TV: Fox Footy
Match notes
- The Giants don’t seem to be able to break their Etihad Stadium drought – remaining winless at the venue from six matches with an average losing margin of 70 points
- This will be the first time the Bulldogs and GWS meet in Melbourne
- GWS has given away more free kicks than any other side this year with a total of 385
- GWS are ranked first in least opponent tackles per game, the Bulldogs rank last
- The game will be Bulldogs veteran Daniel Giansiracusa’s last game. As one of the competition’s best small forwards, he could prove dangerous on the field with heightened emotions
Key Injuries
Western Bulldogs
Brett Goodes Back TBC
Tom Campbell Eye TBC
Matt Fuller Shoulder Season
Josh Prudden Knee Season
Clay Smith Knee Season
Mitch Wallis Foot Season
Easton Wood Hand Season
Greater Western Sydney
Kristian Jaksch Ankle Test
Callan Ward Calf Test
Jacob Townsend Hamstring Test
Phil Davis Concussion Test
Tim Golds Concussion Test
Mark Whiley Hamstring One Week
Jono O’Rourke Hamstring Three Weeks
Tom Scully Knee Season
Nick Haynes Ankle Season
Aidan Corr Shoulder Season
Stephen Coniglio Thumb Season
Jeremy Cameron Ankle Season
Lachie Whitfield Shoulder/Foot Season
Tim Mohr Knee Season
Jon Patton Knee Season
Last five games
Western Bulldogs
W 7 Essendon
L 62 Hawthorn
W 23 St Kilda
L50 North Melbourne
L 63 Sydney Swans
Greater Western Sydney
L 7 Geelong
L 27 Richmond
L 75 North Melbourne
W 64 Melbourne
L 8 Collingwood
Final word
Emotions will be high for both young teams as it will be the last time a few boys will wear their club colours: Josh Hunt and Stephen Gilham from GWS and beloved Bulldogs veteran Daniel Giansiracusa. Both teams will be desperate for a win, wanting to finish on a high. After a giant win over Melbourne, GWS should have gone with that momentum and Collingwood but couldn’t quite get over the line. They need to overcome the mental battle of expectation. They have a chance to finish the season on a high against the Bulldogs on Sunday and compete against a list in a similar age bracket. While the Giants have only won five games, they are finally making their stand as a competitive club.
Despite the Bulldog’s early inconsistencies – the hallmark of a young team in a learning phase – the Doggies have shown plenty of heart this season and there is clear direction for the future. In the Bulldogs' win over the Giants in round four, Matthew Boyd starred with 39 possessions, Jack Macrae had 30 touches and the possibly departing Shaun Higgins 29. There won’t be much defence in this one so expect an entertaining shoot-out. But it’s Western Bulldogs by 14 points.