MATCH INFO

Round 18 v Sydney Swans
Thursday 13 July
SCG
7.20pm AEST
Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports
Admission: Tickets on sale here.

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2022 SUMMARY

Western Bulldogs 8th 12-10 108.9%
Sydney 3rd 16-6 127.9%

FUN FACTS

  • Since 2020, the Bulldogs have recorded a WLWL pattern against the Swans,
  • The Dogs’ last win at the SCG was a 28-point triumph in round four, 2020
  • The Bulldogs tasted premiership success over the Swans in 2016, breaking a 62-year flag drought with a 22-point victory
  • James O’Donnell is set to play his first game at the SCG – the same venue his father, Simon played 17 ODIs at (registering 515 runs and 16 wickets)
  • Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae will bring up 200 games as teammates on Thursday – of those outings, they’ve played five together at the SCG - while Luke Beveridge will become the second-longest serving coach in Club history when he celebrates his 200th match at the helm
10:35

Luke Beveridge | 'We've got to keep challenging each other'

Bevo speaks to the media ahead of the Round 18 clash with Sydney.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Sydney 17.18 (120) def. Western Bulldogs 9.13 (67)

The Swans jumped the Bulldogs in the opening quarter of round 17 last season at the SCG, booting 7.8 (50) to the visitors’ 2.1 (13). To the Dogs’ credit, the second quarter was much-improved – levelling up around the contest to offer some better looks at goal and peg the margin back to 29 points – but Sydney responded again in the third. Adam Treloar (32 disposals, five marks) and Jack Macrae (26 disposals, four tackles) found plenty of the footy, while Tim English (13 disposals, 27 hit-outs, one goal) was impactful. Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman both added two goals each.

07:10

Match Highlights | Swans v Bulldogs

Watch the highlights from round 17.

TALKING POINTS

1.Bont and Jacko to reach double ton

Another week, another milestone.

This time it comes in the form of duo Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae, who are set to notch up their 200th match as teammates.

The pair have served as captain/vice-captain since last season, and have led by example in their careers to date.

Both are enjoying in-form 2023 campaigns too – Bontempelli is averaging 27 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and eight clearances, while Macrae is averaging 27 disposals, four marks, five tackles and four clearances.

 

2.Double century for the coach

Luke Beveridge will also celebrate a milestone of his own this week, when he reaches 200 games coached.

He is the second-longest serving coach in Bulldogs history – closing in on Ted Whitten’s 228 games coached – and has coached the most wins of all-time (113).

Beveridge’s winning percentage of 56.78% is also the highest winning ratio (minimum 30 games) among Bulldogs’ coaches.

A win against the Swans could also see the premiership coach claim a record eight victories against John Longmire too (Beveridge’s current record against other coaches is seven wins, which he has achieved against Longmire, Adam Simpson and Chris Fagan).

 

3.Up, up and away

Thursday’s clash will mark the Bulldogs’ fifth interstate match of the season, following trips to Adelaide (R5), Perth (R6), Canberra (R8) and Darwin (R11).

From those trips away, the Dogs currently sit with two wins and two losses – meaning they could improve their ledger with a victory over the Swans.

As mentioned, the Bulldogs’ last win at the SCG came in round four of 2020, and have claimed 11 triumphs over the Swans on their home deck in 30 outings.

If patterns are anything to go by too, their last four battles against Sydney have resulted in WLWL – with a much-needed W up for grabs.