Our very own Brett Munro, opposition coach for the Gold Coast SUNS, previews the round 17 game against Western Bulldogs at Cazaly’s Stadium.
The Key Numbers : Season
Clearances : difference vs opposition
Gold Coast +2.2 (ranked 5th) - over the last 4 rds GC ave +6 (5th)
W.Bulldogs +2.2 (ranked 5th) - over the last 4 rds WB ave +8.8 (1st)
Contested Poss :diff.
Gold Coast -1.1 (ranked 13th)
W.Bulldogs +0.3 (ranked 12th) - over the past 4 rds WB ave +9.8 (4th)
Tackles :diff.
Gold Coast +4.8 (ranked 6th)
W.Bulldogs -3.1 (ranked 11th)
Disposals For :average
Gold Coast 358 (ranked 11th)
W.Bulldogs 360 (ranked 9th)
Disposal Efficiency % For :average
Gold Coast 71.0% (ranked 15th) - over the past 4 rds GC ave 72.2% (10th)
W.Bulldogs 71.8% (ranked 9th)
Inside 50’s For :ave.
Gold Coast 52.7 (ranked 5th)
W.Bulldogs 47.6 (ranked 15th)
Goals For : ave.
Gold Coast 13.4 (ranked 5th)
W.Bulldogs 11.6 (ranked 14th)
The Key Players
27 Will Minson
2013 All Australian Member, who has returned to strong form after a slowish start to the season. Minson is a physical Ruckman, attacking the contest & following up at ground level – he averages 37 hitouts (25% to advantage), 12 disposals (66% contested), 4 clearances & 4 tackles.
21 Tom Liberatore
Liberatore is a fantastic inside player – Ranked 5th AFL (1st Possession) & Ranked 1st AFL (Tackles). The 22yo is a key ingredient in the W.Bulldogs Midfield, averaging 24 disposals (60% contested), 7 clearances & 9 tackles. In their Rd13 win vs. Collingwood, he dominated with 34 disp, 13 clear & 10 tackles.
Last Round
Geelong 10.9.69 def Western Bulldogs 7.14.56 @ Simonds Stadium
Western Bulldogs Round 17 AFL Premiership Team
B Liam Picken, Jordan Roughead, Mark Austin
HB Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Easton Wood
C Marcus Bontempelli, Matthew Boyd, Mitch Wallis
HF Mitch Honeychurch, Stewart Crameri, Mitch Honeychurch
F Luke Dahlhaus, Jack Redpath, Lachie Hunter
FOL Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore
I/C Jack Macrae, Nathan Hrovat, Koby Stevens, Sam Darley
Emergencies: Daniel Giansiracusa, Jason Johannisen, Tom Campbell
In the Media
Gold Coast senior coach Guy McKenna said his team is looking forward to returning to Cazaly’s Stadium, with the playing group having won two of their three matches in Cairns.
“It’s a unique ground and the conditions are similar to the Gold Coast so we see that as an advantage,” he said.
“I think the boys really enjoy going up there and given the support we get up there it actually feels like a home game.”
Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney ahead of Saturday’s match at Cazaly’s Stadium.
“We are going up there with a plan and they still have some other fantastic young players that really know how to play – as we do, we’ve got some brilliant young midfielders too,” he said.
“I am looking forward to the match up, looking forward to the opportunity.”
