Round 21

Fremantle v Western Bulldogs
Friday 31 July | 8:10pm AEST
Optus Stadium, Perth • Whadjuk
Broadcast: 7AFL/7Plus, Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST TIME WE MET

Round 8, 2025
Western Bulldogs 15.12 (102) def. by Fremantle 17.12 (114)

The Bulldogs did all they could in the early stages of the game and looked like pulling off a win with a number of star players sitting in the stands, but it was the Dockers' determination that left its stamp on the contest.

The first quarter belonged to the Bulldogs as they opened a sizeable gap made all the more inspirational by a pair of goals from contested marks by Aaron Naughton; However, it was late in the third term that the Dockers truly clicked, kicking seven unanswered goals either side of three-quarter time to take the lead and open up a 28-point break of their own.

An inspirational performance from Marcus Bontempelli (33 disposals, two goals) threatened to drag the Dogs back over the line, despite being clearly hampered, but the Dockers stood strong.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT IT MEANS

by Martin Pagan/AFL.com.au 

The Western Bulldogs (12-7) kept pace with the top six as they crushed Richmond on Saturday night to make it three wins on the bounce and seven of their past nine. The Dogs have been sitting in seventh or eighth place for seven straight weeks and will be keen to jump into the mix for a higher spot that would avoid a wildcard final. Winning the most daunting road trip in the game against the Dockers would certainly help. 

GAME SHAPER

Joel Freijah has had an up and down year after a breakout campaign last season. The 20-year-old was dropped before the Dogs' clash with the Suns last week before making the most of a late recall and bouncing back to form with 23 disposals against the Tigers to suddenly look primed for the run home.

Fremantle prevailed in a hard-fought battle against a gallant Western Bulldogs side at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

The Dockers continued their undefeated run at home this season, kicking seven goals to one in the second half to win 11.12 (78) to 5.11 (41).

The Bulldogs did not make it easy, travelling to Perth with a clear plan and flooding numbers back from the opening quarter to turn the contest into a war of attrition, with the tactic working in the opening half.

As they have done all season, however, the Dockers made the adjustments they needed and went on a six-goal run in the second half, gradually wrenching the game open to celebrate their 11th win at home this season.

Beaten at stoppages (37-29) and contested ball (128-108) by the hungry Dogs, the Dockers had to be patient with the ball and pick their way through heavy traffic, racking up 126 marks to the visitors' 74.

Their patience paid off, however, with Beveridge's team unable to sustain the gruelling defensive style for a full four quarters against the competition's best team, with the Dockers eventually breaking them with weight of inside 50s (54-38).

Midfielders Ed Richards (26 and nine clearances) and Tom Liberatore (28 and six) fought hard at the coalface for the Bulldogs, while Buku Khamis held the backline together. Wingman Cooper Hynes booted two goals and impressed with 22 disposals in a highly defensive role.   

FREMANTLE                  1.3   4.5   6.10   11.12  (78)
WESTERN BULLDOGS   1.2   4.5   4.8   5.11   (41)

GOALS

Fremantle: Treacy 3, Serong 2, Jackson 2, Bolton, Dudley, Johnson, Voss

Western Bulldogs: Hynes 2, Lobb, Sanders, West

BEST

Fremantle: Treacy, McDonald, Serong, Worner, Erasmus, Jackson

Western Bulldogs: Richards, Liberatore, Hynes, Khamis, Freijah

INJURIES

Fremantle: Nil

Western Bulldogs: Nil

Crowd: 53,524 at Optus Stadium