Mick McGuane takes an in-depth look at the elimination final between GWS and the Western Bulldogs

Earlier in the season it was Aaron Naughton who was giving opposition defenders headaches. But now there is another Dog showing off, and he could be the difference when the Giants and Dogs clash.

Heath Shaw has a big job ahead of him. Picture: Getty Images

This game will be played at frenetic speed and this style of game suits the Bulldogs perfectly. What we do know is the Bulldogs’ scoring average is sitting at 116 points across the past four games, which puts them ahead of any other team. They’ve also averaged 11 goals from turnovers across the past four rounds, which again is the league’s best. Across the entire season, they are the third-best team for scoring from turnovers. Those numbers are sustainable.

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For the Giants, this will be a contrast of styles as they prefer a stoppage game and that is their one-wood. They average 40.2 points a game from stoppages, second only behind Brisbane. Interestingly, more than 46 per cent of the Giants’ scores have come from stoppages this season.

GWS GIANTS

THE KEY

For the Giants it is all about controlling stoppages. This is what they are good at it. The Giants have won the clearance count in 14 of 22 matches played this season. They’ve outscored their opponent 13 times from stoppages, winning 11 times when outscoring their opposition and losing twice. The likes of Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Stephen Coniglio (if he plays), Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Zac Williams must look to take that form into September and control the clearances.

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THE THEME

The Giants’ theme should centre on getting control of the game. We know they’re a good ball-winning team, which then equates to winning uncontested possessions and generally a high accumulation of marks. What they can ill afford to do is turn the ball over. If they do this it will invite the Dogs to punish them in a big way. This is a big stage, so let’s see if they are as skilful as they are made out to be.

THE CHALLENGE

Everyone wants a forward half profile style of game, but the Giants must get their transition of defensive 50 to forward 50 right in terms of ball movement. They are the worst side at moving the ball from the defensive 50 to the forward 50 over the past four rounds. They have done it successfully only 10 per cent of the time. This must be tidied up or it could be a long night and an early finals exit.

How will the Giants handle Marcus Bontempelli? Picture: Phil Hillyard

IF I WERE GWS …

I would forget about being once bitten twice shy, and give Matt de Boer the challenge of diluting the influence of Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli. The Bont kick-starts the Bulldogs’ offence around stoppages with his ability to win first possession, so I’d give de Boer the job on him. The other key to the Giants’ planning should be on getting great separation between their forwards. Coach Leon Cameron must implore the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson, Greene and Harry Himmelberg to separate themselves from each other and to isolate their match ups as much as possible. They need to force the Bulldogs’ backmen to defend one on ones as much as possible.

PART 1: FOUR MINUTES OF GRAND FINAL MAYHEM

PART 2: HOW DERMOTT SPARKED 89 GF CARNAGE

PART 3: THE FOOTY FREAK FROM BOGGY CREEK

WESTERN BULLDOGS

THE KEY

For the Dogs, the key is to not change anything. Coach Luke Beveridge has openly embraced finals football and the players should be an extension of that. Their scoring has been good, they have a great turnover game, and most importantly they’re a high pressure team. They must keep backing their offence as they have been the third best offensive side across the season. They also shouldn’t forget that as recently as Round22, they had the ability to score 12 consecutive goals against a very disappointing GWS side.

THE THEME

The Dogs must nullify the Giants’ stoppage game. The likes of Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley are all in fantastic form and we know that, but one aspect of their game they must evolve and improve is defending an opposition clearance. As we know, the Giants are ranked second in scoring from stoppages. They can’t afford to snooze for one second in this facet of the game. They must also be able to switch from defensive to offensive instantaneously.

Bailey Dale could prove the difference for the Bulldogs. Picture: AAP Images

THE CHALLENGE

Their challenge is to push back hard to help and support their defensive back six. If GWS get control of the game and get the game played on their terms, the height of Cameron, Finlayson and Himmelberg could be telling when you consider the Bulldogs’ lack of height in that part of the ground. So pressure up the ground and on the opposition ball carrier is a must to take away easy inside 50 entries.

IF I WERE THE BULLDOGS …

I would be sending out the message — let’s play our brand. It has gotten us to this point and it can carry us deep into September, starting with the Giants here. I would look to isolate Bailey Dale to complement the marking power of young gun Aaron Naughton. Dale’s been the pick of their forwards the past six rounds, kicking 20 goals during this period of time. That is ranked third in the AFL. I dare say Giants veteran Heath Shaw will have a few nervous nights of sleep and with good reason.

BULLDOGS MEDICAL ROOM

Caleb Daniel (hamstring) 3-5 weeks

Tory Dickson (hamstring) test

Lin Jong (hamstring) test

GIANTS MEDICAL ROOM

Stephen Coniglio (knee) test

Brett Deledio (calf) 1-2 weeks

Toby Greene (calf) test

MATCH ODDS

Giants $2.05 Bulldogs $1.77

FLAG ODDS

Giants $34 Bulldogs $13

PREDICTION: Bulldogs by 15

Originally published as Mick McGuane takes an in-depth look at the elimination final between GWS and the Western Bulldogs