The Western Bulldogs are relying on Essendon to pull off the shock of the season to play finals after going down by 15 points to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.

Fremantle recovered from a sluggish start and gained control in the second quarter to surge towards a 17.10 (112) to 14.13 (97) victory.

Seven second-quarter goals to none proved to be the difference in the game, amid a stretch where Fremantle kicked eight consecutive majors either side of half time.

The Bulldogs started strongly, registering the first six inside 50s and had the first three shots on goal, but couldn't make the fast start county on the scoreboard. 

  • 13:00

    Luke Beveridge | Post Match (R24)

    Luke Beveridge speaks to the media following the loss to Fremantle.

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  • 02:29

    Marcus Bontempelli | "We've got to be upfront and honest"

    The Skipper reflects on the 15-point closing round loss to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.

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  • 00:39

    AFL R24 | Awesome Arty makes electric entrance to keep Dogs in the hunt

    Arty Jones shows his bag of tricks and threads a timely major just moments after being subbed into the game.

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    AFL R24 | Darcy and Naughton turn heads early with insane skills

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  • 01:57

    Throwback | Bont's Flu Game

    Go back to round 14 of 2024, as Marcus Bontempelli put on a clinic against Fremantle after a week of illness.

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It took a messy entry for Aaron Naughton to eventually pounce, kicking a goal out of the air racing back to goal.

After making his debut against West Coast last Sunday – 18 months after he was selected at pick No.15 in 2023 – Jordan Croft was the main focal point in the first quarter, hauling in four early marks before kicking an important goal. Two other father-son recruits – Tom Liberatore and Rhylee West – also set the tone early.

But after a sluggish start the Dockers moved it quicker to change the momentum of the game and kick eight without reply. It looked a long way back from here, before Joel Freijah gave the Dogs a pulse and Arty Jones and Marcus Bontempelli – who played a herculean second half – also kicked crowd-lifting goals.

It was never built on though as Freo kept breaking any Bulldog momentum. The home side never threw in the towel and fought it out, booting seven goals in the final quarter to give the Dockers a late fright, but they were too far back and now need the Bombers to beat the Suns on Wednesday to play finals footy.

Match summary: 

WESTERN BULLDOGS             4.5          4.8          7.10       14.13 (97)
FREMANTLE                             2.2          9.4          13.6       17.9 (111)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Freijah 3, West, Jones, Croft, Bontempelli, Naughton 2, Baker
Fremantle: Voss, Treacy, Amiss 3, Frederick, Bolton, Jackson 2, Reid, Erasmus

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: TBC
Fremantle: Wagner (shoulder), Switkowski (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Arthur Jones (replaced Jedd Busslinger in the third quarter)
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe (replaced Corey Wagner in the third quarter)

Crowd: 44,069 at Marvel Stadium