1. Back on Mars

For the second time this season, the Bulldogs are returning to Mars Stadium.

And while it’ll be a quieter affair than their round four outing - with no crowds permitted - the Dogs will be keen to continue their winning form at their second home.

Since 2016, the Bulldogs have won four of their six games at the venue, including one against the Crows back in round 23, 2019.

Ball-magnet Jack Macrae led the stats sheets with 35 touches, eight clearances and a goal that day, while Josh Dunkley (33 disposals, 10 clearances) and Marcus Bontempelli (31 disposals, 10 tackles and seven clearances) also stood out.

09:20

Luke Beveridge | 'The composition has altered from week to week'

Head Coach Luke Beveridge spoke to the media ahead of the Round 20 clash with Adelaide in Ballarat.

2. Welcome back, Woody

With Alex Keath going down last week to a hamstring injury, it couldn’t be better timing to welcome back experienced defender Easton Wood.

The 31-year-old will return to the line-up for the first time since round nine, having overcome a hamstring injury and then ankle injury after returning through the VFL.

The Bulldogs will also be without Ed Richards (concussion) and Taylor Duryea (managed) however, but will have their midfield bolstered by regaining Josh Dunkley.

It will be Dunkley’s eighth game of the season, having returned from a shoulder reconstruction in round 18, before missing last weekend through mandatory 14-day home quarantine.

01:00

Olympic Quickfire | Who joins the Dogs' Wrestling team?

In the latest instalment of Dogs Quickfire, the boys are asked which teammate they think should represent the team in Olympic Wrestling.

3. Coleman medal race heats up

With just four rounds of the home-and-away season remaining, the race for the Coleman Medal is heating up.

While Carlton’s Harry Mackay leads the way with 52 goals, Saturday’s match will see two of the league’s in-form key forwards do battle, as they try to close the gap.

Josh Bruce is the Bulldogs’ top chance, currently sitting on 43 goals and averaging 2.4 goals a game.

He’s hit the scoreboard at least once in every game bar round 15, while recording two or more on 11 separate occasions.

For the Crows, it’s their skipper Taylor Walker chasing down the lead, sitting a bit closer to Mackay with 46.

00:51

Focused at training

With round 20 around the corner, the boys are hard at work on the track.

4. Last time they met

It wouldn’t be a preview piece without looking back to the last time these two sides faced off – which in this case, was back in round 12 last season.

It was a convincing 57-point win that day at Metricon Stadium, with Aaron Naughton kicking a career-best six goals.

And while their recent history swings in the Dogs’ favour, they won’t be taking this one lightly.

Adelaide were the ones who ended Melbourne’s undefeated streak earlier this year, and could easily prove a challenge if the Bulldogs aren’t on their toes.