The big question facing the Dogs ahead of September charge

Despite finding themselves in a strong position, the Western Bulldogs have a number of major tests they must pass ahead of any potential September run.

Ahead of the run home, the Bulldogs sit in sixth position with 10 wins from 16 games, strengthened comfortably by an extortionate 133.2 per cent, third highest in the AFL. Although on equal points with ninth placed Fremantle, the Dogs’ ability to dominate against lower-end team leaves them in best place to remain within the top eight come season’s end.

With that being said, the Bulldogs carry a highly unwanted record in 2025, having lost to six of their seven matchups against current top nine sides, with their only win coming against the eighth placed GWS Giants.

Losses to Collingwood, Brisbane, Geelong, Hawthorn, Gold Coast and Fremantle leaves the Bulldogs at a measly 1-6 against competing sides, a highly concerning record in the lead up to the finals.

Round 18 presents as a challenge that the Western Bulldogs may need to overcome in the context of their run home.

Hosting the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium, the Dogs have a perfect opportunity to prove their ability against one of the competition’s best sides, and with this clash marking their final home game against a top six side, this may be the last chance for Luke Beveridge and his men to stamp their foot on the premiership race.

Leading up to Saturday’s Marvel Stadium clash, Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge believes it’s time for the Dogs to step up to the challenge.

“They’ve nicely snuck up to sixth position,” Hodge told SEN Whateley.

“The concern for them and the concern for everyone watching and their supporters, they’ve only beaten one team in the eight and that’s GWS who snuck in this week when Sydney beat Freo.

“This is a prime game for them, they’re coming up against Adelaide where people are still questioning, ‘are Adelaide the real deal’.

“They play some really good football, but they want to see Adelaide beat some away teams, some finals teams running into September.

“It’s (Ed) Richards, it’s 'Libba' (Tom Liberatore), it’s 'Bont' (Marcus Bontempelli), it’s setting the tone for a big hard fight inside.

“Adelaide are going to try to get them on the outside so they need to be tough inside, they need to be firm and running hard on the outside. Give opportunities to (Sam) Darcy and (Aaron) Naughton, they’ve been dominant up there.

“This is the big question; it’s on the Doggies – can they beat a top eight contender this week, because if they do, full of confidence, they’ve got a run in and we know that if the Doggies get the game on their terms, they are hard to beat.

“They run, they link up and they play, but this is a big challenge.”

The clash tees off at 1:20pm AEST this Saturday afternoon, with a win carrying either side one major step closer to a spot in September.