The Western Bulldogs will host St Kilda at Marvel Stadium this Saturday night.

MATCH INFO

Round 2 v St Kilda

Saturday 25 March

Marvel Stadium, 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%

St Kilda 12^th 11-11 99.3%

FUN FACTS

• This game will mark the 24^th iteration of the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate, awarded to the winning captain post-match and named in honour of legendary duo Ted Whitten and Trevor Barker
• It will also mark Brendon Lade’s first meeting against the club he spent four seasons at as an assistant coach
• The Bulldogs’ highest-ever score in the history of the Club, 33.15 (213), came against St Kilda in 1978
• The Bulldogs’ also recorded their fifth-biggest win (111 points) against the Saints in round 10, 2021
• The two sides have one former player on each – Josh Bruce (99 games with the Saints) and Zaine Cordy (118 games with the Dogs)

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW >> GAME DAY GUIDE

LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 13.6 (84) def. St Kilda 7.14 (56)

The Bulldogs held on for a 22-point win over the Saints late last season, retaining the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate while keeping their finals hopes alive. Despite a final-quarter surge from St Kilda – which saw the margin diminish from 52 points to just 22 – the Dogs managed to hold steady, partly thanks to some Marcus Bontempelli brilliance. The skipper was at his best, registering 34 disposals, 11 marks, five clearances and two goals – followed closely by Tom Liberatore’s 31 disposals, five inside 50s and 11 clearances.

TALKING POINTS

1. Who replaces Lobb?

With Rory Lobb undergoing ankle surgery and therefore ruled out of this weekend’s match, the Bulldogs will be forced into making at least one change.

A few names have already been thrown into the mix based on some impressive VFL practice match performances, including versatile tall Buku Khamis and agile defender Hayden Crozier.

Last week’s substitute Toby McLean could also find his way into the starting 22 if a couple of magnets move, while Lachie McNeil, Riley Garcia and Rhylee West loom as potential small forward options if the match committee opts for that.

2. Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate on offer

The Bulldogs and Saints will face off for the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate for the 24^th time on Saturday night.

Played annually and named in honour of legends Ted Whitten and Trevor Barker, the plate highlights the Trevor Barker Foundation and EJ Whitten Foundation – both of which partner with Challenge, an organisation dedicated to supporting children and their families living with cancer.

The Bulldogs are currently in possession of the Plate, and have claimed the plate on 12 occasions since its inception in 2000.

3. Home sweet home for the first time in ‘23

After a long wait, the Bulldogs are thrilled to be welcoming fans and members back to Marvel Stadium for the first home game of the 2023 season.

The Dogs have an impressive record at Docklands, winning eight of their last 10 matches at home, and more importantly six of their last 10 against St Kilda.

The Saturday night clash will also be a celebration of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and its ongoing impact across the state. You can learn more about the Foundation and work they do across the west of Melbourne and Victoria here.

The Western Bulldogs have gone down to St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite not scoring their first major until 18 minutes to go in the second quarter, the Bulldogs were able to work their way into the otherwise one-sided affair, slotting four unanswered goals to trail by just five points at the main break.

But it was all St Kilda after half-time, adding nine majors to one to inflict a 5.11 (41) to 14.8 (92) loss.

Disappointingly, the inaccurate Bulldogs were held goalless in the last – ultimately averting any chance of a comeback.

The result also sees the Dogs relinquish the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate.

Bailey Smith finished the game as the leading Dogs’ disposal-getter, notching up 27 touches, six marks, four clearances and 596 metres gained.

Tom Liberatore and Marcus Bontempelli did what they could to try and arrest momentum, registering 24 disposals apiece.

The duo also recorded 13 clearances between them, with the skipper also gaining 356 metres from 82% time on ground.

Tim English was once again strong in the contest, winning 25 hit outs, five clearances and five tackles.

Robbie McComb was activated as the tactical substitute in the third term, replacing Sam Darcy.

The Bulldogs will return to Marvel Stadium on Thursday night, hosting Brisbane at 7.20pm.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     0.1     4.5     5.8      5.11 (41)
ST KILDA                        4.1     5.4     11.5     14.8 (92)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 2, Garcia, English, Baker
St Kilda: Phillipou 3, Owens 3, Gresham 2, Cordy 2, Caminiti 2, Wood, Steele

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: English, Crozier, Liberatore, Bontempelli
St Kilda: Steele, Sinclair, Owens, Crouch, Marshall, Wood, Phillipou