2026 NAB AFLW Round 3

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 29 August, 12:35pm AEST
University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston • Palawa
Broadcast: Fox Footy / Kayo / Binge (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST TIME WE MET

Week 6, 2024
North Melbourne 8.11 (59) def. Western Bulldogs 0.4 (4)

The Kangaroos continued its undefeated run with a 55-point win over a young Western Bulldogs outfit in challenging weather conditions at Arden Street Oval.

It was a closer affair than the scoresheet lets on, with the Bulldogs winning clearances and inside 50s in the first half. However, the young Dogs had difficulty turning these entries into scores, finishing without a goal from their 23 forward-50 entries.

The more experienced Kangaroos on the other hand were far more methodical. Their clean ball use allowed them to transition from end to end, often instigated by defenders Libby Birch and Tess Craven.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT IT MEANS

The Bulldogs have won two games in a row and are one of just five sides that remain unbeaten through the first fortnight of the season. Midfielder Isabelle Pritchard has started her campaign in fine style and was dominant against the Tigers last weekend. Injuries to Ellie Blackburn and De Berry do leave a hole in their on-ball brigade, so it will be up to the likes of Jess Fitzgerald, Dom Carruthers, Sarah Poustie and perhaps Elaine Grigg to help fill the void.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Isabelle Pritchard may have already polled five best and fairest votes in two games after a barnstorming start to 2026. The Dogs on-baller dominated against the Tigers last week, using her big frame to great effect against Richmond’s smaller midfielders. Pritchard's a well balanced midfielder who works hard both ways and is finding ways to hit the scoreboard.

The Western Bulldogs have gone down to reigning premiers North Melbourne by 47 points at UTAS Stadium in Launceston. 

A Dogs' spirited start saw just a point separating the two sides at quarter-time, before the Kangaroos flexed their muscles with eight of the next nine goals to run out 11.4 (70) to 3.5 (23) winners.

The previously undefeated Dogs slipped to their first loss of the season, despite the best efforts of Isabelle Pritchard (21 touches), Jess Fitzgerald (22) and Jasmyn Smith (18).

Both teams couldn't muster an opening goal amid fierce pressure until the stalemate was broken with about two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Dogs produced a fast break from half-back and Sarah Hartwig was the end link in the goal-scoring chain.

The Kangaroos replied almost instantly with towering Emma King using her height for a strong mark, followed by accurate conversion.

North led 1.2 to 1.1 at quarter-time and then made the decisive break, kicking three goals to one to seize momentum and create a 14-point half-time edge.

The powerhouses steamed further away in the third quarter to hold a 30-point advantage at three-quarter time, before cruising to victory.

NORTH MELBOURNE    1.2    4.3    7.3   11.4 (70)
WESTERN BULLDOGS   1.1    2.1    2.3   3.5 (23)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Shierlaw 2, O'Loughlin 2, Bogue 2, Tripodi, Randall, King, Garner, Craven
Western Bulldogs: McDonald, Hartwig, Georgostathis

BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Shierlaw, Riddell, Tripodi, Randall
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Gutknecht, Fitzgerald, Edmonds

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Crowd: TBC at UTAS Stadium