2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs
Friday 17 April | 7:20pm AEST
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong • Wadawurrung
Broadcast: Channel 7/7Plus, Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)
LAST MEETING
Round 11, 2025
Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) def. by Geelong 20.7 (120)
The Bulldogs fell short to the Cats in a fierce contest at GMHBA Stadium.
The visitors nearly completed the perfect comeback, levelling scores midway through the last quarter. But the hosts were too strong in the 20.7 (127) to 16.17 (113) affair.
The Dogs rued missed opportunities in front of goal, finishing the evening with 17 behinds, which in the close contest proved costly.
Key Bulldogs hit the scoreboard, including Rhylee West and Ed Richards, the latter who booted a mammoth goal on the run from outside 50. Matt Kennedy, one of the recruits of the year, kicked two goals in quick succession and reduced the margin to 10 points, setting up a big final term.
THE LINE-UP
Check back on Thursday at 6:20pm AEST for the full team!
WHAT IT MEANS
The Western Bulldogs (4-1) suffered their first defeat of the season as injuries to key players mounted up before and then during its clash with Hawthorn. The Dogs' midfielders will have a point to prove after being smashed at stoppage by the Hawks, while they can turn to an improved record of two wins from their past three visits to the Cats' home fortress since breaking a 20-year drought at the venue.
GAME SHAPER
Ryley Sanders has been made to bide his time before earning a regular place in the Bulldogs deep-running midfield but with injuries hitting that part of the ground he has an opportunity to stake his claim. The 21-year-old is already averaging career-highs for disposals (25) and clearances (4.3) and should relish the onball battle that will go a long way to deciding the contest against the Cats.
