The second game of Sunday AFL Round 18 matches is between Western Bulldogs and Essendon Bombers. The game is set to commence at 4:40 PM local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. Away team Essendon Bombers go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Western Bulldogs and Essendon Bombers.

Round: Round 18 , July 20, 2014, 4:40 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 15° Possible shower.

Featured Bookmakers:

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Preview:

THIS looms as an intriguing clash with both sides coming off stellar wins last week. The Bombers pulverised the Pies with Jake Carlisle finally getting his act together in attack, plucking 19 marks and kicking four goals. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are recovering from a trip north to Cairns where they beat a bullish Gold Coast side with their young pups shining through once again. Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Nathan Hrovat are all players of the future and can’t be underestimated when these two sides meet on Sunday.

LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2014, Essendon 10.13 (73) d Western Bulldogs 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2013, Essendon 18.13 (121) d Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2012, Essendon 21.14 (140) d Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2011, Essendon 23.12 (150) d Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2011, Essendon 16.17 (113) d Western Bulldogs 8.10 (58) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. The round seven contest between the sides could have gone either way. The Bulldogs had more possessions, hit-outs and inside-50s, while the Bombers took more marks, laid more tackles and had more scoring shots.

2. The Western Bulldogs continue to be the No.1 handballing side in 2014 with an average of 172.9 per game. Young midfielder Tom Liberatore leads the way with 214 on his own.

3. Essendon will be going for its sixth consecutive win over the Bulldogs, something the club hasn’t achieved since 1966-69.

4. This is the 156th contest between the sides with Essendon holding a clear advantage winning 93 games to 60 and two draws.

5. If the Bulldogs win this game it will be just the second time this season they have won consecutive matches. Meanwhile if the Bombers can win it will be the first time they have won three games in a row.

6. Bombers midfielder Dyson Heppell has been climbing through the ranks of the AFL’s Official Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, following another stellar season. He started the year ranked 88th and is now poised for a move into the top 50 with a ranking of 51.

Teams:

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B Liam Picken, Jordan Roughead, Jason Johannisen
HB Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Adam Cooney.
C Koby Stevens, Matthew Boyd, Jack Macrae.
HF Marcus Bontempelli, Stewart Crameri, Lachie Hunter.
F Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Nathan Hrovat.
Fol Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore.
I/C Mitch Wallis, Easton Wood, Mitch Honeychurch, Sam Darley, Jack Redpath, Tom Campbell, Mark Austin (three to be omitted)
In Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen, Tom Campbell.

ESSENDON
B Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker, Mark Baguley
HB Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hurley, Jason Winderlich
C Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis, Brendon Goddard
HF Heath Hocking, Jake Carlisle, Brent Stanton
F Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Patrick Ambrose
Fol Patrick Ryder, David Myers, Dyson Heppell
I/C Michael Hibberd, Nick O’Brien, Jake Melksham, Jackson Merrett, Ben Howlett, Cory Dell’Olio, Travis Colyer (three to be omitted)
In Brendon Goddard, Michael Hibberd, Nick O’Brien.