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 GEELONG

Friday 3 June @ Marvel Stadium

We begin the period of the bye rounds (annoying as they are) with a really important fixture under the roof – and at this time of year, at least it is a bit warmer/drier that way.

These two sit inside the Eight at present but only just and a loss to either will see them highly vulnerable in the short and long term.

In recent years they have played some tight and low scoring matches. 83 points by Geelong last year, when Gary Rohan kicked the goal after the siren, was the highest between them in the last three games.

However that was at the Cattery and we are now back closer to the Dog Kennel.

Those Bulldogs had a training drill last weekend – rather expensive to fly across the wide brown land just for some practice but that is essentially what occurred.

West Coast are in survival mode at present and the Dogs feasted on a playing group devoid of intensity, pressure and conviction.

So how much you give the winners credit is up to you. From 10 goals to the half, they piled on another 15 coming home. That explains the witches hat mentality.

They are starting to get some movement back into their play it must be said. There was a stagnant nature to the previous month leaving them precariously placed.

The positive is there has become less of a dependence on Bontempelli with more taken over by Treloar, Dunkley and English in the ruck. Come season's end that will pay dividends if the Bont is physically and mentally fresh.

Perhaps the biggest matter of them all is what level of play can Aaron Naughton attain still essentially one out. He kicked four but the supply was endless. He really misses Josh Bruce being there to give options.

They now have to show their improvement against a well-oiled, if not old version of a machine. More Datsun 180b than Porsche but sometimes reliability is best. That could best sum up Geelong. They will get you to the place required (finals) but when the excitement is most needed (winning them) they can't hit the heights.

It was a tradesman-like effort at home to Adelaide who are meandering a tad through a long season. A slowish start was turned around by the half and despite a little Crows comeback, they had doubled their score at the end.

At the very least Geelong is doing all this without their main midfield man. Dangerfield will be back within a few weeks and his explosiveness will be a necessity as they aren't the quickest in the middle.

When Tom Stewart down back is racking up the possessions, it highlights the more methodical nature of their game.

However they still have two beasts up the front that can win at least one final. Cameron and Hawkins will put a strain on any defence. The issue becomes supply.

While the Bulldogs backline can be under some duress at times, they are getting troops back. And simultaneously Geelong aren't at home here.

So assuming the Bulldogs run and carry and make it a speedier match style, that may make the Cats more vulnerable late.

The man who has been very consistent all year is Adam Treloar with 22+ touches each game and averaging a goal a game too. Seems like a nice bet to go with a Bulldogs win.

Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 13 points

Suggested Bets: Adam Treloar 1+ goals/25+ possessions @ $2.60