Head to head: Brisbane Lions 16 wins, Western Bulldogs 22 wins
Last time: Brisbane Lions 13.12 (90) d Western Bulldogs 10.19 (79), round 20, 2008, at the Gabba
MISSING IN ACTION
Brisbane Lions
Rhan Hooper (hamstring) – test
Tom Collier (knee) – 1 week
Lachlan Henderson (foot) – 1-2 weeks
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) – 2 weeks
Matthew Leuenberger (knee) – 3 weeks
Jed Adcock (knee) – 5-6 weeks
Albert Proud (foot) – season
Bart McCulloch (quad) – season
Jamie Charman (ankle) – season
Pat Garner (knee) – season
Western Bulldogs
Robert Murphy (hamstring) – available
Shaun Higgins (hamstring) – 1 week
Daniel Giansiracusa (knee) – 1 week
Daniel Cross (ankle) – 1-2 weeks
FORM
Brisbane Lions: WWWLD
Western Bulldogs: LWLWL
SUMMARY
The Lions' past five weeks have featured a little bit of everything. Wins over Geelong, Fremantle and North Melbourne kicked-started the period, but then a heavy loss to Collingwood wasn't the best way for the September-bound side to start August. Last week, they came back from 15 points down at three-quarter time to draw with Essendon, after Daniel Bradshaw kicked a goal after the siren.
The draw leaves the Lions on 46 points, just two behind the fourth-placed Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have endured a bit of a down patch over the past month. In round 15, they were pipped by Collingwood by a solitary point, but went on to beat Essendon by 33 the week after. They then lost to St Kilda by 45 points in what was one of their more disappointing performances for the year. In round 18, they recovered to outlast Fremantle by 31 points, but were again below their best, before the period culminated last week in a shattering five-point loss to West Coast at Docklands.
After having nearly a clean bill of health all season, the Dogs are getting injuries at the wrong time of the year. They lost Daniel Giansiracusa in round 13 to a knee complaint, before Robert Murphy and Shaun Higgins went down with hamstrings and Scott Welsh an ankle in round 17. Most recently, they lost Daniel Cross to an ankle that will sideline him for at least one week, likely two.
After having nearly a clean bill of health all season, the Dogs are getting injuries at the wrong time of the year. They lost Daniel Giansiracusa in round 13 to a knee complaint, before Robert Murphy and Shaun Higgins went down with hamstrings and Scott Welsh an ankle in round 17. Most recently, they lost Daniel Cross to an ankle that will sideline him for at least one week, likely two.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions)
The young ruckman has been in the Lions' best for the past month and is pushing for All Australian selection after carrying the side's big man load for nearly the whole season. Can he continue with his blistering form and make another big statement in a game of finals-like intensity?
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
The Dogs need a spark this week and will be hoping it comes from lead-up forward Murphy. The creative goalkicker – who was playing in defence before he suffered his latest hamstring – will return to the side after missing two weeks and will be looking to build a fitness base ahead of the finals.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Lions push into the top-four and simultaneously deal a blow to their closest rivals for the double chance?
Will the Bulldogs continue with their recent success at the Gabba, which has seen them win three of their past four games played there?
The second week back is always the toughest - how will Bradshaw play when backing up from his first game after a hamstring injury?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Lions should have put away an undermanned and tired Essendon side last week, instead relying on a kick after the siren to tie the scores. Their form has been questionable over the past two weeks and they don't have a huge home ground advantage over the Dogs, who tend to travel to the Gabba well.
The Bulldogs will be smarting after last week's loss, particularly when considering their tough run to September with matches against Geelong and Collingwood to come. The Dogs have also outscored the Lions with 30 goals to their 20 over the past two weeks. With Murphy, and possibly Scott Welsh, to return, Brad Johnson desperate to find some form and Jason Akermanis keen to show off in front of his former home crowd, they could be set to carry on that trend.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by nine points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
