Bulldogs ready for fireworks in GWS clash

The Western Bulldogs are locked in a tight battle to make the AFL finals, and are anticipating a red hot challenge from GWS Giants on Friday night.

There's already plenty on the line for AFL premiers Western Bulldogs when they face GWS Giants on Friday night.

Having righted their flagging title defence with four straight wins, the Bulldogs are desperate to maintain their late season momentum.

But the small matter of bragging rights in one of the league's best young rivalries must be added to the list.

The Bulldogs and Giants don't like each other and have plenty of reasons not to.

Four of their eight meetings have been decided by a kick or less - including the last two.

Last year's classic preliminary final was won by the Bulldogs in a tight scrape, before the Giants took a degree of revenge in round six.

Player movement adds to the spite; with former Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen, Callan Ward and Sam Reid now in the Giants ranks - and Tom Boyd heading in the opposition direction.

And then there's Giants coach Leon Cameron, who notched almost 200 games for the Bulldogs over a decade.

Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis said it had become a match-up his side circled.

"We do pencil in every game we play against them. There'll be a few fireworks I reckon," Wallis said.

Giants hothead Toby Greene's return from suspension - his second of the year after striking Bulldog Caleb Daniel earlier in 2017 - added to the spark.

"You can't write off a few fireworks with Toby," Wallis said.

"He's had a couple of weeks off so I'm guessing he's going to have plenty of energy to embark on us ... we're definitely up for the challenge."

Wallis said the Bulldogs felt well placed heading into the final month thanks to their four wins.

"We've created great momentum," he said.

"If we bring that pressure and ball movement from the last couple of weeks we should go really well against GWS."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world