The Preview | Round 8 v Western Bulldogs
Written by Helena Petrou
Round 8 of the 2021 season will see Carlton take on the Western Bulldogs under the roof at Marvel Stadium on Sunday the 9th of May at 3:20pm. The Western Bulldogs have had a near perfect start to the season, sitting at 6-1 with their first loss of the year coming against Richmond in round 7 and pose themselves as a massive threat to Carlton, who head into the game off the back of a 16-point win over Essendon. Carlton have had the wood over the dogs in previous meetings, having won 2 of their last 3 encounters by an average of 48 points. The Blues will take confidence from these previous battles, although an improved and star-studded Bulldogs’ midfield will look to stand in between them and a win. So far in season 2021, Carlton have come up against 4 teams that are definite finals sides yet have failed to win any of these encounters. Round 8 posses itself as a massive opportunity for Carlton to announce themselves to the competition as genuine finals contenders, while also having the chance to square up their win/loss tally ahead of tough block of fixtures. It’ll be a game to watch with a keen eye to see how our Blues stack up against one of the most dominant sides of the season so far.
The Bulldog’s have started this season in the most ideal way possible, undefeated for 6 rounds, their first loss of the season coming against the reigning Premiers Richmond. It’s no debate that they have the best midfield in the competition with the likes of Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli and Lachie Hunter among those roaming the centre. Carlton’s versatile and developing midfield are tasked with the challenge of shutting down and beating the Dog’s midfield this week, how exactly are they going to do it?
So far this season the Bulldogs rank first in the competition for average disposals, as well as average handballs while being 4th last in the competition for kicks. Quite the opposite to the Dogs, Carlton rank 6th highest in the competition for average kicks and second last for average handballs. Richmond were able to get on top of the Dogs last week to secure their win by playing a kick heavy and constant high-pressure style of football. Sunday will see two very contradicting styles of football, but the two sides have something in common, they are both in the top 3 teams in the competition for clearances. Patrick Cripps and Tom Liberatore are the top 2 centre clearance players in the season so far. Carlton arguably have a stronger defence and forward line than the Dogs do, so winning the clearance battle and giving their forwards first use will be the key to the game. When facing top 8 teams this year such as Brisbane and Port Adelaide, lapses in concentration resulting in conceding a run on of unanswered goals, as well as basic skill errors have let Carlton down and ultimately lost them the game multiple times. Carlton simply cannot afford to let history repeat itself, as quality sides like the Dogs punish them off the back of turnovers. Using their attacking/ kicking brand of football to their advantage the Blues will need to nullify the Bulldog’s midfield as whole.
Carlton has many players up for selection this week helped by players hitting consistent form in the VFL. With Mitch McGovern exiting the side due to a hamstring injury sustained in round 7, Jack Silvagni looks likely to replace him should he be fully fit (shoulder). Paddy Dow’s eye inflammation has been settling well, as has Zac William’s soreness which saw him miss the clash with Essendon. Will Setterfield, Lochie O’Brien and Josh Honey have also been building nice patches of form in the VFL. Tom De Koning and Nic Newman also enjoyed great returns to the VFL last week after a period on the sidelines due to injury.
From an opposition perspective, former Bulldogs Next Generation Academy member Buku Khamis has been named to make his debut against Carlton. Ruck/forward Tim English and speedy small forward Laith Vandermeer are also tests to make their return to the side. No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been ruled out from making his debut this Sunday, with Luke Beveridge confirming that he is still a month away from making his senior debut, one less worry for the Carlton defence.
This game will see some of the competitions best players go head-to-head, Cripps V Bontempelli, Naughton V Weitering. But ultimately the game will be decided by each sides ability to work as a whole and with Carlton being boosted by a gritty team win over Essendon leaving them hungry for more whilst the Bulldogs have been shaken by the loss of Jack Macrae and loss to Richmond the Blues have a great opportunity to grasp the 4 points. The Blues will have to bring their A game to beat the Dogs, reiterating the words of David Teague “our best is good enough to be anyone”.
