Down at Kardinia Park

The Dogs haven’t had the best run against the Cats in recent years, having not saluted since Round 21, 2009 following a 40-touch performance from Gary Ablett and four goals from Cam Mooney.  But it gets worse, the last time Dogs won in Geelong itself was in round 16, 2003. 

But it’s not all doom and gloom.  On the contrary, we’ve travelled down the highway twice since 2014 and we’ve lost by a total of just 21 points.  In short, despite the win/loss ledger, this ground holds no fear for this group.  And with so much on the line when the ball is bounced tonight, there’s no better time to rewrite the record books.

#Woody100

He’s an All-Australian, a Sutton Medallist and he’ll lead out his team as captain of the Western Bulldogs tonight.  And all before his 27^th birthday.   While Easton Wood isn’t your traditional, chest-beating captain, what he does to is set the tone with his fearless attack on the football.

There may not be a more courageous player in the game today, and the boys lift every time he gets it which is exactly the kind of player you want leading you into battle.

Here’s to Woody on the ton, and here’s to 100 more.

Ladder log-jam

It’s fourth vs seventh tonight, with only percentage separating spots two to seventh.  This is one of those matches that the experts will call an ‘eight-pointer’ where a win for either side will see them back in the mix at the right end of the eight.

With so much on the line, assistant coach Steven King said that it’ll be a different looking Bulldogs’ outfit to the one that went down by 57-ponits six weeks ago.  Speaking to westernbulldogs.com.au on Thursday, King said that side lacked spark after the bruising encounter with Port Adelaide the week before, so expect the Dogs to come out with real intent tonight.

The Dogs’ best remains good enough to beat anybody on their night – let’s hope we bring some fire tonight.

Speed & power

With so much talk about the players missing from tonight’s team, it’s almost been overlooked who is back.

Jake Stringer and Luke Dahlhaus return tonight and it’s difficult to overstate the importance of these two players to the Bulldogs’ mix.  Before going down in round 12 against the Power, Dahlhaus was likely leading the Sutton Medal, and what is there left to say about Stringer?  Let’s just say he’s a reasonably handy inclusion.

King said that the Dogs have lacked a bit of speed and power in recent weeks, and who better to bring in than these two?

Is it 7:50 yet?