3 minute read

Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2022 AFL Season.

We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.

SYDNEY V WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday 8 July @ SCG

Given the events of the last round, this match could work out to not just be an ole eight pointer but even to be looked back upon as an Elimination Final when the Swans and Dogs collide.

Both turn up off disappointing losses – one the method of loss and the other also who it was lost to. They certainly aren't in 2016 Grand Final form.

Let's be honest – Sydney not only lost a golden opportunity but they've put themselves into peril. Young sides are prone to fluctuations of form and consistency is a curse both inside and outside of games.

By losing to Essendon, they've thrown away Top 4 aspirations and also given supporters and themselves worries about making the playoffs.

Added to that, is they established what should have been a match dominating lead early. That they were too far in front too soon probably wasn't quite in play here but the arrogance that came when five goals up sealed their fate late.

You could sense mid-way through the second quarter that things had begun to turn. Poor set shot goal kicking was the ultimate contributing factor. Some of them didn't even hit the scoreboard from 40m out.

Annoyingly for those watching, there were stages of the game that they looked like tearing it apart. Chad Warner was superb in the middle and they had runners coming from everywhere.

But that dropped away and without many experienced leaders, they couldn't sustain. Sydney rarely if ever wins milestone games and they didn't again despite the man in question in jersey 26 trying his best. Luke Parker was a lone hand for a while until Warner got on board.

Once Essendon began to play with the freedom their ladder position allowed, they weren't to be denied. Good teams shouldn't still let that occur. Perhaps Sydney aren't as good as predicted.

But the Western Bulldogs themselves have some rebounding to achieve. After being right in the hunt in Brisbane, they simply folded despite having their opponents with multiple injury concerns.

It was 10 goals to 4 after half time and it looked that way. As per usual they had many of the midfield squad racking up possessions but are they damaging enough?

Ironically they come to a ground where that actually might be more important. You kick over the CHF position so goal kicking mids and crumbers are as vital.

Aaron Naughton may be more useful 65m out from goal than in the goal square. Rolling Bontempelli up forward could work well.

With neither side entering in sparkling touch, there will be doubts all around. Whoever blinks first will see the pressure gauge at its peak.

So with that in mind, Sydney has all that much more of it on their shoulders at home. Can a young team handle that? At the odds the Western Bulldogs are worth a gamble but not by much.

Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 7 points

Suggested Bets: Western Bulldogs @ $2.40