SUMMARY
With the Bulldogs yet to lose to Gold Coast in two 'home' clashes in Cairns, Luke Beveridge's men should be looking to boost their modest percentage with a big win over a depleted Suns outfit. With skipper Gary Ablett and Michael Rischitelli succumbing to season-ending injuries, the Dogs should have a decisive edge in the midfield. But if the Suns' on-ballers manage to break even, their attack featuring in-form twin towers Tom Lynch and Peter Wright could cause the Bulldogs' undersized defence plenty of problems. While the Suns have plenty of firepower, the Dogs have been plagued by inefficiency up forward that threatens to derail its premiership aspirations. Sitting a lowly 10th for scoring, it will interesting to see if the Dogs finally lift key forward Tom Boyd's club-imposed ban to help them kick more goals.
The Dogs had plenty to celebrate last time out against the Suns. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Cazaly's Stadium, Saturday, July 16, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R15, 2015, Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95) d Gold Coast Suns 11.7 (73) at Cazaly's Stadium
R17, 2014, Western Bulldogs 13.16 (94) d Gold Coast Suns 9.12 (66) at Cazaly's Stadium
R10, 2014, Gold Coast Suns 18.11 (119) d Western Bulldogs 10.14 (74) at Metricon Stadium
R8, 2013, Gold Coast Suns 13.15 (93) d Western Bulldogs 8.13 (61) at Metricon Stadium
R8, 2012, Western Bulldogs 9.18 (72) d Gold Coast Suns 4.10 (34) at TIO Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Gold Coast controlled the game for three quarters when these teams last played and led by 26 at three-quarter time. The Bulldogs then kicked 10 goals to two in the final quarter. Marcus Bontempelli was best on ground with 25 disposals and two goals.
2. The Bulldogs continue to be the highest disposal team in 2016. Ranked first for disposals by a long way, they’re the only team to currently average more than 400 per game. The Suns are 16th for disposals per game.
3. The Western Bulldogs and Suns meet for the eighth time and the Bulldogs hold the advantage, winning five games to two.
4. The Bulldogs' defence continues to be impressive, ranked second for least points conceded with only 74 points per game; Gold Coast is 17th for points conceded with 109 per game.
5. At Cazaly's Stadium the Bulldogs are undefeated from their two home games in Cairns, the Suns have played five times at the venue for two wins, both against Richmond.
6. Bontempelli sits fifth overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings while Tom Lynch is the Suns' highest ranked player at 36th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Fletcher Roberts.
After four seasons at Whitten Oval, the key defender has played only 28 games and is yet to cement his spot in the senior side despite plenty of opportunity. If the 23-year-old can help quell the influence of in-form monsters Tom Lynch and Peter Wright, it will go a long way to the Dogs winning and securing a top-four spot.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 32 points
