WHERE AND WHEN: Manuka Oval, Saturday May 7, 1.10pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Western Bulldogs 77 wins, Sydney Swans 70 wins, Draws 1
LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) d Sydney Swans 10.12 (72), first semi-final, 2010, at the MCG
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Western Bulldogs: LWWLL Sydney Swans: DWWLL
SUMMARY
Both clubs enter this match on the back of disappointing losses. The Bulldogs were in the contest with ladder-leaders Collingwood until three-quarter time on Sunday but were beaten heavily in the last quarter to lose by 48 points.
Post match, coach Rodney Eade questioned their draw and the fact the Dogs had a six-day break in between rounds five and six following on from their round four bye. He was also disappointed by the patchiness of their form, which has largely contributed to the Dogs' stuttering start.
Justin Sherman played his best game on Sunday while Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd also impressed.
The Swans started the season well with a draw and two wins from their first three games but have lost their past two - to Geelong and Carlton - on either side of their bye.
John Longmire has forecast changes to the Swans' forward line after it managed just five goals after quarter-time against the Blues. He'll also have to find a replacement for midfielder Kieren Jack, who sustained a four-to-six week ankle injury on Friday night.
Ben McGlynn was the only standout in attack while Jarrad McVeigh and Josh Kennedy were also good against Carlton.
QUESTION MARKS
The Bulldogs have lost once in five starts at Canberra's Manuka Oval while the Swans have won just one from their past four - and that was against Melbourne two years ago. Can the red and white break their bad run in the nation's capital?
The Dogs are expecting to get back Ben Hudson, and recently, his big man co-pilot has been favoured to be Jordan Roughead. However, the latter was disappointing against the Magpies and Hudson's replacement of Will Minson had a huge 56 hit-outs. They won't play all three - so who drops out?
Eade has publicly loaded Brian Lake in the gun and has threatened to drop him after questioning his fitness and form. Will he actually go through with it or will his words be enough?
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 18 points.
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
If Mitch Wallis holds his spot, he'll play his third game which means his price will increase. Granted, he only picked up 10 points in round five but he did only play a quarter. In his first full match against the Pies, he scored 70, meaning if he stays true to form and has another consistent game, his current price tag of $92,500 will balloon next week.
You can currently pick up Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes for $26,200 less than he started the season at. He's dropped below 100 points in the past two games but we all know what he's capable of. At $373,000, Goodes is a steal with an average of nearly 87 points per round.
Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #afldogsswans.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
