VENUE & TIME: Etihad Stadium, Saturday August 14, 7.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 148, Geelong 91, Western Bulldogs 55, draw 2
LAST TIME: Geelong 14.12 (96) def Western Bulldogs 12.10 (82), Qualifying Final, 2009 at the MCG
LAST TIME AT VENUE: Western Bulldogs 16.14 (110) def Geelong 14.12 (96), Round 21, 2009 at Etihad Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: The Western Bulldogs have a number of players missing this week due to the virus that has swept through the club. Adam Cooney appears the most likely to miss, while clouds remain over Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Lindsay Gilbee and Brodie Moles. In better news for the club, Shaun Higgins appears likely to return to the side after recovering from the virus, while Callan Ward is also fully fit after two weeks out with a corked hip. Jarrod Harbrow (quad) and Brennan Stack (hamstring) both face fitness tests. Geelong has one significant out with reliable defender Harry Taylor set to miss with a shoulder injury. Captain Cameron Ling will have a fitness test on his tight hamstring, while a number of other Cats may also miss, with coach Mark Thompson suggesting he will rest some of stars in the lead-up to the finals.
FORM:
Bulldogs Past Five:
Round 19: Win, 8.13 (61) - 7.11 (53) v Crows, AAMI Stadium
Round 18: Win, 22.11 (143) - 10.12 (72) v Kangaroos, Etihad Stadium
Round 17: Win, 24.14 (158) - 12.4 (76) v Dockers, Etihad Stadium
Round 16: Win, 12.11 (83) - 7.5 (47) v Power, TIO Stadium
Round 15: Win, 20.6 (126) - 8.10 (58) v Blues, Etihad Stadium
Cats Past Five:
Round 19: Loss, 12.13 (85) - 14.23 (107) v Magpies, MCG
Round 18: Win, 20.5 (125) - 9.18 (72) v Swans, ANZ Stadium
Round 17: Win, 19. 13 (127) - 9.10 (64) v Lions, Skilled Stadium
Round 16: Loss, 9.9 (63) - 11.8 (74) v Crows, AAMI Stadium
Round 15: Win, 12.13 (85) - 11.17 (83) v Hawks, MCG
There's no faulting the Bulldogs in the past five weeks with a perfect record and some massive wins over Carlton, Fremantle and North Melbourne. Last week they showed they could do it the hard way as well, prevailing by eight points in a wet and windy slogfest against Adelaide. Geelong were made to look second-best by an impressive Collingwood outfit last week, but it's nowhere near panic stations yet. Prior to their loss to the Pies, the Cats had thrashed Sydney and Brisbane and looked in peak form.
WHO'S HOT: Classy Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa was allowed to run free against the Crows last week and boy did he make them pay. He helped himself to 30 touches, took nine marks and chimed in with a goal in a super impressive performance. He may not be in the top 10 or 15 players at the club yet, but Travis Varcoe is underlining his importance to the team with a string of quality displays. Last week he sparked the Cats' revival in the second term when he set up two goals and kicked one himself. While tackling pressure is a constant feature of his game, the young Cat proved that he can make an impact on the scoreboard as well with five direct scoring assists to go with his one major.
WE THINK: Geelong will be eager to bounce back from last week's disappointing loss to Collingwood and while a top spot now looks out of reach, a win here would all but secure a top-three finish and a likely qualifying showdown against St Kilda. Under normal circumstances the Bulldogs would fancy themselves as a big chance to knock off the reigning premier, but unfortunately their preparations have been severely hampered. They are coming off a short turnaround from last week's trip to Adelaide and on top of that, the match against the Crows was played in some very tough conditions that are sure to take its toll on the playing group. But even worse still, a nasty flu virus has swept through the club, leaving a number of players nowhere near 100 percent. Harry Taylor is a big loss for Geelong and the Dogs may try to test their height down back but it shouldn't matter as the Cats will overrun their battle-weary opponents. Geelong by 26 points.