Metricon Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 8 AFL game between Gold Coast and Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Western Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Gold Coast vs. Western Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday July 23, 2020 at 7:40 pm
Where: Metricon Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs Odds
Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs Preview
The Gold Coast Suns get a rare prime-time slot – just reward for their fantastic 4–3 start to 2020. The seventh-placed Suns have put the loss of brilliant rookie Matt Rowell to injury behind them, following up an honourable 17-point loss to Melbourne with a commanding 32-point victory over Sydney.
With Rowell sidelined, another novice has grabbed the limelight. Izak Rankine’s first two AFL games have been packed with highlight-reel moments, including kicking five goals in total against the Demons and Swans. Hugh Greenwood and David Swallow provided the grunt behind last weekend’s win, while Lachie Weller was also superb.
Ninth-placed Western Bulldogs also advanced to a 4–3 record with an emphatic return to form in round 7. After copping a 52-point caning from Carlton, the Bulldogs put the blowtorch on in-form Essendon to run out 42-point winners.
An 11-goals-to-one Bulldogs run told the story of the match, while ruckman Tim English and gun midfielder Marcus Bontempelli were the individual stand-outs.
Gold Coast are just 3–8 against Western Bulldogs since entering the AFL, but the Suns snapped a five-match losing streak in the rivalry via a five-point win in round 3 last season.
The Suns have won three straight at Metricon Stadium, while the Bulldogs’ experience and extra defensive starch saw them installed as midweek favourites. AFL round 8 predictions are split ahead of an absolute ripper of a clash. Despite the smallest margin in a Bulldogs match this season being 24 points, expect a close-fought affair.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Western Bulldogs to win at $1.65 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Izak Rankine at $14.
Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs Teams
SUNS
B: C.Budarick, S.Collins, J.Lukosius
HB: P.Hanley, C.Ballard, J.Harbrow
C: L.Weller, H.Greenwood, B.Ellis
HF: N.Anderson, S.Day, A.Sexton
F: I.Rankine, B.King, B.Ainsworth
FOLL: J.Witts, D.Swallow, T.Miller
I/C: J.Bowes, W.Powell, N.Holman, D.MacPherson
EMG: B.Fiorini, C. Ellis, J. Corbett, S. Lemmens
No changes
BULLDOGS
B: B.Williams, A.Keath, C.Daniel
HB: J.Johannisen, E.Wood, H.Crozier
C: J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli, L.Vandermeer
HF: B.Gowers, Z.Cordy, M.Suckling
F: M.Wallis, J.Bruce, C.Weightman
FOLL: T.English, T.Liberatore, B.Smith
I/C: E.Richards, P.Lipinski, C.Porter, La.Young
EMG: T.McLean, L.Butler, R.Smith, J.Sweet
IN: B.Gowers, C.Porter
OUT: B.Dale (Injured), L.Hunter (Managed)
