3 minute read

Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2021 AFL Season.

We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.

WESTERN BULLDOGS V SYDNEY

Sunday 11 July @ Marvel Stadium

An absolutely cracking game from two teams who might be around for a while is the feature on Sunday.

Both the Western Bulldogs and Sydney have lists which look to be set in stone to advance them to Finals for the next few years at least.

They did only play in a Grand Final some five years ago but since then both have had some time away from the top end of town.

The Bulldogs are right at the pointy end in 2021 – few could deny that. They have stars on and forward of the ball and a serviceable backline. That area of the ground is the one many point to as a cause for concern but up to Round 17, they have stood up manfully.

Beating North at home in the Sunday Twilight fixture is as far away from Broadway as it gets. Not many would have had concerns going in and in truth not many had them through the game.

But it was far closer than most thought. North has clearly learnt their trade since the start of the year and at least compete. So it was left to their prime midfielders to get involved and make it a fait accompli.

Macrae does what Macrae always does and get 30 plus, Liberatore gets his clearances under ruckman's toes while Dale shows class off half back. Oh, and then there is some bloke called Bontempelli.

With the greatest of respect to the rest of the competition, it will be criminal if Marcus doesn't win the Brownlow.

He's the best in the league - the most complete, the most influential and the most damaging. His numbers show that, his goals show that and the eye test proves that. Com'n umpires reward him. If he kicked for goal straight he'd be the complete package.

However out of that game was something that won't please the Kennel. Aaron Naughton flying high and being grounded quickly is no good for him nor his team.

Concussion isn't always just out for one game and we never hear of it again. All would hope he returns in the same frame but it can linger as others have shown.

Sydney is definitely going to be aided by his absence given they haven't the big defenders. McCartin and Rampe play well above their heights but one less man mountain is a bonus.

The Dogs have triggered the big move bringing in No1 Draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and that 'sugar-hit' of excitement could cover for that Naughton loss.

From last week, the Swans were simply as outstanding on the positive as West Coast were the negative down at the Cattery. It was a like a home game for the Swans. Even if not totally even on paper, they crushed those big name Eagles from the jump.

Be it those solid defenders doing their roles, Callum Mills and Luke Parker through the centre or the flowing wing plays of Florent, Dawson, McInerney, Gulden etc, they were sensational.

When Lance Franklin is almost a decoy you know things are going well. OK, that is far-fetched but the difference to when he's the sole target and teams double and triple team him is stark.

The game was so reminiscent of the Richmond one from the start of the year. Hitting up uncontested marks through the corridor, taking 25m gains and linking hand passes tore the champs up and did the same to an inferior Eagles.

That fast, interlocking, quality game is a bit like the Dogs prefer to play too. Maybe not as fast as them but it makes for such an intriguing match.

It could very well be open early and then the coaches do what coaches do by tightening the screws and not allowing such largesse.

Also Lance is on 976 and we'd love him to have half a dozen soon so that the 1000 is heavily on the cards this year.

The Bulldogs might just have a few more contributors through the middle in the contested ball stakes and that could overwhelm the Swans but it won't be by much. Whoever kicks straightest is a chance to win even with less scoring shots.

Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 11 points

Suggested Bets: Sydney +20.5 @ $1.90