SUMMARY
It's going to be a massive afternoon for the Bulldogs, with the occasion just as important as the result. The premiers will unveil their new home away from home in Ballarat, Mars Stadium, while they'll need to win if they want to play in September and defend their flag. A wasteful performance in the loss to Greater Western Sydney last week will sting, but so will the loss of key forward Jack Redpath to suspension. Better use of the ball is what coach Luke Beveridge was asking for after the Dogs burned an abundance of chances against the Giants. The Power returned to the winners list week against Collingwood, but coach Ken Hinkley will be looking for more, if they're to snatch an unlikely top-four spot. With Dogs' backline undermanned, star forward Robbie Gray could provide the spark.
WHERE AND WHEN: Mars Stadium, Ballarat, Saturday, August 19, 1.45pm AEST
FOLLOW IT LIVE VIA MATCH CENTRE
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2016, Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) d Port Adelaide 14.13 (97) at Adelaide Oval
R19, 2015, Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128) d Port Adelaide 9.10 (64) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2015, Port Adelaide 16.4 (100) d Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) at Adelaide Oval
R14, 2014, Port Adelaide 19.14 (128) d Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval
R10, 2013, Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) at TIO Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. There is a big difference in scoring between the sides this season - the Power are ranked fifth kicking 96 points per game compared to the Bulldogs averaging 84 points.
2. Nothing separates the teams in 26 matches with 13 wins each. It’s been all the Bulldogs recently, winning nine of the last 11 including four by more than 50 points.
3. The Bulldogs continue to struggle defensively. In their premiership year they conceded 72 points per game while in 2017 it’s blown-out to 85.
4. This will be the first AFL match played at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat. The Bulldogs have won the last three clashes between the sides in Victoria.
5. The Dogs have struggled in both clearances and centre clearances this season, ranked equal 14th in the former and 17th in the latter. Port Adelaide is ranked second for clearances.
6. Robbie Gray is the Power's best performer in the Schick AFL Player Ratings with 555 points, putting him in seventh place. Marcus Bontempelli is the highest-ranked Bulldog, sitting eighth with 554.1 points.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Travis Cloke
With Jack Redpath suspended for the next three weeks and Tom Boyd battling mental health issues, the former Magpie needs to step up. Cloke is competing well but he needs to kick more goals than the nine he's contributed so far this season.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 18 points
