Hawthorn has won its first game at its new home in Dingley, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 11 points in a 6.5 (41) to 4.6 (30) affair.

The Bulldogs started hard and fast, taking a narrow five-point lead into the first break before extending their buffer to 11 at half-time.

But the Hawks put their foot on the gas in the third term, piling on five goals to zero.

Their win was soured with the injury to captain Emily Bates, who clutched at her knee late in the third quarter after her leg got stuck under her in a tackle.

Bulldogs co-captain Isabelle Pritchard tried valiantly all afternoon with a game-high 31 disposals, while Elisabeth Georgiostathis was also solid with 19 touches.

Sarah Hartwig's late goal was consolation, while Analea McKee, Jess Fitzgerald and Elaine Grigg also hit the scoreboard.

Brit Gutknecht brought up her 50th game with 13 disposals and four marks.

Up next

The Hawks head up to Cairns for the first time in 2026 to take on AFLW powerhouse North Melbourne on Friday night, while the Bulldogs travel to Cockburn ARC Oval to play Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

HAWTHORN                   1.1   1.3   6.4   6.5 (41)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.0   3.2   3.2   4.6 (30)

GOALS
Hawthorn: McDonagh 4, Dupuy, Martin
Western Bulldogs: McKee, Fitzgerald, Grigg, Hartwig

BEST
Hawthorn: McDonagh, Wales, West, Dupuy, Fleming, Smith, Williamson
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Fitzgerald, Georgiostathis, Wilcox

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Stone (concussion), Bates (knee)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Crowd: 2363 at Kennedy Community Centre