MATCH INFO

Sir Doug Nicholls Round 11 v Gold Coast
Saturday 27 May
TIO Stadium, Larrakia Country
7.25pm AEST (6.55pm ACST)
Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports
Admission: Tickets on sale here.

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2022 SUMMARY

Western Bulldogs 8th 12-10 108.9%
Gold Coast 12th 10-12 102.8%

FUN FACTS

  • The Bulldogs last played at TIO Stadium in 2013 – defeating Port Adelaide by nine points to register their sixth straight win in the Top End
  • Jack Macrae, Liam Jones, Jason Johannisen and Tom Liberatore are the only remaining Bulldogs to have played in that match
  • The two sides have faced off at five different venues across their 15 meetings – including TIO Stadium (2012), Mars Stadium (2018, 2022) and Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium (four occasions between 2014-2017)
  • The Bulldogs have two Queensland-born players currently on their list – Oskar Baker and Caleb Daniel
  • The Bulldogs' last three encounters at TIO Stadium were played in an average 32°C temperature and 36% humidity, with similar conditions expected for this weekend's match

LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 15.16 (106) def. Gold Coast 13.9 (87)

The Western Bulldogs claimed their fifth straight win when they defeated the Suns in Ballarat last season in Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Despite controlling the game for long periods, their inaccuracy in front of goal prevented a much-greater margin, kicking just 6.12 at the half. Aaron Naughton and Marcus Bontempelli booted three goals each, while Bailey Smith (34 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) and Jack Macrae (34 disposals, 10 clearances) led the stats sheet. Adam Treloar finished with 26 touches, six tackles and one goal in game 200.

06:46

Match Highlights | Bulldogs v Suns

The Bulldogs and Suns clash in round ten

TALKING POINTS

1. Returning to the Top End

Saturday’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash will be the Dogs’ first trip back to the Top End in just under 10 years.

Their last encounter at TIO Stadium was back in round 10, 2013 against Port Adelaide, holding onto a nine-point win to also mark their sixth straight at the venue.

Only four Bulldogs from that game are still on the list – Liam Jones, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore and Jason Johannisen.

At the time, Liberatore was just two and a half years into his career, Jones was three away from his 50-game milestone, and Macrae had just five senior hit-outs to his name.

2.  Who replaces JJ?

The Bulldogs will be forced into one change this weekend, with re-energised defender Jason Johannisen to miss at least two months with a hamstring strain.

Luckily though the Dogs have some senior experience waiting in the wings like Hayden Crozier and Josh Bruce, plus the versatility to move some magnets around which could see Caleb Daniel return to half-back if needed.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, coach Luke Beveridge also mentioned Laith Vandermeer spent some time in defence in the VFL a fortnight ago.

With options aplenty, the match committee will have some decisions to make.

07:59

Luke Beveridge | 'It's going to be tough for both sides'

Bevos speaks to the media ahead our clash against Gold Coast in Darwin

 3. Darwin double-header

For the second time this year, the VFL Bulldogs will play a curtain-raiser to the AFL match at the same venue.

The ‘Scray will go head-to-head with the VFL Suns from 3pm ACST, before the senior sides do battle from 6.55pm ACST.

The state-league Dogs will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak, while the Suns will be keen to bounce back from their first defeat of the season last weekend.

The last time these two met was in round nine of the 2022 season, with Gold Coast storming home 25-point winners.