Overview

• Bailey Smith, now a standout for Geelong, will face his former team, the Western Bulldogs, after being confirmed to play despite training indoors earlier in the week.
• Geelong regains star defender Tom Stewart from injury, while captain Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Bowes are sidelined with hamstring issues.
• The Bulldogs have made one change, bringing in Oskar Baker to replace the injured Arthur Jones, maintaining consistency in their lineup.
• Smith's earlier comments about the Bulldogs' Ballarat crowds and coach Luke Beveridge's playful jab at Geelong's crowd numbers have added spice to the matchup.
• Both teams are competing for critical ladder positions in a tightly contested AFL season, with the Bulldogs sitting fifth and Geelong seventh.