AFL Preview Round 8: Bulldogs v Lions

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane
Sat 7:25pm at Etihad Stadium

The Bulldogs have thawed out after their Ballarat trip and are back in the comfortable confines of Etihad Stadium on Saturday night against a Brisbane side that still has not secured a win in 2018. They certainly get the participation award for ‘Trying Really Hard’ (a prestigious award Wolfie managed to snare in Year 4 Piano classes) the Lions- but they just cannot convert competitiveness into scoreboard pressure and they will need to be at their best to compete with a Bulldogs engine room that is full of class. 

Form

Western Bulldogs (WLLWW) – Last round was the first time the Dogs have won two games in a row since Round 20 last year- a sad indictment on their horrid inconsistency but also a sign things finally look to be turning around. Jack Macrae is in Brownlow Medal-winning form, and the defence is doing a wonderful job with so much talent and depth missing.

Brisbane (LLLLL) – The poor old Lions. They do a good job of wearing their prey down, before letting it slip away into the wilderness, every damn time. Several football pundits had a sniff of an upset in the Pies game, and it so very nearly came to fruition before the extra class and experience of the Pies won out. At least Dayne Zorko finally got a touch again.  

Stats That Matter– The Bulldogs have won 4 of the past 5 meetings with an average winning margin of 42
– Jack Macrae has registered 120+ Fantasy points in 4 games this season
– Brisbane have not won a 1st quarter this season, with a percentage of just 41%
– Over/Under is 1-4 in Bulldogs home games in 2018
– The Lions have covered the spread in their last 2 matches
– Lachie Hunter is averaging 29 disposals a game in 2018

Betting Data

2018 Line: Western Bulldogs- 3-4; Brisbane- 3-4
2018 Over-Under: Western Bulldogs- 2-5; Brisbane- 2-5

What To Expect

The Wolf is a big admirer of what Chris Fagan is doing up in Brisbane with his Lion cubs, but is siding with the Dogs at Etihad Stadium, in what should be a more free-flowing game than many have in recent times. Hard to see how the Lions can compete against the outside ball-winners of the Dogs, who should pump plenty of ball into the forward 50- where they are ranked first in the competition for inside 50 marks.

How It’s Shaping UpWestern Bulldogs by 22

Pump It Up Price Special: Hunters/Beams/Macrae 100+ Disposals ($9.00)

Recommended Bets

Best: Western Bulldogs WIN and OVER 159.5 ($1.92)
Value: Lachie Hunter 35+ Disposals ($4.00)
Player Prop: Toby McLean 110+ Fantasy Points ($2.75)
First Goalscorer: Josh Dunkley