SUMMARY
With former captain Matthew Boyd (suspended) joining the injured Robert Murphy, Jason Johannisen, Matt Suckling and Marcus Adams, the Bulldogs head to Sydney for their first game at Spotless Stadium without five of their top choice defenders. It places enormous pressure on the Dogs' midfield to make sure they get their hands on the footy first, or face the prospect of being dominated by the Giants' runners. GWS will have their own hands full with Jake Stringer in top form, but with big Jack Redpath also suspended, the visitors will need their little men like Tory Dickson to fire. With fine conditions forecast and both sides playing an exciting brand of footy, this game is likely to be a high-scoring affair and one for the fans to get excited about.
Bulldog Fletcher Roberts flies high against the Giants at Etihad Stadium. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Sunday, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2015, Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) d Greater Western Sydney 11.2 (68) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2014, Greater Western Sydney 18.7 (115) d Western Bulldogs 15.19 (109) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2014, Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) d Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) at Manuka Oval
R15, 2013, Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) d Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) at Manuka Oval
R5, 2012, Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) d Greater Western Sydney 9.8 (62) at Manuka Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Bulldogs dominated the Giants the last time the sides played; they had 20 more scoring shots and 22 more inside 50s, with Mitch Wallis best on ground with 36 disposals and seven tackles.
2. GWS remain the worst tackling side in 2016 after round eight, averaging only 62 per game, while the Bulldogs are 12th despite Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore both being ranked inside the top 20.
3. This is the sixth time these two sides have clashed, with the Giants' only win coming in the final round of 2014 at Etihad Stadium.
4. The Western Bulldogs travel to Spotless Stadium for the first time, and they don’t have a good recent history in Sydney, losing seven of their last nine games.
5. GWS are the highest-scoring side in the League this season, averaging 114 points per match, and in their two games at Spotless Stadium have kicked a combined 46 goals, compared to their opponents' 21.
6. Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli is his club's highest-ranked player in the Schick AFL Player Ratings at number seven, with likely opponent Callan Ward (20th) leading the way for the Giants.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Tom Campbell.
The Bulldog combined well with Jordan Roughead last week to contain Melbourne's Max Gawn but he faces a much bigger task on Sunday against the physical Shane Mumford. With both midfield divisions stacked, Campbell's influence at stoppages will be crucial, but if Mumford is allowed to assert himself on the contest, it will be a tough day for the Dogs.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 13 points
