Round 8
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle Dockers
7.30pm, Friday 1st May 2026
Marvel Stadium
The Fremantle Dockers have clawed their way back from a half time deficit to run over the top of an undermanned Bulldogs who ran out of steam, losing, 17.12 (114) to 15.12 (102).
The Dogs slumped to their fourth consecutive loss, placing them outside of the wildcard bracket as the open air of Marvel Stadium did no favors in cooling off the pressure on Beveridge and his men.
Hayden Young was instrumental for the Dockers booting three superb goals in the second half, providing a dynamic boost for their forward line as he continues to build up fitness following his latest injury setback.
Young’s restricted time at the source allowed Shai Bolton to use his leg speed and creativity in the midfield proving to be the match winner, as Josh Treacy (three goals) and small forward Sam Switkowski (three goals) were busy in the forward half to eventually exploit the Dogs undermanned, however, brave defense.
Again, it was Marcus Bontempelli for the Dogs, it’s hard to find words for the skipper, battered and bruised, wincing at every stoppage, in visible pain every time he came for a rest on the bench, however, it was his willingness to fight for his team makes him so admirable. He finished with two goals, 33 disposals and 630 meters gained.
Bontempelli continued to push his team forward all night alongside Bailey Dale (32 disposals and 529 meters gained) who seemed to have found some form after his early season struggles, Dale used the ball positively going at 84% efficiency and was key for the Dogs transition game in the first half.
The Dogs were fast starters again this week and put the score on the board, kicking six first term goals. In the absence of Sam Darcy, Will Lewis has taken his role on board. He creates space in the forward line for Aaron Naughton to lead into and is incredibly unselfish, getting reward for effort booting two majors.
Beveridge’s men took the approach of a shootout considering their defensive stocks at the present and despite giving up advantage at stoppage, the Dogs were proactive in ensuring the ball moved their way with Matt Kennedy leading all comers with nine clearances. Taking a 14-point margin into the main break.
An angry Justin Longmuir was a rare sight for the Dockers players at quarter time, and as his team found the game within arm’s reach, he had his men playing a style that was hard to beat. The fast paced first half that suited the Dogs was no longer as Fremantle moved into a possessive style of play to haul momentum.
They used their ball users through Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark to slowly open up gaps in the Dogs defense to break down their system, eventually, the dam wall burst and the Dockers put on a scintillating first five minutes of the last quarter, extending their lead out by kicking the first four of the quarter.
Again, it was a five-minute burst that broke the Bulldogs down, a habit they continually can’t seem to break and team’s exploit. On a night where dynamic duo Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw were down on form, it was the ruck combination of Luke Jackson and Mason Cox who asserted their dominance on the underdone Tim English and inexperienced Louis Emmett.
Despite a late Dogs fightback through Arthur Jones, sparking the crowd with electrifying footy acts, the Dockers steadied to prevail and sit pretty in second spot.
The 3-2-1 Malarkey Votes
A new addition to the Almanac match reports had myself eager to get involved in this, however, I am now sympathizing with the umpires trying to settle the votes, albeit with stats in front of me, I’ve decided to go on pure impact based on what my own eyes saw on the evening.
THREE VOTES – Shai Bolton (Fremantle), a player who has always showed his talent and on Friday night he was simply electrifying playing as a pure midfielder, he finished with 30 disposals, 16 score involvements and the final goal that sealed the win for his side.
TWO VOTES – Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), with that knee heavily strapped ‘The Bont’ simply just found a way to be the Dogs best again, his second goal for the game came in the last quarter where he was pushed off balance as he slotted it from inside the center square, pure class and brilliance, he is ageing like a fine wine is Marcus.
ONE VOTE – Hayden Young (Fremantle), could have raffled this final vote, however based on pure impact Young was excellent. As the Dockers continue to manage his minutes following the interrupted off season, Young found a balance between forward and the midfield, he kicked three majors and had 20 disposals in a classy display, a man Fremantle simply can’t lose to injury come September.
An Observation
The Dogs list managers will be questioning if the tall American Mason Cox should have been wearing the red, white and blue on Friday night. With Tim English coming back from a knee injury, he leant on young Emmett to assist the ruck duties, where on the other hand, when the dominant Jackson went off for a spell, it was the experienced Cox who stepped up into the ruck and gave his midfielders first service in the big moments in the last term to exploit the Dogs younger ruck depth.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.3 9.6 11.9 15.12 (102)
FREMANTLE 2.1 7.4 12.7 17.12 (114)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 2, West 2, Lewis 2, Bontempelli 2, McNeil 2, Richards, Vandermeer, Sanders, Jones, Bramble,
Fremantle: Switkowski 3, Young 3, Treacy 3, Jackson, Dudley, Frederick, Erasmus, Reid, Chapman, Brayshaw, Bolton
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Richards, Naughton, West, Dale
Fremantle: Young, Jackson, Switkowski, Reid, Clark, Bolton
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (right hamstring),
Fremantle: Nil
Crowd: 23,071 at Marvel Stadium
Read more from Kristian Cavallo HERE.
To read other Round 8 match reports click HERE.
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About Kristian Cavallo
Third year university student, looking to explore my passion in writing particularly about AFL.
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As a fellow Bulldog good report Kristian keep it going albeit I think your goalkickers and best players are perhaps from last year mate.
Thanks for picking that up Hayden.
My mistake. Corrected now.
Peter Clark (ed.)
Great review.
Dropping players back in red time could have prevented at least 2 goals which was the losing margin.