Round 21
Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Sunday, August 18, 4:10 pm (SA time)
Etihad Stadium
Latest news
News Bites
Top Dog recalled, forward dropped
The Western Bulldogs have recalled skipper Matthew Boyd and father-son recruit Lachie Hunter for their clash with Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Forward Liam Jones and Jason Tutt have been omitted. Boyd has missed the past two matches because of a calf strain.
Out of action (estimates only)
Matthew Boyd (calf) – test
Jake Stringer (foot) – TBA
Joshua Prudden (ankle) – 1 week
Tom Williams (shoulder) – season
Shaun Higgins (foot) – season
Clay Smith (knee) – season
Jason Johannisen (shoulder) – season
Brett Goodes (broken arm) – season
Western Bulldogs’ recent form
Round 20, Western Bulldogs 16.21 (117) d Carlton 13.11 (89), Etihad Stadium
Round 19, Sydney 21.8 (134) d Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99), Etihad Stadium
Round 18, Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) d West Coast 13.11 (89), Etihad Stadium
Round 17, Hawthorn 13.17 (95) d Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76), Aurora Stadium
Round 16, Essendon 18.13 (121) d Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90), Etihad Stadium
Recent form against Adelaide
2013, Round Four, Adelaide 12.8 (80) d Western Bulldogs 4.4 (28), AAMI Stadium
2012, Round Two, Adelaide 11.16 (82) d Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64), AAMI Stadium
2011, Round 13, Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) d Adelaide 10.10 (70), Etihad Stadium
2010, Round 19, Western Bulldogs 8.13 (61) d Adelaide 7.11 (53), AAMI Stadium
2010, Round Five, Western Bulldogs 18.13 (121) d Adelaide 10.12 (72, Etihad Stadium
Brownlow Medal votes from last meeting
N/A
Team
B: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Liam Picken
HB: Robert Murphy, Mark Austin, Tom Young
C: Matthew Boyd, Tom Liberatore, Daniel Cross
HF: Ryan Griffen, Jarrad Grant, Daniel Giansiracusa
F: Luke Dalhaus, Tom Campbell, Koby Stevens
FOLL: Will Minson, Mitch Wallis, Adam Cooney
IC FROM: Easton Wood, Dylan Addison, Lachie Hunter, Tory Dickson
IN: Matthew Boyd, Lachie Hunter
OUT: Liam Jones, Jason Tutt
Stats that matter
The Dogs have been one of the form sides of the competition in the past month, ranked No.1 in total disposals and No.2 in inside 50ms. They also have the highest contested possession differential (contested possessions compared to their opposition) and second-best clearance differential since Round 17.
Defender Rory Laird received Adelaide’s third Rising Star nomination of the season this week. The Crows have only achieved this feat once before, in 2009 when Patrick Dangerfield, Taylor Walker and runner-up Andy Otten all earned nods.
Laird is the latest in a long line of rookie-list success stories at Adelaide. The Crows have the second-most former rookies (12) on their senior list (behind Collingwood): Josh Jenkins (Essendon), Luke Thompson, Matthew Jaensch, Matthew Wright, Jared Petrenko, Sam Jacobs (Carlton), Ben Rutten, Brodie Martin, Ian Callinan, Jason Porplyzia, Aidan Riley and Ricky Henderson, plus Laird and defender Kyle Hartigan, who have been elevated this season.
The Bulldogs are the best tackling side in the League in the past month and ranked fourth for the season. Young midfielder Tom Liberatore leads the way in this statistic, ranked fifth in the comp. Liberatore is the best clearance player in the AFL and is also third in contested possession.
Last weekend was the eighth time this season defender Daniel Talia hasn’t conceded a goal to his direct opponent. The 2012 Rising Star has conceded a total of 23 goals of the season for an average of one goal per game.
South Australian Ryan Griffen is another key to the Western Bulldogs. Griffen leads the League in inside 50ms and is ranked sixth in disposals. Another croweater, ruckman Will Minson is currently second in hit-outs.
Patrick Dangerfield generated 13 inside 50m entries against North Melbourne – a record for a player in a single AFL round this season.
Crow Sam Jacobs has won more hit-outs to advantage (30) than any other ruckmen in the competition over the past fortnight.
News Bites
Top Dog recalled, forward dropped
The Western Bulldogs have recalled skipper Matthew Boyd and father-son recruit Lachie Hunter for their clash with Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Forward Liam Jones and Jason Tutt have been omitted. Boyd has missed the past two matches because of a calf strain.
McCartney refuses to speculate on Dons duo – AFL.com.au
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has refused to buy into speculation linking his club to Essendon pair Stewart Crameri and Scott Gumbleton. The Bomber forwards are said have caught the eye of the Bulldogs, with AFL.com.au revealing in June that Crameri could command a four-year deal worth up to $1.8 million from the Bulldogs.
Boyd a chance to return against Crows
Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd will face a fitness test on his injured calf during the week. Boyd has endured a wretched run with injuries this season, managing only one game in the past six rounds. Ruckman/forward Tom Campbell has been cleared of damage after colliding with the goalpost in the Club’s win over Carlton last weekend.
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