Western Bulldogs v GWS 
Thursday 31 July | 7:30pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, Docklands • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Channel 7, Kayo/Foxtel

Don’t just witness history. Be part of it: Sign up as a Bulldogs member TODAY.  

Already a member? After the game, look out for two member-exclusive pieces of content from the coaches. Stay across your email and the Club website to access.   

Dogs fans are always welcome at Pirate Life’s venue in South Melbourne. Members receive 2-for-1 South Coast schooners every Bulldogs’ game day, as well as 10% off everything all day, every day. Just present your Bulldogs’ membership card to take advantage of this offer! 

LAST MEETING

Round 7, 2025
GWS 12.9 (81) def. by Western Bulldogs 17.11 (113)

The Western Bulldogs marked their first back-to-back victories of the 2025 season with a 32-point defeat over the Giants at Manuka Oval. After a competitive first half, the Bulldogs took control in the second term. James Harmes set the tone with four goals from 22 disposals, while Matthew Kennedy (26 disposals, two goals) and Rhylee West (three goals) ensured the Bulldogs made the most of their chances. 

That forward efficiency was underpinned by strong midfield work, with Marcus Bontempelli (22 disposals, eight clearances) and Ed Richards (27 disposals, one goal) driving the contest. Tom Liberatore (28 disposals, five clearances) and Joel Freijah (27 disposals, nine clearances) provided crucial stoppage control, while Tim English’s 23 disposals and 34 hitouts continually gave teammates first use of the ball. 

THE LINE-UP

WHO TO WATCH

In our Cultural Heritage Match, there’s no player better to focus on than Jason Johannisen. Born in South Africa with Zambian heritage, Johannisen has become a powerful advocate for diversity in football, highlighting how sport can unite and inspire those with similar backgrounds.

Johannisen began his football journey at 15 with suburban clubs before being drafted by the Western Bulldogs in 2012, debuting that same year. He quickly made his mark, starring in the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership team to become the Club’s sole Norm Smith Medallist to date. Now 32, Johannisen continues to impress on field and will be sure to add plenty of pace on Thursday night.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

• Martin Pegan, afl.com.au

The Western Bulldogs (11-8) continue to punish with the triumph over Essendon just the latest in six wins by more than 70 points. The Dogs have found it harder to get over the line against fellow finals contenders, although the Giants are the one side they have beaten from the top half of the ladder this season as they seek to find a way back into the top eight.

Greater Western Sydney (13-6) sent a warning to the rest of the competition as it unleashed a nine-goal blitz for the second-heaviest scoring term of the season in a stunning turnaround that all but ended Sydney's finals hopes. The Giants have now won six in a row to climb into top-four contention, though their arch-rivals the Dogs have proven to be a nemesis, allowing GWS only one victory from their past nine clashes.

The Western Bulldogs head into August still alive in the race for finals after sending a statement that they can do some damage in September with a convincing win over Greater Western Sydney.

Luke Beveridge's men smashed the Giants by 88 points at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night to make it nine wins from the past 10 meetings between the two sides.

Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton dominated for the second week in a row, kicking five goals each to combine for 10 goals, while leaving even more scores out there in the 19.18 (132) to 6.8 (44) win. The pair have now combined for 60 goals across the past eight rounds since Darcy returned from a knee injury in round 14. 

Naughton has never produced a better patch of football in his career, continuing to build his case for a maiden All-Australian blazer after recovering from a slow start to the year to now be second in the Coleman Medal on 50 goals, behind only Jeremy Cameron. 

Tim English dominated around stoppages and pushed forward to stretch the Giants with a third tall target inside 50, finishing with 2.3 from 20 disposals, 11 marks and 22 hitouts.

The Bulldogs produced their most dominant start of the season, kicking six goals to one after amassing 20-5 inside 50s in a first-quarter blitz. Darcy and English both kicked 2.1, while Caleb Poulter hauled in four marks in attack to leave the Giants stunned for the second week in a row. 

Nothing changed in the second quarter. Lachie McNeill kicked the first three scores of the term, converting two of them after missing the easiest. Naughton kicked two goals in two minutes, juggling the second mark in front of Leek Aleer, before receiving a 50m penalty to punish GWS. The Dogs had five more goals on the board 15 minutes into the second quarter. 

It took until time-on for Aaron Cadman to finally kick Greater Western Sydney's second, but the momentum didn't shift, Naughton kicked a third before the main break. The usual suspects – Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Ed Richards – were busy but this was no one-man show. The full orchestra performed. The Dogs had 81 points on the board – their highest first-half score of 2025 – by the main break.

Adam Kingsley's side matched the Dogs for the third quarter, until Darcy slotted a goal after the siren to extend the margin to a game-high 67 points. Sam Taylor and his defenders couldn't stop Naughton or Darcy. 

For the fourth time in 2025, the Bulldogs have won by 80-plus points, flaunting their scoring prowess and breathing life into their finals ambitions.

WESTERN BULLDOGS        6.5    12.9    16.13     19.18 (132)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY   1.2    3.2    6.6   6.8 (44)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Darcy 5, McNeil 3, English 2, Poulter, West, Kennedy, Richards
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi 2, Cadman 2, Bedford, Stringer

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: McMullin (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer (replaced Caleb Poulter) in the fourth quarter
Greater Western Sydney: Harry Rowston (replaced Toby McMullin) in the second quarter 

Crowd: 23,898 at the Marvel Stadium