If the last five contests between the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne are anything to go by, this Saturday night’s contest at Marvel Stadium will be a nail-biter.

Four of the last five times the teams have met, the margin has been seven points or less.

Here’s a look at the recent encounters between the sides. 

2019 – Round 10 (Kangaroos 115 defeated Bulldogs 90)
The Bulldogs were 20 points in arrears at three quarter time in this clash at Marvel Stadium and found inspiration from ruckman Tim English, who booted two goals to the start the last quarter and breathe life into the game.  Sam Lloyd followed with two of his own and the Dogs were in front at the nine-minute mark. But the Roos responded with the last five majors of the game to secure the four points. 

2018 – Round 21 (Bulldogs 92 defeated Kangaroos 85)

Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter and Caleb Daniel had a field day, each collecting 40 or more disposals as the Dogs overcame a sizeable early deficit to win a thriller.  The Dogs fell 29 points behind by half time but re-emerged from the break with a blistering eight-goal third term to wrestle back the momentum. Each side could only manage one goal each from a combined 10 scoring shots, as the Bulldogs hung on to win by seven points. 

2018 – Round 14 (Kangaroos 77 defeated Bulldogs 75)
Earlier that year, a see-sawing contest was edged North Melbourne’s way in the final seconds after the margin was no more than 13 points for the duration of the match.  The Bulldogs trailed by 10 points midway through the last quarter, hit the front after goals from Ed Richards and Bailey Gowers, but were heartbroken when Jack Ziebell snapped a goal with less than 30 seconds remaining. 

2017 – Round 14 (Bulldogs 107 defeated Kangaroos 106)

A set shot behind by Jake Stinger with just 38 seconds to go was the difference between the two teams in another classic encounter at Marvel Stadium. The Dogs led by 26 points early in the last quarter, but the Kangaroos kicked four straight goals to level scores at the 29-minute mark.  A Lachie Hunter kick landed in Stringer’s arms on the boundary line, 50 metres out, and while he narrowly missed, it was enough to secure victory. 

2017 – Round 4 (Bulldogs 89 defeated Kangaroos 86)
The clubs had the honour of participating in the first ever Good Friday game, and they delivered a cracker of a contest in front of a bumper crowd.  Again, the match was on a knife’s edge until the final seconds, and again the Dogs overcame a deficit to secure victory.  Three straight last term majors had the Bulldogs headed for the finish line, but Jack Ziebell goaled and Lindsay Thomas had his long shot sail wide before the siren sounded.