Saturday afternoon football kicks off with a crucial clash at Marvel Stadium as the Bulldogs host GWS, with their finals hopes on the line! The Dogs and Giants have become one of the best rivalries in modern footy, and we’re in store for another great clash!
Jack Tobin has you covered with a full preview for this game, and be sure to check out BeforeYouBet’s AFL Tips page for coverage on every game this season!
Western Bulldogs vs GWS Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, Saturday 13th August, 1:45pm (AEST)
Western Bulldogs
Injuries: Buku Khamis, Charlie Parker, Anthony Scott, Mitch Wallis
Ryan Gardner (calf) and Jason Johannisen (ankle) are both tests for this weekend but are likely to be selected as long as they can get through training this week. The Bulldogs have no key injuries currently, which is crucial as they attempt to pinch eighth spot on the ladder.
The equation for the Bulldogs is simple. Win their last two games against the Giants & Hawks, and if Carlton lose their last two games, they’ll feature in September. A poor second quarter was the difference in the Dogs seventeen point loss to Fremantle last weekend. The Bulldogs won the contested possessions (+29), clearances (+7) and inside 50’s (+5) but couldn’t convert their dominance in general play, converting only 20% of their inside 50’s to goals.
The clearance battle is where the Dogs will have the biggest advantage in this fixture. The Bulldogs are the number one clearance team in the competition, while GWS are ranked twelfth for clearances. The Bulldogs rank fifth in the AFL for inside 50’s and sixth for contested possessions - they’re doing a lot right, they just need to convert better inside 50.
GWS
Injuries: Ryan Angwin, Jack Buckley, Finn Callaghan, Brent Daniels, Phil Davis, Matt De Boer, Josh Fahey, Matt Flynn, Toby Greene, Bobby Hill, Connor Idun, James Peatling, Tim Taranto, Jacob Wehr
The Giants injury list continues to get even bigger, with Toby Greene’s season over after being sent in for thumb surgery during the week. James Peatling was concussed against Essendon and will be out through concussion protocols, while Tim Taranto will miss again with delayed concussion symptoms.
GWS ended a four game losing streak with a 27 point win over Essendon last week. The Giants kicked seven goals to three after half time in an impressive response after being humiliated by Sydney the week before. GWS were dominant in all the main statistical areas. The Giants were +46 for disposals, +15 for inside 50’s, +11 contested possessions, +6 for clearances and +6 for tackles. Above all factors, the 144 marks the Giants took highlighted how much control they had over the contest.
The Giants scored 96 points last week, but had only averaged 49 points per game in the four weeks. That form doesn’t stack up well against a Western Bulldogs outfit that ranks fifth in the AFL for scoring, averaging 91 points per game. Jesse Hogan spearheaded the GWS forward line with 4 goals last week, but they’ll need more contributors if they are to kick a winning score against the Dogs.
Match Prediction
These sides are in very different scenarios, with the Bulldogs’ finals hopes alive, while the Giants have nothing to play for in their last two games of the season. Despite having an underwhelming season in 2022, the Dogs have been hard to beat at Marvel with an 8-3 record at home.
The Bulldogs have won four out of their last five against GWS, and have taken care of the bottom ten sides this season, with an 7-2 record against teams outside of the top eight. The Dogs have too much power through the centre of the ground, and if they can convert better inside 50, this should be a comfortable victory given the gap in talent between the two sides. With their season on the line, expect a big performance from Luke Beveridge’s side.
Western Bulldogs Wire To Wire
$1.78 (2.5 Units)
Prop Bets
After being heavily targeted in games against the Giants in recent seasons, Marcus Bontempelli has begun to dish it back with 28, 26 and 27 disposal performances in his last three games against GWS. The Bulldogs skipper has continued to lift as the season progresses, averaging 25 disposals per game after the bye.
Marcus Bontempelli 25+ Disposals, $1.64 with Ladbrokes
Aaron Naughton was a shining light in a disappointing loss against Fremantle last week, kicking three goals. Naughton has returned hauls of 5, 2, 0, 2 & 2 goals in his last five games against GWS and has been prolific against bottom ten sides in 2022, with 25 goals in seven games - including a 5 goal haul in Round 14 against the Giants.
Aaron Naughton 3+ Goals, $2.10 with Ladbrokes
Jackson Macrae’s last four games against the Giants makes for impressive reading. Disposal returns of 37, 40, 32, 39 and 31, for an average of 35 disposals across those five games. Macrae torched this Giants back in Round 14 with 37 disposals despite being tagged, and will be set for another big game against a side he’s had plenty of success against.
Jackson Macrae 35+ Disposals, $2.75 with Ladbrokes
