SUMMARY
Sitting out of the eight on percentage, this Saturday night encounter looms as a must-win danger game for Hawthorn, as a young Bulldogs outfit have found encouraging form over the past fortnight. The Hawks were disappointing in the loss to Greater Western Sydney last week, copping a hammering in contested possession and clearances. Tom Mitchell had another 50-possession game, and Dogs coach Luke Beveridge is likely to send in-form youngster Josh Dunkley to go head-to-head with the prolific midfielder. The Dogs have looked much better with the inclusion of key defenders Marcus Adams and Dale Morris, with the duo set to perform important roles on dangerous Hawk forwards Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston. Another interesting subplot will be how Tom Boyd fares in the ruck against twin towers Ben McEvoy and Jon Ceglar.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, July 7, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R23, 2017: Hawthorn 15.9 (99) d Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90) at Etihad Stadium
2SF, 2016: Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) d Hawthorn 12.12 (84) at the MCG
R3, 2016: Hawthorn 14.9 (93) d Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90) at Etihad Stadium
R3, 2015: Hawthorn 19.13 (127) d Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R19, 2014: Hawthorn 16.11 (107) d Western Bulldogs 6.9 (45) at University of Tasmania Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. There is a big difference in playing styles between the sides; the Bulldogs are a high handballing team, ranked fourth for handballs per game, while the Hawks are a high kicking team, ranked fifth for kicks per game.
2. Hawthorn has dominated the Western Bulldogs recently, winning nine of the last 10 contests, including eight in a row in 2010-16. The Bulldogs' only win since 2011 occurred during the 2016 finals.
3. The Bulldogs have been one of the strongest teams this season for marking the ball inside 50, ranked equal-third averaging 11.9 per game, but they're 15th for scoring.
4. Hawthorn has been the better team against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, winning nine games to four, but the Hawks have lost three of their past four games at the venue.
5. The Bulldogs will be aiming for consecutive wins for just the second time this season, while the Hawks recent form is mixed – three wins and three losses since round nine.
6. Marcus Bontempelli is the highest-ranked Bulldog in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, sitting in 11th spot overall with 534.2 points. Ben McEvoy is the best-placed Hawk in 15th position with 521.4 points.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
With Roughead in the twilight of his brilliant career, if Jon Ceglar can also bring a contest, clunk a few grabs and kick a goal or two, he will make the Hawks' forward line far more dangerous.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 16 points
