The Western Bulldogs will kick off their 2023 campaign against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night. Here's all you need to know.

MATCH INFO

Round 1 v Melbourne

Saturday 18 March

MCG, 7.25pm AEDT

Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports

Admission: Tickets on sale here.

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2022 SUMMARY

Western Bulldogs 8^th 12-10 108.9%

Melbourne 2^nd 16-6 130.5%

FUN FACTS

• Oskar Baker will make his Dogs’ debut against his former club
• The two sides have only drawn once across 172 meetings (Round 5, 1929)
• The Bulldogs have played seven opening round clashes at the MCG, four of those against Melbourne
• Jamarra Ugle-Hagan earned a Rising Star nomination in the most recent encounter (Round 19, 2022)
• The Dogs’ average score against Melbourne is 87 points

LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) def. Melbourne 15.10 (100)

The Bulldogs produced a thrilling 10-point win over Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in Round 19 last year. Led largely by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s coming-of-age performance, which included five goals and the match-sealer, the Dogs’ never-say-die attitude was on full display. After Riley Garcia gave his side the lead with just over seven minutes to play, there was plenty of opportunity for Melbourne to equalise, but it was the Bulldogs who willed themselves over the line. Bailey Smith (28, five tackles) Bailey Dale (27, five rebound 50s) and Marcus Bontempelli (26, nine tackles, one goal) were among the leading disposal-getters in what was otherwise a well-rounded team effort.

TALKING POINTS

1. Two new faces, one familiar

The Bulldogs will add over 300 games of senior experience to their side on Saturday night, with the inclusions of off-season recruits Rory Lobb, Oskar Baker and Liam Jones.

While it will mark club debuts for Lobb and Baker, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Jones – who spent the early years of his AFL career in the red, white and blue before moving to Carlton.

If the three can impact as they did in the practice match a fortnight ago, Bulldogs’ fans should have plenty of reason to celebrate this season.

2. Land of the giants

Much has already been spoken about the Dogs’ tall forward threats, but on Saturday night they’ll be unleashed for good.

Rory Lobb, Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. A sight for sore eyes.

The quartet combined for 10 goals in the pre-season hit-out, and with contributions from Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar a chance too, the Bulldogs’ avenues to goal are looking pretty good.

3. History at the ‘G

The ‘G, the home of footy, the hallowed turf. Whatever you might call it, there’s no denying the significance of the MCG in relation to Australian Rules football.

On Saturday night, the venue will celebrate its own milestone – its 3000^th V/AFL match - and the Bulldogs are invited.

If recent meetings between the Dogs and Dees are anything to go by, we’ll be in for a fiery one.

The Western Bulldogs have suffered an opening round loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

The match started as a tight tussle, with the Bulldogs arresting momentum early to hold a two-goal advantage midway through the second quarter.

But it didn’t take long for the Dees to turn the tides in their favour, overrunning the Bulldogs 17.13 (115) to 9.11 (65).

In a frustrating affair, little seemed to go the Bulldogs’ way.

They looked promising when transitioning the ball out of defence, but more often than not were intercepted upon entry inside 50.

Inaccuracy in front of goal didn’t help either – heading into the main break 5.9 to the Dees’ 9.4.

Midfield bulls Tom Liberatore (32 disposals, seven clearances, one goal), Adam Treloar (32 disposals, six tackles, one goal) and Jack Macrae (33 disposals, four marks, one goal) found plenty of the footy, while Caleb Daniel (29 disposals, five marks) and Ed Richards (27 disposals, seven rebounds) were strong. 

Marcus Bontempelli did his best to lift his side with 25 touches and six clearances, while Tim English continued his rise as an emerging ruck, winning 22 hit-outs. 

Oskar Baker also slotted his first goal in the red, white and blue, as one of nine individual goalkickers.

On the injury front, Liam Jones was subbed out at half-time following a knock to the neck, and was replaced by Toby McLean.

The Bulldogs will look to bounce back next Saturday night when they host St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

MELBOURNE                           3.3    9.4    13.8   17.13 (115)
WESTERN BULLDOGS             2.4    5.9     8.10     9.11 (65) 

GOALS 
Melbourne: Pickett 4, Brown 4, Spargo 2, Gawn 2, Sparrow, Melksham, Grundy, Chandler, Neal-Bullen
Western Bulldogs: Williams, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, Naughton, Macrae, Liberatore, Johannisen, Bontempelli, Baker 

BEST 
Melbourne: Pickett, Brown, Gawn, Petracca, Rivers, Lever
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Richards, Bontempelli, Treloar, Macrae 

INJURIES 
Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Jones (neck) 

SUBSTITUTES 
Melbourne: Jake Melksham (replaced Bailey Laurie at three-quarter time)
Western Bulldogs: Toby McLean (replaced Liam Jones at half-time)