The Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide Power go head to head on Saturday, both with finals ambitions on the line.
The Bulldogs have had an up and down season after winning the premiership in stunning fashion last year. As things stand, they’re fighting to avoid the possibility of being the first team to miss finals after winning the flag since Hawthorn in 2009. While they only find themselves ninth on the ladder right now, they’re likely to overtake West Coast, who close out the season with two tough matches against GWS and Adelaide. But, they could easily themselves be overtaken by Essendon, who should breeze through a final fortnight of Gold Coast and Fremantle. The Bulldogs are up against Hawthorn after this match – neither fixture is a guaranteed win, but both certainly are winnable. Win both and they are every chance of playing finals, but drop the ball in either and their season is probably over.
Port Adelaide on the other hand still have a real chance of finishing in the top four but need two wins from their last two, and need both Sydney and Richmond to lose at least once. That’s certainly a realistic scenario if not a likely one, making this match absolutely crucial. Even if they fall short of their top four goal, a win here will make it certain that they at worst play a home elimination final. Port have won two of their last four, last week recording a 27-point win over Collingwood.
The Bulldogs get Dale Morris and Jason Johannisen back this week, Jack Redpath missing through suspension and Mitch Wallis dropped.
Brendon Ah Chee and Jarman Impey have been dropped at Port, and Jasper Pittard misses with a calf injury. Sam Powell-Pepper is back, Riley Bonner has been recalled, and Todd Marshall named to debut.
The Bulldogs are the narrow favourites but this could go either way so Port by 1-39 @ $2.50 looks the best value on offer.
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