Friday’s AFL 2018 Round 15 match is between Western Bulldogs and Geelong Cats. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:50 local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The away team Geelong Cats are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Western Bulldogs and Geelong Cats.
When: 19:50 | Friday 29/06/2018
Where: Etihad Stadium
Preview:
The Bulldogs were gallant in their narrow defeat to the Kangaroos.
It was a solid effort considering the personnel they had missing.
They have now lost five in a row and have a tough draw coming up.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was emotive in his post-match speech to the Bulldogs players as he was frustrated as they didn’t win after making many mistakes in the last minute of the game which cost them. The Cats’ defence has been extremely solid and they are conceding the least points in the competition since round 5.
KEY BATTLE: Jackson Trengove v Tom Hawkins
Trengove has been good for the Dogs down back and Hawkins is the Cats’ most dangerous forward.
The Verdict
Geelong, who have won their last 10 matches against the Bulldogs, will be far too good all over the ground.
The Cats have a 10-5 (66.7 percent) O/U record after losing as an underdog since 2013.
Unibet Odds:
Western Bulldogs at $4.70
Geelong at $1.20
Odds:
Tip: Geelong Cats at $1.19
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Tom Hawkins at $6.50
More Info:
Teams:
Western Bulldogs: 
B: Adams, Trengove, Suckling
HB: Morris, Cordy, Johannisen
C: Crozier, Bontempelli, Hunter
HF: Williams, Schache, Wallis
F: Dahlhaus, Naughton, Gowers
FOLL: Boyd, McLean, Dunkley
I/C: Richards, Lipinski, Lynch, Smith
EMG: Young, Honeychurch, Roughead, Jong
IN: Suckling, Lynch
OUT: Honeychurch, Daniel
Geelong Cats: 
B: Henry, Kolodjashnij, Tuohy
HB: Blicavs, Taylor, Stewart
C: Duncan, Selwood, Murdoch
HF: Parsons, Dangerfield, Menegola
F: Parfitt, Hawkins, Fogarty
FOLL: Stanley, Ablett, Kelly
I/C: Bews, Cunico, C.Guthrie, Narkle
EMG: Buzza, Z.Guthrie, Menzel, Thurlow
IN: Taylor, Guthrie, Narkle
OUT: Gregson, McCarthy, Z.Guthrie
AFL News:
The AFL bye has come at a perfect time for Richmond and Geelong, with several players on the verge of returns.
The Tigers and Cats will have the week off after Richmond beat Geelong on Sunday by 18 points in a pulsating clash at the MCG.
Geelong’s Lincoln McCarthy suffered a hamstring injury, while Richmond small forward Daniel Rioli made a successful comeback.
He had been out of action since breaking his foot in last year’s grand final.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is bullish about their playing stocks, saying premiership trio Dion Prestia, Bachar Houli and David Astbury will all return soon.
Astbury missed Sunday’s game because of an ankle injury, while Prestia has not played since round seven because of a calf problem.
Houli has not played since late last month due to a groin complaint.
Geelong coach Chris Scott confirmed that Harry Taylor, Lachie Henderson, Daniel Menzel, Cam Guthrie (ankle) and Scott Selwood are all making solid progress.
Henderson (knee) is yet to play a senior game this season.
A foot injury has restricted Taylor to just four senior games this year, while Selwood has not played in the seniors since round seven.
Menzel was outstanding in the opening five rounds, kicking 15 goals, but a groin injury has sidelined him since.
Guthrie needed surgery in early April, derailing the first half of his season.
“We’re certainly not going to rely on personnel coming back by itself,” coach Chris Scott said of Geelong’s impending returns.
“I think that potentially could help us, but sometimes it’s a mistake thinking that guys who have missed 14-15 weeks can come back in and help you straight away,.
“So there’s going to be some thinking and some planning that needs to be done to integrate those guys back into the team.”
After their week off, Richmond will open round 15 on June 28 with a Thursday night blockbuster against Sydney at Etihad Stadium.
Geelong will resume the following night at the same venue against the Western Bulldogs.
