Four things to keep an eye on heading into Saturday night’s semi-final against Brisbane.
Gabba, Gabba, Do
Last year’s heartbreaking elimination loss to St Kilda was the last time the Bulldogs played at the Gabba.
And despite clawing their way back late, it was the opening term that ultimately proved the difference in the end.
A strong, fast start against the Lions will go a long way in not only setting up a solid buffer, but giving the Bulldogs hope that they can beat the odds and progress through to a preliminary final next week.
Nullifying Neale
Lion Lachie Neale is a proven ball-magnet.
You only have to look as far as last weekend, where he collected 46 disposals, a finals-record in his side’s elimination final loss to Melbourne.
Neale recorded 27 touches the last time the two sides met - back in round four at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium - so nullifying him will be an important consideration.
Could Josh Dunkley be the Bulldogs’ man, having limited Bomber Darcy Parish in the second half of last week’s clash?
Only time will tell.
Battle of the small forwards
In his debut finals appearance, small forward Cody Weightman was electric against the Bombers.
He finished a very productive day with four goals from 12 disposals, and will be looking to back that up against the Lions on Saturday night.
But at the opposite end of the ground, Brisbane will also be hoping their equivalent in Charlie Cameron does the same.
Cameron booted a game-high five goals in their elimination final loss last weekend, and looms as a dangerous threat to the Bulldogs’ back-line.
Shack’s second homecoming
Forward-turned-defender (turned forward?) Josh Schache is one Bulldog who’ll be very familiar with the Gabba.
The former number two draft pick crossed to the Kennel at the end of 2017, after two seasons and 27 games in the maroon blue and gold.
After being swung into defence against Melbourne in round 19, the versatile 201cm tall returned to the Dogs’ forward line last weekend, booting two goals.
Saturday’s final will be just the second time Schache will face off against his former side, but we’ll have to wait and see where he is deployed.
