1. A crucial clash
After a disappointing loss to Hawthorn in the snow last Friday night, the Giants will be hungry for a win. With a home-elimination final on the line, it’s just as much a crucial clash for the home-side as it is for the hopeful Bulldogs.
Desperately seeking two more wins in the final two rounds of the home and away season, a victory over the Giants would hold the Dogs in great stead ahead of next week’s clash with the Crows at Mars Stadium. But it won’t be easy.
Falling by 33-points at the hands of Hawthorn during Round 8 this year, the Giants came firing at the Blues the following week – claiming the 93-point victory in Round 9. If the Bulldogs are going to get the W, it’s not going to come easily.
2. 73-weeks
A lot can happen in 73-weeks, which is how much time has passed since the Dogs and Giants last met.
In their previous encounter, the Bulldogs played in what felt like a nightmare. Tom Liberatore suffered a torn ACL and the Giants claimed the 82-point victory at UNSW Oval. However, since that day 73-weeks ago, the Dogs have faced an overwhelming amount of change and growth, deeming a comparison almost impossible.
On that day, first-gamer Aaron Naughton played his role in defence, alongside high-flyer Hayden Crozier in his first match in red, white and blue. Tim English lined up in the ruck after playing only two games at AFL-level and Easton Wood tested a stint in the forward line.
The Giants will be faced with a new look side this Sunday afternoon at Giants Stadium, and we can’t wait
3. Dunkley v Greene
In an outstanding run of form, 22-year-old midfielder Josh Dunkley has solidified himself as one of the competition’s best young midfielders in 2019. Pair that with GWS’ attacking midfielder Toby Greene, and we’ll have a contest on our hands.
Not afraid to put their head over the footy, both Dunkley and Greene are known to have a huge impact in the middle of the ground, while assisting up forward when needed.
Both dominant around stoppages, the Greene v Dunkley battle is shaping up to be a key talking point of Sunday’s crucial clash. We’ll be eagerly awaiting that first bounce.
4. The return to Giants (Spotless) Stadium
It almost feels like a lifetime ago that the Bulldogs and Giants battled it out in Sydney, for a spot in the 2016 Grand Final. We all know how that panned out in a stadium flooded with red, white and blue, but with a growing GWS supporter base, Sunday’s match could look very different.
The Bulldogs haven’t returned to Giants Stadium (previously named Spotless Stadium) since the 2016 preliminary final, so for a large majority of the Club’s young list, the travel to Sydney will be their first taste of the Giants on their home turf.
A win over Port Adelaide on the road, earlier this year before a competitive performance against second placed Brisbane at The Gabba two weeks ago, should give the young pups the confidence they need ahead of Sunday afternoon.
