MATCH DETAILS
Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Telstra Dome, 4.40pm, Sunday July 27

FORECAST
A few showers, min 7, max 13

BETTING
Western Bulldogs $1.30, Carlton $3.55

LAST TIME THEY MET
Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128) lost to Carlton 21.12 (138), round 10, 2007, at the MCG

FORM GUIDE
Western Bulldogs

Carlton
The Blues suffered a tough two-point loss to the Sydney Swans at Telstra Dome last week, but still remain in the finals hunt with seven wins from 16 games this season.

MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs
The big injury news out of the kennel this week has been the excellent progress made by veteran Scott West, whose return from bone stress now looks a fortnight away. Brad Johnson has been given the all clear despite rolling an ankle against Geelong, but Tim Callan (hamstring) is still a week away.

Carlton
Of most concern to the Blues will be pacy utility Andrew Walker who played his first game of the year after pre-season shoulder surgery, but then hurt his good shoulder. He will need to pass a fitness test with the problem diagnosed as deep bruising. Jordan Bannister (hamstring) will also be tested before selection with other notables Paul Bower (shoulder), Ryan Houlihan (hip) and Richard Hadley (groin) still a week away.

RANDOM FACTS
Simon Wiggins will play his 100th AFL match for Carlton.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Adam Cooney v Bryce Gibbs
Cooney was the highest contested ball-winner against the Cats and is obviously a vital part of the Dogs' midfield set-up. Emerging Blue Gibbs earned rave reviews for his comprehensive blanketing of Swans playmaker Adam Goodes and appears a good match-up for the prolific Bulldog onballer.

Brian Lake v Brendan Fevola
The Blues have been trying desperately to unearth another forward or two, but Fev remains the biggest danger to opposition sides by a long way. Lake is the obvious match-up, but there’s a fair chance he won’t be left one-out with the big Blue too often.

Lindsay Gilbee v Simon Wiggins
The hard-running Dog is a key rebounder for his side, but as has become the norm, he will probably contend with a forward who will sacrifice his own game to minimise Gilbee's influence. Wiggins will be set for a big one in his 100th game with this duel an important one in the context of the match.

WHAT THE CLUBS SAY

"They're a good running side and their pressure was pretty good. They worked extremely hard and I don't think we're under any illusions of where they're at.

"We knew going into the Geelong game we've got a tough run home. Carlton, and then we play three away games in the last five weeks, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, and we play the Kangas again.

"We know where we're at in that situation, which I think will be a good lead into the finals.

"They've got some really key players, if you want to look at that angle, but the other angle is more about what we've got to worry about.

"I think we've got to get back on the horse with what our strengths have been this year.

"We've got to win the stoppages, win the midfield, and win the contested ball, but that's the same every week, and that's the focus again." – coach Rodney Eade

Carlton
"I think it will be a great challenge for our players. The Bulldogs are going to play finals and that’s where our ambitions are, so we'll be trying to take them and se what we can come up with.

"It’s just amazing what Geelong could do to the second-best team in the competition. They had 400-odd possessions – 130 more than the Bulldogs – and still out-tackled them.

"Just that ratio is amazing; the team had the footy for so long, but still out-tackled the opposition. I think we’ve seen the best team in the competition last week … but I think the Bulldogs will bounce back and come out pretty hungry and try and get that momentum back going into the finals." – coach Brett Ratten

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.