AFL Round 8

Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
Saturday 3 May | 1:20pm AEST
Mars Stadium, Ballarat • Wadawurrung
Broadcast: Kayo/Foxtel

Ticketing Information

Tickets for the 2025 AFL Round 8 Match between Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide on Saturday, May 3 at Mars Stadium are now exhausted.

This match is a fully ticketed event and should further tickets become available, they will be released via Ticketmaster on a date to be announced.

Ballarat Reserved Seat Members can still use their season barcode to redeem a ticket.

NEED HELP ON MATCH DAY? 

The Bulldogs’ membership team will be at the match-day pavilion near Gate 1 (Barkly Street end). 

To contact us before match day:

• 📆 Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM
• 📧 membership@westernbulldogs.com.au
• 📞 1300 46 36 47

When: Sunday 20 April
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands • Wurundjeri 
First bounce: 7:20pm AEST
Broadcast: 7AFL, 7Plus, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Binge

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER

Score two General Admission tickets for the price of one! Click here and use the code GAOFFER to unlock the offer.

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Don’t just witness history. Be part of it: Sign up as a Bulldogs member TODAY. 

Already a member? After the game, look out for two member-exclusive pieces of content from the coaches. Stay across your email and the Club website to access.

Dogs fans are always welcome at Pirate Life’s venue in South Melbourne. Members receive 2-for-1 South Coast schooners every Bulldogs’ game day, as well as 10% off everything all day, every day. Just present your Bulldogs’ membership card to take advantage of this offer!

LAST MEETING

Round 6, 2024, Marvel Stadium
St Kilda 9.10 (64) def. by Western Bulldogs 19.10 (124)

Aaron Naughton kicked an equal career-high six goals in what was a goalkicking masterclass from the Bulldogs at Marvel, slotting their first 12 set shots of the game to cruise to a 60-point victory in the Thursday night clash.

Former Dog-now-Saint Jack Macrae (30 disposals, seven tackles and a goal) was immense, while Bailey Dale (39 disposals, 15 marks and a goal) and Adam Treloar (30 disposals, nine clearances and a goal) also had a big say in the result.

THE LINE-UP

Check back on Friday at 5pm AEST for the final team.

WHO TO WATCH

Sunday’s clash sees the long-awaited return of Marcus Bontempelli, who will lead out his side for the first time this season. All eyes will be on who squares off with the skipper in the centre, with a potential matchup against former Bulldog Jack Macrae on the cards.

This will be 15^th time The Bont has faced the Saints in his career; last year’s encounter saw the Bulldog star gather 24 disposals (13 of which were contested), six tackles and a Brownlow vote.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

• Martin Pegan, afl.com.au

The Western Bulldogs (2-3) did a lot right as they opened up a commanding lead over Brisbane before becoming the latest side to be overrun by the reigning premiers. The Dogs will recall captain Marcus Bontempelli this week and will appreciate being back at a venue where they have won their past seven, though the Saints also have a strong record with only one defeat in their past nine visits.

St Kilda (3-2) lost few admirers as it was outclassed by Greater Western Sydney before mounting a brave comeback last week. The Saints might have been given an indication against the Giants of where they truly sit at the moment but can expect to be more competitive against a Bulldogs outfit that is also expected to be fighting for the lower end of the top eight spots.

The Western Bulldogs have taken home the chocolates with a comfortable win over St Kilda on Easter Sunday evening.

Despite conceding four of the first five goals of the game, the hosts went onto kick seven straight which ultimately set up the 18.19 (127) to 8.8 (56) victory.

It means the Bulldogs retain the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate.

After a sluggish start, the Dogs burst out of the pack in the second quarter, slotting five in a row while holding the Saints to just three behinds.

They didn't stop there however; with Ryley Sanders (career-high 32 disposals), Ed Richards and Jason Johannisen all contributing in the third. 

Johannisen's goal on the run marked his first since Round 20, 2023.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli was stellar in his return, collecting 30 disposals and eight clearances to go with two goals.

Aaron Naughton and Rhylee West got to work up forward with three majors each in the absence of Sam Darcy (knee), who was subbed out late in the first quarter. 

Darcy will go for scans tomorrow to reveal the extent of his injury. 

The win moves the Bulldogs into the eight with a 3-3 ledger, ahead of their next meeting with GWS at Manuka Oval on Saturday 26 April. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS   3.5     8.8    13.13    18.19 (127)
ST KILDA                      4.1     4.4     6.8      8.8 (56)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, West 3, Bontempelli 2, Freijah 2, Kennedy 2, Sanders, Johannisen, Richards, Liberatore, McNeil, Williams
St Kilda: Owens 3, Higgins 3, Sinclair, Wilson

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Naughton, West, Kennedy, Liberatore, Sanders
St Kilda: Owens, Higgins, Wilkie, Windhager, Sinclair

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Darcy (knee)
St Kilda: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Nil 
St Kilda: Angus Hastie, replaced in the selected side by Zak Jones

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Cooper Hynes (replaced Sam Darcy in the first quarter)
St Kilda: Zak Jones (replaced Liam Henry at half-time)

Crowd: 35,511 at Marvel Stadium