Western Bulldogs

A six-game winning run through the middle part of the season gave way to an indifferent month with three losses coming from four matches. The latest of those was a 20-point defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome so the Dogs will be keen to get back into some winning form as the finals draw ever closer.

Brisbane Lions

Five losses from their past six matches have taken the wind out of the Lions' finals push. A 69-point loss to Hawthorn in Launceston last week has left Leigh Matthews' side sitting one game outside the eight in ninth position and needing to win the remaining three matches.

Ben Hudson missed last week, but returns from a back injury, while long-term absentees Scott West (knee) and Shaun Higgins (ankle) are both expected to go around with Williamstown in the VFL. Tom Williams' shoulder continues to hinder him, Cameron Wight will miss at least a week with a broken jaw and Dylan Addison is at least six weeks away with a medial ligament injury.

Josh Drummond tore a thigh muscle against the Hawks last week and appears likely to miss the rest of the season as will young ruckman Matthew Leuenberger with a knee injury. Nigel Lappin can't shake the achilles complaint that has sidelined him since round four and Mitch Clark (quad) won't play again this year unless the Lions make the finals.

The Bulldogs have won their last three matches at the Gabba and the last five matches against the Lions. That represents a huge turnaround for the Dogs who prior to that had lost 10 of their past 11 encounters with Brisbane. 

Matthew Boyd v Michael Rischitelli

The young Lion has out-performed some of his more celebrated teammates in the past fortnight with 26 and 30-possession efforts on the ball. Boyd is getting plenty of the ball himself these days, but can also play more of a defensive role on the 22-year-old if required.

Brian Lake v Daniel Bradshaw

With Bradshaw playing closer to goal than Jonathan Brown, Lake would appear to be the better option with Ryan Hargrave or Dale Morris to have a crack at big Brownie.

Robert Murphy v Joel Patfull

Patfull did a reasonable job early on Buddy Franklin last week and has the tank to go with Murphy who will expend plenty of energy in around the forward 50. 

"We've got a pretty good record against Brisbane, but they'll be super keen to fight for their spot in the eight and we understand that.

"We'll certainly be keen to get back with some winning form, so you'll see a pretty tough contest, I'd suggest, and one than we're really looking forward to.

"It certainly holds no fears for us to go up there and give them a good contest." – Brad Johnson.

"I sort of feel like from fourth to 12th you can't say that fourth is (a) better (team) than 12th. But someone will finish fourth and fifth and sixth because they've won more games than the team that finishes 12th. And it's probably going to be a handful of games.

"I believe we have the capabilities to play finals, and we have to win the last three to do that, and that's a big percentage ask.

"The Kangaroos have won their last five, and we had every chance of beating Kangaroos if we played a better last few minutes.

"It's a matter of which game you take. On that basis I think we've got the same capabilities as the teams that are in and around the top eight." – Leigh Matthews.