Overview

• Bailey Smith missed Geelong's outdoor training session on Tuesday, with the club stating he trained indoors due to a five-day recovery period.
• Geelong faces key absences, including captain Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Bowes, but may regain Tom Stewart for Thursday's match.
• Mitch Duncan is set to play his 300th game for Geelong, adding a celebratory note to the high-stakes encounter.
• The Western Bulldogs remain the AFL's highest-scoring team despite missing key forwards Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy.
• Thursday's match pits fifth-placed Bulldogs against seventh-placed Geelong, with significant ladder implications for both clubs.