Season to date
The Bulldogs have rebounded from being bottom four in 2007 to a top two side in 2008, with 13 wins, one draw and three losses. Their first loss of the year didn't roll around until round nine – a three point loss to North Melbourne. But the Bulldogs go into this clash having lost two on the trot against Carlton and Geelong, yet they still hang onto second spot with 54 points, two ahead of the Hawks.

Recent form
Round 13 – Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) def Collingwood 13.11 (89)
Round 14 – Western Bulldogs 20.15 (135) def Port Power 11.15 (81)
Round 15 – Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95) def Melbourne 9.10 (64)
Round 16 – Western Bulldogs 10.10 (70) lost to Geelong 19.17 (131)
Round 17 – Western Bulldogs 15.8 (98) lost to Carlton 18.18 (126)

A seventh win on the trot for the rampaging Bulldogs as the Swans were outclassed by an Adam Cooney-inspired team.

With Cooney's run and pace dominating the centre clearances (25 possessions) he added accurate goal-kicking to his stats with 5.0 in a best-on-ground display.

For the Dogs, a second quarter seven goal splurge put some scoreboard pressure back on the Swans after the home side led by 15 points at the first break. From that point, the Bulldogs never looked back.

Brad Johnson (four goals) and Daniel Giansiracusa (26 possessions) also starred for the visitors with their scoring accuracy an impressive 18 goals from 22 scoring shots. The Swans dominated the tackle count 76-49 and shaded the hitouts 47-39.

The venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Only once have these two sides met at this ground and it was a solid 43 point win to the Swans in round nine last year.

After a poor end to last season, Eade came into 2008 under pressure. He seems to have got back to his best, coaching the team well and deploying his players cleverly. Tactically, "Rocket" is a very astute coach. And of course, he's a former Swans coach.

 

Strengths
The Bulldogs have a good blend of youth and experience this season and are able to kick goals from a number of different options – Brad Johnson, Will Minson, Scott Welsh, Cooney, Mitch Hahn, Jason Akermanis and Robert Murphy.

In defence they are much improved with Dale Morris having a great year – he can play on a tall and generally picks up the best opposition forward. What's more, rebound from defence is excellent with Lindsay Gilbee leading the way.

And to top it all off, one of the best running brigades in the league – Cooney, Daniel Cross, Giansiracusa, Matthew Boyd, Nathan Eagleton and Ryan Griffen – all effective in midfield.

Tim Callan's hamstring and Tom Williams' shoulder will be assessed while Scott West and Wayde Skipper both have knee injuries which should see them miss this week. Dylan Addison is out for eight with a knee complaint while Jarrad Grant's groin is a season-ender.

The key: Doggie desire
The Bulldogs need to recapture some form after capitulating against the Cats and the Blues in the last two weeks. Fade outs in the latter parts of both those games cost them dearly. Their performance against the Swans may dictate the rest of their season.

The young gun: Adam Cooney
A Brownlow favorite, Cooney had a blinder against the Swans last time around with five goals and some blistering pace from clearances destroying the Swans. When on song very few can go with the 22-year-old. Brett Kirk will have his work cut out against Cooney in Canberra.

The questions
How will both sides adapt to playing on Manuka Oval?

Can the patched up Swans win without Adam Goodes and "Magic" Michael O'Loughlin in their line-up?

Will Barry Hall rebound after a quiet return last week?

Can the Swans stop Adam Cooney in the centre of the ground?

Did you know?
The Bulldogs are the highest scoring teams in the league with 1980 points, and yet they don't have a single player in the top 10 goal-scorers. However, they have three players in the top 10 handball stats (Daniel Cross 283, Adam Cooney 225 and Matthew Boyd 224).