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Bulldogs sweat on Power-Magpies AFL clash

3 minute read

The Western Bulldogs will be forced to travel to Perth for an elimination final if Collingwood spring an upset against Port Adelaide on Monday.

Bulldogs coach LUKE BEVERIDGE
Bulldogs coach LUKE BEVERIDGE Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs players will be interested onlookers when Port Adelaide lock horns with Collingwood at the Gabba on Monday night.

The Bulldogs secured their finals berth with a 30-point win over Fremantle at Cazaly's Stadium on Sunday.

But who they will face in the elimination final and where they'll need to travel to will depend on whether Collingwood win or lose.

A Magpies win would see the Bulldogs finish eighth - a nightmare scenario that would force the 2016 premiers into an elimination final against West Coast in Perth.

If Collingwood lose as expected, then the Bulldogs will finish seventh and will take on St Kilda on neutral territory.

That scenario would see the Magpies finish eighth, and force them to make the dreaded trek to Perth instead of the Bulldogs.

The Brisbane Lions will also have a close eye on Monday's match given they are a chance of landing the minor premiership for the first time in the club's history.

The Lions currently sit on top of the ladder, but will slip to second if Port Adelaide wins.

The Bulldogs had to win their final three games just to make the finals - a feat coach Luke Beveridge was proud of.

"No doubt they have been high-pressure games. We met the challenge head-on," Beveridge said.

"It will be a different project (now) and we'll be able to play with a different lease of life because now we've got nothing to lose.

"Before tonight we had a bit to lose because we feel like we're a reasonable team. Now we've got nothing to lose. We'll put it all on the line and see what we can do."

The Bulldogs are sweating on the fitness of forward Aaron Naughton, who suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone in a head clash with Sean Darcy.

Even though Naughton will likely need to undergo surgery, Beveridge is confident the marking machine will be able to play in the club's elimination final if it's only his cheekbone that's fractured.

But if there is also a fracture in the eye socket, then Naughton is set to be ruled out.

The Bulldogs were thrashed by Collingwood and St Kilda in the first two rounds of the season, and Beveridge was proud of the way his players fought back.

"It is emotional. It's been a tough home and away season," he said.

"To think we were 0-2 and our integrity and brand was questioned back then, and rightfully so.

"The boys have done an amazing job when you consider the uncertainty and the challenges."

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