It was a big weekend of footy in the West, with both the Dogs' AFL and AFLW teams in action. 

Here are a few moments you may have missed. 

Edmonds: Sticking to the method

It was a hot contest early on in the Western Bulldogs' first game of the 2025 AFLW Season against Melbourne on Saturday night at Mission Whitten Oval.

Both teams came out firing in the first term in what was a tightly-contested affair in difficult conditions. 

However, the experience and class of the Demons would prove to be too much for the Dogs as they ran away with a 48-point victory.

Speaking after the game, Bulldogs' ruck Alice Edmonds believed that there were patches where the team were able to execute their game plan - however, more consistency would be required in the Round 2 game against the Tigers. 

“They’re obviously a really strong side. The first quarter was super hot. After a long-anticipated off-season, it’s always going to be like that," Edmonds said.

“Probably first half we stuck to our method but, after that, we just lacked a bit of the fundamentals and let them use the corridor.

“Sticking to our method and cleaning up those fundamentals.

“The scoreboard might not have reflected the opportunities that we did have inside 50, so just capitalising on that and bringing a really strong game next week.”

Edmonds would finish the game with a game-high 27 hitouts, 14 disposals and eight tackles.

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It's all about family:

The Dogs saw the debut of another father-son prospect in Sunday's game, with Jordan Croft (son of Matthew) making his long-awaited debut against the Eagles. 

Croft joined the Dogs' other father-son talent on the field, taking to the ground alongside Tom Liberatore, Rhylee West and Sam Darcy. 

Speaking to the media following the game, senior coach Luke Beveridge acknowledged the position the Club was in with its father-son/father-daughter talent, but believed it was credit to the tight-knit culture that the team has instilled. 

“It’s a beautiful thing. Family in footy it’s something special," Beveridge said following the win.

“For us, when you try to create that family and spiritual culture, to actually have sons of previous players - it is something special.

“When they make their debuts, I think our supporters, our people who love the Club reminisce a little bit or retrospectively garner some thought around how their father played."

Another tall forward takes his place: 

The debut of young forward Jordan Croft not only gave fans a look at another exciting father-son prospect at the top level.

It also gave all those in attendance the chance to see another potentially strong combination of tall forwards in the red, white and blue. 

Croft, who stands at 201cm, looked comfortable taking his place alongside the team's other tall key forwards in Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy. 

Working into the game, the debutant would finish with two goals, three contested marks and nine forward-half contested possessions. 

The performance comes as no surprise to assistant coach Matt Spangher, who believes it is indicative of the form on display by Croft in the last month in the VFL. 

“He’s had a really great month. What we’ve seen today in terms of his aerial contest and capacity to hit the scoreboard was what we’ve seen at a VFL level. Bevo is a big believer in rewarding form. He earned his spot and it came out today," Spangher said in the member exclusive 'Coaches' Brief'

“Traditionally, we’ve played three keys. This year we did a little bit with guys like Poults and Buku playing that role.

It’s just another person that’s playing that role for us and seeing what they can add.

“Any new player coming in is going to be excited and there are going to be so many things to look at.

“I think everyone was pretty pleased with his aerial attack and contest. He’s got a great running capacity so that’s a real asset for him and how we use that as a forward line is just a positive.”