SUMMARY
The injury-hit Bulldogs will be happy for a fifth-straight assignment at Etihad Stadium against a young Brisbane Lions side struggling for consistency so far in 2016. The loss of defensive playmakers Robert Murphy and Jason Johannisen in consecutive weeks will hurt the Dogs structurally, but the emergence of Shane Biggs and the recruitment of former Lion Jed Adcock have helped fill the void. Luke Beveridge will be looking for more goals out of key forwards Jake Stringer and Tom Boyd, with duo only contributing two goals between them over the past fortnight. The Lions will be buoyed by a morale-boosting win over Queensland rivals Gold Coast and the form of key midfielders Pearce Hanley and Daniel Rich. The match looms as a shootout with both teams employing 'fast footy' game plans.
Jake Stringer needs to lift following his scoreless outing against Carlton. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, April 23, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R23, 2015, Brisbane Lions 19.16 (130) d Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122) at the Gabba
R12, 2015, Western Bulldogs 22.14 (146) d Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2014, Brisbane Lions 14.11 (95) d Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2013, Brisbane Lions 15.10 (100) d Western Bulldogs 13.15 (93) at the Gabba
R1, 2013, Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) d Brisbane Lions 7.17 (59) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. When these teams last met the Bulldogs kicked eight goals to two in the first quarter, the Lions then kicked 12 goals to five in the next two quarters; the Dogs finished with six goals to five in the final quarter. Pearce Handley was best on ground with 35 disposals and two goals.
2. No teams kicked the ball more than the Western Bulldogs averaging 233.8 per game while Brisbane is ranked last for kicks per game with only 174 per game.
3. Brisbane has had the better of the Western Bulldogs recently winning five of the last seven contests; four of the last seven games have been decided by more than 50 points.
4. These teams are also first and last for average disposals per game; the Bulldogs top the competition with 456 per game while the Lions are last with 329.5 per game.
5. Not much separates the sides at Etihad Stadium; 11 contests with six wins to five in the Bulldogs favour, it is two wins each since 2012.
6. This will be a contest between the two most popular teams with the umpires, the Lions are ranked first for most free kicks for while the Bulldogs are second.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jake Stringer. After winning the plaudits of all and sundry after his impressive opening two rounds of the season, the explosive forward has struggled to recapture that form in the past two weeks against Hawthorn and Carlton. The 21-year-old had his moments against the Blues, but he couldn't hit the scoreboard.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 42 points
