AFL 2021 LIVE updates OMeara out as Dogs look to shore up top-two spot against Hawks
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Connor Downie gets some last-minute advice from Ben McEvoy ahead of his first match that will consist of game time (he was the medical sub in Round 1 but saw no action).
Meanwhile, it only gets worse for Carlton later today, with Patrick Cripps (quad tightness) the latest key player to withdraw from their match against Port Adelaide.
He now joins Harry McKay (shoulder), Liam Jones (knee), Jack Silvagni (hip), Jack Martin (hamstring), Zac Williams (hamstring) and Sam Docherty (ankle/illness) on the sidelines.
Patrick Cripps is tackled by Brayden Fiorini.Credit:Getty Images
HAWTHORN
In: Connor Downie, Jai Newcombe, Josh Morris
Out: Dylan Moore (knee), Jaeger O’Meara (knee), James Worpel (foot)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: Alex Keath, Cody Weightman, Laitham Vandermeer, Lewis Young, Mitch Hannan
Out: Ed Richards, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (managed), Josh Bruce (knee), Josh Schache (knee), Roarke Smith (medical sub)
Alex Keath.Credit:Getty Images
Jaeger O’Meara (knee soreness) and James Worpel (foot) have been replaced in Hawthorn’s selected side by Connor Downie and Jai Newcombe respectively.
Josh Morris (Hawthorn) and Anthony Scott (Bulldogs) are the medical subs.
Jaeger O’Meara.Credit:Getty Images
The Bulldogs have made it safely into Tasmania
The equation is quite simple for the Western Bulldogs - beat Hawthorn and they’ll strengthen their chances for a top-two finish.
The second-placed Dogs currently find themselves involved in the tightest top-four race in 28 years, with just two points separating all four sides with two rounds remaining.
The slightest slip-up from here on out could cost the Bulldogs a home final in the first week (COVID restrictions permitting).
Their opponents today are Hawthorn who are still a mathematical chance to “win†the wooden spoon, but look pretty safe two games clear of last place.
And they’ve looked anything but a bottom-four side in recent times, scoring wins against the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood, while also holding Melbourne to a draw. They’re now gunning for three consecutive wins for the first time in two years.
So the Bulldogs’ task of avoiding back-to-back losses for the first time this season might not be as easy as it looks on the surface, as they also attempt to down the Hawks three times in a row for the first time since 2007.
The Dogs also have a terrible record in Launceston, winning just one of their five games at the ground. Although, Hawthorn’s once impregnable fortress in Tasmania has been anything but that in recent times, as they’ve now lost four of their last six games there.
W BULLDOGS 4.1 7.6 9.7 11.10 (76)
HAWTHORN 1.1 1.2 5.3 6.4 (40)
GOALS
W Bulldogs: Naughton 2, English 2, Johannisen 2, Daniel, Smith, McLean, Wallis, Smith.
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Wingard, Breust, O’Brien.
BEST
W Bulldogs: Daniel, Bontempelli, Dunkley, Macrae, Liberatore, Smith.
Hawthorn: Gunston, Cousins, Shiels, Breust, O’Meara, Ceglar.
INJURIES W Bulldogs: McLean (knee).
UMPIRES Meredith, Dore, Wallace
CROWD 2625 at Adelaide Oval.
Western Bulldogs premiership-winning utility Toby McLean has suffered a suspected ACL injury, souring his side’s convincing 36-point win against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.
McLean goaled in the first 18 seconds of the match but his joy was tempered a few minutes later when his right knee was caught under big Hawk Jonathon Ceglar in a tackle.
McLean was in clear discomfort and eventually stretchered off the ground, delaying play by almost four minutes, ending his finals dreams and possibly wiping out his 2021 prospects.
Click here to read the full report.
Toby McLean grimaces in pain after a tackle by Hawk Jonathon Ceglar. Credit:Getty Images
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