Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle - Etihad Stadium - Sunday
Western Bulldogs - 5th - 10-6- 133.47%
Fremantle -4th - 11-5 - 118.87%
Whoever wins this game should go on to finish the season in fourth place and earn the prescious double chance for september.
Fremantle have spent almost the entire season in the top four but would be concerned by a few signs in the last fortnight.
Two weeks ago they were outplayed by Richmond at Etihad, and last week they very nearly surrended a seven goal lead against a struggling Melbourne side at home.
Michael Barlow has been a huge loss and is testing the depth of the midfield group in a big way.
Mcpharlin has returned in defence but they are still missing Tarrant and Grover, as well as Headland and Mayne from their attack.
Throw in the loss of Barlow and the young dockers are missing at least five members of their best 22.
You can throw in Ryan Crowley as well who will miss this week with a knee injury.
These six losses and the improved form of the Bulldogs points to a tough day at the office for the boys from WA but they haven't done much wrong this year and must still be considered a chance.
These two teams are probably the best two "touch" football teams in the competition. When given space and time they are the two teams most likely to punish you so one thing you can expect is an entertaining free flowing affair on Sunday.
Ballantyne was the match winner last week, so expect Morris or Harbrow to man up on him, probably Harbrow.
Lake would get Pavlich if he went forward, and the Dockers may also need to play both Mcphee and Johnson forward to try and stretch the Doggies given Pavlich may be required on ball to help cover a couple of key losses.
David Mundy will probably draw a defensive tag from Picken as he has been the most consistent on baller outside of Barlow for Fremantle this year.
For the Bulldogs, this has been a week in the headlines after the sacking of Jason Akermanis (a decision I agree with), and expect a fired up response as the group rallies together to push on without their controversial star.
Generally a week like this galvanises a group and the Bulldogs know what's on the line with this game.
Their last two weeks have been some of their best footy for the year and the midfield group is gaining some momentum.
Boyd, Cooney, Cross and Griffen are in excellent form and they should at this point have a bit too much experience for Fremantle in a big game environement.
Also physical maturity is important, these Bulldogs onballers have had a few years of finals experience, and most have over 100 games in the bank.
Of the Fremantle midfield group, Suban, Hill, Ibbotson, Palmer, Duffield, Mundy, only Mundy has played more then 100 games.
Sandilands v Hudson will be a good battle, Sandilands is the games best ruckmen, but Hudson is as honest as they come and a huge factor in the Bulldogs success. His physicality at the around the ground stoppages will be a good test for Sandilands as well.
Hall will return for the Doggies, and Johnson, Higgins and Murphy are slowly building.
There is no Mitch Hahn, and they will need him back for September as his forward pressure is second to none, but Jarrod Grant is playing well enough at present for the Bulldogs to function without him.
Part of the scoring dry up this year though has been due to poor delivery and a lack of offensive pressure.
The Bulldogs have turned the ball over 45% of the times they have gone inside fifty this season which is the worst in the comp.
However in the last five weeks that is down to 29% so the wheel is turning.
The Bulldogs are the number one team for uncontested posessions this year, and freo concede the most uncontested posessions which confirms the theory they are both "touch" football teams.
Both these sides are the best at punishing teams who turn the ball over so it all points to a high scoring affair.
The Bulldogs however are better prepared for that at present. They are closer to full strength, playing at home and have the runs on the board.
This young Freo outfit has been fantastic but appear to be sliding a touch as a long season catches up with them.
They will put up a fight on Sunday, and they deserve to be considered more then a mug's chance, but come Sunday night, they will sit outside the top four for the first time in a long time.
Western Bulldogs by 25 points
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