Head to head: Western Bulldogs 24 wins, Brisbane Lions 17 wins
Last time: Brisbane Lions 13.23 (101) d Western Bulldogs 12.7 (79), round four, 2010, at the Gabba
MISSING IN ACTION
Western Bulldogs
Jason Akermanis (hamstring) - TBA
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Ryan Hargrave (ankle) - test
Shaun Higgins (ankle) - 2-3 weeks
Brad Johnson (achilles) - 1-2 weeks
Lukas Markovic (shoulder) - test
Robert Murphy (knee) - test
Shane Thorne (knee) - 9 weeks
Brisbane Lions
Jed Adcock (foot) - indefinite
Callum Bartlett (knee) - TBC
Jamie Charman (ankle) - indefinite
Xavier Clarke (knee) - 4 weeks
Josh Drummond (knee) - indefinite
Matt Maguire (foot) - TBC
Ash McGrath (hamstring) - TBC
Daniel Merrett (hamstring) - test
James Polkinghorne (thigh) - 1-2 weeks
FORM
Western Bulldogs: WWWLL
Brisbane Lions: LLLWL
SUMMARY
The Bulldogs desperately need a win. Their past fortnight has been disappointing with losses to Essendon and Collingwood, although they did show fight in the final quarters of both games. They've lost Shaun Higgins but are a chance to regain Robert Murphy, while Ryan Hargrave - who was missed last week across half-back - looks likely to miss again.
Meanwhile, the Lions were shattered to narrowly miss out on toppling North Melbourne after staging an enormous second-half fightback from a 44-point deficit to hit the front with two minutes remaining. It was a costly loss with defenders Ash McGrath and Matt Maguire succumbing to injury while Jonathan Brown and Simon Black looked sore.
If the Dogs win this match they move closer to bridging the gap between them and the top four, lose and their percentage might be the only thing keeping them in the eight. For the Lions, a loss could see them lose touch with the eight altogether.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Barry Hall has kicked 37 goals this year - four against the Lions when they last met. Unless Daniel Merrett comes in, there's only one Lion big enough to play on him - Brent Staker. He's played on him before - and who could forget that - but will he put his hand up for a rematch?
Travis Johnstone has been the trendy whipping boy for the Lions recently. He's been in and out of the side this year, with his latest AFLQ stint ending two weeks ago. He performed against Collingwood and was best afield against the Kangaroos with 37 touches - can he make it three from three?
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Bulldogs employ the flair and risk-taking style they did in the fourth quarter against Collingwood for a whole game?
Can the Lions get over what Michael Voss believes is an unrealistic idea of themselves and not get run over in the first half?
Will the Lions' backline injuries force a rematch between Hall and Staker, and how much room will Staker give the man who knocked him out cold two years ago?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Dogs' engine remains one of the hardest-working and talent-laden in the competition with Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Ryan Griffen and Adam Cooney running the show. The Lions were smashed by the Kangaroos in the middle last week and face a much stronger challenge on Sunday. Also, their undermanned backline might not be able to stop all of the Dogs' potential goalkickers.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 25 points
Chat with host Jennifer Witham and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 1.40pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afldogslions
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
