1. The Gabba
The Brisbane Lions have made the Gabba a tough place for opposition teams to win in 2019.
Outside of a 10-goal loss to Collingwood in round five, the Lions have not dropped a game on their home deck this season.
They’ve won their past five at the Gabba – and their past six matches overall in 2019.
The Lions are red-hot, and it will take the Bulldogs’ best to stop them.
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3. Naughton v Andrews
Two of the competition’s most exciting key position players could go head-to-head on Sunday – Aaron Naughton and Harris Andrews.
The duo spent time on each other earlier this year in Ballarat, with Naughton kicking three goals to have an impact on the result.
Naughton has had an impressive second year at AFL level after being swung forward, kicking 23 goals and claiming 40 contested marks – 23 more than the next best Bulldog, Marcus Bontempelli.
But Andrews has emerged as one of the competition’s best defenders – on average he effects more than 10 spoils per game in 2019.
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3. The midfield battle
The midfield battle is always crucial, and this week is no exception.
Last time the Dogs and Lions met, the Dogs led most of the key indicators – from disposals, to clearances, inside-50s and tackles.
But they won’t be expecting things all their own way.
Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons have been in superb form in recent weeks, with plenty of support – think Hugh McCluggage, Mitch Robinson and Jarrod Berry.
The Bulldogs’ midfield is equally potent, led by the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley.
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4. The record
The Bulldogs have the wood over the Lions in recent times – they’ve won the past five.
But in the last three meetings, little has separated the two teams – with the margins at 16, 14 and 14 points.
This week’s match looms as the most important the teams have played in recent times.|
The Lions are in the hunt for a top-four spot come finals, while a win keeps the Bulldogs’ finals aspirations alive.
