NAB AFLW Round 2

Western Bulldogs v Richmond
Saturday 22 August, 2:05pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray • Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung
Broadcast: Fox Sports 3 / Kayo / Binge

Join us at Mission Whitten oval this Saturday afternoon as AFLW returns to Footscray!

Bring your family and friends and experience the excitement of Bulldogs footy in the heart of the west, up close, loud and local.

Get your hands on some freebies, cuddle some puppies and kittens thanks to All4Paws Rescue, jazz up your merch with free heat press patches and burn off some energy on our inflatables. Plus keep an eye out for our roaming mascots!

Key Match Timings

Gates open: 1:00pm
Team entry: 1:55pm
Match start: 2:05pm

Meet Zeus at the 'W

Fresh off his debut at Marvel Stadium last week, the Club's newest mascot, Zeus, will be at the Kennel this Saturday!

Have a pat and grab a selfie with Zeus and Sunny as they cheer on the Pups at home.

Getting to Mission Whitten Oval

It’s never been easier to get to the ground with more trains than ever heading to West Footscray Train Station thanks to the new Metro Tunnel. The platform is less than 100 metres from the gate.

Plan your journey ahead of time using the PTV Journey Planner.

Please note that that there is limited on-street parking.

Gate Entry

The primary public entry points are:

• Gate 1 – Located near Barkly Street
• Gate 3 – Located at Cross Street 

Please note: Gate 2 is reserved for VIPs, staff, and accredited individuals only.

AFLW members can enter via Gate 2, for easy access to the Bulldogs Social Members Lounge, located on Level 2.

Accessibility Information

Mission Whitten Oval has the following facilities available to all visitors:

• Multi-faith prayer room
• Parent room with changing facilities
• Changes Places facility suitable for individuals with high support needs
• Elevated disability viewing spots located around the venue

People with accessibility needs are encouraged to access the venue via Gate 2 (Whitten Avenue via the Café/main reception).

Not an AFLW Member?

The best way to support the Club is to Go All In On W - sign up as a W member today!

Score access to every home game & bring a friend for free! That's two tickets to six home game for only $39. 

AFLW Round 2

Western Bulldogs v Richmond
Saturday 22 August, 2:05pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray • Wurundjeri / Boon Wurrung
Broadcast: Kayo/Fox Footy (check broadcast guide)

One Club. Two Teams. Add AFLW to your existing Bulldogs AFL Membership for just $29! Click here to learn more.

LAST TIME WE MET 

Round 2, 2025
Richmond 3.3 (21) def. by Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42)

The Western Bulldogs outworked Richmond last season in near-perfect conditions, enjoying a 21-point win for their first of the 2025 campaign. 

The first three quarters of the match were tightly contested, until the Pups went to work in the final term, holding the hosts scoreless to secure the victory. 

Isabelle Pritchard (19 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) was immense in her first game back from injury, a well missed force within the side, working in sync with fellow midfielder Jess Fitzgerald (18 disposals). 

Livewire Elaine Grigg’s tackling efficiency was a hallmark of the match, adding 12 disposals and a goal to her end-of-day stats.

THE LINE-UP 

WHAT IT MEANS

- Dylan Bolch, afl.com.au

The Bulldogs began their 2026 season positively, notching a 26-point win on the road against Gold Coast. It was a win the Dogs just had to bank as they strive towards a finals campaign this season. Jess Fitzgerald was busy with 30 touches, while forward Sarah Hartwig was dangerous in attack, booting three majors. To go two-from-two would lay a strong platform for Tam Hyett's troops in 2026 if they can overcome the Tigers. 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jess Fitzgerald was a force to be reckoned with in the first game of the season, polling maximum coaches’ votes for her 30 disposals (16 contested), five clearances and six intercepts. Fitzgerald has proven herself to be a pillar within this Bulldogs side, and with her ball-winning ability and speed, will be one to watch against the Tigers on Saturday. 

The Western Bulldogs made it two wins from two starts to open their 2026 campaign, defeating Richmond by 11 points at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday, the final score 7.6 (48) to 5.7 (37) in the Dogs’ favour.

Both sides came into Saturday's clash off the back of Round 1 wins, but it was the Bulldogs who maintained their unbeaten record.

It was the Tigers who kicked the first goal through No.1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans, but the Dogs kicked five of the next six to go to half time 16 points in front.

Richmond started finding more of the ball after the long break but couldn't capitalise on their opportunities, kicking just one goal late in the third term while holding the Bulldogs to a single behind.

The fourth quarter was an even contest despite Mon Conti doing all in her power to give her teammates chances to score.

Wolmarans kicked three goals from seven marks and seven disposals giving her best effort and plenty of hope for Richmond fans, but couldn’t get her side over the line. 

For the Bulldogs, Isabelle Pritchard booted one goal in the final quarter when her side needed it most, as the Tigers had been dominating forward entries in the second half.

Pritchard finished with 36 disposals, surpassing her previous high of 33 against Collingwood in Round 7, 2025.

Emma McDonald was also among the Bulldogs’ best, kicking three first-half goals that set the tone for their aggressive start and proved decisive in the final margin.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   2.1   5.3   5.4   7.6 (48)
RICHMOND                    1.2   2.5   3.5   5.7 (37)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: McDonald 3, Cann, Wain, Woodley, Pritchard
Richmond: Wolmarans 3, Greiser, Cleary

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, McDonald, Fitzgerald, Bennetts
Richmond: Wolmarans, Conti, Greiser

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Deanna Berry (Collarbone)
Richmond: Nil

Late changes
Western Bulldogs: Kaylee Kimber (illness) replaced in selected side by Mizuki Brothwell
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2,211 at Mission Whitten Oval