The Western Bulldogs’ rebounding backs can expect a torrid time on Thursday, with Sydney’s AFL coach John Longmire wanting them placed under enormous pressure.
The Bulldogs have won their past four clashes with the Swans, following up four-point victories at the SCG in 2015 and 2016, with a 22-point margin in last year’s grand final and a 23-point triumph at Etihad Stadium in round two this year.
However, the Dogs have yet to win outside Melbourne this year, losing on the road to Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, West Coast and Geelong.
They are sixth with a 6-4 record while Sydney, 3-7, are floundering in 16th, with an eighth loss of the season putting any remaining finals aspirations in severe jeopardy.
“We haven’t consistently put enough pressure on at the source or on the opposition as what what we’d like to,” Longmire said.
Pressure is what the Bulldogs defenders can expect.
“They’ve got some terrific runners and even with (Bob) Murphy out of the team they are able to get that quick transfer of play,” Longmire said.
“You need to put enormous pressure on, particularly in the front half to be able to cause those turnovers and give you another chance to score and prevent them from scoring.”
Former Sydney co-captain Kieren Jack and ruckman Sam Naismith are in contention to return to action after overcoming their respective injury issues.
Longmire will have his three specialist ruckmen – Naismith, Kurt Tippett and Callum Sinclair – all available for one of the few occasions this season.
He said it is unlikely all three would get a run on Thursday, with most interest on whether out-of-form Tippett would get named.
Bulldogs key forward Travis Cloke, who was dropped for their last game but had his most productive outing of the season in the round two clash with Sydney, was spotted at Melbourne airport on Wednesday morning.
However, there was no sight of forward-ruck Tom Boyd.