SUMMARY
There will be plenty of soul-searching at Geelong this week following its disappointing 41-point loss to North Melbourne. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, will enter the game with optimism after their 10-goal final term against Gold Coast saw them notch their fourth consecutive win. The Cats have struggled at Simonds Stadium this season and the venue seems to no longer be the impregnable fortress it once was, registering just one win from four starts. If the Bulldogs claim the win, it will be their first victory at the ground since 2003 and the perfect way to honour Dale Morris in his milestone match.
 
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Saturday July 18, 1.45pm AEST
 
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
 
PAST FIVE TIMES
R16, 2014, Geelong 10.9 (69) d Western Bulldogs 7.14 (56) at Simonds Stadium
R5, 2013, Geelong 15.17 (107) d Western Bulldogs 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2012, Geelong 16.11 (107) d Western Bulldogs 11.7 (73) at Simonds Stadium
R9, 2012, Geelong 14.11 (95) d Western Bulldogs 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium
R11, 2011, Geelong 23.10 (148) d Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) at Simonds Stadium
 
THE SIX POINTS
1. Geelong has won the past seven matches against the Bulldogs, including two by more than 60 points and 11 of the past 13 since the start of 2007.
 
2. This is the first time since 2006 the Cats have lost seven or more games at this time of a season.
 
3. It was an amazing effort by the Bulldogs against the Cats in 2014 considering the entire team took only 25 marks for the match. Geelong took 60 more marks.
 
4. After losing just twice at Simonds Stadium between 2009 and 2014, the Cats have lost three of four games there this season.
 
5. Geelong has struggled to score in 2015 compared to previous seasons, averaging 81 points per game. They haven't averaged below 90 for a season since 2003.
 
6. Marcus Bontempelli was the highest points scorer in the competition last round (27.5) in the Official AFL Player Ratings. He is No.120 overall – the seventh-highest Bulldog.
 
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Dale Morris
The 32-year-old defender will notch his 200-game milestone when he takes the field against Geelong. Morris missed the entire 2012 season with a career threatening broken leg and was sidelined for two months earlier this season with a pectoral injury. The stalwart has fought his way back from multiple setbacks and has been a reliable member of the Bulldogs' backline.
 
PREDICTION: Geelong by eight points