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.
WESTERN BULLDOGS V ST KILDA
Friday 15 July @ Marvel Stadium
An absolute Elimination Final, and even that might not be enough for the winner, is the only way to describe the opening to Round 18 of the 2022 AFL season.
Making things even more dramatic and serious for them is that both the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda were not great against good teams last week.
'Not great' is actually a kind way of putting it. Both teams started differently but boy they ended the same way and not how they'd have hoped.
The Dogs must have been expecting Sydney to be fired up after that team's terrible fade out to Essendon the week before. A Longmire ear-bashing was a certainty there.
Well given those circumstances, it was hard to fathom how it could be 7 goals to 2 at the Quarter Time siren. There were no heroics, no pressure, no fight. Sydney waltzed out of the middle and kept pumping the ball into forward 50. Even Lance Franklin was taking contested marks – not something he's renowned for.
53 points in the end probably wasn't a proper reflection of the disaster. Sydney missed multiple easy set shots and running attempts. Forget percentage – winning was the crucial element and that was gonski early for the visitors.
Even their biggest of names were quiet. Marcus Bontempelli must have an underlying injury as his output and impact are chalk and cheese to 2021. Plus Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore are not swinging games. Treloar did try hard.
They simply must get Aaron Naughton help long term but now he's out under the protocols. Josh Bruce is back this week but Ugle-Hagan is still so raw. While ever they are effectively one out, they could be all out.
Now they have to face another team whose season hangs by a thread. Not so much by their ladder position but the way they are playing.
St Kilda is equal 8th but reality is at present both the Gold Coast and Port Adelaide below them would be far more troublesome for an opponent in a Final.
Weirdly they began nicely and were right in the mix well into the Third Quarter when things began to swing for the Dockers.
That tide turned into a purple haze. Giving up 11 goals in the second half was always going to mean trouble. But the question is, how could it be that way coming off such a strong, complete effort the week before against a good Carlton team?
Their ball gatherers and ball users got enough of it but the entry forward was either poor by them or thwarted by a top Fremantle defensive structure.
When the ruck stocks, something they are noted for, didn't dominate, the rest began to slide and the tough running Dockers got mobile.
Max King becomes a sole target that opposition defenders can double up on knowing they have a midfield willing to work back and help out. That is exactly how the likes of Brayshaw and his mates are going.
This game coming is a dead set lottery. It really should be evens take your pick. Late changes, personnel adjustments and selection shocks are definitely part of the mash up here.
You can't trust either of them categorically but maybe, just maybe, the Dogs might have one last shot left. You would think it will be Beveridge bake of the highest order this week – mouthguards at training type of set ups.
If that Dogs midfield can fire up with all heading in one direction, they may have too much power for the Saints.
Adam Treloar is consistently getting 25 or more possessions and with so many of their midfield a quandary as to who to tag, if he gets lose he'll rack them up. Bulldogs to win but seriously – WHO KNOWS! Can you tip a Draw?
Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 2 points
Suggested Bets: Adam Treloar 30+ possessions @ $2.00
