Bulldogs out to protect Marcus Bontempelli against GWS Giants

Defender Alex Keath says the Western Bulldogs must ensure their captain Marcus Bontempelli is “really well protected” against GWS.

Defender Alex Keath is confident the winless Bulldogs can turn their season around. Picture: AAP

Defender Alex Keath says the Western Bulldogs must ensure their captain Marcus Bontempelli is “really well protected” in Friday night’s crunch game against Greater Western Sydney.

As the winless Bulldogs fight to climb off the bottom of the ladder after heavy losses in the opening two rounds, Keath declared the “ball was in our court” to find a way to turn their form around in the Marvel Stadium clash.

Bontempelli was targeted by the Giants in last year’s elimination final loss, when the Bulldogs were smashed by 58 points.

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GWS enforcer Toby Greene copped a $7500 fine at the AFL tribunal after vigorously rubbing the face and pulling the hair of the Western Bulldogs midfielder. In a blow to the Giants, Greene has been ruled out with knee soreness.

While former Crow Keath is a new arrival to the club, he is well aware of the history between the Giants and the Bulldogs.

He said it was up to the players to make sure their leader didn’t cop the same treatment again.

“No doubt we will make sure that he is really well protected,” Keath said.

“He is a special leader and obviously a very special player so he will be looking forward to the opportunity and we will make sure that he doesn’t cop too much attention.

“There is a little bit there (between the clubs) … it is something that I have come into and haven’t been a part of in the past. But I’m really looking forward to being there next to the boys as we go out there Friday night because there have been some pretty heated exchanges over the last few years.”

Touted as potential top-four material at the start of the season, the Bulldogs have been in the spotlight after heavy losses to Collingwood and St Kilda in the opening two rounds.

Keath is confident the team can “turn it around”.

“(Tonight) is a great opportunity for us. The group as a whole were really disappointed with our performance on the weekend,” Keath said.

“But it has been a really positive week for us. We have put the work in on the track and reviewed strongly. With a five-day turnaround I think everyone is really keen just to get back out there and right a few wrongs.”

Keath said the Bulldogs could not afford to slip further behind.

“It’s a big game. I think every game this year is going to be big in a reduced season where you play everyone once,” he said.

HERALD SUN