Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expects GWS to look beyond purely targeting skipper Marcus Bontempelli when the fierce AFL rivals face off in Canberra.
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The two teams have built a memorable modern-day rivalry, marked by physicality, thrilling clashes and trading barbs on and off the field - and GWS going after Bontempelli.
The Bulldogs skipper avoided suspension for a bump that left Nick Haynes with a fractured larynx in 2019 but the Giants successfully targeted Bontempelli and bullied the Bulldogs in that year's elimination final.
Bontempelli's Bulldogs got revenge by winning a spiteful clash last year, where 15 players received fines for being part of a melee.
"You'd have to ask him (if Bontempelli gets up for the Giants games more) - he consistently just fronts up and if he's not at his best, with the outcomes, statistically in the game it doesn't mean he's tried any less because he's just such a great competitor," Beveridge told reporters.
"But he's been central to the some of the friction, historically.
"That was one of the critical things from our group last year is they embraced that, a little bit more - (maybe) they weren't as aware of it as they should have been in the final the previous year.
"But with the depth of our group and what they've been doing, I'm sure that GWS will spread the physical love further than Marcus."
The Bulldogs are 5-0 for the first time since 1946 but GWS are coming off back-to-back wins including a stunning late derby upset over the previously undefeated Swans.
Key to the game will be handling Toby Greene, who has stepped up as stand-in skipper.
"Maybe he's relishing that that formal title of leading the troops out," Beveridge said.
"We're not seeing a different Toby Greene as far as performance goes - he's always been able to influence games.
"So that'll be an important undertaking for us to make sure that we quell his influence - obviously he missed a few last week but he can win them off his own boot."
Bailey Williams (collarbone) is sidelined for a month but Beveridge flagged Easton Wood, Hayden Crozier, Taylor Duryea and Bailey Dale as potential options to tackle Greene.
Caleb Daniel will return from a week's suspension for a dangerous tackle that Beveridge jokingly referred to as "the suplex", while Stefan Martin will play after being managed last week.
Speedster Laitham Vandermeer could return from a back spasm but Josh Schache won't be immediately called upon after booting 5.4 and taking 12 marks in the VFL.
Australian Associated Press
