All you need to know for this weekend's AFL match.
2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
Round 6
Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs Friday 17 April | 7:20pm AEST GMHBA Stadium, Geelong • Wadawurrung Broadcast: Channel 7/7Plus, Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)
Key Match Timings
3:00pm - Gate 13 opens for VFL curtain raiser 3:10pm - VFL match start 5:00pm - Bulldogs shop opens (Gate 5) 5:20pm - All gates open 7:20pm - AFL match start
*All times listed in AEST. Time changes will be communicated via the Club's social media.
VFL Match Info | Round 4
Smithy's VFL Round 4
Geelong Cats v Footscray Bulldogs Friday 17 April 2026, 3:15pm AEST GMHBA Stadium, Geelong • Wadawurrung Broadcast: Official AFL App
Important Ticketing Info
Gate 13 at GMHBA will be open from 3.00pm, with the VFL Match to commence at 3:15pm.
All tickets for AFL Round 6 Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs are valid for entry into the VFL. Seating will be in the Brownlow Stand A28-A31. Following the VFL match, patrons will need to move to their allocated seat for the AFL game.
The Bulldogs Shop is heading to GMHBA Stadium this Friday!
Swing past Gate 5 from 5pm AEST on match day for the latest red, white and blue merchandise.
Public Transport & Road Disruptions
Please find below transport disruptions that may impact your travel to GMHBA Stadium on Friday.
Train Disruptions:
Buses replace trains on the Glen Waverley Line between Richmond and Glen Waverley from 11pm Friday 10 April to last train Sunday 19 Apri.
Buses replace trains on the Werribee Line between Newport and Werribee from first service Wednesday 15 April to 5am Saturday 25 April.
For detailed information, and to plan your journey, visit the PTV disruptions page.
Accessibility & Parents Information | GMHBA Stadium
GMHBA Stadium is committed to ensuring access to the stadium and movement within it is as smooth as possible for all attendees.
Click here to view all accessibility information on Kardinia Park's official website.
NEED HELP ON MATCH DAY?
To contact us before match day:
📆 Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM
📧membership@westernbulldogs.com.au
📞1300 46 36 47
Today's Must Read
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The Bulldogs have made three changes ahead of Friday's clash at GMHBA Stadium.
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AFL Match preview: Dogs v Cats
A look at our Friday-night blockbuster clash at GMHBA Stadium.
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The key talking points from senior coach Luke Beveridge’s weekly press conference.
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Must Watch
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Luke Beveridge | "Try to disarm some of their strengths"
Bevo speaks to the media ahead of the round 6 clash with Geelong
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Gather Round with Joel Freijah
Join Freij in the lead up to the round 5 clash with Hawthorn.
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Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after round five’s match against Hawthorn
08:08
AFL R5 | Match Highlights
The Hawks and Bulldogs clash in round five of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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Match Preview
AFL Match preview: Dogs v Cats
A look at our Friday-night blockbuster clash at GMHBA Stadium.
2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs Friday 17 April | 7:20pm AEST GMHBA Stadium, Geelong • Wadawurrung Broadcast: Channel 7/7Plus, Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)
LAST MEETING
Round 11, 2025 Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) def. by Geelong 20.7 (120)
The Bulldogs fell short to the Cats in a fierce contest at GMHBA Stadium.
The visitors nearly completed the perfect comeback, levelling scores midway through the last quarter. But the hosts were too strong in the 20.7 (127) to 16.17 (113) affair.
The Dogs rued missed opportunities in front of goal, finishing the evening with 17 behinds, which in the close contest proved costly.
Key Bulldogs hit the scoreboard, including Rhylee West and Ed Richards, the latter who booted a mammoth goal on the run from outside 50. Matt Kennedy, one of the recruits of the year, kicked two goals in quick succession and reduced the margin to 10 points, setting up a big final term.
08:16
THE LINE-UP
WHAT IT MEANS
The Western Bulldogs (4-1) suffered their first defeat of the season as injuries to key players mounted up before and then during its clash with Hawthorn. The Dogs' midfielders will have a point to prove after being smashed at stoppage by the Hawks, while they can turn to an improved record of two wins from their past three visits to the Cats' home fortress since breaking a 20-year drought at the venue.
GAME SHAPER
Ryley Sanders has been made to bide his time before earning a regular place in the Bulldogs deep-running midfield but with injuries hitting that part of the ground he has an opportunity to stake his claim. The 21-year-old is already averaging career-highs for disposals (25) and clearances (4.3) and should relish the onball battle that will go a long way to deciding the contest against the Cats.
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Match News, Videos and Photos
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Team News
Team News
AFL Team | Round 6 v Geelong Cats
The Bulldogs have made three changes ahead of Friday's clash at GMHBA Stadium.
What they said: Beveridge previews Cats clash
The key talking points from senior coach Luke Beveridge’s weekly press conference.
14:29
Luke Beveridge | "Try to disarm some of their strengths"
Bevo speaks to the media ahead of the round 6 clash with Geelong
Match Preview
Match Preview
AFL Match preview: Dogs v Cats
A look at our Friday-night blockbuster clash at GMHBA Stadium.
Injury News
Injury News
Deep Heat Medical Room | Round 6
Several Bulldogs will be tested ahead of Friday's clash with Geelong.
AFL Game-day Guide
All you need to know for this weekend's AFL match.
