MATCH INFO

Round 5 v Port Adelaide

Saturday 15 April
Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST (7.50pm AEST)
Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports

Admission: Tickets from the final release for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Gather Round Double Header - Essendon v Melbourne & Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs are now exhausted.

Not heading to Gather Round? Get your Bulldogs fix at home with a Kayo Digital membership. Sign up today.

2022 SUMMARY

Western Bulldogs 8th 12-10 108.9%

Port Adelaide 11th 10-12 110.3%

FUN FACTS

• The Bulldogs have won three of their last four meetings at Adelaide Oval – two of these against Port Adelaide
• Since 2016 the Dogs have met Port at Adelaide Oval seven times, winning four of those encounters
• Across his career, Marcus Bontempelli has registered the most clearances (68) against Port Adelaide
• Outside of Victoria, Adelaide Oval is where Jack Macrae has recorded the most total disposals (346), tackles (74) and clearances (62), while Tom Liberatore averages seven clearances at the venue
• Caleb Daniel (South Adelaide/Edwardstown Football Club), Bailey Williams (Glenelg/Brighton Bombers) and Lachie McNeil (Woodville-West Torrens) were all drafted from South Australia

 LAST TIME THEY MET

Port Adelaide 12.14 (86) def. Western Bulldogs 10.9 (69)

The Bulldogs did their best to stay within arms reach of the hosts in their last encounter, before second-half injuries to a key trio proved too much for the depleted Dogs. Chasing a 24-point deficit heading into the last term, Port’s inaccuracy in front of goal left the door open for a Bulldogs’ comeback, but being two down on the bench with little left in the tank meant they could only come as close as 17 points. Stand-in skipper Jack Macrae found plenty of the ball, registering 32 disposals and 10 clearances, while Bailey Smith (24, four tackles, six inside 50s, two goals and 578 metres gained) was impactful and Aaron Naughton bagged four goals.

TALKING POINTS

1. #Libba200

The Bulldogs will welcome another player into the 200-game club on Saturday night - this time, it's none other than fan favourite, Tom Liberatore.

The Premiership Bulldog and father-son epitomises the red, white and blue, and is relentless on-field.

Liberatore’s last two years – outside of the 2016 flag - have arguably been some of his best, claiming back-to-back podium finishes in the Charles Sutton Medal.

Averaging 27 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances this year, the 30-year-old is on track to enjoying yet another career-best season.

Saturday night will be a chance to celebrate Libba in all his glory.

If his last 199 games are anything to go by, we know he’ll give 110%.

2. Gather Round... a Festival of Footy

For the first time in the history of the competition, all 18 clubs are going on a road-trip.

Interstate teams traveling to South Australia are usually guaranteed a hostile reception by one-eyed Adelaide or Port Adelaide fans, but that won't be the case for most visitors come Gather Round.

The Bulldogs can expect their customary welcome, but the rest of the competition will battle it out against a fellow traveller in front of largely neutral crowds.

With plenty to do and see in the City of Churches, make sure you check out the Bulldogs’ Game-Day Guide or AFL website.

DOGS' BEST DAYS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA >> READ MORE

3. Who replaces Keath?

With key defender Alex Keath entering concussion protocols this week, a spot has opened up in the Dogs’ starting 22.

Ryan Gardner and Taylor Duryea loom as likely replacements, given they’ve been returning from injury and illness respectively for Footscray.

But with Cody Weightman also on track to return and Toby McLean collecting 47 touches in the VFL, these scenarios might leave the match committee with a few decisions to make.

Only time will tell ahead of the team announcement tonight.