2026 NAB AFLW Season - Round 5

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 12 September, 1:05pm AEST
Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley Village • Bunurong/Boon Wurrung
Broadcast: Fox Sports 507/Kayo

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 3, 2025
Western Bulldogs 1.4 (10) def. by Hawthorn 2.2 (14)

It was scarves and beanies for fans who braved the freezing weather to watch the low-scoring match, as the Hawks had to grind out the win for the third week in a row.

The Bulldogs dominated the first term in the key stats, winning clearances 12-3 and hitouts 11-6, but were unable to convert that convincingly on the scoreboard. Rylie Wilcox parting the seas to open the scoring was their only goal, with shallow entries hurting their ability to convert.

THE LINE-UPS

WHAT IT MEANS

- Dylan Bolch/AFL.com.au

The Bulldogs have shown plenty of improvement in 2026 with a win-loss record of 3-1 through the first four weeks. Tam Hyett's side has spoken about wanting to become more relevant and it is definitely well on its way to doing that, having dismantled Sydney in round four. Their start to the season has been even more impressive when you factor in that experienced duo Ellie Blackburn and De Berry are currently sidelined with injury.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Emma McDonald is one of the most exciting young key forwards in the competition. She's strong in the air and clean at ground level, which makes her a tough match-up for opposition defenders. McDonald was crucial in the Bulldogs' fourth quarter fightback against the Swans last week, booting three goals. The Hawks have some issues in defence right now and McDonald will be a huge threat. 

Hawthorn has won its first game at its new home in Dingley, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 11 points in a 6.5 (41) to 4.6 (30) affair.

The Bulldogs started hard and fast, taking a narrow five-point lead into the first break before extending their buffer to 11 at half-time.

But the Hawks put their foot on the gas in the third term, piling on five goals to zero.

Their win was soured with the injury to captain Emily Bates, who clutched at her knee late in the third quarter after her leg got stuck under her in a tackle.

Bulldogs co-captain Isabelle Pritchard tried valiantly all afternoon with a game-high 31 disposals, while Elisabeth Georgiostathis was also solid with 19 touches.

Sarah Hartwig's late goal was consolation, while Analea McKee, Jess Fitzgerald and Elaine Grigg also hit the scoreboard.

Brit Gutknecht brought up her 50th game with 13 disposals and four marks.

Up next

The Hawks head up to Cairns for the first time in 2026 to take on AFLW powerhouse North Melbourne on Friday night, while the Bulldogs travel to Cockburn ARC Oval to play Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

HAWTHORN                   1.1   1.3   6.4   6.5 (41)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.0   3.2   3.2   4.6 (30)

GOALS
Hawthorn: McDonagh 4, Dupuy, Martin
Western Bulldogs: McKee, Fitzgerald, Grigg, Hartwig

BEST
Hawthorn: McDonagh, Wales, West, Dupuy, Fleming, Smith, Williamson
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Fitzgerald, Georgiostathis, Wilcox

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Stone (concussion), Bates (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Crowd: 2363 at Kennedy Community Centre