Where and When: Friday, April 23 at 7.50pm AEST, Manuka Oval
Last time they met: It was a feisty encounter, as games between these teams seem to be. And it was the Bulldogs who came out on top, holding a 20-point half-time lead through the second half to win by four goals. They were they harder, more urgent more desperate and harder-running side on the night, with the GIANTS unable to make the most of their slight edge in the contest. Harry Perryman and Stephen Coniglio fought it out, after the GIANTS lost Lachie Whitfield to concussion early in the game, Lachie Ash looked promising on debut but a scoreline of 4.9 was never going to be enough. The Dogs shared the workload, with Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith and Josh Dunkley all solid contributors around the ball.
Where to watch: https://www.afl.com.au/broadcast-guide-premiership
What it means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS have got their groove back in the last two weeks, following a good win over Collingwood with a tough, never-say-die effort against Sydney last week, topped off by Josh Kelly’s match-winning snap with less than two minutes to play. This is a chance to test that energy and grit against the top-of-the-ladder, yet-to-be-beaten team that has been racking up some huge scores and notching some very big wins.
Where’s the opposition at: The Dogs sit in top spot on the ladder, with a percentage of 178.9. They’ve had huge wins, big wins and one or two closer scrapes in the first five rounds, with the quality and depth of their midfield a key to their success so far. It's the first time since 1946 that the club has won its first five games of the season.
The number: 13. That’s how many players from last year’s game against the Dogs may not be there this Friday night. Some have moved on, and others are out injured. Since that game – and in the last two weeks – the likes of Tom Green, Xavier O’Halloran, Connor Idun, Jake Riccardi, Isaac Cumming, Jack Buckley, Bobby Hill and Conor Stone have grabbed their chance, as well as Ash. Toby Greene, Josh Kelly and Tim Taranto missed last year’s match and will be handy inclusions, too.
In the mix: Sam Reid’s strained hamstring will see him miss a week or two, but Harry Perryman may be ready to take his place after missing the last two rounds with glandular fever. Tanner Bruhn’s form in the VFL has been strong and the first-round draft pick keeps putting his hand up, while Jesse Hogan has also hit form after coming back two weeks ago from his quad injury. Matthew Flynn will come back into the side after Shane Mumford's mammoth effort in the last two games, with Kieren Briggs also knocking at the door. And Lachie Whitfield is in the final stretch of his recovery from a liver injury, but another week away.
