AFL / David Murdoch / 24 May 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

David Murdoch gives the Bulldogs a fighting chance in their Friday night AFL match-up against Geelong.

It seems like a lifetime ago now, but I remember watching Essendon struggle to get past the Suns at Metricon Stadium in round three.

In fact, if not for the heroics of Dustin Fletcher playing his 350th, the Suns would have snatched it.

The Bombers were scheduled to play Carlton the next week and I gave them 'Buckley's' of getting anywhere near the Blues, having just watched the latter dismantle Buckley's Magpies by 10 goals.

So imagine my surprise when the Bombers took the 'Blue Baggers' to pieces.

As a result, I'm not prepared to write off the Bulldogs when they meet the Cats on Friday Night.

Brendan McCartney would have pencilled in the clash against his old side as soon as the draw was released and he has his charges firing well enough to cause an upset.

The Bulldogs have won four of their last five matches and the once-mighty Cats are licking their wounds a little after going down in the Grand Final rematch.

A loss to the Dogs would send alarm bells ringing down at Simmonds Stadium, while for the Dogs, a win in this one would lift them ahead of the Cats on the ladder and give their long-suffering fans renewed hope.

* Western Bulldogs have lost seven of their last eight matches against Geelong
* Geelong have lost four of their last five matches playing away
* Western Bulldogs have won four of their last five matches

Chris Scott has told fans not to despair about Geelong losing their last two and that he has prepared his players to fire at the right end of the season.

The Dogs' midfield may be hitting form and Brian Lake may be capable of shutting down Stevie J, but the Western Bulldogs won't have enough to stop the Cats clawing their way back into the black.

Cats by 20