SUMMARY
The Bulldogs put the competition on notice by kicking off their season with a 65-point win against last year's minor premiers, Fremantle. When Jason Johannisen, Easton Wood and Robert Murphy run through the middle, the Dogs look almost unstoppable. They are at times susceptible to teams getting over their zone and kicking easy goals out the back, and St Kilda showed in its round one loss to Port Adelaide that it can get behind a team's defence and stroll into goal unopposed. The Saints remarkably overcame a 55-point deficit between these two teams in 2015 and will be confident of again causing an upset. Jack Billings kicked four goals in that game and will be crucial to St Kilda's chances of victory.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, April 2, 7.25pm AEDT
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2015, Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) d St Kilda 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2015, St Kilda 14.10 (94) d Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2014, Western Bulldogs 18.14 (122) d St Kilda 15.9 (99) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2013, Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) d St Kilda 15.11 (101) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2012, St Kilda 16.22 (118) d Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42) at Etihad Stadium
All eyes will be on Nick Riewoldt as the champion Saint plays his 300th game. Picture: AFL Media
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Bulldogs won the last time these teams played, but the Saints finished with more disposals, tackles, hit-outs, scoring shots and inside 50s. Easton Wood was best on ground with 22 touches and 13 marks.
2. It was a dominant performance for the Bulldogs in round one against Freo: they won disposals (498-340), marks (116-98), scoring shots (28-13) and inside 50s (57-30).
3. St Kilda and the Bulldogs clash for the 157th time. The Saints hold a narrow advantage, winning 80 games to 73, with three draws.
4. Despite losing in round one, the Saints won the disposal count 428-381. They also took more marks, had more hit-outs and only three less inside 50s against Port. But they were well beaten in tackles 72-106 and lost the clearances 44-61.
5. The Etihad Stadium co-tenants have played 21 times at the venue with St Kilda the better side so far, winning 12 games to eight.
6. In round one, the Western Bulldogs had five players finish with 30 or more disposals, with 11 players kicking at least one goal. Jack Steven was St Kilda’s best against Port Adelaide. He had 36 disposals, five tackles, eight inside 50s and seven clearances.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Nick Riewoldt
The skipper is one of St Kilda's greatest players ever and he lines up for his 300th game this week. His form has held up remarkably well late in his career but he had a quiet game by his lofty standards against the Power and will want to rebound strongly in this milestone match.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 27 points.
