Kennedy & Bontempelli tips for Eagles vs. Dogs AFL Friday
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AFL Round 8 - Eagles vs. Bulldogs
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MATCH UP STATS
AFL Round 8 - Eagles vs. Bulldogs
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Win-loss record
West Coast: 5-2Western Bulldogs: 5-2 -
Round 7 results
West Coast: Defeated Port Adelaide 15.7 (97) to 12.15 (87)Western Bulldogs: Defeated Richmond 11.14 (80) to 11.9 (75)
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After a demoralising loss to struggling Hawthorn in round five, wins over Fremantle and Port Adelaide have seen West Coast soar into the top four.
Accuracy was the key for Adam Simpson’s men last week, with a return of 15.7 (97) proving just enough as the Power surged from five goals down to finish 12.15 (87).
Mark LeCras top scored with four goals, but it was Elliot Yeo who stole the show with 27 disposals and 10 marks.
The former Brisbane Lion earned nine coaches votes for that display to take his season tally to 38 – second only to Adelaide’s Rory Sloane (42).
Liam Duggan (corked thigh) was a late scratching for the clash at Adelaide Oval, but the young midfielder should be fit to play this week.
Western Bulldogs could have a few big ins of their own.
Jack Redpath made an immediate impact on his long-awaited return from an ACL injury, booting six goals in Footscray’s VFL win over Richmond.
Also among the goals were Tory Dickson and Bailey Dale with three apiece, while Mitch Wallis starred once more with 31 touches.
All of those guys are in line for a call-up after Jake Stringer (medial ligament) and Josh Dunkley (dislocated shoulder) went down injured in Saturday night’s thrilling five-point win over the Tigers.
The Dogs trailed by as much as 32 points, with Dustin Martin running rings around the midfield in a brilliant opening half for the yellow and black.
But inspiring efforts from Bob Murphy, Marcus Bontempelli and four-goal hero Clay Smith after the break saw Luke Beveridge’s men steal the points in a match littered with controversial umpiring decisions.
Only percentage separates the reigning premiers from the Eagles, so a win in Perth will see them bound into the top four.
Josh Kennedy goalscorer betting
- Five goals or more – +163 at Sportsbet
- Six goals or more – +333 at Sportsbet
- First goalscorer – +500 at Sportsbet
LeCras was the hero last weekend, but there is no doubt about who is the main man in West Coast’s forward line.
With 24 goals in seven games, Kennedy is well on track for a third consecutive Coleman Medal.
Critics will say his conversion is not quite what it was last year, as he is going at exactly 50 per cent (11 goals, 11 behinds) over the last four weeks.
But he has kicked bags of six or more on two occasions already this year, including the derby a fortnight back, and could prove a tricky task for a Bulldogs defence that struggled at times against Jack Riewoldt last weekend.
Marcus Bontempelli bet specials
- 110 or more AFL Fantasy points – +110 at William Hill
- 30 or more disposals – +275 at Sportsbet
- First goalscorer – +1300 at Sportsbet
‘The Bont’ proved in the win over Richmond why he is a modern great in the making.
Well held in the first half, he exploded after the main break to finish with 27 touches, nine tackles, four inside 50s and a goal.
The problem for punters is that Bontempelli spends a fair amount of time rotating through the forward line, meaning his possession averages are not quite as high as the likes of Luke Dahlhaus and Jackson Macrae.
He is consistently pushing 30 per game, nevertheless, while his frequent forays inside 50 make him a good roughy in the goalscorer betting.
Eagles vs. Bulldogs match tip
West Coast by 1-39 points – +120 at Sportsbet
This should be an excellent contest between two teams with high hopes for AFL 2017. We all know how good the Eagles are on their own patch, and they will be buoyed by their win away at Adelaide last time out. The Dogs should make a real fight of it, but we fancy the West Coast to edge it.
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