1. Swinging the changes
Caleb Daniel and Tom Liberatore are back.
Daniel has had a stellar season across half-back – averaging more than 27 disposals per game – to be among the Dogs’ best in 2019.
He returns after a fortnight out with a hamstring injury.
Liberatore has also been impressive after missing all of 2018 with an ACL injury, averaging 22 disposals and more than four tackles per game this year.
The experienced duo are welcome additions, and Bailey Dale will also get his fourth AFL opportunity for 2019.
TEAM NEWS | Dogs make three changes
2. Beware the coach change
It won’t factor into the Bulldogs’ preparations at all.
But beware the coach change.
When North Melbourne and Carlton changed senior coaches this year, Rhyce Shaw and David Teague led their respective sides to victory.
Brett Ratten will take the reins as interim coach of St Kilda for the first time on the weekend.
Here’s hoping we can make sure it’s not three out of three.
BEVERIDGE LOCKED IN UNTIL 2023
3. Midfield contest
The Bulldogs’ midfield has earned plenty of praise in 2019.
But this week’s clash with St Kilda’s on-ball brigade looms as an intriguing contest, particularly in the clinches.
When it comes to clearances (37.7 to 36.8) and tackles (65.4 to 62.2) per game, the Saints narrowly have the edge.
The Bulldogs get more of the ball overall – an extra 32 disposals per game – and send it inside-50 an extra five times per game.
Who will the Saints send Jack Steele to? Perhaps Jack Macrae. Macrae ranks third in the competition for disposals (506), while Steele has the second-most tackles (109).
4. The ladder
It’s hard not to look at it.
Because the Bulldogs sit just a game outside the eight, with six rounds left in the season.
A win this week won’t propel the Bulldogs into the eight, but it will edge them closer.
Adelaide (seventh) and Essendon (eighth) both sit on 36 points and will face off on Friday night, while the GWS Giants (sixth) are the other team on 36 points – and they take on the second-placed Collingwood.
The Bulldogs can’t afford to get caught looking ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Saints.
But it’s going to be an interesting finish to 2019.
