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 ADELAIDE
Saturday 20 May @ Mars Stadium
Two sides very much around the same level travel out to Ballarat and with an amount of rain tacked onto cold conditions, it will be the place to be – hmmmh.
That can make for unattractive games and one where upsets occur but given both are in the Eight, any mental fragility should be taken care of.
Strangely these two have played three times in the last four years at this venue. It stands 2-1 to the home side.
The Dogs got the job done over a really poor Carlton side. Much was expected of the Blues but they have under-delivered to this stage. Just getting the win is important against those sides.
Impressive enough was that they got headed late but came back to win. Good news was they didn't have to rely solely on Bontempelli.
Bailey Smith has come back from issues to play well as has Liberatore. The half backs Dale and Johannisen are providing run.
In many ways they face a side who likes to do the same thing in Adelaide. After a quiet first few minutes, they blew St Kilda to the shizenhousen.
And much of that credit goes to the fact they kicked straight. It has been a bad trademark of their 2023 but when they get it right, they are very dangerous.
They won't be able to rely on Taylor Walker to kick 5 each week at his age (and now managed this time) but when Rankine, Fogarty and Rachele get sighters, that is critical to their hopes.
Games at Ballarat are rarely high scoring, mainly due to the prevailing conditions. The Bulldogs have a better defensive record but nowhere near the attacking qualities. Therefore anything is possible.
If it's not easy there, we'll tip the Dogs. It was 1 point the diff last time here – it could be a Draw.
Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 12 points
Suggested Bets: Bailey Smith 25+ disposals/1+ goal @ $3.70
Suggested Bets: Total Points under 160.5 @ $1.90
