Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round)

Western Bulldogs v Narrm
Sunday 24 May | 3:15pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Channel 7/7Plus, Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST TIME WE MET

Round 22, 2025
Narrm 15.9 (99) def. by Western Bulldogs 15.15 (105)

The Bulldogs overcame the Demons in a thriller, slotting six final-quarter goals to secure the win at the MCG.

Aaron Naughton continued his late-season surge, booting five goals for the fourth time in six weeks to go with the seven he slotted the round prior.  Ed Richards continued his brilliant campaign with another dominant display, finishing with two crucial final-quarter goals to go with 31 disposals, 15 score involvements, 17 contested possessions and 14 clearances in a dazzling display, while Marcus Bontempelli collected 33 touches.

The Dees fought until the final siren, however Sam Darcy's 2025 Mark of the Year-winning screamer sealed the win for the Dogs, in a moment that will be replayed for years to come.

THE LINE-UP

Check back on Friday at 5pm AEST for the final teams

WHAT IT MEANS

The Western Bulldogs (5-5) have seen a season that started with four consecutive victories quickly collapse over the past month with problems exposed in both defence and attack. The Dogs have been challenged by an injury crisis but hit a new low with a defeat to the emotion-charged Blues and must now turn their form around against the red-hot Demons before facing the Pies, Hawks and Crows.

GAME SHAPER

Ryley Sanders has been one of the few positives during a dire month for the Bulldogs as he spends more time in the engine room with several teammates including Tom Liberatore sidelined. The 21-year-old is averaging a career-high 26 disposals with the majority of those on the outside and uncontested while also having the balance to contribute at the coalface with 4.4 clearances a game.

Joel Freijah's ice-cool set shot with four minutes left has given the Western Bulldogs a tense three-point win over Narrm in a rollicking end to Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Ed Richards and Marcus Bontempelli starred in the midfield as the Bulldogs burst clear before half-time and resisted a fightback in their 14.9 (93) to 13.12 (90) victory at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The Bulldogs gave away a 33-point second-quarter lead and trailed twice in the final quarter, before Freijah kicked the go-ahead goal.

Demons young gun Harvey Langford had the chance to win the game but dropped a mark under huge pressure from Lachie Jaques close to goal.

The Dees had another chance with a kick back into full-forward but Lachy Bramble took what proved a match-saving mark for the Dogs, who steadied in the dying seconds.

Sunday's result lifted the Bulldogs (6-5) into ninth spot, just one win behind the Demons (7-4), who sit sixth.

But it came at a cost as defender Luke Cleary went off after a head knock in the second term and was ruled out with concussion.

Richards (30 disposals, three goals) and Bontempelli (29 disposals, two goals) were outstanding in the midfield along with Ryley Sanders (31 touches).

Rhylee West, Aaron Naughton and Arthur Jones (two each) also kicked multiple goals.

Narrm star Kysaiah Pickett had 25 disposals and six clearances in an entertaining duel with Richards, while Tom Sparrow (23 touches) and Jack Steele (21) fought hard.

The margin quickly ballooned to 33 as Bontempelli and kicked two goals each, and Richards another, in the second term.

But the Demons responded with the next four goals, including three in as many minutes in time-on, to get back within eight points by half-time.

It was more of the same in the third quarter, when the Bulldogs threatened to kick away but were quickly reeled back in.

The Dees hit the front for the first time since the early stages when Sharp caught Jones holding the ball in the goalsquare and converted at the four-minute mark of the last quarter.

It was the first of four lead changes in a tense final term.

The Dogs will next host Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

WESTERN BULLDOGS       3.1     8.3      12.6       14.9 (93)
NARRM                             1.3     6.7     11.10      13.12 (90)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Richards 3, West 2, Naughton 2, Jones 2, Bontempelli 2, Lewis, Freijah, Croft
Narrm: Sharp 2, Langford 2, Turner, Tholstrup, Rivers, Petty, Laurie, Langdon, Gawn, Cross, Chandler

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Bontempelli, Sanders, Dale, Naughton, Lobb, Freijah
Narrm: Pickett, Gawn, Petty, Turner, Chandler, Langdon, Steele

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Cleary (concussion)
Narrm: Nil

Crowd: 29,708 at Marvel Stadium