Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs
Friday 18 July | 7:40pm AEST
The Gabba, Brisbane • Yuggera - Toorabul
Broadcast: Channel 7, Kayo/Foxtel

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LAST MEETING

Round 5, 2025
Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) def. by Brisbane 18.10 (21)  

The Western Bulldogs showed plenty of heart in their Round 5 clash with the Lions in Adelaide, despite allowing the reigning premiers to overrun them late in a physical contest.  

Aaron Naughton was a standout up forward, finishing with three goals from eight disposals and six marks. Sam Darcy provided a strong target inside 50, contributing two goals, nine kicks and five clearances in an impressive display. Through the middle, Matt Kennedy continued his strong start to his Dogs career with 27 disposals, while Rhylee West and stand-in skipper Tom Liberatore added 24 touches each, bringing their trademark intensity and pressure around the ball. 

THE LINE-UP

WHO TO WATCH

Ed Richards has quickly transitioned from a promising defender to one of the Bulldogs’ most reliable midfield movers. Since making the move into the midfield last season, Richards has taken his game to another level in 2025. Averaging 21.4 disposals and 3.9 clearances - blending pace, poise and precision through the middle, and proving exactly why he’s one of the Club’s brightest rising midfield stars. 

Richards made his presence felt against the Lions in Round 5, collecting 29 disposals and 16 kicks in a standout performance. Now, with another showdown looming against names such as Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage, Friday night shapes as a big-stage test and a golden opportunity for Richards to continue his hot form.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

• Martin Pegan, afl.com.au

Brisbane (12-1-4) is showing all the signs to having its season back on track after edging nearer to its top form while clinching three resounding wins on the trot. The Lions might still have room for improvement but will get a better idea of their form and standing on the run home with five matches still to come against finals contenders as well as the dangerous looking Swans.

The Western Bulldogs (10-7)’s defeat to Adelaide means they have now lost seven of the eight matches they have played against sides now sitting above them. The Dogs have three more opportunities on the run home to claim a big scalp but need to beat the Lions to stay in touch with the top eight. 

Brisbane has put a dent in the Western Bulldogs’ finals aspirations with a tense 10-point triumph at the Gabba on Friday night.

The Lions had to withstand a fourth quarter fightback from the Bulldogs to win 12.14 (86) to 12.4 (76) to remain second on the ladder.

Trailing by 21 points midway through the final term, the Bulldogs charged back with goals to Joel Freijah and Marcus Bontempelli before Rhylee West’s fourth with a minute remaining set up a grandstand finish.

But the home team survived, as Will Ashcroft kicked his third goal on the siren to secure the four premiership points.

Brisbane won the inside 50 count 64-44, but some sloppy entries in the third and fourth quarters, along with some poor set shot misses, kept the Dogs in the contest.

Bailey Dale (33), West and Bontempelli (24 and a goal) were terrific, but the loss leaves Luke Beveridge’s men a game outside the top eight with just five rounds remaining.

BRISBANE                            2.2       7.4       10.11     12.14 (86)
WESTERN BULLDOGS         2.1       5.3       8.4         12.4 (76)

GOALS
Brisbane: W.Ashcroft 3, L.Ashcroft 2, Berry 2, Lohmann 2, Rayner, Morris, Cameron
Western Bulldogs: West 4, Naughton 2, Kennedy, Garcia, Freijah, English, Darcy, Bontempelli

BEST
Brisbane: Dunkley, McCluggage, Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, Lester, Berry, Zorko
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, West, Dale, Richards, Lobb, Liberatore

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer (ankle), James O’Donnell (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Sam Marshall (replaced Bruce Reville in the fourth quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Poulter (replaced Vandermeer at three quarter time)

Crowd: 29,039 at the Gabba