Almanac Footy: Mid-Season Review – Western Bulldogs

 

Before the commencement of the 2026 AFL season there was a sense of caution to which Western Bulldogs fans treaded with. A difficult first six games saw plenty of blame towards the way the AFL draw had taken shape, especially when you consider the Dogs missing the finals last season. The trepidation in which another poor start to the season occurring could almost become a reality yet again.

 

A month in, it almost seemed like the Dogs would be genuine premiership contenders, if not favorites. The attacking flare never wavered from the season prior, and a sound defensive month of footy looked like the tide had started to turn, and the Dogs had found the missing pieces to the puzzle, the same pieces that weren’t addressed in the off-season.

 

So now sitting 8th on the table, with a 9-6 record, you definitely aren’t complaining as a Dogs fan given everything that has unfolded since round four, however in order to reach the AFL’s Everest, a lot will need to go right, so how do we reflect on the season so far?

 

The biggest positive that I have noticed is how we control close games. A 6-0 record in games decided by under ten points has been a brilliant improvement from last season, which seemingly was the opposite, or in fact, all the other seasons prior.

 

Close games have historically never seemed to go the Dogs way, and depending on what your years of service state on your membership card, you may find it hard not to reflect on losing preliminary finals. Was it the gritty Mick Malthouse side in 1985 that just fell short to the champion Hawks? Or was it the class of 1997 that seemingly let one slip in its last season at the heartbeat of the west? Maybe it was more recently, the 2009/10 team that couldn’t get past a strong Saints unit, all those close losses don’t sit well with Dogs fans in that era.

 

For me, it seems a little different, I can see Brad Lynch’s right foot snap from the boundary rattling the post in the last round of 2018, as the Dogs fell agonizingly short against a formidable Tigers outfit on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the MCG, a Jack Zieball last gasp throw onto the boot to seal a Kangaroos win under the lid at Marvel Stadium against a struggling Dogs side and a Tex Walker centering of the footy to Charlie Cameron in the 2015 elimination final. Aside from these reflections, maybe after all the Dogs are starting to turn a historic wheel and have embraced the challenge of what those tight games hit you with.

 

Beating Brisbane in opening round was a historic win for the club, winning its first game at the Gabba since the 2021 semi-final, who couldn’t forget that game. Adelaide in round two sealed a undefeated start to the season, another win on the road and two of the competitions toughest opponents behind them. Following an Easter Sunday demolition, the carnage officially began for the season, Tim English being struck down with a knee injury meant change in a key position.

 

That key position being the ruck role has genuinely changed the course of the Dogs season, from round five the Dogs lost 5/6 games in a horrible stretch of form and injuries soured every blow. The absence of English for half the season has exposed a flaw in the Bulldogs playing list that was quite simply overlooked, maybe at the time for different reasons, however the new five on the bench rule has allowed for two rucks to be a dominant combination in the 2026 season, and at times, being the main factor to beating the Dogs.

 

In that horror month for the Dogs an injury crisis seemingly hit the boys from the west right between the eyes, a Sam Darcy season ending ACL injury was the biggest blow, as the star forward was cruelly struck down in what was heating up to be one of his best seasons yet. Month long spells for defensive duo Rory Lobb and James O’donell meant their inexperienced replacements were out of place at AFL level, exposing an already existing hole in the side. On top of this Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards both hobbled through various niggles in attempt to try and fight for their side.

 

As the troops started marching back for Luke Beveridges men, results started to fall into favor again, a big win against the fast-improving Demons set the tone for another nail-biting victory against the previous kings of the close finish in the Magpies, with the hattrick completed against the Hawks at the MCG in what was a famous comeback victory against our bogey side.

 

The Dogs seemed to have found a spark, with Cody Weightman’s long awaited return occurring, there seemed to be more dare in the side, and players high on confidence it almost starts to look like the 2016 season with some of the role players that are lifting their performances in this team.

 

Seemingly, our best looks to be right up there, exploiting teams through the middle of the ground, our pace and ball use from behind can carve up sides and although our attack has lessened from last year, we are finding many avenues to goal. On the contrary our worst seems to be a very ordinary ‘Off Day’ if you say, and this would ultimately put the fear into the fans and dare say the coaches box. Aside from a close loss to Fremantle, the Dogs seem to get dominated in their losses, and when the ball isn’t falling your way good teams seem to find a way to hang in there until it clicks, which is something the Dogs will need to improve on in the back half of the season.

 

As the weather gets colder and the July test approaches, we will be all eyes to see if the Dogs can find that mode of play that’s going to make them a threat towards the backend of this season, and given where they sit on the table, the ball seems to be in their court from here.

 

More from Kristian Cavallo can be read Here.

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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