Round 19

Gold Coast SUNS v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 13 July | 3:15pm AEST
People First Stadium, Gold Coast • Yugambeh
Broadcast: Channel 7/7Plus, Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST TIME WE MET

Round 9, 2025
Gold Coast SUNS 15.16 (106) def. Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96)

Gold Coast kept its Darwin fortress intact, holding off a barnstorming Western Bulldogs to win by 10 points in a TIO Stadium thriller.

The Suns had a 28-point lead midway through the final quarter, but with two goals to Sam Davidson, one to Lachlan McNeil and another to Marcus Bontempelli, the Dogs drew within three points with three minutes remaining.

Gold Coast held on in the desperate final moments though, winning critical contests before a Ben King goal on the siren.

Ed Richards (31 disposals, one goal and three assists) and Tom Liberatore (35, 10 clearances and 10 tackles) were arguably the two best players on the ground.

James O'Donnell was magnificent in defence, while Bailey Williams was also effective and sweeping up loose balls.

THE LINE-UP

Check back on Thursday at 6:20pm for the squad, and Friday 5pm for the final team!

WHAT IT MEANS

The Western Bulldogs (10-7) took their time to overcome a gallant West Coast before claiming a narrow victory that puts them in a strong position to make the finals and perhaps sneak into the top six. The Dogs missed an opportunity against the Eagles to boost a percentage that remains well behind the other top-six contenders, with the focus now turning to beating the Suns in what looms as a danger game. 

GAME SHAPER

Aaron Naughton has shouldered much of the load in the Bulldogs' forward line since a season-ending injury to Sam Darcy, and is on track to back up his best campaign in front of goal last year with another 40 majors. The 26-year-old helped save the Dogs as the Eagles threatened an upset, while his five goals also extended his streak of kicking a major to an equal competition-leading 27 consecutive matches.