We take a look at four hot topics ahead of Saturday night's clash with the Lions at Etihad Stadium.
Just add Jed
What a strange old day it will be for former Lions captain Jed Adcock lining up against his former side on Saturday night. After picking up 13 touches and kicking a goal last week in his first outing as a Bulldog, the 30-year-old should go into the game feeling settled in his new colours. Where he plays might be something to watch too, considering he booted four goals in his final game as a Lion in round 23 last season… against the Bulldogs.
Rock and roll
Brisbane skipper Tom Rockliff tends to find the ball a lot when he plays the Dogs having picked 33 or more possessions in three of the last four contests, including 39 in round 23 last year. He returns from injury this weekend, adding elite talent to an already stacked Lions midfield. The Bulldogs have averaged four more clearances per game than the Lions this season, but the return of Rockliff is sure to have an impact on who gets their hands on the footy first in the middle.
Backs to the wall
Having lost Bob Murphy and Jason Johannisen in recent weeks to injury, all eyes have been on how the Dogs will cover the loss of two of their most important players. Shane Biggs has been a revelation this season and may be leading the best and fairest count, but it’s the Dogs’ depth down back that has come to the fore in recent weeks.. Along with Biggs, Bulldogs fans will be pleased to see that Matthew Suckling has started the year well, Adcock has made a good early impression while talented pair Josh Dunkley and Lukas Webb continue to develop in the VFL.
Wood takes the keys
Vice-Captain Easton Wood will get his chance to captain the side for the first time this weekend in the absence of Bob Murphy, and as Luke Beveridge joked during his Friday morning press conference, Wood has big shoes to fill, with the Dale Morris era closing with the perfect win-loss ratio after the Dogs got over Carlton on the weekend. Everyone has their own leadership style and Wood will no doubt have his own approach to the captaincy, but one thing’s for sure, every Dogs fan will be keen for him to succeed.
