2026 Gather Round

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 11 April, 7:35pm AEST 
Adelaide Oval, SA • Kaurna
Broadcast: Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST MEETING

Round 13, 2025
Western Bulldogs 8.11 (59) def. by Hawthorn 12.9 (81)

The Bulldogs were outclassed by the Hawks in a Thursday night clash at Marvel Stadium. Fresh off the bye, the Dogs were unable to claw back the deficit after conceding a 24-point lead heading into the main break. 

Midfielders Matthew Kennedy and Ed Richards continued their impressive run of form in 2025, finishing with 29 and 25 disposals respectively, while also hitting the scoreboard with one goal each.

A versatile Rory Lobb was crucial for the Dogs, able to make an impact in defence before moving forward to register eight marks and kick an important goal in the third quarter.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT IT MEANS

The Western Bulldogs (4-0) are the last side to remain undefeated for the first time since 1961 after they blew Essendon away early and then putting the cue in the rack with tougher challenges to come. The Bombers perhaps gave hints of how other sides can slow the Dogs down, as they tried to make uncontested possession harder to obtain, though the clash with the in-form Hawks will give the ladder leaders a better idea of where they are at.

GAME SHAPER

Sam Darcy has not had everything go his way even as the Bulldogs have made a mouthwatering start to the season as the young key forward has come in for extra attention from the opposition and booted 10 goals from the opening four matches. The 22-year-old threatened to tear the Bombers apart before Ben McKay clamped down on him after the main break, but Darcy might have a point to prove against the Hawks in his 50th match.

THE Western Bulldogs have gone down to their first defeat of the season, losing to the Hawks by 40 points at Gather Round.

The Hawks triumphed 15.14 (104) to 8.16 (64) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, with the Dogs' misery compounded by a painful ankle injury for Ed Richards, as the brilliant onballer limped off after twisting awkwardly late in the game.

The Dogs join Sydney, Fremantle and the Hawks with four wins and a loss and are still looking for their first Gather Round win.

The Bulldogs, with Hawthorn dominating stoppage clearances 34-16, struggled to assert customary midfield control.

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli (26 disposals) was busy, alongside Ryley Sanders (25 disposals) and Richards, who had 22 touches and seven tackles before being hurt.

Key forward Sam Darcy kicked two goals, both in the first quarter - the first from a free kick, the second after a mark.

Hawthorn had the best of the opening term, with Mitch Lewis kicking two of four goals for a nine-point quarter-time lead.

The Hawks then put the squeeze on the Dogs, holding them goalless in a decisive second term to create a 28-point advantage at half-time.

The Dogs, after blowing a series of set shots, reduced their deficit two minutes into the third quarter when Joel Freijah ran into an open goal.

But the Hawks accelerated again with three goals in less than four minutes.

The Dogs appeared to be on the canvas but were revived by young pups Josh Dolan, Harvey Gallagher and Cooper Hynes.

The inexperienced trio all slotted goals in a rapid retort from the previously unbeaten Bulldogs, who were 21 points down at three-quarter time.

But the Hawks closed out victory before 48,481 spectators, kicking three consecutive goals before Bulldogs playmaker Richards hobbled off.

HAWTHORN                  4.2   7.5   10.10   15.14 (104)
WESTERN BULLDOGS   2.3   2.7    6.13    8.16 (64)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Lewis 3, Gunston 3, Moore 2, Weddle, Watson, Newcombe, Meek, Macdonald, Ginnivan, Reeves
Western Bulldogs: Darcy 2, Naughton, Hynes, Gallagher, Freijah, Dolan, Croft

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Chol (hamstring)
Western Bulldogs: Richards (leg)

Crowd: 48,451 at Adelaide Oval