1. Welcome back, Jongy
We’re pumped to see Lin Jong back playing senior footy.
The 27-year-old is one of five inclusions for this week’s clash against the Giants, alongside Caleb Daniel, Stefan Martin, Laitham Vandermeer and Zaine Cordy.
He’s playing his first game since round five last year.
Senior coach Luke Beveridge flagged the possibility of strong VFL contributors getting a chance in his mid-week presser, and Jong certainly fits that bill.
He’s been a standout performer in VFL practice games over the past month, banging down the door for this opportunity.
2. Who goes to Bont?
The Giants have made a habit of looking to restrict Marcus Bontempelli’s impact in recent outings.
This time around, they’ll be missing tagger Matt de Boer, who has often been a close-checking opponent for the star Bulldog.
Will Leon Cameron throw that task to another Giant?
Or – given the depth of the Bulldogs’ midfield in 2021, will they go with a different approach?
Teams have tried to restrict Bontempelli again this year, which has only provided more opportunity for the likes of Jack Macrae, Adam Treloar and Josh Dunkley to impact the game.
3. Stopping Toby Greene
If there’s been a key antagonist in clashes between these two fierce rivals, it’s hard to go past Toby Greene.
But that aside, he’s a star and the man the Bulldogs simply have to stop around goal.
Greene has kicked 11 goals over the past three weeks – including bags of five against Melbourne and Collingwood. He managed 1.7 in his side’s narrow win against Sydney last week.
The Giants have rallied around their stand-in skipper the past two weeks, beating the Pies and Swans to ignite their 2021 campaign.
4. Brucey’s back
Look out Canberra, Josh Bruce is back in town.
The big Bulldog hails from the nation’s capital and – a long time ago – pulled on the orange as an ACT zone selection for the Giants.
He’s wearing much better colours this time, as he returns to Manuka Oval for the third time in his AFL career.
Bruce spent the off-season shredding in Canberra as part of a big pre-pre-season training program – working with Saints’ skipper and fellow local Jack Steele.
Wouldn’t it be fitting if he tore this game to shreds?
