
On the injury front, both sides have their worries. For Geelong, former skipper Steven King will miss with yet another calf injury. Max Rooke was not considered after missing just about all of the preseason with hamstring strains. And while new captain, Tom Harley, has been named in the side, his contribution to the game must surely be under a cloud after missing the past few weeks with a mysterious leg injury. The Bulldogs will be missing club stalwart Chris Grant which will create a height headache for what might not be the first occasion this year. With Brian Harris already on the sidelines due to suspension, the Dogs will need to innovate to combat the likes of Ottens, Mooney and Nathan Ablett.
Tactically, while at face value these sides are quite different in approach, they also have their similarities. Specifically, the running and attacking style of game that the Bulldogs so effectively deployed last season is just what Mark Thompson would like to see his side do more of in 2007. The injection of youth in Prismall, Selwood and Djerrkura is aimed at just that cause. But the key difference between the teams is the way that they create scoring opportunities. While the mosquito fleet of the Bulldogs will run the ball inside the forward 50 and attempt to hit team mates on leads with regularity, Geelong relies heavily on its three-pronged attack taking contested marks and providing opportunities for Gary Ablett and Chapman on the deck.
Therein lies the key to the outcome of this game. The team that can impose and successfully employ their game style will likely walk away with the four points. So the battle will be won in the midfield. The Bulldogs must win this area of the game if they are to hold Geelong’s scoring power.
Cameron Ling will once again battle Scott West. He will be looking for a repeat of his last encounter where he held West to just 18 possessions. David Johnson will look to continue his good record against Akermanis.
One of Griffin or Morris is likely to get the job on the dangerous Gary Ablett who has been impressive in recent encounters with the Bulldogs, having averaged 22 possessions, 9 marks and over 2 goals per game in his last five outings.
The style of game that the Bulldogs employ brings flank and pocket players further up the ground as running players. Geelong’s half forwards and pockets must be awake to this tactic and will need to find their opponents quickly upon turnovers in Geelong’s forward line. Chapman and Gary Ablett are excellent tacklers but will also need to be prepared to chase hard out of their forward zone. Similarly, although Ottens, Mooney and Nathan Ablett will enjoy height advantages, they must not allow themselves to be found flat footed when the ball hits the deck. One way around this risk, clearly, is to hold their marks.
Geelong will look to negate the effect of Brad Johnson in the Bulldogs’ forward line. Johnson kicked 5 last time these two sides met, predominantly on Tom Harley. It’s likely that the Cats will take no chances with the smiling assassin this time around, putting premier defender Matthew Scarlett in his pocket.
On paper, the Bulldogs look slightly undermanned and under prepared. Add Grant and Harris to that side and it looks far more like a top four unit. The addition to their side of Darcy and Murphy – both returning from ACL injuries – will hamper their normal fluidity, mobility and speed.
Geelong on the other hand, will be super hungry and is close to full strength and looks to have a side that can test the Bulldogs.
Geelong by 10 points
Posted by catempire at March 30, 2007 09:36 AM
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