Semi Final - Western Bulldos v Sydney

[adam]

Match Previews
Sydney travel to the MCG on Saturday night to take on a Bulldogs outfit who’s season is seemingly crumbling with injuries to key players. The game will spell the end for either Brett Kirk or Brad Johnson who will both retire at the conclusion of finals, a prospect neither will be wanting to see come to a close.

Western Bulldogs were heavily defeated both on the scoreboard and on the injury list. They went down against Premiership favorite Collingwood by 62 points but have further injury concerns over the fitness of a host of players including their best defender Brian Lake. Fortunately for the Bulldogs they have beaten the Swans in four out of their last five encounters with their most recent encounter at the MCG resulting in a 37 point win in the 2008 Semi Final. Not surprisingly though the Dogs go in slight underdogs at $1.95 but the imminent retirement of Brad Johnson may jst give them the spark they desperately need.

Sydney on the other hand have been in season best form wining their last five games including a nail biting five point win against the Blues at ANZ Stadium. Cult hero Trent Dennis Lane continues to show his talent with four goals while recruit Josh Kennedy has been a revelation with 29 disposals in a best afield performance. The Swans could also be further bolstered with the return of Daniel Bradshaw however he hasn’t played since round nine and will be somewhat underdone. Surprisingly the two sides have only played once at the MCG in the last ten years but despite this book makers have them at $1.85 favorites

Verdict
With the prospect of one of the games greats bowing out at the conclusion of this game you would expect each side to throw everything at one another, the Swans for mind have been in terrific form and look likely to send the Bulldogs to a dreaded straight sets exit from the 2010 finals series.

My Tip - Sydney by 11 points

[jeffers]

I fancied Sydney for this quite strongly to begin with, but then I started to wonder whether the Johnson impending retirement might make a difference, and the fact it's in in Melbourne...it's a tough one. I think the fact it's Roos last year might actually pull the Swans through, just a gut feeling

[hot.pies]

I tend to think teams getting up and playing for a retiring player/coach are used by those teams not playing in finals. I dont think either of these teams need anymore motivation..theyre in a final!! they'd play the same whether johnson was retiring or not. motivation eliminated, just leaves a tired, worn out and partially depressed bulldogs outfit that will struggle. whats left of their talent can still pull off this game if the chips fall their way - but my money is on Freo/Swannies double as spoken about before

[GameTipper]

Western Bulldogs v Sydney

The Gut Call...
The tail of two departing legends at each club overshadows the game itself. It's been billed as which team will stand up for their dearly departed (or soon to be) and it really sucks! This match has the potential to be a real see-saw of a game, and taking the unders will be the best bet, but who will get over the line?! I can't help but look at the current form of both teams, and as much as I'd like them to make it, I just can't see the Bulldogs form improve THAT much to get them the win here. They were dominated last time around by the Swans, albeit on the smaller SCG, but Sydney have a knack of making finals against all odds, so while they are slightly ahead and in favor, I see no reason to bet against them making it through. I just hope the Bulldogs make a game of it int he end. I'm tipping Sydney by 16pts

GameTipper Blind Betting... *hicup*
Head2Head: $1.87
Win Margin 39.5: 1-39 @ $2.58
Win Margin 100: 10-19 @ $8.70
Q/Q/Q/Q Tip: Syd/Wbd/Syd/Syd @ $31.00
1st Scoring Play: Sydney Behind @ $3.70
Odds sourced from Centrebet

[Jnr202]

sydney by 6 points