AFL Round 24

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle
Sunday 24 August | 3:15pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, Docklands • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Channel 7, Kayo/Foxtel

Tickets: Purchase Here

This week, the Western Bulldogs face the Fremantle Dockers in a must-win showdown at Marvel Stadium.

As part of the AFL’s Thank You Month, we’ll be celebrating our members and fans in R24, acknowledging their incredible support and dedication throughout the season. As part of this acknowledgment, we’ll be rewarding our members with plenty of spot prizes and giveaways during the match. 

Before the first bounce, head to our Fan Zone outside Gate 7. Enjoy giveaways, face painting, a live DJ, inflatables, and the return of our Member Spin to Win activation!

Farewelling our mascot, Caesar

Be in your seats before the first bounce as we celebrate the retirement of a true fan favourite, our beloved mascot Caesar.

After nine incredible years of service, he’ll take a lap of honour to mark his final game this Sunday. Don’t forget to give him a pat to send him off in style.

Join us in sending off Caesar in style with a lap of honour around Marvel Stadium, which will take place at approximately 2:45pm.

NEED HELP ON MATCH DAY? 

Our membership team will be located outside Gate 5 of Marvel Stadium this Sunday for all your game-day membership enquiries.

To contact us before match day:

• 📆 Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM
• 📧 membership@westernbulldogs.com.au
• 📞 1300 46 36 47

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle 
Sunday 24 August | 3:15pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, 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 4, 2025
Fremantle 15.7 (97) def. Western Bulldogs 12.9 (81)

The Western Bulldogs fell just short against Fremantle in a hard-fought contest earlier this season. Despite a fast finish, the Dogs were left to rue a second-quarter lapse that saw the hosts boot six unanswered goals in 13 minutes.

Sam Darcy emerged as a clear standout, producing a breakout display with five goals, 21 disposals and 11 marks, while Aaron Naughton worked tirelessly in support. In the midfield, Matthew Kennedy was a strong influence with 26 disposals and a team-high nine clearances, while Tom Liberatore added 30 disposals and six clearances. 

THE LINE-UP

WHO TO WATCH

Bailey Dale enters this week after signing a fresh contract extension, taking him through to at least the end of the 2029 season. A consistent threat inside defensive-50, the 29-year-old is averaging 27.2 disposals per game and over 500 metres gained to be one of the Bulldogs’ most reliable performers this campaign.

His Round 4 performance against Fremantle earlier this year was a reminder of his influence, collecting 26 disposals – including a team-high 18 kicks – and 518 metres gained. With momentum on his side and form that continues to trend upward, Dale shapes as a pivotal figure once again on Sunday.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

• Martin Pegan, afl.com.au

The Western Bulldogs (14-8) have climbed into the top eight for the first time since Round 17 after thumping West Coast to make it four wins on the trot and Gold Coast slipped up last week. But the Dogs need one more win to secure a finals spot with a crunch clash against the Dockers widely expected to decide which of the two sides misses out. 

Fremantle (15-7) put itself right in the finals mix and even into premiership contention with 11 wins from 12 matches through an impressive second half of the season. But the Dockers' worst performance in months and a defeat to the Lions could cost them a top-eight spot as recent history weighs heavy and the clash with the Dogs has turned into a winner-takes-all encounter.

The Western Bulldogs are relying on Essendon to pull off the shock of the season to play finals after going down by 15 points to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.

Fremantle recovered from a sluggish start and gained control in the second quarter to surge towards a 17.10 (112) to 14.13 (97) victory.

Seven second-quarter goals to none proved to be the difference in the game, amid a stretch where Fremantle kicked eight consecutive majors either side of half time.

The Bulldogs started strongly, registering the first six inside 50s and had the first three shots on goal, but couldn't make the fast start county on the scoreboard. 

It took a messy entry for Aaron Naughton to eventually pounce, kicking a goal out of the air racing back to goal.

After making his debut against West Coast last Sunday – 18 months after he was selected at pick No.15 in 2023 – Jordan Croft was the main focal point in the first quarter, hauling in four early marks before kicking an important goal. Two other father-son recruits – Tom Liberatore and Rhylee West – also set the tone early.

But after a sluggish start the Dockers moved it quicker to change the momentum of the game and kick eight without reply. It looked a long way back from here, before Joel Freijah gave the Dogs a pulse and Arty Jones and Marcus Bontempelli – who played a herculean second half – also kicked crowd-lifting goals.

It was never built on though as Freo kept breaking any Bulldog momentum. The home side never threw in the towel and fought it out, booting seven goals in the final quarter to give the Dockers a late fright, but they were too far back and now need the Bombers to beat the Suns on Wednesday to play finals footy.

Match summary: 

WESTERN BULLDOGS             4.5          4.8          7.10       14.13 (97)
FREMANTLE                             2.2          9.4          13.6       17.9 (111)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Freijah 3, West, Jones, Croft, Bontempelli, Naughton 2, Baker
Fremantle: Voss, Treacy, Amiss 3, Frederick, Bolton, Jackson 2, Reid, Erasmus

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: TBC
Fremantle: Wagner (shoulder), Switkowski (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Arthur Jones (replaced Jedd Busslinger in the third quarter)
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe (replaced Corey Wagner in the third quarter)

Crowd: 44,069 at Marvel Stadium