Head to head: Western Bulldogs 42 wins, Collingwood 100 wins, one draw
Last time: Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) d Collingwood 10.16 (76), round 22, 2009 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Western Bulldogs
Jamason Daniels (knee) - 4 weeks
Nathan Eagleton (hamstring) - 1 week
Mitch Hahn (cheekbone) - test
Christian Howard (hip) - 6 weeks
Brad Johnson (calf) - test
Sam Reid (groin) - 5 weeks
Stephen Tiller (groin) - 3 weeks
Collingwood
Brad Dick (shoulder) - 8-10 weeks
Tyson Goldsack (virus) - test
Josh Thomas (calf) - 4-6 weeks
Cameron Wood (finger) - 4-6 weeks
SUMMARY
The Bulldogs have had the ideal preparation for the season proper after four wins over the Brisbane Lions, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and most recently, St Kilda. They outlasted the Lions in Canberra, thrashed the Hawks by 57 points, prevailed in a slog against the Power by less than a goal and then blew last year's grand finalists away in a commanding final term to claim the NAB Cup.
Barry Hall announced his return with 17 goals in three games while Daniel Giansiracusa and Jason Akermanis showed positive signs. Brad Johnson - who is yet to play a game - is the only real concern entering the season.
The Dogs were consistent in their line up with 17 playing every game, while the Magpies' first-week exit from the competition saw them rotate frantically, fielding just four players every week.
The Pies departed the NAB Cup with a frustrating one-point loss to St Kilda. They then beat Adelaide and Richmond before smashing Port Adelaide by 87 points in Mount Gambier in a solid 27-goal effort.
All eyes were on the Pies' two high-profile recruits, Luke Ball and Darren Jolly. Both offered consistent performances while a fit Scott Pendlebury was impressive against the Power.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Barry Hall was in devastating touch in the NAB Cup. He marked strongly, kicked straight, played as a decoy and set up goal after goal before stamping an exclamation mark on his return by claiming the Michael Tuck Medal in the grand final. Can he continue to be the glue that holds together the Dogs' already-talented forward structure or will his demeanour change once the pressure increases?
Ankle problems and consistency issues ruined Paul Medhurst's 2009 but all signs so far have indicated the small forward is back on track this year. He was very good against Richmond and solid in weeks one and four, and is moving much more freely after being so restricted last year. He looks capable of recapturing his 2008 form if he can keep his body intact.
QUESTION MARKS
The Bulldogs will more than likely name Brad Johnson but will the skipper play after missing all four of the pre-season games? If he does - and we're not likely to know until the last minute - he will become the 11th player in history to reach 350 games.
Barry, Barry, Barry. Will the Dogs' pre-season hero carry his scintillating form into the season proper and hold his nerve when things hot up?
How much better are the Magpies with a prominent ruckman for the first time in more than a decade, and with a hard-nut ball-getter to dig it out of the stoppages? And, just what role does Josh Fraser now fill with Jolly leading the charge?
How many fans will be left listening to the game from Etihad Stadium's concourse after being unable to secure a seat?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Clearly the match of the round between two of last year's preliminary finalists. Both have been boosted by off-season recruiting, blessed by short injury lists, and will enter the season on the back of confidence-boosting wins.
However, it's hard to ignore the Bulldogs' consistency across the pre-season as a whole and they'll be determined to prove the NAB Cup win hasn't been a distraction.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 12 points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
