BULLDOGS KEEN TO BEAT CABIN FEVER

THE AFL is expected to lock in a twilight timeslot for Saturday’s semi-final so the Western Bulldogs can avoid a 24hour stint confined to a Brisbane hotel.

A 4.45pm start is shaping as the favoured option for the match between Brisbane and the Bulldogs, which was left without a confirmed time when the AFL released the second week of finals fixtures on Sunday night. The Bulldogs are expecting confirmation of the match time on Tuesday, after which ticketing information will be released.

Under current Queensland rules, a capacity crowd can attend the match at the Gabba.

The Bulldogs will remain at Country Club in Launceston this week, before flying to Brisbane on Friday.

The club had requested not to play a night game on Saturday given they will be confined to a hotel in Brisbane before the match.

“One of the considerations is when we are flying to Brisbane we won’t be able to leave our hotel room,” Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said on Sunday.

“We fly in Friday and we’re playing Saturday. So you’d like to think that game is earlier than a night game otherwise we’ll be in the hotel the whole day. You deal with it, but ideally you’re not.”