Burning questions for GWS v Western Bulldogs preliminary final: Can Giants contain the Bont?
MARCUS Bontempelli is becoming a superstar of the AFL. But are the Giants the team to put an end to his dominant September? GWS V BULLDOGS BURNING QUESTIONS.
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MARCUS Bontempelli is becoming a superstar of the AFL.
The young Western Bulldog has dominated two finals this year and he has the GWS Giants in his sights.
But how can the Giants stop the Bont?
And what are the other key match-ups for the crunch preliminary final?
Gilbert Gardiner looks at Saturday’s huge clash.
First preliminary final, Spotless Stadium, Saturday 5.15pm
GWs Giants v Western Bulldogs
Will Coniglio contain the Bont?
Not if he goes for the pure shutdown job on the Bulldogs superstar in Saturday’s preliminary final.
Bontempelli made light work of the Hawks and can do the same to the Giants if given time and space with ball in hand.
The Bulldog, who thrives in clutch situations, possesses a great ability to accumulate big numbers, but also drifts forward to kick and create goals.
Coniglio can limit Bontempelli’s influence on the crunch contest if he’s prepared to take the game on when the Giants have the ball.
Can the Giants stretch the Dogs’ back six?
Good luck stopping Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton and Rory Lobb if the Giants get their running game going at Spotless Stadium.
Cameron, fresh off kicking 4.4 against the best defence in the competition (Sydney), poses a major threat for his athleticism and ability to impact in the air and below his knees.
Lobb’s marking and Patton’s strength could also test the Bulldogs, who rely on midfield pressure and tackling to limit the speed of delivery inside their defensive half.
The winner of this battle could decide who stays alive in the premiership race and who starts thinking about locations for Mad Monday drinks.
How might the Bulldogs stop Shaw?
By making him accountable for Liam Picken — the beating heart of the Dogs’ finals push.
The damaging son of a Collingwood finals specialist, born to play September football, has kicked five goals in his past two matches and poses a threat for the Giants in the air and on the ground.
Picken, who started his career as a tagger before coach Luke Beveridge released the shackles, could help make Shaw accountable for his man in Saturday’s historic preliminary final.
Shaw torched the Dogs in Round 9, racking up 38 disposals — 14 rebound 50s — in a blistering display.
Is guts and grit enough?
No, but the Bulldogs have a truckload of talent beneath that unrivalled belief: ‘Why not us?’
Bontempelli holds the keys to the machine but he’s got help in Liberatore, Macrae, Hunter, Dahlhaus, Daniel and Picken.
Around that midfield core, the Bulldogs boast speed, creativity, courage and hardness — the vital ingredients to winning finals.
On paper, the golden-spoonfed Giants have their measure with seven top-10 draft picks in the midfield alone, including priority selection Dylan Shiel.
But that same bit of paper, probably also had the Bulldogs losing to West Coast in Perth; and, reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG.
CASUALTY WARD
Jack Steele (foot) season
Paul Ahern (knee) season
Jarrod Pickett (foot) season
CASUALTY WARD
Lin Jong (collarbone) TBA
Marcus Adams (foot) season
Kieran Collins (shoulder) season
Jack Redpath (knee) season
Mitch Wallis (broken leg) season
Robert Murphy (knee) season
Josh Prudden (knee) season
TAB ODDS
MATCH
GWS Giants $1.45
Western Bulldogs $2.85
FLAG
GWS Giants $3
Western Bulldogs $6
GILBERT SAYS
No reason to jump off the Bulldogs, who have defied their underdog status throughout this finals series. Good record interstate (4-2) this year also bodes well for Bevo’s Bulldogs.
THIS SEASON RD 9 GWS GIANTS 15.8 (98) d WESTERN BULLDOGS 10.13 (73), SPOTLESS STADIUM. Analysis by GILBERT GARDINER
Originally published as Burning questions for GWS v Western Bulldogs preliminary final: Can Giants contain the Bont?
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