MATCH DETAILS
Telstra Dome, Sunday July 13, 2.10pm
FORECAST
Mainly fine, 14 degrees
BETTING
Western Bulldogs $1.08, Melbourne $7.00
LAST TIME THEY MET
Western Bulldogs 24.17 (161) d Melbourne 9.12 (66), round two, 2008, at the MCG
FORM GUIDE
There's really not a lot to question about the Bulldogs' form lately. At second on the ladder and with just one loss and a draw blighting a perfect record, there's not much going wrong out at Whitten Oval.
The injury list is short and sweet, the seconds side Williamstown is on top of the VFL table, and they're coming off five wins in a row – including the most recent 54-point triumph over Port Adelaide in Darwin.
Melbourne, on the other hand, is a slightly sorrier tale. The Demons might be coming off a win – and an inspiring one at that having knocked off the Lions by a point two weeks ago – but they've only won two games this season and sit on the bottom of the table.
To compound to their misery, they've lost their captain David Neitz, forward Russell Robertson, midfielders Brock McLean and Brent Moloney, and defender Jared Rivers to season-ending – and career-ending in Neitz's case – injuries so far this year.
MEDICAL ROOM
The Bulldogs have a very short injury list, but they won't be getting any of their maimed members back this week. Tim Callan (hamstring) and Tom Williams (shoulder) are the closest to returning at two weeks, while Scott West (knee) is expected to be back in three.
Shaun Higgins (ankle) will play VFL this week after a lengthy layoff, and Wayde Skipper (knee) will be available in five.
The Demons' casualty room is a little busier although, as mentioned before, four players have already been put out to pasture and one has hung up the boots.
McLean (ankle), Robertson (achilles), Moloney (shoulder) and Rivers (groin) are all out for the year, while Neitz (neck) has retired. They will test James McDonald (groin), while youngster Kyle Cheney (hand) is two to three weeks from availability.
RANDOM FACTS
# Daniel Cross will play his 100th game for the Bulldogs on Sunday after being drafted with pick No.54 in the 2000 NAB AFL Draft.
# The Dogs and Dees have enjoyed a healthy rivalry over the last five contests. The former has won three head-to-heads and the latter two – with the pattern running WLWLW in the Dogs' favour.
# The Bulldogs have won four from their past six starts at the MCG, while the Demons have claimed just three from nine.
KEY MATCH UPS
Brad Johnson v Colin Garland
The young Melbourne key position prospect in Garland has been handed a number of tough tasks in recent times, with his height of 191cm dictating an ability to play tall and small.
This week, the youngster could be asked to run with Johnson, who has kicked a total of 11 goals in the past four encounters between the two clubs.
Dale Morris v Austin Wonaeamirri
Morris is Rodney Eade's fix-it man in defence with an ability to match up on an opponent of any size.
Without Aaron Davey around to annoy him, 'Wonna' might attract the attention of the reliable backman, with the little Demon's flashy antics around goal making him an exciting player to watch this year.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Western Bulldogs
"We won't be at all complacent, did you see their last game?
"They played very good footy and their last month of footy has actually been pretty good.
"They will be super competitive and we'll have to be on our game to match that and get on top." – Brad Johnson
Melbourne
"The names are not there, but the intensity, the attitude, the competitiveness, that type of player still should be representing the Melbourne football club on Sunday regardless.
"The names mean something, but at the end of the day it's your input, your effect on the game, what you're prepared to do for the team is still the same.
"There's still going to be 22 Melbourne jumpers playing and those 22 are still going to represent us as well as they can." – coach Dean Bailey
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club or the AFL.
