AFL PREVIEW ROUND 22 – CARLTON V WESTERN BULLDOGS

CARLTON v WESTERN BULLDOGS

ETIHAD STADIUM, 110PM SUN

FORM

CARLTON (LLWLL)

Daisy Thomas turned back the clock with 30 disposals, 6 marks and a goal in the Blues 29 point loss to the Dockers at Optus Stadium. Whilst they made a strong start to the match leading at half time the Blues stopped in the third quarter scoring just 0.2 as the Dockers poured on 7.3. Whilst the fourth quarter was even the damage was already done.

Matthew Kreuzer is out for the season with the ruckman undergoing what has been described as a ‘standard medical procedure’ to prevent further troubles with an elevated heart rate. Maybe the Wolf should book in for a similar operation before the first episode of the Bachelor. Jacob Weitering (corked quad) will face a fitness test.

WESTERN BULLDOGS (LLLWW)

Whilst the Western Bulldogs will be on holiday in September they have managed to find some form at the back end of a frustrating season. The Dogs cruised past the Blues earlier in the season by 21 points and historically have a strong record against Carlton winning seven of their last nine matches.

STATS THAT MATTER

• Jackson Macrae was simply superb against the Kangaroos last weekend. The midfielder had 40 disposals and 6 marks
• The Doggies have been very slow starters with just 1.4 in the first quarter of their win against North Melbourne and 0.5 in their win against the Saints.
• After half-time they have dominated their last two matches, outscoring their opponent 16.8 (104) to just 2.10 (22). With that in mind the Wolf likes the $3.25 on offer for the third quarter to be the highest scoring.
• The Blues continue to struggle to get the ball inside their forward 50 and score. They are ranked last in the competition for inside 50s per game and second last for total points per game.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Blues will win another wooden spoon in 2018. Although this isn’t MasterChef so that’s a bad thing. Both teams have a habit of stopping with the Dogs slow to start and the Blues seizing up in the middle of their respective games last week.

The Bulldogs are the form team with consecutive wins against the Saints (35 points) and Kangaroos (7 points). Although they have been down in both matches before getting the win, as long as they can find patches of that strong form they should get the job done at Etihad Stadium.

HOW IT’S SHAPING UP

Western Bulldogs by 27 points

BEST BETS: Carlton +29.5 ($1.92), Western Bulldogs 1-39 ($2.10), Total points under 171.5 ($1.88)