The Western Bulldogs are seeking to avenge their Round 7 loss to Fremantle when the sides meet for the second time this season on Saturday at Marvel Stadium.
The Bulldogs (6-7, 114.9%) continue to struggle with inconsistency after falling to the Brisbane Lions last Friday, needing a win to keep in touch with the top eight.
Meanwhile, the Dockers (7-4-1, 121.4%) are undefeated in four of their past five matches and are looking to continue their assault on the top four.
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In Round 7, Fremantle beat the Bulldogs by 24 points at Optus Stadium after pulling away in the fourth quarter.
Luke Beveridge recalled Ed Richards, Cody Weightman and Anthony Scott in place of Alex Keath (Injured), Lachlan McNeil (Omitted) and Riley Garcia (Omitted).
The Dockers, on the other hand, made just one change: bringing in Matthew Johnson in favour of Corey Wagner (Omitted).
The Dogs’ meeting with the Dockers on Saturday will be the first time this year a pair of clubs will play against each other for the second time in 2024.
The match gets underway at 1:45pm AEST at Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo or via Hubbl, from 1pm AEST.
MATCH UPDATES
The Dockers swung a late change, with Heath Chapman (hamstring awareness) replaced by Karl Worner.
The subs for today’s clash are Caleb Daniel (Bulldogs) and Matthew Johnson (Dockers).
The Bulldogs drew first blood through Cody Weightman, who was straight in on the action upon his return from an arm injury.
Weightman snapped truly from deep inside the forward pocket for the first of the day.
Ed Richards, also on return from concussion, then roved beautifully inside 50 to make it two in a row for the Doggies.
Fremantle sharpshooter Sam Sturt bobbed up for Fremantle’s first major with a set shot conversion.
Dockers defender Brandon Walker blazed away in the centre of the ground, finding spearhead Josh Treacy just 15 metres out from goal.
“That’s a weapon,” Fox Footy commentator Garry Lyon said of Walker’s blistering pace.
Their transition play was on show yet again, resulting in Sturt’s second major as he scooted out the back to put the Dockers in front.
“Now we’re seeing the best version of them,” Lyon said.
Luke Jackson made it four in a row as he converted his set shot from 40 metres out.
“Alarm bells going off in the Bulldog camp,” said Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell.
But the Dogs responded through Rhylee West in game 50, as the small forward bobbed up with two majors to finish the first term.
The Dogs led 4.5 (29) to 4.1 (25) at the first break.
Weightman booted the first of the second term to give the Dogs some breathing room, opening up a nine point lead, before the Bulldogs captain, Marcus Bontempelli, made the Dockes pay after a turnover in the middle of the ground.
“They’re all over them… the look of the game has changed completely,” Lyon said.
The Dockers were forced to sub out star forward Michael Walters with a hamstring concern, introducing midfielder Matthew Johnson into the game.
Harvey Gallagher, fresh off signing a new two-year deal during the week, extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 22 points.
Michael Fredrick executed a nice check side but it was the Bontempelli show at Marvel Stadium, as he booted a tremendous solo goal.
Adam Treloar added another major just before half time, to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 28 points.
Follow Western Bulldogs v Fremantle live below!
