Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Friday March 20, 7.50pm AEDT
FOLLOW IT LIVE: Dogs v Pies
Last time they met: Marvel Stadium, round 14, 2019: Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) lost to Collingwood 13.4 (82)
TV and online: Click here for broadcast guide
What it means for Western Bulldogs: A chance to show the League the Bulldogs are not just 'around the mark' but truly one of the competition's elite teams.
What it means for Collingwood: The Pies face the Bulldogs and then Richmond over the first two rounds. Going 2-0 in tough games certainly makes for a better sell than 0-2.
The stat: 178. That's how many AFL Fantasy points Jack Macrae racked up the last time the Dogs faced the Magpies. Lock him in as your captain.
The match-up: Tim English v Brodie Grundy
Tim English (No.306 in AFL Player Ratings) starts as the rank outsider against Brodie Grundy (No.2), but the young Bulldog has made massive strides over the off-season. Expect this to be a brilliant clash.
COMPARE THE PAIR Tim English v Brodie Grundy
In the spotlight: Josh Bruce
Could the key forward be the one to take the Bulldogs' ceiling to the next level? Aaron Naughton is in but there are concerns around his fitness, so Bruce will need to crash packs and be at his best to give the small forwards a chance.
Big call: Jordan De Goey lights up Friday night footy with five goals.
Prediction: Pies by nine points
