#AFLEaglesDogs Preview: West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs

#AFLEaglesDogs Preview: West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs

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Finals footy is here! I think West Coast Eagles have been dealt a fairly manageable elimination round. Although, we all know that ANYTHING can happen in finals…

finals mapWest Coast Eagles have proven their critics wrong this season, that’s for sure. They were never really considered as premiership contenders until a couple of weeks ago. Getting some big wins on the board against GWS, Hawthorn and Adelaide really showed that they are here to fight hard for the flag.

finals darlingWestern Bulldogs on the other hand… As THRILLED as I am that the Fremantle Dockers beat the Bulldogs in round 23 for Matt Pavlich’s last game, it was a game that the Doggies really should have won. They didn’t play with their usual speed and efficiency and really let themselves down at Domain Stadium. They get another chance to get a win in the west when they take on the Eagles on Thursday night. Same ground, completely different opposition. Different for a lot of reasons, the main one is that West Coast are obviously in a lot better form than the Dockers have been this season. So unless the Bulldogs have sorted out their issues from round 23, I can see the Eagles running away with the win.

finals kennedyDual Coleman Medal winner and 2016 All Australian forward Josh Kennedy has kicked 23 goals in his past 4 matches against the Bulldogs in WA. The Bulldogs will have their hands full in defence trying to limit Kennedy’s involvement, and they will also need to be mindful of Jack Darling, Mark LeCras and Josh Hill who can all be dangerous in the forward line if they gain momentum.

The Bulldogs are likely to welcome back Jake Stringer to the side, along with Easton Wood who could be returning from an ankle injury. If the Bulldogs are going to kick a winning score, they will need Stringer to step up and lead the charge. He was recently dropped to the VFL but has apparently re-captured his form, which is good timing for the Dogs! They will need a plan to get around West Coast’s 2016 All Australian defender Jeremy McGovern though, he doesn’t let a lot get past him!

finals jeremyWest Coast gained a lot of momentum in the final weeks of the season so I am hoping that the bye week didn’t have a negative impact on their confidence…

I am tipping West Coast Eagles to beat the Western Bulldogs by 19 points!

Let us know your #AFLEaglesDogs predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne