1. Dogs add forward firepower

The Bulldogs will welcome back two proven goal-kickers in Aaron Naughton and Bailey Dale this week.

Both were pivotal players in 2019, but have had their injury struggles in recent times.

Naughton hasn’t played since round four, while Dale has missed the past three weeks.

But their nous around goal will be welcomed by a Bulldogs’ outfit which fought valiantly, however could only manage five goals last week against Port Adelaide.

Don’t expect miracles from the returning duo straight away. However, two more dangerous targets will undoubtedly help – and potentially free up others around goal.

2. The Neale Factor

Brisbane star Lachie Neale is among the Brownlow Medal front-runners at this point of the season.

He’s having another exceptional season.

Despite the shortened quarters, Neale is averaging 28.5 disposals and 5.5 clearances per game. Both of those numbers put him among the competition’s elite.

He’s also averaging a goal per game.

The Bulldogs have a star-studded midfield group of their own, but no doubt they will have one eye on reducing Neale’s impact as best they can.

3. Point to prove

Every game is important in this shortened season.

But you get the feeling these two teams will both have a point to prove on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs find themselves outside the top eight with a 5-5 record after 10 rounds – and desperate for a win after losses to top-four teams Richmond and Port Adelaide.

The Lions sit inside the top four – with a 7-3 record – but were humbled by the Tigers also last week.

Both of these teams are chock-full with young talent and will be looking forward to the opportunity on a big Saturday night stage.

4. English exam

Tim English has taken some big strides already in 2020.

Saturday night against the Lions looms as another opportunity for him to further establish his reputation as a star on the rise.

The Lions have a relatively inexperienced ruck combination this week – with Oscar McInerney joined by Matt Eagles in their side this week.

English is still just 22 years old, but the emerging big man has proven a match-winner on multiple occasions this year.

He’s averaging more than 15 disposals per game, and the Bulldogs will be hoping he can continue to make his presence felt around the ground.

The Western Bulldogs have recorded their third straight loss, a 24-point defeat against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

The Bulldogs have come up empty-handed from a mid-season stretch against three of the competition’s 2020 premiership chances – Richmond, Port Adelaide and Brisbane.

On Saturday night, a period of dominance from the Lions late in the second quarter set up a match-winning lead, as it did in the third quarter of the previous match against the Power.

The Bulldogs fought the game out well, outscoring the Lions in the second half, but they never got close enough to seriously challenge for victory.

Eric Hipwood booted five goals for the winners, who dominated the clearance battle for large periods of the match.

Jack Macrae’s ball-winning purple patch continued, with the hard-working midfielder collecting a game-high 40 disposals and delivering the ball inside 50 on seven occasions.

It was the ninth time in his career Macrae has recorded 40 or more disposals, a feat even more meritorious against the Lions given the shortened AFL game time in 2020.

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli (30 possessions, six clearances and five inside 50s) did his best to drag the Bulldogs back into the contest, while Easton Wood kept the dangerous Charlie Cameron goalless.

Mitch Wallis booted three goals for the third time this season, to take his tally to 16 goals for the year.

In the end, it was the clearance work of the Lions’ midfielders in the all-important middle section of the game which was the difference, with Lachie Neale (36 disposals), Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons combining for 29 clearances.

After an even start to the game, back-to-back majors from the Bulldogs at the start of the second term saw them hit the lead, but a Hugh McCluggage goal at the 16-minute mark sparked a run of six straight goals for the home side.

The Dogs threatened to claw back the deficit a few times in the second half, but Brisbane kept them at arm’s length to maintain their spot in the top four.

The Bulldogs have an eight-day break to prepare for their next challenge, against the Adelaide Crows next Sunday at Metricon Stadium.

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MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Lions                  3.4          9.8          13.10     14.12 (96)
Western Bulldogs            3.1          5.2          8.2          11.6 (72)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions:  Hipwood 5, Ah Chee 2, McCluggage 2, Bailey 2, McStay, Neale, Robinson
Western Bulldogs:  Wallis 3, Lloyd 2, Macrae, Lipinski, Bontempelli, Bruce, Dale, Naughton 

BEST
Brisbane: Neale, Zorko, Hipwood, Lyons, Bailey, McCluggage
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Wallis, Daniel, Williams

INJURIES
Brisbane: Cameron (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

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