Western Bulldogs had a huge win over Gold Coast last weekend, stirred on by the younger brigade of Dogs, while the Bombers ran rings around the Pies in a dominant display.

Check out the key match ups for this weekend and cast your vote below on which one will have the biggest influence on the match.

Paddy Ryder vs. Will Minson

The Bulldog ruckman Will Minson sits third in the league for hit-outs per game in 2014, averaging 37.5, as he continues his career-best form that saw him gain All Australian honours last season.

Ryder will push forward Sunday and stretching Minson as a defender, the Bomber ruckman averages just short of a goal a game this season.

As the midfield battle will be crucial, and the Bulldogs rank first in stoppages this season, these two guys will have a fair say in the outcome of the match.

Ryder will use his leap and aerial skills to try and win the ball down for the Bomber midfielders, while Minson’s strengths are in his bodywork and timing in giving the Dogs midfielders the edge in the middle.

Dyson Heppell vs. Tom Liberatore

Drafted in the same year (2010), these young-guns have flourished into two of the hottest prospects in the competition and loom as a head-to-head match up this weekend.

Born just two days apart, both had breakout seasons in 2013 and continue to go from strength-to-strength as they rise to become the guns of the competition.

Liberatore has become a beast around stoppages. He ranks first in tackles, third in clearances and sixth in contested possessions this season. His ferociousness around the contest mirrors coach Brendan McCartney’s footy philosophies ideally making him arguably their number one midfielder.

Heppell, on the other hand, has become the new accumulator in the Bomber midfield, particularly during skipper Jobe Watson’s absence due to injury. The 22-year-old averages over 28 disposals a game in 2014, up from 24.3 last season, placing him fifth in the league for total disposals.

It forecasts a fascinating match up, as these two are odds-on to cross paths Sunday afternoon.

Brendan Goddard vs. Liam Picken

The stand-in captain, Goddard is welcomed back into the Bomber side after his one-week suspension and should expect the hard-nosed Western Bulldogs’ tagger by his side Sunday afternoon.

Picken has become one of the most relentless shutdown men in recent years, holding his own against some of the better midfielders in the competition. His hard edge and defensive smarts should see him latch onto the skilfully gifted Goddard and attempt to limit his output.

‘BJ’ comes back fresh from a week off and will be looking for a big game against the Dogs. He has lead from the front since stepping up into the fill-in captaincy role, oozing class and leadership, steadying the ship for the Bombers in recent close matches. Goddard has worn the tag before and will know what to expect when Picken walks up behind him and taps him on the shoulder at the start of the game.

Mark Baguley vs. Luke Dahlhaus

Baguley has had the big jobs on the small forwards this season and continues to get it done. This weekend Luke Dahlhaus awaits.

The pocket-rocket, livewire forward continues to give opposition teams headaches as he buzzes around the forward line. His immense speed and defensive efforts makes him a tough to match up on and contain.

Baguley’s strengths are his tackling pressure and defensive smarts as the 27-year-old mature-age recruit displays his experience under pressure in the last line of defence for the Bombers, despite just playing 43 AFL games. ‘Tackle Bags’ should be the perfect match up to limit Dahlhaus’ output Sunday afternoon.

Joe Daniher vs. Michael Talia

Another set of promising stars who went head-to-head in the round seven clash, sharing the points in an even contest.

Talia continues to prove his worth when he is called into the Doggies’ defence to do a job. Despite playing in the shadows of his brother, Daniel (2012 Rising Star winner) he is beginning to display the traits of a key defender that can service the Western Bulldogs for the next decade.

Daniher has had a bit of a quiet patch over the last fortnight, yet still is an important cog in the developing Bomber forward line. The 201cm giant is still lacking the consistency at the moment that will develop over time to see him become one of the power forwards of the competition, however his sheer size and marking prowess still see him attracts a lot of attention.