AFL Match preview: Dogs v Dons

Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Sunday 5 April, 7:20pm AEST 
Marvel Stadium, Docklands • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Channel 7/7 Plus/Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST MEETING

Round 20, 2025
Essendon 7.8 (50) def. by Western Bulldogs 22.11 (143)

The Western Bulldogs enjoyed a big Friday night win over Essendon in Round 20 last year, moving back into the top eight in the process. 

The Dogs were ruthless against the injury-ravaged Bombers, with skipper Marcus Bontempelli (game-high 37 disposals, 12 tackles) everywhere. Aaron Naughton kicked five goals, while Tom Liberatore finished with 26 touches and eight clearances.

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli was everywhere with a game-high 37 disposals and 12 tackles, while key forward Aaron Naughton kicked five goals. Tom Liberatore finished with 26 touches and eight clearances.

THE LINE-UP

Check back at 6:20pm AEDT Thursday night for the squad and 5pm AEDT Friday night for the team!

WHAT IT MEANS

Western Bulldogs (3-0) stamped their claim to be among the genuine contenders with wins on the road over reigning premiers Brisbane and then against last year’s ladder-leading Adelaide before a bye. The Dogs had little trouble putting away the also rans, even as they missed the finals last season, and will now be licking their lips at the prospect of a percentage-boosting win against the Bombers.

GAME SHAPER

Joel Freijah has tightened his grip on a spot in the Bulldogs’ deep midfield with a strong start to this season after a breakout campaign playing all 23 matches last year. The 20-year-old has averaged 21 disposals across the Dogs’ opening three games but showed he can make an impact closer to goal with three goals, as well as 24 touches, in a powerful performance in the tense win over the Crows. 

The Western Bulldogs remain the only undefeated side to start the 2026 season, despite a second-half fightback from Essendon on Sunday evening.

Under the rare open roof of Marvel Stadium, the Bulldogs recorded the 14.15 (99) to 9.11 (65) victory to keep a clean sheet, but the 34-point margin was their narrowest over the Bombers since round seven, 2022.

Even in the absence of hard nut Tom Liberatore and breakout star Richards, the Dogs controlled the contest. By half time, they were leading the clearance count 22-9 (ultimately winning the metric by 14), and the contested possessions 62-47.

It was by no means a perfect opening half from the Bulldogs, despite the 54-point margin to the long break, with misfiring handballs and dropped marks littered throughout the game. But the Bombers simply didn’t punish the errors. Instead, the Dogs were given time to clean up and pile on the scores.

The win was soured somewhat by ruck Tim English, small forward Arty Jones and defender Rory Lobb all failing to play out the contest.

Blink and you’ll miss it

Following a somewhat sloppy start from both sides, in which the Bulldogs dominated territory but couldn’t quite connect with their stacked forward line, they flicked the switch seven minutes into proceedings and never looked back. In the space of five minutes, the home side piled on the first four goals of the game, exploiting one-on-one matchups, and their superior work rate. It proved to be an ominous sign of the speed with which the Bulldogs could score, and ratcheted up the pressure on Essendon’s defence for the duration.

Arty’s party

In his first game at the top level since a nasty concussion sustained against Brisbane in Opening Round, Arty Jones made his mark on the contest early. First, a stunning long-range goal that sailed over the head of teammate Sam Davidson in the goal square. Then, not two minutes later, Jones rose above a pack in the hotspot and although he was the smallest player in the crush, he pulled down a stunning mark and followed up with a beautiful set shot to record his second major of the quarter.

WESTERN BULLDOGS             7.2    10.7    10.14     14.15 (99)
ESSENDON                              1.3    1.7      5.9        9.11 (65)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Jones 3, Naughton 3, Darcy 3, Bontempelli, Bramble, Williams, Kennedy, Dolan
Essendon: Gresham 3, Edwards 2, May 2, Wright, Caldwell

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Lobb, Sanders, Kennedy, Bramble, Naughton
Essendon: Roberts, Prior, Edwards, Durham, May

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: English (right knee), Jones (hamstring)
Essendon: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Ed Richards (knee soreness), replaced in selected side by Lachie McNeil
Essendon: Nil

Crowd: 38,786 at Marvel Stadium