Sunday’s AFL 2018 Round 1 match is between Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs. The opening kick is set to commence at 13:10 local time with the game to be played at UNSW Canberra Oval. The home team Greater Western Sydney Giants are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs.
When: 13:10 | Sunday 25/03/2018
Where: UNSW Canberra Oval
Preview:
Two of the AFL’s most exciting teams go head-to-head in a possible preview of the grand final.
While we know the Giants will be serious premiership contenders again, the question for the Bulldogs is can they rediscover that glory from 2016?
The Bulldogs know they need to up the ante with their defensive pressure, one of the hallmarks of their premiership success.
Marcus Bontempelli is set for a big season and they’ll also need big seasons from the likes of new acquisitions Jackson Trengrove and Hayden Crozier.
The Bulldogs lead the series 5-4 since 2010 but the Giants have won 3 of the last 5.
GWS are good in March and are 32-15-5 (65.3 percent) in March since 2016.
The Verdict
At full strength, the Bulldogs can challenge anyone but with Dale Morris and Marcus Adams out with injury, the Bulldogs could be vulnerable down back.
Look for the Giants forwards in Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and the opportunistic Toby Greene to take advantage.
Unibet Odds:
GWS at $1.40
Western Bulldogs at $3.05
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Greater Western Sydney Giants at $1.37
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Toby Greene at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
GIANTS 
B: Heath Shaw, Phil Davis, Sam Reid
HB: Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson
C: Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Finlayson
HF: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Tim Taranto
F: Matt de Boer, Harry Himmelberg, Josh Kelly
FOL: Jonathon Patton, Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward
I/C (from): Dawson Simpson, Nick Shipley, Aiden Bonar, Rory Lobb, Brett Deledio, Daniel Lloyd, Lachlan Keeffe, Zac Langdon
BULLDOGS
B: Roberts, Cordy, Hunter
HB: Biggs, Naughton, Crozier
C: Suckling, Liberatore, Macrae
HF: Dale, Trengove, McLean
F: Dahlhaus, Wood, Johannisen
FOLL: Roughead, Bontempelli, Dunkley
I/C (from): Webb, Honeychurch, Gowers, Dickson, Williams, Daniel, English, Jong
AFL News:
Greater Western Sydney are still undecided on their No.1 ruckman heading into round one of the AFL.
The battle for the big man spot in the Giants’ engine room has come about due to star Shane Mumford retiring in October because of degenerative ankle and knee problems.
Mumford, who has taken on a coaching role with the club, said those concerned about the Giants’ ruck stocks after his departure only had to look to Rory Lobb and journeyman Dawson Simpson.
Although Lobb has long been tipped to be his natural successor, Mumford says Simpson has put significant pressure on the 25-year-old for the job.
Simpson has played just 30 AFL games since making his debut with Geelong in 2010, but Mumford says his former teammate is a genuine chance to upstage Lobb for this Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.
The Giants will have an opportunity to assert dominance in the ruck as the Bulldogs are going into the match without premiership hero Jordan Roughead (hamstring).
“Dawson Simpson has been putting his best foot forward and playing really well this pre-season,” Mumford said.
“It will be between the two of them (Lobb and Simpson) for this weekend and it will be an interesting time for the match committee about who to pick.”
The ruck competition will only intensify further, with 21-year-old Matt Flynn ensuring he will be in line for a debut should Lobb and Simpson fall out of favour.
Known for his intimidating and aggressive presence on the field, Mumford said he had been forced to find a different approach to his new job.
“The big thing now is finding ways to get through to these guys because we’ve got three different personality types as ruckmen,” Mumford said.
“Instead of being bang, bang, bang and saying this is how it is on the field, I’ve got to nurture and care for these guys in a very different way as a coach.”
