Second semi-final

WESTERN BULLDOGS V SYDNEY SWANS

Venue MCG
Date Friday, September 12
Time 7.40pm
Head to head Western Bulldogs 73 Sydney 69 Drawn 1
Finals record
Western Bulldogs played 36 won 11 lost 25 drawn 0
Sydney played 66 won 29 lost 37 drawn 0
Last time Western Bulldogs 17.11 (113) bt Sydney 14.13 (97) R18 
2008, Manuka Oval
Betting TABSportsbet Western Bulldogs $1.75 Sydney $2 Centrebet Western Bulldogs $1.75 Sydney $2.10

Western Bulldogs
B: Dale Morris, Brian Lake, Tim Callan
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Ryan Hargrave, Jason Akermanis
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Josh Hill, Will Minson, Scott Welsh
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
I/C: Jarrod Harbrow, Shaun Higgins, Daniel Giansiracusa, Stephen Tiller
EMG: Andrejs Everitt, Farren Ray, Callan Ward

In: Tiller
Out: Farren Ray

Sydney Swans
B: Leo Barry, Craig Bolton, Martin Mattner
HB: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Ted Richards, Tadhg Kennelly
C: Paul Bevan, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Jarred Moore
F: Darren Jolly, Barry Hall, Jared Crouch
Foll: Peter Everitt, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Amon Buchanan, Kieren Jack, Patrick Veszpremi
EMG: Craig Bird, Ryan Brabazon, Heath Grundy

No change

Summary Momentum is the key. The Bulldogs have lost it and the Swans have rediscovered it. Just five weeks ago, as the Dogs chalked up their second win of the season over Sydney, it appeared one side was plummeting out of the eight and the other emerging as one of the big three, with Geelong and Hawthorn. Since then, though, the Bulldogs have had a miserable run where they have won just six of their past eight games - including a 51-point belting from Hawthorn last week. Now Sydney, with two wins on end, have suddenly become a dangerous contender.

The Bulldogs certainly have the ability to beat Sydney, they just need a better effort from core players like Adam Cooney, Mitch Hahn, Nathan Eagleton, Robert Murphy and Will Minson. Sydney may have an older list but with that comes plenty of finals experience. Adam Goodes, Barry Hall, Brett Kirk, Ryan O'Keefe and a bunch of their compatriots were inspirational in the victory over North Melbourne last week. Ironically, it is the Swans who are cautious because of the very reason their form has turned - if it can happen to them so quickly it can certainly happen to the Bulldogs.

Key The difference in approach is palpable. The Bulldogs know they had to do something dramatic in a short time to turn around their performance after last week's loss. They could be nervous and anxious which could affect their normal free-flowing game. The Swans, though, have nothing to lose. Despite recent turnarounds they remain the underdogs, not expected to win, and should enter the game with a more relaxed approach. And if they can stifle the Dogs early, as is their style, and win the midfield, the goalkicking form of the revitalised Hall will be a big problem for the Dogs

Tip Sydney by 15 points