The first game of Sunday AFL Round 15 matches is between Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Demons. The game is set to commence at 1:10 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 Melbourne Demons.

Round: Round 15 , June 29, 2014 , 1:10 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 13° A few showers.

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Preview: These two sides have already met this season, with the Bulldogs taking the honours in round eight with a 16-point win. Melbourne had its chances late in the game and will be keen to make amends. This clash looms as another close encounter with both sides having made significant improvement in the past month. The challenge for the Demons will be to regroup from a disappointing performance against North Melbourne, after which Paul Roos declared his charges were mentally fatigued. The Bulldogs can take plenty of positives out of a competitive first half against Port Adelaide, but will most likely be without skipper Ryan Griffen, who was struck down with back spasms during the game.

LAST FIVE TIMES

R8, 2014, Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at MCG
R23, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) d Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2013, Melbourne 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) at MCG
R4, 2012, Western Bulldogs 13.10 (88) d Melbourne 9.13 (67) at MCG
R15, 2011, Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 8.15 (63) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Bulldogs have dominated the Demons over the last decade, winning eight of their past nine encounters including a club record six in a row from 2008-2012.

2. Melbourne continues to be the lowest scoring team in 2014, with Roos’ side averaging just 63 point per game, the worst in the competition. The Bulldogs aren’t much better, ranked 15th with 80 per game.

3. The Dees have a shocking recent record at Etihad Stadium, with the club having lost their last 17 games at the venue. Melbourne’s last win there was against the Bulldogs in round 19, 2007.

4. No team has handballed more this season than the Bulldogs with an average of 177.1 per game, while the Demons are 13th at 153.7.

5. The Demons have used the interchange bench less than any other team this season. They’re the only side whose average is below 100 with 99 per game.

6. Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore has been steadily rising through the ranks of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, in season 2014. He started the year at No. 32 and is now ranked 17th overall and should finish the year inside the top 15.

Teams:

WESTERN BULLDOGS (three to be omitted)
B Liam Picken, Mark Austin, Robert Murphy
HB Shaun Higgins, Dale Morris,Easton Wood
C Marcus Bontempelli, Matthew Boyd, Jack Macrae
HF Koby Stevens, Stewart Crameri, Sam Darley
F Luke Dahlhaus, Liam Jones,Mitch Honeychurch
FOLL Will Minson, Mitch Wallis,Tom Liberatore
I/C Jarrad Grant, Jake Stringer,Jason Tutt, Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter, Jack Redpath,Tom Campbell
IN Sam Darley, Mitch Honeychurch, Jake Stringer,Lachie Hunter, Jack Redpath, Tom Campbell
OUT Jordan Roughead (Shoulder), Daniel Giansiracusa (Suspension), Ryan Griffen
NEW Sam Darley, Mitch Honeychurch, Jack Redpath

MELBOURNE (three to be omitted)
B Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe
HB Colin Garland,  Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C Jack Watts, Jack Viney,  Bernie Vince
HF Rohan Bail, Chris Dawes, Matt Jones
F Cameron Pedersen, James Frawley, Dean Kent
FOLL Mark Jamar, Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones
I/C Dom Barry, Max Gawn, Alex Georgiou, Daniel Nicholson,  Dean Terlich,  Christian Salem, Aidan Riley
IN Dom Barry, Max Gawn, Alex Georgiou, Daniel Nicholson, Dean Terlich
OUT Jordie McKenzie (Suspension), Daniel Cross (Leg)
NEW Dom Barry