The Western Bulldogs are looking to ‘stick it up em’ Ted Whitten style when they take on Essendon for the EJ Whitten Cup at Etihad Stadium this Saturday night.

The game shapes as a blockbuster with the Dogs keen to reverse the 55 point Round 1 loss to the Bombers and keep their finals chances alive.

The EJ Whitten Cup, which commenced in 1995, is contested annually between the Bulldogs and the Bombers as a tribute to the late EJ (Ted) Whitten — Bulldog and AFL champion. Ted Whitten Jnr will present the EJ Whitten Cup to the winning captain on the ground at the conclusion of this Saturday night’s game.

Star Bulldog defender Dale Morris said the Dogs were determined to beat Essendon in what is shaping up as the season’s first elimination final.

“The boys are keen to display some of Ted’s trademark grit and character on Saturday night and come away with a win that keeps us in finals contention,” Morris said today.

“We want the Red, White and Blue army to come out in force and create an atmosphere Ted would be proud of.”

A win this weekend will be the Dog’s 6th EJ Whitten Cup in a row and will square the overall ledger which currently stands at eight wins for the Bombers, seven for the Dogs and a draw.

The Bulldogs and Bombers have shared a healthy rivalry in recent times, highlighted by Round 21, 2000 when Essendon’s only blemish in a near perfect season was at the hands of the desperate Dogs —club legend Chris Grant kicking the sealer from the boundary late in the game.

“That’s the Bulldog spirit - fighting it out against the odds,” Morris said.