Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Friday 20 March | 7:40pm AEDT (7:10pm ACDT)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide • Kaurna
Broadcast: Channel 7/Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)
LAST MEETING
Round 18, 2025
Western Bulldogs 15.8 (98) def. by Adelaide 16.13 (109)
The Western Bulldogs suffered an 11-point loss to the Crows at Marvel Stadium despite a late charge. Kicking five goals to two in the last term, the initial 32-point buffer proved too much for the hosts.
Skipper Marcus Bontempelli was everywhere with a game-high 37 disposals and 12 tackles, while key forward Aaron Naughton kicked five goals. Tom Liberatore finished with 26 touches and eight clearances.
THE LINE-UP
Check back here at 6:20pm AEDT Thursday night for teams!
WHAT IT MEANS
The Western Bulldogs (2-0) missed the finals last season when paying the price for a 2-9 win-loss record against the eventual top eight. The Dogs have taken steps to right those wrongs as they have started the season with back-to-back victories over a pair of last year's finalists and now have another opportunity to prove their top-four credentials with a clash against the reigning minor premiers.
GAME SHAPER
Aaron Naughton has enjoyed a new lease on life in a forward line that includes Sam Darcy among other targets, and he booted a career-high 60 goals last year which included 13 games with three majors or more. The former top-10 draft pick has kicked eight goals and combined with Darcy in a powerful one-two punch to be a key reason for the Dogs' blistering start to the season.
