Geelong will welcome the Western Bulldogs to GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, celebrating the 2024 Retro Game in an important match for both clubs.  

The Cats have recorded three straight wins following their big win over the reigning premiers, taking down Collingwood at the MCG last Friday night.  
 
The Bulldogs are coming off a big win of their own, recording an important 14 point victory over Carlton to keep themselves within touching distance of the top eight.  
 
Geelong has a very impressive history against the Dogs, winning six of their past seven and 18 of their past 21 clashes dating back to the 2009 Qualifying Final.  
 
In 168 total matches, the Cats have a 65% win rate against the Bulldog which is their highest win rate of any team they have faced 50+ times.  

Ladder   

Geelong: 3rd (11-6)  
  
Western Bulldogs: 10th (9-8) 

Points For  

Geelong – 1590 
  
Western Bulldogs - 1571 

Points Against  

Geelong – 1438 
  
Western Bulldogs - 1367 

Restricting the Dogs Midfield 

The Bulldogs hold one of, if not the best midfield trio in the competition with Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore forming a formidable threat for opposition clubs every week.  

Adam Treloar averages a league high 32 disposals per game in 2024, sitting second at the Bulldogs for both tackles and contested possessions.  

Bontempelli continues to be one of the competition’s best, averaging 26 disposals, six tackles and six clearances per game, while also pushing forward kicking 25 goals from 17 games.  

Despite missing some time this year, Tom Liberatore has returned strongly, collecting 20+ disposals in each of his last five games.  

The Cats will need to find a solution to keep this trio in check, in order to gain ascendancy around stoppages on Saturday night.  

Controlling the Stoppages 

The Cats first meeting with the Dogs this year had no real statistical anomalies, other than a large amount clearances due to the contested nature of the game.  

Both teams average 26 stoppage clearances per game, but in the Round 4 clash there were 70 stoppage clearances combined with the Bulldogs winning this ledger 38-32.  

Bailey Dale

Bailey Dale is a different sort of asset for the Dogs, used as their primary ball mover off half back with a lethal right foot and clever decision making.  
 
The rebounding half back averages 25 disposals per game, leading the Bulldogs for kicks, marks and rebound 50’s while averaging over 500 metres gained per match.  
 
Dale was one of the highest rated players on the ground last week, amassing a game high 31 disposals against Carlton while going at 81% efficiency, sneaking forward to boot an important in the second quarter.  
 
Restricting Dale will be important for Geelong, to limit the Bulldogs ball movement and the damage they can cause rebounding off half back.