The final game of the Sunday Round 16 AFL Slate and we have the Western Bulldogs taking on the West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium.
Both sides need this win, and the Bulldogs will want to keep their finals hopes alive, whilst the Eagles are looking for a Top 4 Finish, and a double chance come finals.
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Western Bulldogs vs West Coast Eagles
Last Meeting
Round 11 2019, West Coast 21.7 133 – W.Bulldogs 10.12 72
(West Coast by 61 Points)
Last 5 Meetings
W.Bulldogs – 0 Wins
West Coast – 5 Wins
Last Round
The Bulldogs are on a 9-day break and got the early jump on the Cats in their Round 14 clash only to lose the match by 11 Points.
West Coast were too good for the Bombers and are on a five-day break after their 15 Point win last Tuesday Night.
Team Changes
The Bulldogs have made three changes for this encounter with Easton Wood and Laitham Vandermeer out of the side. Tory Dickson has been omitted. Coming into the team is Zaine Cordy, Sam Lloyd and Roarke Smith.
The Eagles have decided to rest former captain Shannon Hurn and current Captain Luke Shuey is out of the match with an injury. Bailey Williams has been omitted from the side. Coming in is forward Josh Kennedy, Brayden Ainsworth and Jake Waterman.
Current Head to Head Odds
Western Bulldogs – $1.97
West Coast – $1.88
Prediction
This is a challenging game to pick given some of the outs to consider for both sides. The Eagles are without a couple of their best in and under midfielders, and the Dogs lose their best defender for this clash.
This game will probably be won in the middle of the ground, and if the Dogs can read where Nic Nat from the Eagles may tap the football at stoppages, they are every chance. It is just hard to see them scoring goals against a solid West Coast Defence.
The Dogs started well last week, but once the Cats sorted out how they were going to attack the game, the Bulldogs had no answers. If the Eagles can break even in the midfield battle, they are stronger on the forward and defensive halves and should win the match.
Nic Naitanui is a late out for this clash, which completely changes the whole makeup of the game. The Bulldogs should win this match.
Our Pick – Western Bulldogs (Win)
Player Prop – Lewis Jetta + 50.5 Fantasy Points
May have looked a little rusty in his first game back, but has an average of 82.5 fantasy points against the Bulldogs in his last 4 encounters. Sides that control the football from the back half, tend to have an edge over the Bulldogs and Jetta is an elite user of the football. Will be looked at to help setup play in the back half, on the wing, or on a forward flank in this match. Played forward last week and may do the same in this match.
Dom Sheed + 74.5 Fantasy Points
With a couple of the Eagles key midfielders out for this clash, they will need somebody to step up. Sheed can get to hard ball when he needs to and is an elite user of the football. Should be around this number and probably cover considering the amount of time he will spend in the middle.