Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell feels the full force of Bulldog Jason Akermanis in last year's qualifying final

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Where and when: Docklands, Saturday, July 4, 7.10pm AEST
Head to head: Western Bulldogs 73 wins, Hawthorn 73 wins, two draws
Last time: Hawthorn 18.19 (127) d Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76), qualifying final, 2008, at the MCG

MISSING IN ACTION
Western Bulldogs
Jamason Daniels (hamstring) - test
Stephen Tiller (hip) - test
Easton Wood (shoulder) - test
Daniel Giansiracusa (knee) - 6 weeks

Hawthorn
Jarryd Morton (patella tendon) - test
Brent Renouf (ankle) - test
Brendan Whitecross (knee) - test
Clinton Young (hip) - test
Cyril Rioli (hamstring) - 1 week
Stuart Dew (quad) - 1-2 weeks
Garry Moss (knee) - 4-6 weeks
Mark Williams (knee) - 6-8 weeks
Trent Croad (foot) - TBC
Tim Boyle (knee) - season
Mitch Thorp (foot/shoulder) - season

FORM
Western Bulldogs: LWWWW
Hawthorn: WLWLL

SUMMARY

This clash kicks off a challenging run of seven games for Hawthorn that includes five of the top eight, as well as a trip to AAMI Stadium to face Port Adelaide. They'll need to win at least four of those games to give themselves any chance of playing in September.

The Bulldogs face league pacesetters Geelong and St Kilda in the run home but they play eight of their remaining nine games at their Docklands home.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)
The reigning Brownlow Medallist is approaching peak form after a slow start to the year, averaging almost 30 touches a game in the past month. With support from Shaun Higgins, Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd and Ryan Griffen, Cooney will prove a handful for the potent Hawthorn midfield.

Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Like Cooney, the talented Hawk is a No.1 draft pick working his way into good touch after an injury-blighted first half of the season. Hodge's precise disposal off half-back was a key factor in Hawthorn's run to the flag last year and he'll need to approach those lofty heights again if his side is to factor in the finals. His 31 touches against West Coast last weekend showed he's getting there.

QUESTION MARKS
Will the Bulldogs' form measure up to a robust examination? North Melbourne pushed Rodney Eade's men for four quarters last weekend and the Hawks are set to do the same.

How will the travel factor affect the Hawks? After four interstate trips in the past six rounds, there's a chance all that flying will take a toll on a Hawthorn side struggling for peak fitness.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
When a team's in good form, it tends to rise to the challenge and there's no reason to suspect the Bulldogs will falter on Saturday. Expect Hawthorn to give a good showing, but the Bulldogs should pull away in the second half.

PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by 35 points

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.