76 SPORT SATURDAY AUGUST 12 2017 Red-hot Crows relish likelihood of shootout with Essendon

STEVE LARKIN style. “We like playing that the fast game is probably our the third-highest scorers. “And “It’s going to be a great test into the fixture. Essendon has style ... so far this year we have strength.” it’s not just the key forwards, for our ability to slow them been weakened by the suspen- AFL pacesetter Adelaide is enjoyed the games played at The Crows, with a six-point they compete well in the air, down and hopefully limit the sion to star midfielder Zach daring Essendon to launch a speed,” Adelaide assistant break at the top of the table but they have got some smalls damage.” Merrett and the withdrawals of full-blooded attack in tonight’s coach David Teague said. from second-placed Greater at ground level as well,” The Crows yesterday con- ruckman Tom Bellchambers game at Etihad Stadium. “Our boys respond well (to Western Sydney, are the Teague said of the Bombers. firmed winger David Mackay (foot) and goalsneak Orazia The top-placed Crows are that style) and our offence gen- league’s highest-scoring team “It’s probably more the way (corked thigh) and Daniel Fantasia (hamstring). readying for a scoring shoot- erally enjoys it, our ability to this season. they move the ball as a team. Talia (groin) had overcome The Bombers have also out, hoping the Bombers stick get the ball forward and score. And the Bombers, who hold They move it quick, they like niggling injuries, meaning they dropped Michael Hartley and to their speedy, ultra-attacking “And our ability to then defend eighth spot by percentage, are to use the corridor. would take an unchanged side rested Michael Baguley. Cats keen

WESTERN BULLDOGS to regain V GWS GIANTS BULLDOGS their touch 3.1 6.7 6.12 7.15 105 GIANTS HE coached the attack that 4.5 7.5 13.8 16.9 57 just kicked its lowest score of GOALS the season and lost one of the GWS: J Patton 4 J Kelly 2 L Whitfield 2 AFL’s top full-forwards to sus- M De Boer 2 T Greene 2 C Ward J pension. Hopper R Lobb S Coniglio Bulldogs: T Dickson 2 B Dale J Now his charges take on the Redpath L Dahlhaus R Murphy T Cloke league’s most miserly defence. BEST Geelong assistant James GWS: Coniglio, Shiel, Williams, Kelly, Rahilly is having a big week, Patton, Whitfield Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Hunter, McLean, but it’s far from calamitous Suckling ahead of the massive home INJURIES match against Richmond GWS: Zac Williams (cut above eye) today. For all their problems in Bulldogs: (face) the wake of last Friday night’s UMPIRES Justin Schmitt, Jacob Mollison, Dean loss to Sydney, the Cats still Margetts pack ample firepower. CROWD They are the league’s sec- 30,672 at Etihad Stadium ond highest-scoring team this season and while Tom Hawk- ins is a major loss with his two- game ban, and are wel- come returns. Hawkins is fifth in the goalkicking with 46, while Dangerfield (35) and Menzel (34) are in the top 20. And having to re-shape their forward line is nothing new for the Cats. “It’s been a busy year – continuity hasn’t been kind to us with a lot of the players,” Rahilly said. “We’ve been OK, it’s prob- ably just the inconsistency – we’ve had some really good games where our efficiency has been quite good. “Then there are others The Giants’ tries to push through the Bulldogs’ at Etihad Stadium last night Picture: QUINN ROONEY/GETTY IMAGES where it’s been lacking.” Heading those “others” is last week’s home loss to Syd- ney, where the Cats kicked a wasteful 8.13. Corey Gregson has not played this season, Lin- coln McCarthy has needed Giants dismantle Dogs surgery and Nakia Cockatoo has played only 10 games. Geelong have recalled ruck- JASON PHELAN Greene, who was loudly forward and Dahlhaus injured, Greene reported booed by most of the 30,672 swingman Harry Taylor is an- THE GWS Giants have fans throughout, booted his other tall option in attack. strengthened their grip on a ward was repor- set the ’s men led second goal shortly after his Richmond coach Damien top-two finish with an em- ted for a third time this season tone early with three first- the inside-50 count 18-1 at clash with Dahlhaus. Hardwick has said that with- phatic 48-point AFL win over during the pivotal third term. quarter goals — he finished one stage, but only managed Kelly added two of his own out Hawkins, Geelong’s attack the . Greene’s right boot caught with four — as the visitors es- 3.6 for the term to trail by four in the telling quarter as GWS will be less predictable. The Giants led a seesawing Luke Dahlhaus in the face in tablished a 10-point lead at points at halftime. leapt out to a 38-point lead at It is something Geelong are contest last night by four a marking contest, sending the first break. (30 posses- the last change. planning to exploit. points at halftime then surged the Bulldogs’ forward off with The Bulldogs managed to sions), (25 dispos- With the sting out of the to a 16.9 (105) to 7.15 (57) win blood steaming from his nose. snatch the momentum back als and two goals) and game, scored at Etihad Stadium on the It was a rare lowlight in a in a blistering opening to the (25 touch- the Bulldogs’ first goal of the AFL – ROUND 21 back of six unanswered goals strong second-half perform- second quarter, but wasted es) were important as the Gi- second half, 24 minutes into in the third quarter. ance from ’s their dominance with waste- ants made their move in the the final term, but it was far TODAY: Sydney v Fremantle, Controversial GWS for- side. ful kicking for goal. third. too little too late. SCG (1.15pm), Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium (1.40pm), Brisbane v Gold Coast, Gabba (4.05pm), Swans staying on guard as battling Dockers come to town Essendon v Adelaide, Etihad Stadium (6.55pm), West Coast THE Swans are adamant they 0-6 start. They still need to win Fremantle has shown im- “We’re definitely not taking damaging and they’ve got a re- v Carlton, Domain Stadium won’t take lowly Fremantle all three remaining games to provement over the past two them lightly,” Swans’ back Nic ally strong midfield group.” (7.10pm) lightly as they try to move a have any chance of a top-four weeks despite their modest Newman said yesterday. The Swans will be without TOMORROW: Melbourne v St step closer to completing one spot. 8-11 record and 14th position “They’ve played some really captain Josh Kennedy for the Kilda, MCG (12.40pm), of the greatest comebacks in Sandwiched between home on the ladder. good footy the last couple of second-straight week. Hawthorn v North Australian sporting history. matches against stragglers A narrow away loss to fi- weeks, we know what they are Sydney spearhead Lance Melbourne, University of Sydney has won 11 of its past Fremantle and Carlton is a nals-bound Greater Western capable of and we’ll have to be Franklin will look for more Tasmania Stadium (2.50pm), 13 games to move closer to be- daunting away assignment Sydney was followed by a 23- on our game. scoreboard impact after kick- Port Adelaide v Collingwood, coming the first AFL-VFL side against ladder leaders Adel- point home win over Gold “Some of their outside run, ing just one goal in each of Adelaide Oval (4.10pm) to secure a finals berth after a aide. Coast. the Hill brothers, can be really Sydney’s past two games.

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