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.
COLLINGWOOD V WESTERN BULLDOGS
Friday 13 May @ Marvel Stadium
When 9th plays 10th on the AFL Ladder it doesn't usually engender the feel of a high quality contest and in truth that is the case on Friday night.
BUT, there will be great desperation in it as the evenness of the entire competition, bar three sides, means those at the lower end of the Eight are open fodder.
These two often have reasonably close tussles and with only 2.3% between after eight games, it would tend to offer that this will be no different.
Ironically it's Collingwood at home, under the contract at Marvel Stadium, which also happens to be the Bulldogs home track. That will cause its own little schism.
Collingwood were decent without being ever likely against the Tigers last Saturday. The match never really got out of hand until past half time. From there the margin remained fairly stable.
Richmond had their flair going and because the Pies are a bit more working class in their style by comparison, they couldn't make up ground quickly.
To be a real factor against good or better teams, they need those flair players such as De Goey or Elliott (when playing) to take advantage of the class that Sidebottom and Pendlebury have exuded for a decade or more.
That forward line does struggle to kick a big score but that can be slightly downgraded in its importance on the somewhat smaller ground that is the Docklands. Entries become a little more obvious and often.
They meet the underwhelming Bulldogs who once again couldn't get going for long enough to win a game they at least would consider 50:50.
Naturally when missing Bontempelli, who was managed, it reduces the likely effectiveness. He is that very x-factor we talked about regarding the Pies.
The Dogs themselves are generically and organically a blue collar team from their blue collar area and without that elite skill, plus the lack of real presence up front bar Naughton, they all struggle to kick a score.
Even more injuries are hitting them with O'Brien, Vandermeer and Weightman adding the collateral damage.
On the score of the pressure that can be provided, Collingwood has a good chance at an upset. Being favourite brings its own anxieties and expectations and the Western Bulldogs haven't deserved such standing.
However if the Pies aren't able to hit the scoring zones with a lot of continuity and domination, it will leave them open to retorts up the other end. That free-flowing nature of games at this venue takes its toll on those who don't kick it straight.
So for one last time when a short elect, tipping the Western Bulldogs to try and kick-start the season. Naughton is good but without company, he's no Tom Lynch. It will rely on the midfield to kick goals. They are capable but are they in the right form.
Smith, Bontempelli, even Treloar and Dunkley need to hit that scoreboard. If they do they win but it may not be pretty.
Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 9 points
Suggested Bets: Western Bulldogs 1-39 @ $2.15
