Head to head: Melbourne: 83, Western Bulldogs: 67, Drawn: one
Last time: Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95) d Melbourne 9.10 (64), round 15, 2008, at Docklands
Missing in Action:
MELBOURNE
Mark Jamar (foot) – available
Brad Green (broken jaw) – test
Jared Rivers (ankle) - one week
Paul Wheatley (quadriceps tear) – one to two weeks
James Frawley (hip flexor) - two weeks
Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) - six weeks
John Meesen (foot) – indefinite
Colin Garland (foot) – indefinite
Sam Blease (leg) – indefinite
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Shaun Higgins (groin) – test
Paul O'Shea (hip) – indefinite
Ayce Cordy (general soreness) – available
Jamason Daniels (quad) - available
Stephen Tiller (groin) – available
FORM
Melbourne: LWLLL
Western Bulldogs: WLLLW
SUMMARY
The Demons have shown improvement in 2009, despite the fact they've won just one game from seven rounds. Over the past four weeks, their average losing margin has been slightly over 22 points, which was helped along by their most recent result – an eight-point loss to West Coast at Subiaco. The loss to the Eagles showed a terrific effort by the Dees, considering they lost Jared Rivers and James Frawley to injury in the first half. They're on the bottom of the ladder with just the four points from their round four win over Richmond, but only narrowly trail the Tigers in percentage.
The Bulldogs shook off a three-game losing streak on the weekend to beat Adelaide by 32 points. Adam Cooney and Robert Murphy played their best games for the year, while veterans Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton showed vintage form.
The Dogs are still third on the ladder despite their recent lull with four wins for the year.
The Dogs are still third on the ladder despite their recent lull with four wins for the year.
PLAYER TO WATCH
MELBOURNE
Jamie Bennell
The young dashing defender played his best game for the club last week with 19 possessions and four tackles against the Eagles. He showed pristine skills running out of defence, which is something the Demons will need him to replicate against the high-scoring Dogs.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Robert Murphy
The form of the talented forward has understandably wavered over the past three weeks given his pre-season rehabilitation from a serious knee operation. Against the Crows, Murphy demonstrated his creativity and goalkicking prowess, which helped to influence the Dogs' turnaround in fortune.
QUESTION MARKS
How much will the trip back from Subiaco, combined with a five-day break, hurt the Demons when they take on the hard-running Bulldogs?
Will Shaun Higgins take to the field after Rodney Eade rated him a "chance" despite saying he would take no risks with the gun forward?
Can the Demons beat the Bulldogs for just the third time in six tries?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
The Demons can be counted upon for having a crack against the Bulldogs this Saturday and while the Dogs have had trouble moving the ball with fluency in recent times, they bounced back to something approaching their best last week. With some winning momentum and a much more experienced side than the young Demons, the Bulldogs should have too much class.
PREDICTION:
Western Bulldogs by 34 points.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
