Where and when: GABBA, Saturday 4th September at 7:20pm (AEST)
Last time they met: Rd 4, 2021: Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) def Brisbane 8.6 (54) in Ballarat.
At a windy Eureka Stadium in Ballarat, the Doggies ground out a win to make it four straight wins to start the season. English was dominant up forward, kicking 3 goals in difficult conditions while Macrae, Treloar and Dunkley controlled the midfield battle.
Sadly, Hipwood was Brisbane’s most damaging forward with two goals but otherwise, they struggled to kick goals in the conditions.
Last five: Lions 3-2, Bulldogs 2-3
Match Preview: Neither Brisbane nor the Dogs have been in great form late in the season but both teams showed improvement late in last week’s matches. The Bulldogs were very poor in the first half against Essendon but increased their midfield pressure in the second half to pull away and win comfortably. It is the first time in weeks that they have demonstrated that sort of intensity so hopefully, they have rediscovered their mojo.
While the Lions obviously lost to the Dees, they also showed signs of life after halftime. They pulled the 34-point half-time deficit back to 20 points in the third quarter and their midfield looked dangerous for a time before Melbourne steadied. Against quality opposition, the Lions were far from disgraced.
If both teams can retain their form, this should be a better spectacle than last night’s match. Even though Brisbane have the home ground advantage – a rare commodity these days – the Bulldogs have the midfield to match with most teams. Both forward lines are down an important player, two if you include the loss of McStay last week, so expect a tight, low-scoring tussle early.
This is a very tough match to call and, even though I rate the Dogs as the more talented team, I just don’t like the game-plan Bevo brings to the yard. I am sticking with Fagan’s milkshake.
Thommo Watch: There is so much to watch tonight.
- The midfield battle: Neale, Macrae, Lyons, Treloar, McCluggage and the Bont. That’s a lot of talent right there.
- The Ruck battle: English vs Big O.
- The full-forwards: Daniher and Naughton can’t afford an off-night.
- Cody Weightman: Flea is fast becoming a fan favourite at the Kennel.
Thommo’s Tip: Brisbane by 10 points (tipping record 40.5/69).
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No late changes
Medical substitutes :
Brisbane – Ryan Lester
Western Bulldogs – Jason Johannisen
I reckon the deportees will win by a couple…..
(In English that means; Lions by 2 goals.)
Tough to pick and should be a top game.
Going for the underdogs.
Go bullies.
Evening, all.
My tipping comp’s gone down to the wire, I’ve got the Dogs here by 29.
Slated as the Stef Martin cup, could also be the Akermanis cup!
I think I have the dogs in this one in a close game, but kind of wish neither of these teams were here as Bombers supporter.
Dogs knocked us out last week.
Can’t stand the sight of Joe Daniher
Could also be the Josh Schache cup! The names keep coming.
Marcus Adams cup!
I forgot Schache even played for Brisbane. That was a number 2 draft pick well spent.
Which mm of fingernail categorically touched bont goal?
It might have been a wayward bee…..
I hope the Bulldogs buy the umpires a nice fruit basket after the game. A lot of 50-50 calls going their way in the second half there.
Bulldogs free kick count in finals is very interesting –
2021
22-14
28-19
2020
15-8
2019
34-28
2016
20-8 GF
23-13
19-14
17-13
I am not a big fan of using just the free kick count to assess fairness but the Dogs are definitely getting the rub of the green from the umps right now. That said, the Lions really suffered with injuries to key talls late in the season.
….and the AFL will want to change the rules coz noone kicked 100 points…..
Agree Thommo…nor does it show things like the four goals Weightman/Dogs got in the first half v Dons. If I’m right, in 2016, the dogs got the last 8 frees in the Granny.
I’m pleased to see the magnificent contribution Daniher made during the finals. And for Lions supporters suffering after the siren…try 1996 when dons lost TWO finals by a point…one to the then bears at the gabba when Wanganeen hit he post with seconds left, then to Plugger after the final siren in the prelim..