MATCH DETAILS

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Telstra Dome, Sunday 25 May, 4.40pm

FORECAST

Mostly fine, Min 10, Max 16

BETTING

Western Bulldogs $1.45, North Melbourne $2.60

LAST TIME THEY MET

North Melbourne 23.19 (157) d Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93), round 22, 2007, at Telstra Dome

FORM GUIDE

There's no questioning the Bulldogs' current form as they remain one of three teams to enter round nine with an unbeaten record. The Dogs' round three draw with St Kilda is the difference between them and Geelong and Hawthorn, points-wise. Most recently, the Dogs travelled to Perth and knocked off Fremantle by three points, with Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney and Jason Akermanis starring.

The Kangaroos have won two matches, lost one and drawn one in the past four rounds, and are sitting sixth on the ladder. They overcame a strong charge from West Coast at Carrara on Saturday night, with Adam Simpson seeing plenty of the ball for the second consecutive match while David Hale booted three goals.

MEDICAL ROOM

The Bulldogs' injury list is short and sweet, but it includes two key names with a big gun and emerging talent sidelined. Scott West (knee bone stress) will miss another two weeks, while Shaun Higgins (ankle) is destined for at least another nine weeks out of action.

The Kangaroos' list is more extensive, and will see the club testing Daniel Pratt (groin) and Daniel Wells (jarred knee) ahead of Sunday's game. First-year player Levi Greenwood (groin) won't be available for another two weeks, while fellow youngsters Alan Obst (punctured lung), Lachlan Hansen (knee), Andrew Swallow (ankle) and Jesse Smith (hamstring) will all miss a month. Forward Aaron Edwards (broken leg) won't be available for another seven to eight weeks. Emerging talent Robbie Tarrant (shoulder). Leigh Adams and Nathan Grima both have season-ending knee injuries.

RANDOM FACTS

Bulldogs ruckman/forward Will Minson will play his 50th game this week. Minson was drafted by the club in the 2002 National AFL Draft, and has endured some costly injuries throughout his career. He was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star in 2005, and has this year been moved into an attacking role following the recruitment of Ben Hudson.

The Kangaroos also have a milestone to celebrate, with Brent 'Boomer' Harvey set to become the eighth player in the history of the club to reach 250 games.

The Bulldogs haven't enjoyed the greatest recent record against the Kangaroos, having lost their past three head to heads. The Dogs, however, have the better record at Docklands this year having won four and drawn one from five starts, while the Roos have recorded two losses and one draw from their three appearances there.

KEY MATCH UPS

Daniel Cross v Brady Rawlings

Last time these two sides met, Rawlings got on top of Scott West and held the premier midfielder to 18 touches. With West out of the side, there's a chance Rawlings could have Cross in his sights with the Bulldogs' midfielder an important cog in the side's engine.

Brad Johnson v Shannon Watt

Johnno kicked five goals in round 22 last year, which was a standout performance in what was an otherwise disappointing result. Watt was the man alongside Johnson for much of the game, and could be tipped to seek redemption against the Dogs' captain.

Rodney Eade v Dean Laidley

The Bulldogs must be sick of the Kangaroos celebrating milestone matches against them, considering Roos' captain Adam Simpson believes his side is "pretty good" at rising for such occasions. Last season, it was club great Glenn Archer's 300th that inspired the round 13 win over the Dogs, and this time around, another well-liked Roo in Brent Harvey will play his 250th.

WHAT THE CLUBS SAY

Western Bulldogs

"They've certainly got the wood over us – they've beaten us in contested footy the last couple of times we've played them, but we'd like to think we've improved in that area.

“We had the biggest of the big with Glenn Archer's 300th, and obviously Brent Harvey's 250th, [but I'm] not sure whether that lifts teams too much – there's conjecture as to whether it does or doesn't.

“We just need to bring our part of the bargain to the game." – Wayne Campbell, Bulldogs assistant coach.

North Melbourne

"It is going to be a finals like game this week. The Bulldogs haven't lost a game yet and are going along quite nicely. It is a big challenge for us as a young group and hopefully we can come up with the goods.

"It is a very important game. I think we've had a pretty good record in the past with milestone games. I'm sure all the guys will be revved up to win for Boomer. He's been such a great player for the club. We'll be pretty pumped up for it." – Hamish McIntosh, Kangaroos ruckman.