Head to head: Western Bulldogs 74 wins, Hawthorn 73 wins, two draws
Last time: Western Bulldogs 19.19 (133) d Hawthorn 6.9 (45), round 14, 2009 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Western Bulldogs
Jamason Daniels (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Christian Howard (hip) - 5 weeks
Brad Johnson (virus) - test
Sam Reid (groin) - 3 weeks
Stephen Tiller (groin) - 1 week
Callan Ward (groin) - 2 weeks
Hawthorn
Shaun Burgoyne (hamstring) - 4 weeks
Jordan Lewis (ankle) - test
Rhan Hooper (hamstring) - 3-4 weeks
Michael Osborne (suspension) - 1 week
Brad Sewell (shoulder) - 2-3weeks
Liam Shiels (suspension) - 2 weeks
Wayde Skipper (hamstring) - 6 weeks
Simon Taylor (leg) - 14-16 weeks
FORM
Western Bulldogs: LW
Hawthorn: WL
SUMMARY
The Bulldogs returned to the winner's list on the weekend with a comprehensive 72-point victory over Richmond. While the scoreboard indicated otherwise, the match wasn't a hugely impressive performance by the Dogs and more a sign of the work the Tigers have in front of them. Lindsay Gilbee was good, Adam Cooney showed flashes of brilliance and Andrejs Everitt continued with his solid start to the season.
The Hawks encountered a challenging Easter Monday clash with Geelong and were made to feel every bump and bruise of a physical game played in warm autumn conditions. The match was close and hard-hitting with both sides left to count the costs. The Hawks lost Rhan Hooper to a three-week hamstring and possibly Jordan Lewis to an ankle while Michael Osborne will miss this week after collecting Joel Selwood in an unsociable manner and Liam Shiels the next two for striking Cameron Ling.
PLAYER TO WATCHThe Hawks encountered a challenging Easter Monday clash with Geelong and were made to feel every bump and bruise of a physical game played in warm autumn conditions. The match was close and hard-hitting with both sides left to count the costs. The Hawks lost Rhan Hooper to a three-week hamstring and possibly Jordan Lewis to an ankle while Michael Osborne will miss this week after collecting Joel Selwood in an unsociable manner and Liam Shiels the next two for striking Cameron Ling.
Young Bulldog Andrejs Everitt has enjoyed a solid start to his season after having an uninterrupted summer that helped him discover his physical limits. He has shown his flexibility in the first two rounds and an ability to play in a variety of roles. He will need to hold his form if he's to prove he deserves a regular spot.
Lone Hawks ruckman Brent Renouf battled manfully against the Cats but tired late in the game as well and dislocated a finger. He was offered assistance from Luke Hodge and Jarryd Roughead but will need more against the Dogs' tough pair of physical big men.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Dogs' big men Ben Hudson and Will Minson team up to exploit the glaring hole in the Hawks' line-up - the ruck?
How much will the Hawks' tough encounter with Geelong - and their slightly shortened break - affect their ability to run out the game?
Will Brad Johnson still slip into the side after Rodney Eade all but wrote him off on Wednesday?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Round two couldn't have been more contrasting for these sides. The Dogs didn't need to get out of third gear to thrash the Tigers while the Hawks had to throw everything they had to narrowly succumb to the Cats.
You need to be at your slickest to match the Dogs on foot and the Hawks will be hampered after Monday.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 29 points
Follow Jennifer Witham's inside view of Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn at #afldogshawks on Twitter.com from 2.10pm Sunday or @AFL_JenWitham#afldogshawks.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
