Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
Sunday 30 May | 7:35pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST TIME WE MET

Round 2, 2025
Footscray 10.10 (70) def. by Collingwood 10.16 (76)

The Bulldogs fell six points short to Collingwood in a thrilling contest at the MCG that marked the Club's 100th year in the V/AFL.

Scores were level with just minutes left on the clock, before the Pies snapped truly to steal the win.

Emerging youngster Joel Freijah kicked a stunner on the run halfway through the term to level scores once again, but unfortunately would be the Dogs' final major of the game. 

Sam Darcy finished with four goals from 15 disposals, while stand-in skipper Tom Liberatore collected 34 disposals, nine clearances and seven inside 50s.

THE LINE-UP

Check back tonight 6:20pm AEST for the team announcement!

WHAT IT MEANS - by Martin Pagan/AFL.com.au

Western Bulldogs (6-5) breathed fresh life into its season as it hung on to cool a red-hot Melbourne and claim just its second win in seven matches. The Dogs are still suffering from a lengthy injury list and have had cracks start to appear in their home fortress with three straight defeats at the venue, but can ill-afford too many more slip-ups against sides sitting around them like the Magpies.

GAME SHAPER

Ed Richards has had an indifferent season after earning a first All-Australian blazer last year but bounced back to form with 30 disposals, 10 clearances and three goals in the win over the Demons. The 26-year-old speedster adds a spark to the Dogs’ midfield, while his impact in the forward half continues to grow whether delivering the ball inside 50 or finding space within sight of goal. 

By the skin of their teeth.

A Will Lewis goal, a Michael Sellwood mark, it was the next generation of Western Bulldogs players who stood up when it counted to hand the side the 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) win over Collingwood in front of a raucous Marvel Stadium crowd on Saturday evening.

Ed Richards was enormous in the final quarter. Where his teammates looked to be running on empty, he only went to a new level, to record 12 disposals and four inside 50s in the fourth as Collingwood threatened to snatch it.

The game remained on a knife's edge throughout, with neither side able to really break things open on the scoreboard when in charge, the largest margin of the match only 25 points.

Unsurprisingly, it was each side's star who got things going.

Marcus Bontempelli (22 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) worked as hard as ever, leading the Dogs' midfield to a 19-10 centre clearance count from which the side based its game.

For Collingwood, Nick Daicos (37 disposals, five clearances, one goal) did things that only Nick Daicos can do.

Despite the return of Tim English in the ruck for the Dogs, Rory Lobb continued his recent form sharing the role with English, pressing forward when not at stoppage. It was a strategy that allowed the Bulldogs to stretch a Collingwood defence that was without captain Darcy Moore.

Arty Jones (three goal assists, one goal) was outstanding in the front half for the home side, with pressure and relentless effort setting up repeat opportunities for teammates to score, and preseason signing Will Lewis (three goals) was physically imposing as the deepest forward.

The sub plot

Since being added to the Western Bulldogs' list in the preseason supplementary signing period, Will Lewis has not only become known for his imposing presence in attack, but also his challenging physicality for opponents. Saturday evening was no different, as Lewis remonstrated with opponents Jeremy Howe and Billy Frampton to get under their skin and keep the Dogs' flame alight inside 50. Lewis came out on top with three goals, including a crucial late one to keep the Bulldogs in a winning position.

WESTERN BULLDOGS             4.4    7.7    11.10   14.13 (97)
COLLINGWOOD                            3.3    4.8    8.10   13.15 (93)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Lewis 3, McNeil 2, English 2, Richards 2, Jones, West, Treloar, Bontempelli, Naughton
Collingwood: Membrey 3, Schultz 2, Anderson 2, De Goey, N.Daicos, McStay, Steele, McCreery, Lipinski

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Jones, English, Sanders, Lobb, Richards
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Pendlebury, De Goey, Lipinski, Schultz

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Collingwood: McStay (cut eyelid)

Crowd: 43,430 at Marvel Stadium