Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
Saturday, May 25 - 2.10pm AEST
Marvel Stadium 

Form

Western Bulldogs (4-5) v North Melbourne (2-7) 

It’s been an interesting start to the season for the Dogs and North Melbourne, both have played a some impressive matches, while others have been ones to forget.

The Dogs have shown that they’re capable of beating quality sides on their day, toppling Richmond in Round 7, Brisbane in Round 8 and pushing Geelong for three quarters at GMBHA Stadium last weekend.

While North has only recorded the one win in its past four outings, it has played competitive football, and continues to look likely to secure a third victory as the new group continues to settle. 

Last time we met 

The Dogs-Roos rivalry has been fascinating in recent times, with some modern day classics.

The sides last met in Round 21, 2018, when the Bulldogs erased a 28-point half-time deficit to defeat North by seven points.

It was the on-ball brigade of the Dogs that did the damage, with Lachie Hunter, Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae all recording 40-plus disposals, while Marcus Bontempelli had 35 touches and booted 2 goals.

For North, Ben Brown was a force kicking 4 goals, Ben Cunnington led his side for disposals with 26, and Jed Anderson starred with 20 disposals (16 contested), 8 tackles and 7 clearances. 

Earlier that year, the Roos secured a two-point win thanks to a last gasp goal from Jack Ziebell, while the two meetings before that, the Dogs were victorious by a combined margin of just four points.

Key matchup

Jack Macrae v Jack Ziebell

North knows all too well how damaging Macrae can be, given they were on the receiving end of a masterclass last time.

Last season he averaged 32.7 disposals per game, and has continued his red-hot form in 2019, running at 31.1 touches in the opening nine rounds. 

The 24-year-old leads the way for the Dogs in disposals, effective disposals, contested possessions and goal assists; proof of the impact he can have.

Ziebell has had a sharp upturn in form in recent weeks since he was given more time in the midfield.

While his presence has been felt offensively, it’s his defensive work which has made him such a valuable player.

In Round 7 against Carlton, the Roos skipper was sent to Patrick Cripps and restricted him to just two disposals in the opening term.

Ziebell comes into this game in fine form, after a game-high 35 disposals against Sydney. He is likely to spend a similar amount of time through the middle of the ground this weekend. 

It’s won and lost in…

... the midfield.

While the battle of the Jack’s will go a long way to shaping the outcome, both teams have other extremely talented on-ballers who can impact. 

Bontempelli is becoming one of the most influential players in the competition given his ability to win the clearances and contested ball, while using his slick disposal to find space and hit the scoreboard.

Bontempelli is averaging 27 disposals, and leads to Dogs in inside 50s, metres gained, clearances and score involvements.

Hunter, Daniel and Tom Liberatore are also having solid seasons, and provide depth for the Dogs. 

However, the Roos have the talent to match, with Shaun Higgins, Ben Cunnington and Anderson all capable of taking the bull by the horns.

Higgins is North’s elite outside midfielder, averaging a team-high 31 disposals and is a crucial part of ball movement forward.

The Roos’ number 4 also leads the side in score involvements and has formed a formidable partnership with contested bull, Cunnington.

Cunnington ranks 4th in the league for contested possessions and clearances, and has proven to be a difficult task for opposition midfielders given his strength and ability to shrug tackles and fend off. 

Keep an eye on… 

...Aaron Naughton and Luke Davies-Uniacke.

Second-year player Naughton has been a revelation for the Dogs since making the move forward. 

Naughton has booted 15 goals, the most of any Bulldog, and is becoming a dominant mark in-front of goal.

The 19-year-old leads his side in marks inside forward 50, contested marks and ranks 3rd in contested marks, which generates high quality shots on goals and score involvements.

Davies-Unaicke returns for the Roos to play his 7th game of the season, after an impressive stint in the VFL.

The young midfielder has strung some dominant performances together in the seconds, playing the entire game in the midfield, and continually developing his craft.

Hungry to become a regular part of the senior 22, the second-year player will be looking to have a large impact.