1. Josh x 2
With no Aaron Naughton and no Sam Lloyd, the Bulldogs will be without their two top goal-kickers from 2019.
Bulldogs fans will be hoping a Josh can step up to fill that void.
And this week, there’s going to be two of them close to goal.
Off-season recruit Josh Bruce has two goals in his first four games as a Bulldog, while Josh Schache joins him in the line-up this week for the first time in 2020.
Both have the capability to kick a bag of goals and will be hoping they can do just that.
Brucey on the lead ??#MightyWest pic.twitter.com/RTfw6XhSLI
— Western B_lldogs (@westernbulldogs) July 1, 2020
2. Tim’s Gold-en opportunity
Tim English will no doubt remember his last outing against North Melbourne.
The Roos won by 25 points and his opposite number, Todd Goldstein, was best afield with 28 disposals and 57 hit-outs.
Still only 22 years old, English is a star in the making and learning with each game.
He’s been impressive the past two weeks as the Bulldogs have rediscovered their winning ways and will be out to continue that form against one of the best ruckmen in the business.
3. Battle of the young guns
Two of the competition’s rising stars will go head to head in the middle of the ground.
Jy Simpkin is having a breakout year for the Roos, averaging 24.3 disposals per game.
The 22-year-old’s average of 6.5 clearances per game puts him among the competition’s elite.
But the Bulldogs have a young gun who has found a new level in 2020 too – his name is Bailey Smith.
The mulleted midfielder is relishing more opportunity around the ball and has arguably been his side’s most consistent performer this season, averaging 22.3 disposals.
4. Can the Dogs maintain the rage?
For the past two weeks, the Bulldogs have been ferocious – both with their attack at the ball and at the opposition.
Can they continue to maintain that level of intensity?
Because when they bring that, they play a brand of footy that stacks up against the best.
The recent track record between the Roos and Dogs suggests anything short of it won’t be enough to get it done.
Four of the past five games between the two teams have been decided by seven points or less.
