Sydney head to Marvel Stadium to face the Western Bulldogs, who are dealing with a serious injury crisis – can they challenge the ladder-leading Swans?<\/p>\n
There was carnage at GMHBA Stadium last week, with Darcy, Lobb, O\u2019Donnell and Liberatore all going down injured, while Marcus Bontempelli remains in doubt.<\/p>\n
Although Isaac Heeney will miss for Sydney, they still enter as red-hot favourites against a heavily depleted Bulldogs outfit.<\/p>\n
There are real concerns around the Bulldogs\u2019 ability to score here, particularly with Sam Darcy\u2019s season-ending injury. Jordan Croft has also been left out, leaving Aaron Naughton as the primary target, and Rhylee West out of form.<\/p>\n
Despite their reputation for high-scoring games, the Bulldogs\u2019 last five matches have all failed to clear this line, with four of those going under.<\/p>\n
Marvel totals are typically set higher, but only three of nine games at the venue this season have gone over. This looks another spot where the under holds value.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u2019s corridor game continues to generate scoring opportunities for their runners, and Justin McInerney is right in the mix.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s kicked 10 goals this season, scoring in every game and hitting 2+ in three of six.<\/p>\n
Expect him to get forward of centre at Marvel and hit the scoreboard again.<\/p>\n
We saw Clayton Oliver rack up 37 disposals against Sydney last week, and Matthew Kennedy profiles similarly as an inside mid – especially with Tom Liberatore out.<\/p>\n
Kennedy is averaging 28.2 disposals this season, hitting 25+ in five of six games.<\/p>\n
Even if Bontempelli plays, he\u2019s likely to spend more time forward, which should keep Kennedy\u2019s midfield minutes high.<\/p>\n
Rowbottom\u2019s centre bounce numbers have dipped slightly this season, but with Heeney out, the opportunity is there.<\/p>\n
He attended 73% of CBAs when Sydney faced Hawthorn without Heeney, and a similar role is expected here.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s still hit 15+ disposals in five of six games this season, even with the adjusted role.<\/p>\n