Giant test as Dogs finally get scent

ELEVEN months after contesting an epic AFL preliminary final, the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney meet in a match that will say plenty about their premiership credentials.

Both sides have been underwhelming at times this year, struggling to hide the effects of a long injury list, but appear to have turned the corner.

The Bulldogs’ premiership defence had seemingly been in tatters after a series of lopsided losses, but they have since banked four wins on the trot to clamber back into the top eight.

The Giants relinquished their mantle last month as premiership favourites, but a last-start victory over Melbourne was among their most clinical performances of the year.

They square off tonight at Etihad Stadium in one of many crunch Round 21 clashes that will shape the top eight and help separate the contenders and pretenders.

“Everyone has been waiting for us to click, probably ourselves included,” GWS veteran Steve Johnson said.

“It was good we were able to play a brand of footy [against Melbourne] that will stack up, come finals.

“We really feel as though we can back that up again.

“But the proof will be in the pudding. If we can do that against another quality opposition, the boys will take a lot of confidence from it.”

Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis reported a mental freshness at Whitten Oval, driven by players such as Bob Murphy and himself who didn’t play in last year’s premiership triumph.