AFL Preview Round 14: Bulldogs v Kangaroos

Western Bulldogs v Nth Melbourne
Sat 7:25pm at Etihad Stadium

The sole Saturday evening clash sees the Dogs take on the Roos at Etihad for what is shaping up to be a very one sided encounter.  The Bulldogs are fast running out of personnel with more injury crises, and the Kangaroos will be very confident of pumping up their percentage with a big win.

Form

Western Bulldogs (WLLLL) – Bulldogs supporters wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry at their injury list, which is one of the worst in history. Their key position stocks are almost non-existent, their most consistent midfielder (Macrae) is out for a month, while injury clouds hang over two of their biggest stars, McLean and Bontempelli. The fact that players like Dalhaus, Daniel and Johannisen, all key players in their Premiership year, have been completely ineffective at stages is even more worrying. Who on earth is going to pick up the slack?

North Melbourne (LWWWL) – After 3 straight wins the bubble finally burst against Geelong in their game before the bye, when they just could not break down the stingy Cats defence. On an individual note, Shaun Higgins has accumulated 68 disposals (@ 79% efficiency), 3 goals, 17 inside 50’s and 242 Fantasy Points over his last 2 games, and has been remarkably consistent this year, in what is shaping up as career-best for him. He comes up against his former club in this fixture and is well placed to put them to the sword. 

Stats That Matter– The Bulldogs have won 4 of the last 5 meetings
– North Melbourne are 5-1 ATS in their past 6 matches
– The Doggies are averaging just 69 points per game in 2018
– Jack Macrae averages 28 disposals 110 Fantasy Points against the Roos
– The Dogs have not covered the spread for 6 consecutive matches
– Ben Jacobs is averaging 7 tackles per game this season
– The Kangaroos are 1-4 on the Over-Under in away matches

Betting Data

2018 Line: Western Bulldogs- 3-9; North Melbourne- 8-4

2018 Over-Under: Western Bulldogs- 4-8; North Melbourne- 3-9

What To Expect

You’d bet the Bulldogs are wishing they had the bye right now. They have been utterly decimated with injury and they are a shadow of their former 2016 selves. Wolf is expecting the Kangaroos to pile on the points in the second half and heap more misery on the poor Dogs.

How It’s Shaping UpNorth Melbourne by 38

Pump It Up Price Special: Ben Brown Kicks The First or Last Goal ($4.50)

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: North Melbourne 2nd Half Line -15.5 ($1.87)
Value Bet: Ben Cunnington 30+ Disposals ($3.50)
Player Prop: Shaun Higgins 110+ Fantasy Points ($1.95)
First Goalscorer: Ben Brown