VENUE & TIME: Etihad Stadium, Sunday August 1, 2.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 147, Western Bulldogs 73, North Melbourne 71, 3 draws
LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 20.7 (127) def North Melbourne 7.15 (57), Round 9, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
LAST TIME AT VENUE: As above
WALKING WOUNDED: The Western Bulldogs expect to lose Callan Ward (hip) this week but may regain Mitch Hahn (hamstring) if he can prove his fitness while Brennan Stack (hamstring), Eddie Prato (quad) and Shane Thorne (knee) are hopeful of returning to the field before season's end. Ayce Cordy (shoulder) and Sam Reid (shoulder), however, are gone for the year. Scott McMahon (knee), Lindsay Thomas (knee), Daniel Wells (quad) and Daniel Pratt (hamstring) could all return for North Melbourne if they pass fitness tests but Nathan Grima (quad), Majak Daw (knee), Cruize Garlett, Liam Anthony (shoulder) and Robbie Tarrant (thumb) are all at least a week away, while Jack Ziebell (broken leg), Ben Ross (groin/hip), Aaron Black (hip) and Drew Petrie (foot) won't play again in 2010.
FORM:
Bulldogs Past Five:
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
Round 14: Loss, 11.10 (76)-12.7 (79) v Hawks, MCG
Round 13: Win, 17.17 (119)-9.5 (59) v Eagles, Subiaco
Kangaroos Past Five:
Round 17: Loss, 18.11 (119)-18.14 (122) v Bombers, Etihad Stadium
Round 16, Win, 15.13 (103)-7.11 (53) v Tigers, MCG
Round 15: Loss, 7.13 (55)-12.13 (85) v Swans, SCG
Round 14: Loss, 9.9 (63)-14.14 (98) v Cats, Skilled Stadium
Round 13: Win, 19.15 (129)-14.9 (93) v Power, Etihad Stadium
Unloved by punters earlier in the season, the NAB Cup premiers have found some hot form in the past six weeks winning five of them and going down by just three points to the Hawks in the other. Last week they blew the Dockers away by 14 goals, thanks largely to a nine-goal opening term. The Kangaroos' finals hopes hang by a thread after their disappointing three-point loss to the Bombers last weekend. Expected to win comfortably, the late withdrawal of three players and David Hale being forced to play two games in one day didn't help as the Dons ended a six-game losing streak.
WHO'S HOT: Ryan Griffen's opening half against Fremantle had to be seen to be believed. His work around the ground was brilliant and he capped it off with three goals as well as the Dockers simply couldn't cope with him. It's been a disappointing 2010 for Aaron Edwards but after finally getting his chance the week before against Richmond the spring-heeled former Eagle took his chance with four goals against the Bombers and a couple of hangers, one of which was nominated for mark of the week honours.
WE THINK: Anyone who has witnessed the events of the first clash between these teams in 2010 will be looking forward to the return battle. The game may have already been over as a contest in the second quarter but that didn't stop all hell breaking loose when Scott Thompson bowled over Barry Hall while he was tying a bootlace and the full-forward snapped. Rodney Eade tried to play down the potential for any more skirmishes this weekend but it probably won't take too much for things to ignite again. In terms of the overall contest, the Roos may be desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive but the Dogs have only just moved into the top four and that, along with the fact that they are a classier, more mature group, will be enough to get them home comfortably. Bulldogs by 36 points.