Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Suns
Saturday 12 July 2014, 4:40pm
Venue: Cazalys Stadium

Head-to-head:

Round 10, 2014: Gold Coast Suns 18. 11. (119) defeat Western Bulldogs 10. 14. (74), Metricon Stadium
Round 8, 2013: Gold Coast Suns 13. 15. (93) defeat Western Bulldogs 8. 13. (61), Metricon Stadium
Round 8, 2012: Western Bulldogs 9. 18. (71) defeat Gold Coast Suns 4. 10. (34), TIO Stadium
Round 14, 2011: Gold Coast Suns 13. 10. (88) defeated by Western Bulldogs 17. 8. (110), Metricon Stadium
Round 3, 2011: Western Bulldogs 18. 14. (112) defeat Gold Coast Suns 7. 9. (51), Etihad Stadium

Last time they met:

  • Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon combined with four goals apiece last time the Suns took on the Bulldogs. Daniel Giansiracusa, Jason Tutt and Adam Cooney were the away side’s main goal contributors, each kicking two.
  • Liam Picken had Gary Ablett’s measure for most of the game with the prolific Suns captain managing only 24 possessions, and failing to hit the scoreboard - well under his season average of 32 touches and close to two goals per game.
  • A monster effort from Tom Liberatore in the trenches saw him amass 27 disposals (21 contested) at 88.9% efficiency, nine clearances and 12 tackles.
  • Denying the Suns uncontested possession, time and space, the Bulldogs’s pressure ensured a close contest to the main break, trailing by just six points. An eight goal to one third term by the Suns broke open the game, setting up the eventual 45-point victory. 

Recent form:

Western Bulldogs

Missed opportunities could have seen a different outcome at Simonds Stadium last Sunday, but a 13-point loss eventuated for the Bulldogs who had an extra two shots on goal to the victorious Cats. +37 in contested ball (176-139), + 21 in clearances, and + 4 inside 50s, told the story of a Bulldogs side that had the better of Chris Scott’s men around the contest in the wet and greasy conditions. If not for a couple of last quarter misses, and a goal review decision falling the other way, an upset win for Brendan McCartney's could have ensued. Liberatore and Griffen were the driving forces for the Bulldogs midfield , while Stewart Crameri and Marcus Bontempelli both finished the game with two goals each. The Club has seen three players wear Bulldogs colours for the first time in as many weeks and all of Jack Redpath, Mitch Honeychurch and Sam Darley were able to play a role when given the opportunity. Wins against Collingwood and Melbourne have shown extended patches of a side on the rise, while only conceding 100 points or more once in the past six rounds, compared to three times in the equivalent period last season, indicates defensive improvement.

Gold Coast Suns

The Suns have won two from three outings at Cazalys Stadium and will be aiming to make it three when they play off against the Bulldogs on Saturday. Gold Coast are closing in on their maiden finals campaign, poised in eighth position on the ladder with one win separating them from ninth place. The anticipated loss of Gary Ablett Jr will hurt the side but the Suns have the midfield depth to cover the loss. One of the most settled line-ups in the league, Gold Coast have drawn on just 31 players so far this season  - equal second least in the competition -  a result of a healthy and maturing list and winning record. With wins at home against Geelong and Collingwood in the last three week’s, the expansion franchise is showing it is a force to be reckoned with.

Key matchups and gamebreakers:

  • Daniel Giansiracusa has served his two weeks suspension and will no doubt come back into the selection mix. In their last encounter Giansiracusa entered the game late as the substitute to kick two goals.
  • Gold Coast looks likely to be without captain Gary Ablett as well as half-back Trent McKenzie and tall forward Charlie Dixon of Saturday afternoon’s match. While the loss of their skipper would have been a monumental loss in previous years, the Suns showed in last week’s win against Collingwood that the young kids are more than capable of delivering his absence. Dion Prestia put on a clinic last time he met the Bulldogs, while Saturday’s performance saw David Swallow demand attention. The Suns significant depth of midfield talent is a key reason to their presence in the top-eight with seven rounds to play.
  • The Bulldogs have won 27 quarters this season and currently sit in 14th place on the ladder but interestingly the Gold Coast Suns sit in eighth place after winning just 28 terms in 2014. Expect Saturday’s battle around the ball to be fierce, with both sides ranked in the league’s top-four for clearances and top-six for contested ball. The Suns have shown their capacity to defend their back half (ranked fourth in the AFL for Rebound 50s) and have been prolific in providing opportunities for their forwards (ranked fifth in the AFL for Inside 50s). With ball in hand however, it is the Bulldogs that have been more efficient, ranked ninth in the league compared to the Suns’ 15th for disposal efficiency.