Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs

Saturday 7 March | 7:35pm AEDT (6:35pm AEST)
Gabba, Brisbane • Yuggera - Toorabul
Broadcast: Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST MEETING

Round 19, 2025
Brisbane 12.14 (86) def. Western Bulldogs 12.4 (76)

The Western Bulldogs' finals aspirations suffered a dent when Brisbane triumphed by 10 points at the Gabba late last season. Despite the Dogs' best efforts in the last quarter, they couldn't quite close the 21-point gap. 

Bailey Dale (33 disposals), Rhylee West (four goals) and Marcus Bontempelli (24 and a goal) were terrific, while Aaron Naughton finished with two majors.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT IT MEANS

The Western Bulldogs will be out to bounce back from a frustrating campaign where they paid a huge price for too often failing to beat the other finals contenders while brushing aside the lesser lights. The Dogs get the ideal opportunity to show that they can improve in that key area as they begin their season against the reigning premiers while boasting a best 23 packed with top-end talent.

GAME SHAPER

Marcus Bontempelli showed all the signs of a leader who has found a fire in the belly after the Western Bulldogs lost their grip on a finals spot late last season. The Dogs skipper looks primed to hit the ground running after injury forced him to make a delayed start to last year's campaign and tuned up with 29 disposals and six clearances in the AAMI Community Series clash with Hawthorn.