MATCH INFO
Round 17 v Collingwood
Friday 7 July
Marvel Stadium
7.50pm AEST
Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports
Admission: There will be no ticket sales available at the gate. Bulldogs’ GA (subject to capacity) and Reserved Seat members can still scan into the match.
For more information regarding member access to the game, please click here.
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2022 SUMMARY
Western Bulldogs 8th 12-10 108.9%
Collingwood 4th 16-6 104.3%
FUN FACTS
- The Bulldogs have beaten the Pies the last two times they have met
- The Dogs have two ex-Pies on their list (Adam Treloar and Caleb Poulter), while the Magpies have one former Bulldog (Pat Lipinski)
- Development coach Travis Varcoe also played 92 games for Collingwood across six seasons (2015-2020)
- There’s some family ties between the two Clubs – Jack Macrae’s brother Finlay Macrae plays for Collingwood, while Ed Richards is the grandson of Collingwood royalty Ron Richards and great-nephew of Lou Richards
- Ryan Gardner is on track to play his 50th AFL match on Friday night
LAST TIME THEY MET
Collingwood 7.9 (51) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99)
The Bulldogs retained the Robert Rose Cup with a 48-point win over Collingwood last season. The Dogs led from start to finish at Marvel Stadium, with only inaccuracy in front of goal preventing a larger margin. Adam Treloar (35 disposals, eight clearances, three goals) was named best on ground and claimed the Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton medal, while Tom Liberatore (31 touches, five marks, eight tackles), Jack Macrae (37 touches, eight marks, nine clearances) and Bailey Smith (41 touches, six clearances) were impactful.
TALKING POINTS
1. Dogs to don Indigenous guernseys again
Friday night’s match will recognise NAIDOC Week, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
An Indigenous dance group will lead the team out pre-game, while the Bulldogs will once again wear their 2023 Indigenous guernseys for the clash.
The design, created by proud Kerrup-Mara Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta man Jason Walker, represents Mirring (country) on Gunditjmara, where the Bulldogs are affiliated with in south-west Victoria, and is inspired by the Lake Condah Possum Skin Cloak.
The etching designs on the cloak represent the Bulldogs’ staff, players and supporters connection to country and journey throughout life.
2. Playing for more
This week will mark the 25th iteration of the Robert Rose Cup.
Named after former Collingwood (1970-72) and Footscray (1973) player Robert Rose, the Cup honours his contribution to the sport while raising awareness for people living with disability.
In 1974, at age 22, Rose was paralysed in a car accident. He passed away in 1999, with the Robert Rose Foundation formed in his memory which provides support to those with spinal cord injuries.
Since 2007, the Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal has been awarded to the player that best exemplifies the qualities that Sutton and Rose became renowned for over their careers - toughness, skill, courage, leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship.
3. The ultimate test
Friday night footy against the ladder-leaders – it doesn’t get bigger than this.
The Dogs can take plenty of belief heading into the clash, knowing they’ve won the last two encounters, but that won’t make it any less of a battle.
Bontempelli, Liberatore, Naughton.
Daicos, Pendlebury, Moore.
The names speak for themselves. You won’t want to miss this.