SUMMARY
Melbourne upset the Bulldogs at the MCG back in round eight, but the Demons will have form and history against them on Sunday. The Dogs are in top shape and have won seven of eight games since the bye, while the Dees' form of late has been patchy and they've lost their past 21 matches at Etihad Stadium. First-year sensation Jesse Hogan will need to fire and kick a bag if the Demons are to trouble the finals-bound Bulldogs.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday August 16, 3.20pm
AEST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2015, Melbourne 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) at the MCG
R15, 2014, Western Bulldogs 14.7 (91) d Melbourne 13.7 (85) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2014, Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at the 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 the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. In the last three weeks the Bulldogs have dominated their opposition, kicking a combined 53 goals to their oppositions' 27, and in the last two weeks have won by a total of 151 points.
2. Despite the result in round eight, the Bulldogs have enjoyed success against the Demons recently, winning nine of the last 11 since 2008.
3. No team kicks the ball less than Melbourne, ranked 18th for kicks per game with 187.7 per game while the Bulldogs are ninth with 204.1 per game.
4. Melbourne returns to Etihad Stadium hoping to break the competition's biggest venue hoodoo; the Demons have lost their last 21 in a row and haven't won there since round 19, 2007.
5. No team averages more contested marks this season than Melbourne, with 12.8 thanks to Max Gawn ranked second and Jesse Hogan third.
6. For a team sitting fourth, the Bulldogs remarkably don't have a player inside the top 50 of the AFL Official Player Ratings. In-form defender Easton Wood is the Dogs' highest-ranked player at 56th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jack Redpath. The key forward had a day out last week against the Power, playing his best game for the club and kicking four last-quarter goals. But he'll need to keep that up with boom recruit Tom Boyd starting to find form in the VFL. Luke Beveridge is unlikely to have room for both big men in his side heading into September.
PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 38 points
