<p>Footy heads to the Goldfields for the first time this season, with the Western Bulldogs hosting Port Adelaide at their home away from home: Mars Stadium.&nbsp;</p> <p>This looks set to be an absolute belter of a match, given both sides' win/loss records and their current positions on the ladder. The Dogs sent another statement to the competition in Canberra on Saturday night, flexing their muscles as they dispatched the Giants in the second half.</p> <p>&nbsp;This result is made even more impressive without superstar Sam Darcy up forward and with coach Luke Beveridge not afraid to make some big selection calls, omitting veteran fullback Liam Jones.</p> <p>&nbsp;Bevo has been lauded for his work so far in this contract year. He’s gotten the Dogs playing great footy while continuing to find talented players to add to his Bulldogs side. Joel Freijah, Alex Davidson, Matt Kennedy (who was a solid player before but has reached a new level), and Josh Dolan have all become integral members of this Dogs team across the first seven weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>The addition of Marcus Bontempelli in recent weeks has provided them with an extra dimension and made them even more dynamic. However, the cream on the midfield cake may come this week in the form of last year's All-Australian Adam Treloar, who looks set to make his first appearance of the season in Ballarat this Saturday against the Power, if he can get through training this week.&nbsp;</p> <p>Speaking of the Power, their winning run continued after narrowly overcoming the Kangaroos in a fiery battle at home. It took a major shift from captain Connor Rozee and leaders Zak Butters and Darcy Byrne-Jones to get them over the line (and rein in their fiery young tyro), but they managed to get the job done against the Roos, who proved tough to shake.&nbsp;</p> <p>They will head down the highway without defender Josh Sinn, who will be in concussion protocols and must exit the team. This is likely to be the only change for the Power, who are currently a largely settled team.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dogs vs Power predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Western Bulldogs Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Buku Khamis, Jedd Busslinger, Lachie Bramble</p> <p>HB: Jason Johannisen, Rory Lobb, Bailey Dale</p> <p>C: Bailey Williams, Ed Richards, Sam Davidson</p> <p>HF: Laitham Vandermeer, James O’Donnell, Matt Kennedy</p> <p>F: James Harmes, Aaron Naughton, Rhylee West</p> <p>Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore</p> <p>Int: Joel Freijah, Adam Treloar, Luke Cleary, Ryley Sanders, Josh Dolan</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Port Adelaide Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Lachie Jones, Aliir Aliir, Miles Bergman</p> <p>HB: Connor Rozee, Esava Ratugolea, Kane Farrell</p> <p>C: Christian Moraes, Ollie Wines, Jase Burgoyne</p> <p>HF: Jackson Mead, Mitch Georgiades, Willie Rioli</p> <p>F: Sam Powell-Pepper, Ollie Lord, Joe Richards</p> <p>Foll: Jordan Sweet, Jason Horne-Francis, Zak Butters</p> <p>Int: Willem Drew, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Joe Berry, Jeremy Finlayson, Travis Boak</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Power hold sway in the recent head-to-head meetings, winning four of the past five matches with the Dogs.</p> <p>Mars Stadium also isn’t an unfamiliar place for the boys from Alberton Oval, having played there twice for two wins, back when the Dogs first started hosting games down in Ballarat.</p> <p>Since then though, the Dogs have only dropped the two games in 10 matches at their home away from home, as they have continued to build up their Wester Victorian fortress.&nbsp;</p> <p>After coming through their injury-interrupted start to the season favourably in the win-loss column, the Dogs have mounted some serious form and are poised to cause problems for the Power.</p> <p>Port Adelaide though is evenly placed. They currently possess the sixth-best attack in the league and have the eighth-best defence, Seeing them sitting among the best teams on the Wheelo Ratings premiership index.</p> <p>The Dogs are second in the comp for points scored but are ranked 10th for defence. And despite their four wins, have conceded three scores over 90 and one over 80. So there is a vulnerability to leaking goals and big scores that the Power could exploit. Especially if Georgiades and Lord get separated and have big days.</p> <p>Both these sides are in winning form which makes this a very interesting contest. But with the Dogs’ formline, and record in Ballarat should see them be too good here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-port-adelaide-9148528">Bulldogs</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>We hit last week with Matt Kennedy getting the first goal of the game for the Dogs, predicting that he’ll start forward in the wake of the Bont being back. With Treloar poised to return, it might even push him further to goal and play alongside Naughton as the pseudo-key forward.</p> <p>While he’s given us no reason to not back him in again, It’s another Dog we have our eyes on to make the early mark on the scoreboard. That person is James Harmes after his four-goal effort against the Giants. We’re looking at him to continue the form.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-port-adelaide-9148528">James Harmes</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli has returned in vintage form. And believe it or not, he’s still being managed slightly as he was subbed off at three-quarter time on Saturday night.</p> <p>He still finished with 22 touches and topped the coaches' votes. If he’s on unrestricted minutes here in what will be his third game back, he should top the disposal count.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-port-adelaide-9148528">Marcus Bontempelli (30 + disposals)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>1:20 pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Mars Stadium, Ballarat.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>