SUMMARY
Two of the competition's most exciting sides will do battle at a sold-out Spotless Stadium, and the reward will be historic for the winner.
The GIANTS are in their first ever finals series and with every win are creating new milestones, while the Bulldogs are chasing their first grand final appearance since 1961, and just their third of all time.
GWS had the luxury of sitting back with the week off after its stunning win over the Sydney Swans, and they must have been impressed by the Dogs, who followed up their crucial win over West Coast on the road by bouncing the three-time reigning champs.
This game will show off some of the game's best young talent, with Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly, Marcus Bontempelli, Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae all in stunning touch.
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Saturday, September 24, 5.15pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round nine, Greater Western Sydney 15.8 (98) d Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) at Spotless Stadium
The Bulldogs went in without suspended duo Matthew Boyd and Jack Redpath, while injuries to Robert Murphy, Jason Johannisen, Matt Suckling and Marcus Adams left the backline extremely undermanned. The visitors made a bright start but poor finishing cost them dearly, and the GIANTS' big names stepped up, despite the loss of defenders Matt Buntine (concussion) and Tim Mohr (hamstring). Heath Shaw ran riot in the back 50 and had 36 kicks for the day, while star forwards Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene and Steve Johnson booted 10 goals between them.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R9, 2016, Greater Western Sydney15.8 (98) d Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) at Spotless Stadium
R9, 2015, Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) d Greater Western Sydney 11.2 (68) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2014, Greater Western Sydney 18.7 (115) d Western Bulldogs 15.19 (109) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2014, Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) d Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) at Manuka Oval
R15, 2013, Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) d Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) at Manuka Oval
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Greater Western Sydney
1. Coniglio versus the Bont. The gun GWS midfielder has had a brilliant season, and is sure to pay close attention to Bontempelli, especially around stoppages where his clearance work has been outstanding. Coniglio will relish this contest.
2. Zac Williams in the midfield. The dasher has been a star across half-back but has been equally impressive through the middle of the ground, and given the amount of midfield options available to Luke Beveridge, Leon Cameron might throw Williams up the ground for more run.
3. Bulldogs' backs will be stretched. Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb will give the visitors plenty of headaches, especially if their onballers can get them enough quality supply. Dale Morris, Joel Hamling and Easton Wood will rely heavily on their fellow backs for help in the air.
Western Bulldogs
1. Expect the Dogs to go in unchanged after knocking reigning premier Hawthorn out of the finals. Toby McLean came into the side to replace the injured Lin Jong, and the clever 20-year-old impressed with his work up forward.
2. Jordan Roughead and Tom Boyd are coming off strong performances against the Hawks, and will be out to wear down key GIANT Shane Mumford with their superior mobility.
3. With GWS just as proficient at the coalface, the Dogs will need to be wary their renowned team defence doesn't push up too far and allow the GIANTS' devastating outside time and space if they don't win the contested ball.
THE SIX POINTS
1. Jeremy Cameron kicked five goals and Toby Greene three in the GIANTS' win in round nine, while Heath Shaw had 36 kicks and 14 marks. Marcus Bontempelli had 32 touches for the Bulldogs.
2. In the month leading up to the finals the Bulldogs were struggling to score, averaging only 74 points per game; in their two finals so far that has increased to 103 points per game. The GIANTS have been one of the highest scoring sides this season kicking 107 points per game.
3. The Dogs will be playing in their first preliminary final since 2010 and will be looking for just their second-ever prelim win; their only other victory in the penultimate week of the season occurring in 1961 against Melbourne. Only four current GIANTS, excluding the suspended Steve Johnson, have played in preliminary finals and only two, Shane Mumford and Heath Shaw have played in a winning preliminary final.
4. The GIANTS have been the number one ranked clearance team for most of 2016 averaging 41.1 per game, while the Bulldogs have been mid-table most of the season, ranked ninth with 37 per game. GWS is ranked fifth for centre clearances and the Dogs 12th.
5. The GIANTS have dominated most opposition at Spotless Stadium in 2016, winning six of eight games, with four wins coming by more than 60 points. This will be the Bulldogs fifth interstate final, with their first win coming against West Coast a fortnight ago.
6. The GIANTS have five midfielders inside the top 100 of the AFL's official player ratings in Callan Ward (17), Dylan Shiel (20), Tom Scully (73), Ryan Griffen (80), and Stephen Coniglio (88). The Bulldogs have three, but apart from Marcus Bontempelli (5), Mitch Wallis (49) is injured, and Liam Picken (85) has been playing as a permanent forward in recent weeks.
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
Leon Cameron (on the Bulldogs): "I went down last Friday night and they were outstanding. To knock off Hawthorn the way they did was simply awesome, and they've beaten last year's Grand Final sides in the space of two weeks, so it's going to be a huge challenge for us."
Luke Beveridge (after the Hawthorn win): "There hasn't been a negative vibe at any point in the year, no matter what they have been up against. Now they are in good nick and tonight was just a great performance against a real formidable opposition."
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Heath Shaw: the dual All Australian brought his own footy to Spotless in round nine, but he's unlikely to be given free reign this time around. Beveridge has used Zaine Cordy as a defensive forward in the past two finals, and while he's unlikely to get the job on the attacking backman, Liam Picken, Josh Dunkley or Toby McLean might be sent to keep Shaw under wraps.
Joel Hamling: With Jeremy Cameron kicking five goals the last time the sides met, the West Australian will have his hands full. Hamling performed well on the star GIANT last season after Fletcher Roberts and Kieran Collins were preferred key defensive options in round nine.
