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Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Tips - Wounded Dogs to have the answers against the Kangaroo

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 13 Mar 2025

Adam Cusworth 13 Mar 2025

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Western Bulldogs face North Melbourne in AFL season opener.
Bulldogs lead recent matchups, winning past seven games.
Key players like Marcus Bontempelli are out with injuries.

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WESTERN BULLDOGS VS NORTH MELBOURNE AFL 2024

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Tristan Xerri of the Kangaroos and Rory Lobb of the Bulldogs contest the ruck during the round 23 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium, on August 18, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Preview
Head to Head
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
Western Bulldogs Team News
Western Bulldogs Team List
North Melbourne Form Analysis
North Melbourne Team News
North Melbourne Team List

Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Preview

The Western Bulldogs take on North Melbourne in the Round 1 of the AFL season on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium in Sydney.

The Bulldogs have dominated North Melbourne in recent seasons but have a number of injury concerns out of the pre-season with Marcus Bontempelli the latest casualty after straining his calf in the win over Hawthorn.

Luke Beveridge’s side come off a 2024 campaign that saw them claim 14 home and away wins before bowing out in the first week of the finals. North Melbourne could only manage three victories and copped some heavy losses at different stages.

Despite missing key players, it is hard to see the Dogs dropping this match. They won six of their last seven home and away matches. North Melbourne lost six of their past seven with their last two in 2024 seeing them go down to the Bulldogs by 96 and Hawthorn by 120.

They ranked 2nd for disposals in 2024 and 5th for points scored, while North Melbourne were 14th and 16th in these measures. With an edge in depth and experience, we can expect them to kick off their season with a victory.

The Bulldogs have won the past seven matches between the two sides by an average margin of 57 points.
Sam Darcy starred the last time the two sides met with seven goals
North Melbourne won just three matches in 2024

Head to Head

The Western Bulldogs have had the upper hand over North Melbourne in recent seasons, winning the past seven matches between the two sides by an average margin of 57 points.

Luke Beveridge’s side were 96-point winners the last time the two sides met. Sam Darcy starred with seven goals, while Adam Treloar had 33 disposals. Zac Fisher and Luke Davies-Uniacke both had 30+ disposals for North.

Western Bulldogs Form Analysis

The Dogs started 2024 slowly and were 3-5 after eight matches but surged late, winning eight of their final ten home-and-away games, driven by a potent attack (2nd in points scored) and a stingy defence (1st in points allowed). Tim English provided plenty of presence in the ruck, while Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy were potent up forward. Off-season departures see Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, and Caleb Daniel go to rival club but depth has been added to the midfield with the addition of Matthew Kennedy.

There were encouraging signs in the pre-season, despite going down to Essendon in match simulation. In The AAMI Community Series clash with Hawthorn the Bulldogs dominated the inside 50 count particularly early on before running out 11 point winners. They were able to overcome the early loss of Bontempelli with Tom Liberatore (31 disposals) and Sam Davidson (29) finding plenty of the footy, while Lachie McNeil Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy combined for 10 goals.

Western Bulldogs Team News

Adam Treloar (calf), Liam Jones (hamstring), and Jason Johannisen (hamstring) are among those sidelined, while star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Cody Weightman both unavailable due to personal issues and knee surgery, respectively. Marcus Bontempelli will also miss six weeks due to a calf tendon injury, and Laitham Vandermeer is racing against the clock after a concussion. Despite these setbacks, Ryley Sanders and the new recruit, Matthew Kennedy, have impressed, while young players like Riley Garcia and Buku Khamis are expected to step up in key positions.

Western Bulldogs Team List

B: J.O’Donnell, J.Freijah, T.Duryea

HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale

C: B.Williams, T.Liberatore - C, S.Davidson

HF: J.Dolan, A.Naughton, M.Kennedy

F: L.Vandermeer, S.Darcy, J.Harmes

FOLL: T.English, R.Sanders, E.Richards

I/C: L.Cleary, H.Gallagher, A.Jones, L.McNeil, R.West

EMG: O.Baker, R.Garcia, B.Khamis

North Melbourne Form Analysis

North Melbourne’s 2024 win-loss record reads as an ugly 3-20 but Alistair Clarkson’s side showed fight, losing eight games by 20 points or less. Harry Sheezel and Nick Larkey were shining lights, while Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma offered glimpses of future potential. Areas for improvement will need to come in attack as they were 16th in points scored.

In pre-season of 2025, the Kangaroos lost their AAMI Community Series game against West Coast on March 1 in Bunbury by two-points. Sheezel (29 disposals) and Luke Parker led the way the midfield. North Melbourne have focussed on contested ball and quicker transitions through the pre-season but their 2024 form suggests they’ll be outgunned by a more seasoned Bulldogs outfit, with growth rather than wins still the focus at this stage for the young Roos.

North Melbourne Team News

George Wardlaw is sidelined by a hamstring injury, but Zac Fisher should be fit for Round 1. New recruits Caleb Daniel and Luke Parker will play key roles, with Parker likely splitting time between midfield and forward, while Tom Powell and Will Phillips are set to get more midfield opportunities. Look for the emergence of more young players such as Finn O'Sullivan, Charlie Comben and Robert Hansen Jr.

North Melbourne Team List

B: C.Comben, A.Corr, G.Logue

HB: B.Scott, C.Daniel, J.Archer

C: F.O’Sullivan, L.Davies-Uniacke, J.Simpkin - C

HF: H.Sheezel, N.Larkey, C.McKercher

F: P.Curtis, J.Darling, C.Zurhaar

FOLL: T.Xerri, T.Powell, L.Parker

I/C: L.McDonald, D.Tucker, W.Phillips, J.Konstanty, R.Hansen Jr

EMG: D.Stephens, F.Maley, B.Teakle

Verdict

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

Western Bulldogs have been too slick for North Melbourne in recent times and should have the depth to cover injuries. Sam Darcy looms large up forward.

Western Bulldogs -22.5

Handicap -22.5

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