The Western Bulldogs will look to record back-to-back wins when they host Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
MATCH DETAILS
Round 19 v Melbourne
When: Saturday 23 July 2022
Where: Marvel Stadium
Game Starts: 7.25pm AEST
Admission: Buy tickets here
Membership: Sign up here
Broadcast: Channel 7.
2021 SUMMARY
Western Bulldogs 5th: 15-7 132.8%
Melbourne 1st: 17-4 130.8%
LAST MEETING
Melbourne 14.13 (97) def. Western Bulldogs 11.5 (71)
The Bulldogs and Dees opened the 2022 AFL season in a blockbuster Grand Final rematch at the MCG, with the reigning premiers prevailing by 26 points. Both sides wrestled momentum all night, which saw Melbourne slot the first four goals before a stunning run of eight unanswered Dogs’ goals. Despite this, the Dees pulled away in the second half to finish out the game stronger. Bailey Smith fought hard with 33 disposals and 11 tackles, while Jack Macrae collected 39 touches. Aaron Naughton bagged four goals, and Adam Treloar finished with two.
THE TALKING POINTS
Triple threat forward targets
For the first time this season, the Bulldogs will enjoy the luxury of having Josh Bruce, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton inside forward 50. The last time the trio played in the same team was round 21 last year against Essendon – combining for five goals between them. Naughton will be a welcomed return, having missed last weekend’s match through health and safety protocols, as the 22-year-old looks to add to his 42-goal tally which sees him equal-fourth in the Coleman Medal race. Ugle-Hagan is coming off an equal career-high three-goal haul against the Saints, while Bruce will look to impact in his second game back from an ACL injury.
Midfield bulls
All eyes will be on the midfield this Saturday night, with some of the competition’s best to go head-to-head. Clayton Oliver (553) and Jack Macrae (536) sit first and second across the league for total disposals this season, while Tom Liberatore (46) has registered just one less centre clearance than Oliver (47). Christian Petracca leads the way for average inside 50s (7.2), but Bailey Smith (6.5) and Marcus Bontempelli (6.1) are hot on his tail. From a team perspective, the Bulldogs are well ahead of their opposition, leading the league for average total clearances (40.4) compared to Melbourne’s 35.8.
Recent form
The Bulldogs will enter tomorrow night’s clash off the back of a much-needed 28-point triumph over St Kilda. In order to keep their finals hopes alive, the Dogs will be looking to keep their winning streak intact to remain in touch with the top eight. Melbourne also comes into the match with a round 18 win up their sleeve, and with games against fellow top-eight sides Fremantle, Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane to come, will be looking to bank as many wins as possible in the run home.
