<p>The Gold Coast Suns return to their home away from home in Darwin for the first time in season 2025. This year, they have invited the Western Bulldogs up as part of their two-week sojourn in the top end where they look to extend their winning ways up far north.</p> <p>The Suns however are heading to Darwin licking their wounds, fresh off another Q-Clash disappointment. After all the build up and excitement for the best Q-Clash that we were ever going to get, the Suns turned in another sub-par performance.</p> <p>Yes, it was raining, but they got smashed around the ball and the scoreboard flattered them at the end of the day.</p> <p>The Dogs though had no such problems. They had an absolute day out on Mars, thumping Port Adelaide to the tune of 90 points.</p> <p>There’s something about what the Dogs are doing at the moment that would make you feel very bullish about their prospects of going deep this season. Luke Beveridge is coaching probably as well as he ever has, as he’s navigated key unavailabilities at the start of the year.</p> <p>Now, with their injury list thinning, and sitting in a great position, they swap the howling wind chill of Ballarat for the sticky and humid conditions in the top end as they return to Darwin with a chance to further cement their place among the top four against a fellow contender.</p> <p>The Suns will be sweating on the fitness of forward Ben Long. The important forward was a big loss in the defeat to Brisbane and is a key piece of Damien Hardwick’s forward mix. Lachie Weller will come out of the side after injuring his hamstring in the first quarter and will need to be replaced. Midfielder Brayden Fiorini stuffed the stats sheet once again in the VFL, but it remains to be seen if he will get a look in at AFL level.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs might not need to make any changes after getting through the game in Ballarat with a clean bill of health and a long enough break.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Suns vs Dogs prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Bodhi Uwland, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p>HB: Daniel Rioli, Mac Andrew, John Noble</p> <p>C: Nick Holman, Matt Rowell, Touk Miller</p> <p>HF: Ben Long, Ethan Read, Ben Ainsworth</p> <p>F: David Swallow, Ben King, Will Graham</p> <p>Foll: Jarrod Witts, Bailey Humphrey, Noah Anderson</p> <p>Int: Sam Flanders, Jed Walter, Connor Budarick, Joel Jeffery, Jake Rogers</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Western Bulldogs Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Laitham Vandermeer, James O’Donnell, Lachie Bramble</p> <p>HB: Jason Johannisen, Rory Lobb, Bailey Dale</p> <p>C: Bailey Williams, Ed Richards, Joel Freijah</p> <p>HF: James Harmes, Buku Khamis, Adam Treloar</p> <p>F: Matt Kennedy, Aaron Naughton, Rhylee West</p> <p>Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore</p> <p>Int: Luke Cleary, Sam Davidson, Lachie McNeil, Ryley Sanders, Jedd Busslinger</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Suns have won their past six matches up in Darwin, but trail the Bulldogs in the recent head-to-head, losing four of the past five matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>The match against the Dogs in Darwin in 2023 was the one that won in that run of five games. The Dogs are also only one of just two teams who have beaten the Suns up in Darwin too which is a feather in their cap heading into the weekend.</p> <p>Despite the Suns going down to the Lions last week, this shapes as a battle of two of the in-form sides in the competition.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs are the number one team in the competition in both attacking and defending ball movement. They’re improving their turnover game by the week, by remaining dominant at the contest and at stoppages.</p> <p>The Suns game is still in good order despite the loss to Brisbane. They’re ranked sixth for both offence and defence according to Wheelo Ratings, and should be experly equipped to handle the conditions they have mastered in recent years to get back on the winners list.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Gold Coast</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Rhylee West is having a good, solid year in the Dogs forward line. He’s hit the scoreboard every week except for Round 1 and has proven to be a strong mid-sized target next to Aaron Naughton deep.</p> <p>Since Sam Darcy went down early against the Saints, He has kicked nine goals in 11 quarters of footy. Look for him to spring to life early here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Rhylee West</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Matt Rowell rarely has two quiet ones in a row.&nbsp;</p> <p>Back in conditions that will suit him, and in a game that the Suns need to bounce back in, We’re expecting him to go big.</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip</strong>: Matt Rowell (30 disposals)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, May 10th</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:35 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>TIO Stadium, Darwin</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>