Geelong will need to be at their best to beat the Bulldogs on Friday night, who have an excellent recent record against the Cats having won two of their past three matches.

The Bulldogs enter the Round 14 clash in good form after a brilliant six-goal third term propelled them to a 28-point win against Melbourne.

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During that period of the game they moved the ball superbly with quick-fire handballs and elite foot disposal.

They are a dangerous side when they have the momentum, but the Cats are in fine form too and will be chasing a fifth consecutive win.

How the teams stack up

Disposals: Geelong (2nd) v Western Bulldogs (3rd)
Highest Scoring: Geelong (1st) v Western Bulldogs (8th)
Hit-Outs: Geelong (11th) v Western Bulldogs (18th)
Marks Inside 50: Geelong (1st) v Western Bulldogs (6th)
Total Clearances: Geelong (1st) v Western Bulldogs (12th)

Team Changes

The Cats welcome back Harry Taylor and Zach Tuohy, whilst the Bulldogs have named Tory Dickson and Will Hayes for their first games of the year.

Key Matchup

Mark O’Connor v Mitch Wallis

Wallis has been in superb touch this season for the Bulldogs and is their leading goal kicker with 20 majors.

He kicked a career-best four goals last round and has made a habit of stepping up to kick important goals at crucial times this year.

Mark O’Connor appears the man best placed to mark the dangerous Dog as he has the strength and speed to match it with Wallis’ ability the impact the game both on the ground, around the forward stoppages and in the air.

O’Connor has done a number of brilliant shutdown jobs already this year and will be looking to add Wallis to his list.

Opposing midfield styles

The midfield battle should be great contest with the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Cameron Guthrie and Sam Menegola going head-to-head with Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith and Jackson Macrae.

Both sides win plenty of the football and are ranked second and third in the competition for average total disposals per game, but that’s about where the comparisons stop.

Geelong are ranked second in the AFL for total marks and are patient in their build-up, while the Bulldogs are a high handball to kick ratio team who look to move the ball quickly on the counter.

It will be interesting to see which style comes out on the top.

Big Call: Tom Atkins to kick a career-best three goals