Field Marshal: Key for Western Bulldogs in Grand Final is to use it or lose it

IT IS the most critical question of the Grand Final — can the Bulldogs use the ball efficiently in its forward half? The answer could determine their chances of lifting the premiership cup.

IT IS the most critical question of the Grand Final — can the Western Bulldogs use the ball efficiently in its forward half?

If the Dogs can answer yes, they’re an excellent chance to break a 62-year premiership drought. If they can’t? They’re as good as gone.

Such is life when you’re facing Sydney, football’s most absorbent sponge.

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Put simply, the Swans’ ability to soak up attacking forays and sustained bombardments has never been seen before. John Longmire’s side concede a goal from 18.2 per cent of entries — the lowest percentage ever recorded.

Geelong smashed the ball into its attacking 50m 72 times in Friday night’s preliminary final — a whopping 32 more than the Swans in what was the third-biggest differential ever given up by a winning side.

Western Bulldogs Jake Stringer and GWS Giants Tom Scully during the AFL Preliminary Final between GWS and Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium, Homebush. Picture: Toby Zerna

Not only that, the Cats forced Sydney into 48 turnovers in the Swans’ defensive half — the equal-most ever recorded — yet the sponge only leaked three goals from these turnovers.

Every other turnover in this dangerous part of the ground was mopped up, soaked up and wiped up by the cleanest defence in the competition.

How is it possible? Monstrous pressure.

Sydney is happy to give up some ground in the territory battle knowing it will sling out of defence like a shot out of a cannon. This is a season-long trend — of the eight finalists the Swans gave up the most inside 50s.

Sydney defender Nick Smith spoils Jimmy Bartel. Picture: Colleen Petch

But they tighten the noose big time in their back half, applying more pressure than any other side in this area of the field. As a result, Sydney’s rivals have hacked their way to a disposal efficiency of just 63 per cent - four per cent below the AFL average.

No other side this year has forced its opponent to cook the ball in its forward half like Sydney.

So can the Bulldogs buck the trend and keep their heads in the biggest game of the year with that kick inside 50m?

We know they’ll be ferocious at the contest and we know they’ll win contested ball and clearances. Heck, the Grand Final will probably be played the Dogs’ attacking half of the ground given they ranked only behind Geelong for time in forward half differential.

But as resilient and tough as the Dogs have been on this giant-killing run, this is their biggest test and their midfielders have to be clinical.

Use it or lose it.