Dogs expect Suns to shine

WESTERN Bulldogs captain Robert Murphy expects Gold Coast counterpart Gary Ablett to whip the Suns into a frenzy in Cairns tomorrow night.

The Suns sizzled to a 55point win over North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium last weekend in Ablett’s first match back from three months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

The dual Brownlow Medal- list was almost back to his brilliant best with 31 touches, three goals, seven inside-50s and 11 clearances to lift the vastly improved Suns to their second win of 2015.

Murphy is anticipating “more of the same’’ from the Suns at Cazalys Stadium.

“They got some momentum last week and beat a good side in North Melbourne, so we are expecting them to come out and run hard,’’ he said.

“We know they’ve got highly skilled players — and a little bloke called Gary – so we’ll have our hands full.

“If he’s not the best player in the comp, he’s close to it. He adds another challenge.’’

The Doggies have been rising to challenges all year, grinding out victories against St Kilda and Carlton in the past fortnight.

They are on a three-game winning streak to sit seventh on the ladder with an 8-5 record.

The Bulldogs welcome back key forward Tom Boyd for their second “home” game in the tropics, after beating the Suns by 28 points in Cairns last year.

Murphy said the club was happy to record ugly victories as it pursued September action.

“The past couple of weeks we’ve been able to get the win,” he said. “We haven’t played scintillating footy but we are still able to put the points in the bank.

“After the past few years we aren’t picky about how we get them these days.’’

The Bulldogs are set to hand midfielder Josh Prudden a hard-earned senior debut.

Prudden has been dogged by knee and hamstring injuries over the past two years after being drafted in 2012, and his elevation to the big time has delighted teammates.

“It hasn’t been an easy road for him. He’s had a lot injury setbacks but he’ll slot in beautifully,’’ Murphy said.

“The guys are pretty excited to have him in there. He’s an in-and-under type of player — really clever, sharp hands, hard at it.’’