Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs
Saturday April 28th, 1:45pm
Venue: Manuka Oval

Broadcast Details: FoxFooty (1:30pm), SEN, ABC774, 3AW, TripleM

The game will be shown live on the big-screen at the Pound Cafe (Whitten Oval) from 1:30pm.

Team Line-up:

Western Bulldogs
IN: B Lake, T Liberatore
OUT: D Giansiracusa (soreness), M Austin (omitted)

For the Bulldogs full line-up, click here.

Greater Western Sydney
IN: J Cameron, S Coniglio, T Greene, T Adams, S Reid
OUT: A Miles, R Palmer (injured), D Brogan (injured), T Mohr (injured), A Kennedy

Head-to-Head:
NAB Cup Round 1: Greater Western Sydney 1. 3. 3. 30 def by Western Bulldogs 0. 5. 5. 35

*Saturday’s clash is the first time the Bulldogs play GWS in season proper*

Last time they met:

• Despite only playing two 20 minute halves when they met Skipper Matthew Boyd amassed 17 disposals and 3 tackles.
• Daniel Giansiracusa took 6 marks and had 6 inside 50s
• Rhys Palmer was solid around the ground for GWS during the NAB Cup hit-out with 10 disposals, three inside 50s, three marks and a major to his name.

Watch video highlights from the last match played between the Bulldogs and Giants on the media player above.

Recent Form:

Western Bulldogs: (1-3 - 15th - L L L W)
After winning the four points last weekend against Melbourne, the Bulldogs will approach the match with a newfound confidence. The Dogs rebounded from a disappointing 63 point loss to St Kilda to prevail by 21 point against the Demons. The victory also marked Coach Brendan McCartney’s first win at the helm. This week should see a number of players coming back into the team including Brian Lake who was out due to suspension last week and midfielder Tom Liberatore who was rested. The Dogs will be looking to build some momentum as they prepare for a big month ahead.

Greater Western Sydney: (0-3 - 18th - L L L L)
In their inaugural season, GWS are yet to see their first win. Credit must be given to some hard fought performances against Adelaide and West Coast. Having blooded 20 debutants this year they managed an impressive feat winning the 2nd quarter of football against the Crows last weekend scoring 4 goals to Adelaide’s 2. They also outscored West Coast in the final term slotting through 4 goals to 2. GWS were dealt a confronting introduction to senior AFL with fixtures against Sydney (2nd), West Coast Eagles (1st), Adelaide (5th) and North Melbourne (9th) in the first four rounds.

Key Players:

• The Giants Round 2 Rising Star nominee Jeremy Cameron is likely to return to the side after missing last week’s hit-out with a corked thigh. After a 4 goal haul against North in Round 2 he has shown he can be dangerous in the forward half.
• In form Luke Dahlhaus has shaken any notion of the second year blues and hit his stride in 2012 becoming one of the Bulldogs’ most invaluable players. He is currently ranked 2nd at the club in contested possessions, 1st in goal assists as well as being the 5th highest goal scorer so far at the Dogs. His spark in the forward line could be a game changer
• Despite a hamstring injury keeping him on the sidelines for Round 1, co-captain Luke Power looks to be regaining form after a 31 possession, 6 mark and 4 tackle effort last weekend. He is also ranked 4th in average disposals and 4th in clearances but is yet to slot through his first goal wearing the orange and black.
• Liam Picken is another Bulldog who has been solid in Season 2012. Often given the hard task of tagging the opposition’s best players, Picken has still been influential with his own game. Last weekend Picken laid an impressive 13 tackles as well as collecting 20 disposals and 7 clearances.
• Johnathan Giles is another dangerous player from GWS - he is currently their leading goal-kicker with 6 to his name as well as leading the club in hit-outs.

By the Numbers:

• The Dogs are averaging 21 scoring shots per game to GWS’s 15, yet the Giants have conceded 78 goals to their opponents while the Dogs have only conceded 56.
• GWS are leading in the forward 50 when it comes to goal assists - 65 to the Dogs 56.
• In terms of contested possessions the Bulldogs are in front with 571 in comparison to GWS Giants’ 547 in the first four rounds. The Dogs are also ranked 5th for average disposals during the match while GWS are currently ranked 12th.

Injury List:

Western Bulldogs

Dale Morris (leg) - indefinite
Brodie Moles (ankle) - test
Tom Williams (shoulder) - 9 weeks
Christian Howard (knee) - two weeks
James Mulligan (calf) - test
Lindsay Gilbee (knee) - 3 weeks

For a complete injury update, watch the latest episode of BulldogsTV’s Medical Room here.

Greater Western Sydney (Updated April 18, 2012)

Stephen Clifton (fractured wrist) 3 weeks
Jonathon Patton (knee) 5-6 weeks
Kurt Aylett (shoulder) indefinite
Josh Growden (fractured tibia and fibula) indefinite