SUMMARY
The Bulldogs are flying on the back of a host of exciting young stars like Marcus Bontempelli, Jake Stringer and Jack Macrae, and they'll need them firing to turn around a woeful recent record against the Swans. John Longmire's men had a tough trip to Perth last week, going down to the Dockers, and will be seething after a poor first half cost them dearly. Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett loom as big dangers for the Dogs, and their key defenders Jordan Roughead and Michael Talia will need plenty of help down back if the Doggies are to cause an upset in Sydney.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Saturday 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R22, 2014, Sydney Swans 20.10 (130) d Western Bulldogs 9.13 (67) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2013, Sydney Swans 21.8 (134) d Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2012, Sydney Swans 26.11 (167) d Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2012, Sydney Swans 20.12 (132) d Western Bulldogs 5.10 (40) at the SCG
R18, 2011, Sydney Swans 16.18 (114) d Western Bulldogs 11.9 (75) at the SCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Despite the Swans' big win over the Bulldogs in 2014, not much separated the sides on the stats sheet. The Swans had just eight more disposals and nine more inside 50s.
2. The Swans have dominated the Western Bulldogs recently, winning the past six contests. The Dogs' last win was their thrilling semi-final victory by five points in 2010.
3. Despite a good start to the season the Swans have struggled to mark the ball inside 50. They're ranked 16th with a total of 32 at just eight per game.
4. The teams have played at the SCG 25 times, with 17 wins to the Swans, including the last three and seven of the last eight. Since the start of 2014 the Swans have won eight of nine SCG games.
5. The Swans have been a strong handballing side in 2015 so far; they're ranked third averaging 178.2 per game, while the Bulldogs are middle of the table at 156.7 per game.
6. The Swans have two players inside the top 10 of the AFL's Official Player Rankings, in Lance Franklin (8) and Josh Kennedy (10). The top Dog is injured midfielder Tom Liberatore at number 12, while skipper Bob Murphy is next best at 57.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Talia, who will likely get first crack at Lance Franklin. With Dale Morris out of the side injured, Talia will need to continue the form he showed last week against the Crows. He had 23 possessions and took 13 marks across half-back and combined brilliantly with experienced heads Murphy and Matthew Boyd. Talia will need plenty of assistance from the pair again this week, plus the likes of Easton Wood and Jason Johannisen, if he's to keep Buddy quiet.
PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 24 points
