The Bulldogs turned in a spirited performance against Essendon in round 16, but in the end lacked the finishing polish of their higher-ranked opponent. It won't get any easier for Brendan McCartney's men this week, as they face a Hawthorn team fresh off an impressive away win over Port Adelaide. The Hawks can't afford a slip-up as they fight to retain top spot, and should have far too much firepower for the developing Dogs.

 

WHERE AND WHEN: Aurora Stadium, Saturday July 20, 1.45pm

 

 

R16, 2012, Hawthorn 17.14 (116) d Western Bulldogs 6.8 (44) at Etihad Stadium

R23, 2011, Hawthorn 16.17 (113) d Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) at the MCG

R10, 2011, Hawthorn 13.13 (91) d Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium

R14, 2010, Hawthorn 12.7 (79) d Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76) at the MCG

R3, 2010, Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) d Hawthorn 12.12 (84) at Etihad Stadium

 

1. Hawthorn thrashed the Bulldogs by 72 points the last time these sides met, in round 16 last year. Jack Gunston booted four goals for the Hawks in a Lance Franklin-less forward line, and Sam Mitchell collected three Brownlow Medal votes for his 34-disposal effort. Dogs skipper Matthew Boyd had 37 disposals in his 200th game.

 

2. Hawthorn has won the past four contests between these two teams, by an average margin of 38 points. The Hawks have a good record at Aurora Stadium, too, winning 13 of their past 14 games at their Tasmanian second home. However, the Bulldogs won the only previous clash between these teams in Launceston: by 32 points in 2008.

 

3. Few defenders have been able to stop Jarryd Roughead lately, with the big Hawthorn forward averaging almost four goals per game since round seven, rocketing him up to No.15 in the Official AFL Player Ratings. The task this week might fall to the 26-year-old's younger cousin Jordan, who has been doing some solid work for the Bulldogs down back of late after starting his career in attack.

 

4. The contrast in forward line potency between the Hawks and Bulldogs is stark. Hawthorn has scored more points than any other team this season, while the Dogs are ahead of only Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney. Part of the Bulldogs' problem has been their inability to hit forward targets. They average only nine marks inside 50 per game, again ranked 16th. The Hawks are No.1 in this category too, averaging 14.9 marks inside 50 a game.

 

5. One area in which the Bulldogs can expect to hold their own is at the stoppages. McCartney's men rank first in the AFL in clearances, with an average differential of +5.7 per game. The Hawks are back in 12th, with an average differential of -0.5. The Bulldogs are also No.1 in contested possession, and Hawthorn fourth, with average differentials of +10.9 and +7.7 respectively.

 

6. Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore leads the competition in clearances, having racked up an impressive 119 clearances in his 15 games this year. He is also third in total contested possessions. The Hawks' best clearance player this year has been Jordan Lewis, who is ranked 32nd in the AFL, and their contested possession leader is Sam Mitchell, ranked 27th.