On paper this should be an easy win. But several factors are at play which mean this will be far from easy. Firstly, it's in Melbourne against a very talented and experienced team. The Bulldogs have been poor this season, but they have shown glimpses of what they once were, plus are still in finals contention. This is a must win game for them and not for us.
Moreover, the team news is worrisome. Very worrisome.
We lose Josh Kennedy to...well...to an eye injury...inflicted by an errant tennis ball at training. I don't know what to say to that, except shit. It's a huge loss, considering his role as our number 1 target and the fact he kicked 10 against the Dogs earlier in the year. It puts a lot of pressure on Lynch and Lecras to step up and kick goals.
More bad news in that Naitanui has been left out with 'soreness'. Now, I hope this is the 'literal' soreness and he only misses 1 week and not the Kerr 'soreness' and he's out for a month. It still puts us in a tight spot. Although Cox is great, in my opinion his best work is now done around the ground; mopping up down back, taking releieving marks etc. At times he has looked old and tired when rucking, at least in comparison to the energetic Naitanui. We also lose Naitanui's defensive pressure, perhaps his most critical ability.
The Dogs have SEVEN changes. Volatility in a team is a good thing...for the opposition.
But it's going to be tough. We're missing our best forward and midfielder. They'll be desperate. Yet, we have to win to maintain our push to the top 4.
We can do it, but it'll be a big challenge.
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