The third game of Sunday’s AFL Round 23 matches is between Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants. The game is set to commence at 4:40 PM local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. Home team Western Bulldogs go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants.

Round: Round 23 , August 31, 2014 , 4:40 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 21° Mostly sunny.

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Preview:

THE WESTERN Bulldogs will be keen to send off stalwart Daniel Giansiracusa on a high, as his 14-year career draws to a close on Sunday. The game will be the veteran’s 265th appearance in the red, white and blue, with coach Brendan McCartney confirming Giansiracusa won’t don the green vest. After a disappointing loss to the Swans last Sunday, the Bulldogs will be eager to finish the season off strongly. Meanwhile the Giants are yet to beat the Bulldogs in their short history but if they do it will give them six wins for the season, five more than in season 2013.

LAST THREE TIMES
R4, 2014, Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) d GWS 12.11 (83) at StarTrack Oval
R15, 2013, Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) d GWS 12.11 (83) at StarTrack Oval
R5, 2012, Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) d GWS 9.8 (62) at StarTrack Oval

THE SIX POINTS
1. This will be the first meeting in Melbourne between the Bulldogs and Giants. The Giants are yet to break their drought at Etihad Stadium with the club winless from six matches with an average losing margin of 70 points.

2. In the Bulldogs’ win over the Giants in round four, Matthew Boyd starred with 39 possessions, Jack Macrae had 30 touches and Shaun Higgins 29. Stewart Crameri kicked four goals while Heath Shaw was the Giants’ best player with 27 possessions.

3. GWS has given away more free kicks than any other side in 2014 with a total of 385, compared to the Bulldogs, who are ranked fifth with 365.

4. When it comes to clangers, the Bulldogs have had the equal least amount in 2014, averaging 41.7 a game. The Giants have had the equal sixth most with 45.5 a game.

5. Both teams will be hoping to finish the season strongly, a win to the Giants and they finish five wins ahead of their 2013 tally. If the Bulldogs snatch the four points then they equal last year’s result of eight wins for the season.

6. Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore has been on the rise all season. He started the year ranked No.32 in the competition in the Official AFL Player Ratings, and is set to finish the season just outside the top 10 at No.13. After a stellar season, the son of a gun, is set to be the club’s best performer at the Brownlow Medal count this year.

Teams:

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B Liam Picken, Mark Austin, Shaun Higgins.
HB
Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Jason Johannisen.C
Koby Stevens, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney.
HF Jack Macrae, Stewart Crameri, Marcus Bontempelli.
F Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Daniel Giansiracusa.
Fol Tom Campbell, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore.
I/C Jason Tutt, Fletcher Roberts, Liam Jones, Nathan Hrovat, Will Minson, Tom Young, Lin Jong (three to be omitted)
In Jason Tutt, Fletcher Roberts, Liam Jones, Will Minson, Tom Young.
Out Jordan Roughead (shoulder), Ayce Cordy (omitted)

GWS GIANTS :
B Lachie Plowman, Phil Davis, Adam Tomlinson.
HB James Stewart, Heath Shaw, Matt Buntine.
C Joshua Kelly, Adam Treloar, Will Hoskin-Elliott.
HF Tomas Bugg, Tom Boyd, Dylan Shiel.
F Devon Smith, Josh Hunt, Liam Sumner.
Fol Shane Mumford, Rhys Palmer, Zac Williams.
I/C Nathan Wilson, Curtly Hampton, Cameron McCarthy, Toby Greene, Jonathan Giles, Jacob Townsend, Sam Frost (three to be omitted)
In Phil Davis, Liam Sumner, Zac Williams, Curtly Hampton, Cameron McCarthy, Jonathan Giles, Jacob Townsend.
Out Jono O’Rourke (Hamstring), Tim Golds (Concussion), Mark Whiley (Hamstring), Adam Kennedy (shoulder).
New Cameron McCarthy.