NAB AFLW Round 11

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
Saturday 24 October, 7:15pm AEDT
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray • Wurundjeri/Boonwurrung

LAST TIME WE MET

Round 1, 2025
Western Bulldogs 1.8 (14) def. by Melbourne 9.8 (62)

After a staggered start from both teams, Melbourne put the foot down to post the 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) win, retaining the Hampson-Hardeman cup in the process.

Jasmyn Smith expertly ran the wing for the Western Bulldogs, racking up 11 disposals in the first quarter alone, but could only do so much in the barrage, while second-year forward Elaine Grigg (eight tackles) worked exceptionally hard in the front half.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT IT MEANS

The Western Bulldogs are the real deal. Tam Hyett's side was the big winner out of round 10 action, dismantling the Blues in a complete, four-quarter performance. It was the sort of game the Bulldogs have been striving for all season and to see it come to fruition was a great reward for hard work over several years. But things don't get any easier for the Dogs from here. With matches against Melbourne and Geelong to come, the Bulldogs have a tough run home but their destiny is in their hands. A top-four spot awaits if they can get the job done, but ultimately they'll get a good gauge of where they sit over the next fortnight heading into their first finals campaign since 2022. 

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mikala Cann may not have been the biggest name to move clubs during last year's trade period, but she's having a huge impact at Mission Whitten Oval. Sporting a protective face mask in the win over the Blues, Cann's toughness and grit around the contest was crucial to the win. A tough customer who never takes a backwards step, Cann is also a key driver of elite standards on the training track and sets an example for her younger teammates.