Western Bulldogs v West Coast
Sunday 17 August, 4:40pm AEST
Marvel Stadium • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Kayo/Foxtel

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LAST MEETING

Round 3, 2024
Western Bulldogs 16.10 (106) def. West Coast 3.12 (30)

The Western Bulldogs produced one of their most convincing performances of the season early last year, overpowering the travelling Eagles by 76 points at Marvel Stadium. They opened with a strong first half, leading by 39 at half time, but it was in the second half where they stamped their authority, keeping the Eagles goalless in the third quarter while producing five of their own in the fourth. The Dogs’ mix of midfield drive, forward efficiency and defensive control ultimately proved too much for West Coast. 

Adam Treloar set the standard with a game-high 35 disposals, including 12 contested possessions, while Tom Liberatore added 11 of his own. Bailey Dale was a constant threat off half-back with 25 disposals, and Laitham Vandermeer contributed 23 touches, a goal and two goal assists. Marcus Bontempelli led all scorers with three goals, while Tim English dominated the ruck with 24 hitouts, 17 disposals and two goals. 

THE LINE-UP

WHO TO WATCH

Jordan Croft becomes the Dogs’ fifth debutant of the season this Saturday, stepping into his first AFL match and is poised to be an intriguing player to watch. Fresh from slotting six goals in the past two VFL rounds for Footscray, he has shown he can make an impact at either end of the ground. 

The 203-centimetre son of Matthew and the No.15 pick in the 2023 national draft, Croft has been quietly building a reputation. Across 11 VFL games this year, he has averaged 10.1 disposals, 6.3 kicks, 3.8 handballs and 1.5 goals per game, proving himself as a star in the making and a showcase of talent. 

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

• Martin Pegan, afl.com.au

The Western Bulldogs (13-8) kept their finals hopes alive after surviving a huge scare against an inspired Melbourne but still have no room for error over the last two rounds. The Dogs already have a higher percentage than the other sides chasing a top-eight spot and will need no reminder of the danger the Eagles can pose after a costly loss in the same round knocked them out of the finals race two years ago.  

West Coast (1-20) put in one of its best performances of the season as it led Adelaide into the final term and pushed the ladder leader until the dying stages before suffering a gut-wrenching defeat. The Eagles' task to find a second win of the season does not get any easier as they face a Bulldogs outfit that have shown they know how to put the foot down to crush the also-rans this year. 

The Western Bulldogs have gone down to Melbourne in their season opener on Saturday night at Mission Whitten Oval.

A stunning four-goal second quarter put the hosts away while helping the Dees claim a 48-point win to launch their 10th season in the AFLW.

After a nervous start from both teams, Melbourne put the foot down to post the 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) win, retaining the Hampson-Hardeman cup in the process.

Following a stagnant opening quarter where both sides struggled to establish any clean movement into space, the Demons came out in the second term with a really aggressive intent to run the ball out of the backline. 

The Bulldogs worked hard early to try to use the width of the ground and execute the growth in their game style in their second season under Tam Hyett. Unfortunately, once Melbourne injected Kate Hore into the middle and got rolling out of the contest, the Dogs reverted to their get-out-of-jail kick down the line to ruck Alice Edmonds. 

As part of this, they struggled to generate opportunity for their marking forwards in debutant Emma McDonald and Lou Stephenson. Instead, their delivery forward was pressured and rushed.

Once in this pattern, Melbourne established real control on the game, and got to work in front of the scoreboard.

Jasmyn Smith expertly ran the wing for the Western Bulldogs, racking up 11 disposals in the first quarter alone, but could only do so much in the barrage, while second-year forward Elaine Grigg (eight tackles) worked exceptionally hard in the front half.

In her return game from a nasty foot injury incurred in week three last year, vice-captain Ellie Blackburn had a quieter night playing largely as a forward, finishing with 17 disposals.

The Dogs do it well
Kicking off the 10th season for both the Bulldogs and Demons, it was only right they play off for the Hampson-Hardeman cup. And for the Dogs, as the home side, they paid tribute to those who have come before, with their 'Pioneer Party'. Before the teams took to the field, there was a neat light and pyrotechnic show to accompany a host of pioneers – including Hall of Famer Debbie Lee – inaugural players, and 2018 premiership players. It was an important moment to not only get excited about the future, but respect those who did the work in the past to get the AFLW to where it is now.

Up next
The Western Bulldogs will head to IKON Park to take on a similarly smarting Richmond outfit on Sunday afternoon, while Melbourne will host St Kilda at Casey Fields as it looks to make it two wins from two starts.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    0.2    1.4    1.4   1.8 (14)
MELBOURNE                  1.3    3.4    7.7   9.8 (62)

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Woodley
Melbourne: Hore 2, Zanker 2, Hanks 2, Heath, Bannan, Purcell

BEST  
Western Bulldogs: Edmonds, Smith, Grigg, Fitzgerald
Melbourne: Hanks, Heath, Hore, Purcell, Chaplin

INJURIES  
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Melbourne: Harris (eye)

Crowd: 3,278 at Mission Whitten Oval