Where and when: MCG, Saturday, September 11, 7.20pm AEST
Head to head: Western Bulldogs 76 wins, Sydney Swans 70 wins, one draw
Last time: Sydney Swans 17.12 (114) d Western Bulldogs 10.10 (70), round 21, 2010, at the SCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Western Bulldogs
Adam Cooney (hamstring) - season
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Shaun Higgins (thyroid) - season
Dale Morris (back) - season
Sam Reid (shoulder) - season
Jordan Roughead (shoulder) - test
Shane Thorne (knee) - 3 weeks
Easton Wood (hamstring) - test
Sydney Swans
Ed Barlow (hamstring) - test
Craig Bird (foot) - season
Craig Bolton (achilles) - season
Ben McGlynn (cheekbone) - test
Brett Meredith (hip) - test
Jake Orreal (back) - season
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (hamstring) - 1 week
Mark Seaby (ankle) - season
FORM
Western Bulldogs: WLLWL
Sydney Swans: WWWWW
SUMMARY
The hits keep on coming for the Western Bulldogs. Having limped into the finals and suffering a 62-point loss to Collingwood in a qualifying final last Saturday night, they've now lost another player for the season. Shaun Higgins played his first senior game since round 20 against the Magpies but looked unfit in his struggle with thyroiditis.
The Dogs were pushed around by the Magpies and sorely beaten in contested ball for the fourth straight week. They’ve now lost three games from their past five - including their round 21 match against the Swans.
Meanwhile, the Swans have been faring much better. They haven't lost since round 18 and have beaten four top-eight sides in the past five weeks. They outlasted Carlton last week in a thriller at ANZ Stadium to book this semi-final.
They are also faced with the possible inclusion of Ben McGlynn and Daniel Bradshaw, who could bolster their forward line against a defence missing Dale Morris and with sore pair Brian Lake and Tom Williams.
PLAYER TO WATCH
This week, look no further than captain courageous times two. Brad Johnson and Brett Kirk have both announced their retirements and one of them will play his last game at the MCG on Saturday night. Johnson's decision was made public this week while Kirk's has been known for much longer. Fitting farewells will be the aim of both sides, with Johnson particularly determined to exit on a high after a poor performance last week.
QUESTION MARKS
The Bulldogs have not won the contested-ball count since they narrowly beat Adelaide in round 19. Can they rediscover it against a side that prides itself on its contests?
The Swans have a horrible recent record at the MCG having won just one game - against Richmond in round 19 last year - from their past 10 starts. Can they turn their form around?
How many changes does - or can - Rodney Eade make? Will he roll the dice on untried youngster Andrew Hooper, who kicked four goals in Williamstown's first final two weeks ago?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
On recent form, the Swans are favourites. Throw in the Bulldogs' injury list and you've got even more reason to back the Bloods. What does Eade do selection wise? He needs pace and players who'll take risks against the Swans. He'll also need Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd and Daniel Giansiracusa to get their hands dirty in the absence of Cooney and Morris. It will be tight and tough, but the Dogs will rediscover their tenacity with Barry Hall to have a beauty against his former side.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by seven points
Chat with host Jennifer Witham and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 6.50pm Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afldogsswans
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
