After these two sides won a collective nine of their first ten games for the year, they’ve only had one win from the last six. It’s also been a rather long time since the Bulldogs tasted success in Geelong, but that’s what they’ll hope to do when they go up against the Cats on Friday night.
Both teams have some form questions to answer at the moment. The Dogs have lost two of their last three, their only win in that time coming by less than a goal against Richmond. Geelong have lost three in a row, and none of them against particular good sides.
This week provides a golden opportunity for one team to turn things around and get a vital win as they look to sure up their position in the final eight. However the loser will be well and truly on the slide, falling to a 5-4 record and with plenty of sides in the lower half of the ladder joining the hunt for placings in the Top 8.
The Cats have some good news at the selection table with Lachie Henderson recovering in time to play, and they have also recalled Scott Selwood, brother of captain Joel. Rhys Stanley will miss the match with a knee injury, while George Horlin-Smith has been dropped to make way for Selwood.
The Bulldogs on the other hand have made heavy changes are the disappointment of losing to West Coast last week. Star player Tom Liberatore has been dropped, as have Zaine Cordy, Fletcher Roberts and Toby McLean, and Matthew Boyd will miss through injury. Travis Cloke and Tory Dickson are back to add some forward-line punch, Mitch Wallis returns from a broken leg, and Dale Morris and Bob Murphy return to provide veteran presence down back.
The Cats have the home ground advantage and their record here against the Dogs is hard to ignore, but the quality of the Bulldogs’ changes tilts this one their way.
Bulldogs to win by 1-39 points for $2.25