MATCH INFO

Round 22 v Hawthorn
Sunday 13 August
UTAS Stadium, Launceston
1.10pm AEST
Broadcast: Fox Footy, Kayo Sports
Admission: Please click here to purchase tickets.

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2022 SUMMARY

Western Bulldogs 8th 12-10 108.9%
Hawthorn 13th 8-14 89.8%

FUN FACTS

  • The Bulldogs hold a 6-4 record from their last 10 clashes against Hawthorn
  • This will be the seventh clash between the Hawks and the Bulldogs at UTAS Stadium, with the Hawks currently holding a 4-2 record at the venue
  • UTAS Stadium is the only Tasmanian venue the Bulldogs have played for premiership points/finals at, having never played at either Blundstone Arena or North Hobart Oval
  • The Bulldogs have two players on their current list born in Tasmania; Liam Jones and Ryan Gardner
  • The Bulldogs also have two former Hawks on their list (Taylor Duryea and Tim O’Brien), while assistant coach Matt Spangher was a 2014 premiership player in the brown and gold

LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 14.10 (94) def. Hawthorn 9.11 (65)

The Bulldogs ran away 29-point victors in skipper Marcus Bontempelli’s 200th match earlier this season. Trailing by three points at the main break, the Dogs emerged with a point to prove in the second half - slotting seven of the next nine goals. Captain Marcus Bontempelli celebrated his 200th career match with 20 disposals, six tackles and five marks, while Aaron Naughton finished with four goals from 15 disposals. Caleb Daniel led the Dogs' stats sheet with 27 disposals, seven tackles and five marks. Oskar Baker and Bailey Williams were strong on the wing, registering 20 and 24 touches respectively, while Arthur Jones enjoyed a maiden goal late.

08:03

Match Highlights | RD7 v Hawthorn

The Bulldogs and Hawks clash in round seven.

TALKING POINTS

1. Win or bust

As gun midfielder Tom Liberatore simply put it: “it’s win or bust” for the Dogs.

A triumph over the Hawks – who are coming off an electrifying win over ladder-leaders Collingwood – will go a long way in helping the Bulldogs secure a spot in the top-eight.

While the Dogs will keep a weekly focus, banking four points on Sunday should ease the pressure heading into a penultimate round meeting with West Coast and trip down the highway against reigning premiers Geelong.

With a log-jam of teams vying for a finals finish, the Bulldogs can remain in control of their own destiny if all goes well at UTAS Stadium.

01:31

Tom Liberatore | 'To put those 4 quarters together was really good'

Libba speaks on the win and the challenges ahead

2. Quar-test

Having endured a number of injuries throughout the season, the Dogs should get some reprieve this weekend.

Alex Keath, Hayden Crozier, Ryan Gardner and Harvey Gallagher will all undergo fitness tests this week before being declared available, with a wealth of experience that could hand the Bulldogs’ backline a healthy boost.

Key back Liam Jones impressively held down the fort against Richmond – collecting 11 disposals, three marks and 10 intercepts in his return from a forearm fracture.

The Dogs will release their extended squad on Thursday night, before trimming that to a team of 22 on Friday evening.

02:06

Victoria University Medical Room | Round 22

Thanks to VU, Chris Bell gives a medical update on Scott, Hannan and more

3. Naughton’s record is still alive

Aaron Naughton is still only one of two players to have kicked at least one goal in every possible match this season.

He’ll have another opportunity to keep that streak alive when he travels to Tasmania this weekend – but with in-form defender James Sicily looming as his direct opponent, could present more of a challenge.

Naughton’s goalkicking record in Tasmania is promising – with seven majors from three games in the Apple Isle – and has kicked the second-most goals of his career (14) against the Hawks.

Can he keep the streak alive on Sunday?