The Western Bulldogs are undefeated this season with five wins and one draw. They’ve scored over 100 points in every game and have an average winning margin of 45 points. Third on the ladder, the Bulldogs are one of three teams (with Hawthorn and Geelong) yet to be defeated.
After last season’s slide that saw them finish the season in 13th place, the Dogs have made an excellent start to 2008 under former Sydney coach Rodney Eade.
Recent form:
Round 1 – Western Bulldogs 19.12 (126) def Adelaide 18.15 (123)
Round 2 – Western Bulldogs 24.17 (161) def Melbourne 9.12 (66)
Round 3 – Western Bulldogs 19.11 (125) def St Kilda 13.9 (87)
Round 4 – Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128) def Essendon 14.14 (98)
Round 5 – Western Bulldogs 19.16 (130) drew with Richmond 20.10 (130)
Round 6 – Western Bulldogs 20.14 (134) def West Coast 11.8 (74)
Last time out:
Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) def by Sydney Swans 15.10 (100), round 9, 2007 at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
A decisive victory for the Swans who led at every break despite losing star defender Tadhg Kennelly and small forward Nick Davis just before the match.
Adam Goodes’ upturn in form continued with a stellar performance that included 26 disposals and 10 marks, while Barry Hall and Michael O’Loughlin – the latter bagging four goals, Hall a single – used all their experience in the forward 50.
The excellent Darren Jolly also chipped in with three goals while ruck partner Spida Everitt shaded the hit-out stats with 24 to Bulldog Peter Street's 22.
The telling stat though was the overall disposal count, with the Swans well ahead with 358 to 252.
Overall, it was a solid win for the Swans who maintained their push for a finals berth (the win had them in eighth on 20 points while the Bulldogs sat in tenth, also on 20).
The venue: SCG
The Bulldogs have lost their last four against the Swans at this venue. However, their last win against Sydney was on this ground, winning by 69 points in round eight, 2002.
The coach: Rodney Eade
As always, it’ll be a sentimental return to Sydney for Eade, a man who coached the Swans from 1996 to 2002.
With the renewed support of CEO Campbell Rose, Eade is coaching well this season and his signings have been shrewd.
The 50-year-old’s overall coaching record is 120 wins, 102 losses and four draws. He joined the Bulldogs in 2005.
Strengths:
The Bulldogs have worked hard on being tougher at clearances. Smashed last year, they’ve become one of the leading teams in this facet of the game. And onballer Adam Cooney will be a handful for most teams.
Compared to last year, the side has a better structure of talls and smalls across the ground and a forward line bolstered by ruckman Will Minson and former Crow Scott Welsh – of great support to captain Brad Johnson.
Missing in action:
Veteran Scott West's knee will be assessed during the week while forward Shaun Higgins' ankle still has him sidelined for up to 14 weeks.
The key: Rocket v Roosy
Was Paul Roos’ knowledge of Eade’s coaching style in last season’s win the reason? Or were the Bulldogs just disappointing? That aside, Mitch Hahn, who’s great at the hard ball gets, and classy Robert Murphy are back to full fitness after knee reconstructions. The pair did play towards the end of 2007 but were below their best. The Dogs have added more bite to their forward line but perhaps a lack of pace can leave them exposed.
The young gun: Adam Cooney
Twenty-two-year-old Cooney has developed into one of the hardest running and most damaging players in the competition. A groin complaint in 2007 restricted his contribution, though he still managed 28 goals and played in every game. A 2004 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee, Cooney is a one to watch.
The questions:
How will Spida Everitt play on his return? And will the great Adam Goodes maintain his return to form? How will the Swans react after last week’s heart-breaking draw with North? And will the added height of former Cat Henry Playfair prove decisive in the forward 50?
Did you know?
Cooney leads the Bulldogs' sequence of consecutive matches with 74. That run began in round 17 of the 2004 season.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
