Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs
Sunday 3 August 2014, 3:20pm
Venue: Aurora Stadium

Head-to-head:

Round 17, 2013: Hawthorn 13. 17. (95) defeat Western Bulldogs 11. 10. (76), Aurora Stadium
Round 16, 2012: Western Bulldogs 6. 8. (44) defeated by Hawthorn 17. 14. (116), Etihad Stadium
Round 23, 2011: Hawthorn 16. 17. (113) defeat Western Bulldogs 10. 7. (67), MCG
Round 10, 2011: Western Bulldogs 9. 8. (62) defeated by Hawthorn 13. 13. (91), Etihad Stadium
Round 14, 2010: Hawthorn 12. 7. (79) defeat Western Bulldogs 11. 10. (76)

Last time they met: 

  • Bulldogs defender Liam Picken excelled in a defensive role against Cyril Rioli, keeping the skilled forward to just seven touches and one goal
  • Coleman medallist Jarryd Roughead was the only player on field to kick more than two goals (with three majors, three behinds)
  • Despite the Hawks claiming the win, the Bulldogs were prominent in the Brownlow Voting: 3. Ryan Griffen (Bulldogs), 2. Isaac Smith (Hawthorn), 1. Daniel Giansiracusa (Bulldogs)

Recent form:

Western Bulldogs
Four of the Bulldogs last seven games have been decided by less than two goals, indicating just how competitive the team has been. The Bulldogs have continued to win the contested ball stat and are playing a high pressure and exciting style of football. Coming off a bye weekend the Bulldogs will be refreshed and ready to attack the back end of the season, beginning with Hawthorn on Sunday.

Hawthorn
An eight day turn around will benefit the Hawks after playing a tough and physical game of football against ladder leader Sydney in round 18. Hawthorn have lost just two games since the mid-season bye in and are again seen as one of the teams to beat. A multi-pronged forward line combined with an experienced midfield means there are few areas of the ground that they can be exposed.

Key matchups and game breakers:

  • The Dogs back six will need to put up a strong effort against Hawthorn’s attack (ranked first in goals scored in the competition).
  • Tom Liberatore has continued to leave an impression in the Bulldogs midfield, ranked fifth in the competition for contested possessions, equal second in total clearances and first tackles. If his form line continues he will provide a tough contest for the Hawks’ midfield contingent – backing up from his 28 touches (20 effective), five tackles and five clearances last time the two sides met.
  • The firepower that Hawthorn has in the forward line is not limited to Roughead, with Luke Breust and Jack Gunston combining for six goals a game on average in the past three weeks. Including Roughead, the trio have kicked over 40 goals each so far this season – accounting for three of the top ten in the race for the 2014 Coleman Medal. Breust and Gunston also figure in the top three players in the league for goal assists