1. Lach and load

We’re excited to see Lachie Hunter back in the red, white and blue this week.
It’s been a challenging year for the 25-year-old, who has played just three games around a club suspension and taking some time off for personal reasons.
But he’s undoubtedly one of the Bulldogs’ most important players and has been sorely missed.
In each of his three games, he’s been among the Bulldogs’ best, averaging 25 disposals.
After two scratch matches, the Bulldogs will be hoping he can step straight back in and have an immediate impact.

2. Keath and the Crows

Alex Keath has been sensational in his first year in red, white and blue.
He’s starting to make his mark among the competition’s elite defenders and will come up against his former side this week.
The 28-year-old played 30 games across three seasons for Adelaide, before making the move to the Kennel ahead of 2020.
Keath has slotted in seamlessly as a Bulldog and is having a huge impact.
He’ll be looking to continue that form against the Crows.

3. Backs dig in

The Bulldogs’ back line has stayed fairly consistent throughout 2020, with a change or two here or there.
But this week, that defensive group will take on a very different look.
Zaine Cordy (chest) is out, as is Jason Johannisen (ankle), and Hayden Crozier is still a week or two away from returning.
The emphasis on the experienced core of Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Caleb Daniel and Bailey Williams in that part of the ground will be important against the Crows.

WHO YOU GOT? | ENTER THE DRAW TO WIN ONE OF 10 MISSION FOODS BOBBLEHEADS BY PREDICTING WHO WILL HAVE MORE CLEARANCES – TOM LIBERATORE OR MATT CROUCH – IN THE ROUND 12 MATCH BETWEEN THE BULLDOGS AND CROWS.

4. Battle in the middle

There are some intriguing contests set to emerge in the middle of the ground.
Two of the competition’s rising ruck stars – Tim English and Reilly O’Brien – will go head-to-head.
Few players find the ball as often as Matt Crouch and Jack Macrae, with the ultra-consistent Macrae in almost career-best form over the past month – if taking his game to another level was even possible.
And the Crows will welcome back skipper Rory Sloane, which could see the two captains going toe-to-toe in the clinches.

The Western Bulldogs have emphatically returned to the winners’ list, with a 57-point victory over Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs squared the ledger at six wins and six losses and improved their percentage to 97 percent, ahead of crucial run home towards the finals.

Aaron Naughton was the star up forward with a career-high six goals, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli put in a superb four quarter performance.

Bontempelli’s made for incredible reading – 33 disposals, two goals, 11 score involvements, six marks, 12 clearances, nine tackles and six inside 50s. 

MATCH CENTRE | View all the individual and team stats from the Bulldogs and Crows clash.

Naughton, who was the lone tall target for the Dogs with Josh Bruce unavailable, was a dominant force in just his second game back from an ankle injury.

He booted three goals in the opening term and looked dangerous throughout, finishing with six marks (all inside 50), including three contested. 

Lachie Hunter made a triumphant return to AFL level, including an inspirational third quarter goal which prompted a passionate celebration.  He finished with 29 touches at 86% efficiency.

Bailey Smith’s hard-running was a feature, with the youngster racking up 811 metres gained on his way to a game-high 37 disposals. 

The Bulldogs amassed 31 scoring shots and could have blown the margin out even further, if not for missed opportunities and a three-straight Adelaide goals late in the final term.

The Dogs’ victory was built on a clearance masterclass.  They won the overall clearances by a whopping 25, and the centre clearances by 13.

VOTE NOW - MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs' best on ground in the win over Adelaide for a chance to win a $20 McCafe Visa Gift Card.

Despite their early dominance, the Bulldogs looked vulnerable at times in transition, with four of the Crows’ first-half goals coming from defensive chains, which kept them in the contest.

But the Dogs were dominant after the main break, going on a run of seven straight goals which ensured a comfortable win.

Easton Wood put in a contender for Mark of the Year with a towering grab in the second quarter, while ruckman Tim English came from the field late with an ankle injury.

The Bulldogs take on Melbourne next Saturday in a crucial Sir Doug Nicholls Round encounter.

MATCH DETAILS

Western Bulldogs            6.3          8.8          12.12     16.15 (111)

Adelaide Crows                4.1          5.3          5.5          8.6 (54)
 

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 6, Bontempelli 2, Cavarra 2, Dale, Lloyd, Hunter, Dunkley, McLean, English
Adelaide: Stengle, Walker, Himmelberg, Murphy, Smith, Laird, Mackay, M.Crouch

BEST
Western Bulldogs:  Bontempelli, Naughton, Smith, Hunter, Liberatore, Williams
Adelaide: M.Crouch, Keays, O’Brien, Laird

VOTE NOW - MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs' best on ground in the win over Adelaide for a chance to win a $20 McCafe Visa Gift Card.

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: English (ankle)
Adelaide: McPherson (hamstring)