THESE two sides have already met this season, with the Bulldogs taking the honours in round eight with a 16-point win. Melbourne had its chances late in the game and will be keen to make amends. This clash looms as another close encounter with both sides having made significant improvement in the past month. The challenge for the Demons will be to regroup from a disappointing performance against North Melbourne, after which Paul Roos declared his charges were mentally fatigued. The Bulldogs can take plenty of positives out of a competitive first half against Port Adelaide, but will most likely be without skipper Ryan Griffen, who was struck down with back spasms during the game.




WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday June 29, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2014, Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at MCG
R23, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) d Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2013, Melbourne 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) at MCG
R4, 2012, Western Bulldogs 13.10 (88) d Melbourne 9.13 (67) at MCG
R15, 2011, Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 8.15 (63) at Etihad Stadium

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THE SIX POINTS
1. The Bulldogs have dominated the Demons over the last decade, winning eight of their past nine encounters including a club record six in a row from 2008-2012.

2. Melbourne continues to be the lowest scoring team in 2014, with Roos' side averaging just 63 point per game, the worst in the competition. The Bulldogs aren’t much better, ranked 15th with 80 per game.

3. The Dees have a shocking recent record at Etihad Stadium, with the club having lost their last 17 games at the venue. Melbourne's last win there was against the Bulldogs in round 19, 2007.
 
4. No team has handballed more this season than the Bulldogs with an average of 177.1 per game, while the Demons are 13th at 153.7.

5. The Demons have used the interchange bench less than any other team this season. They're the only side whose average is below 100 with 99 per game.

6. Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore has been steadily rising through the ranks of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, in season 2014. He started the year at No. 32 and is now ranked 17th overall and should finish the year inside the top 15.

Prediction: Western Bulldogs by eight points