The Western Bulldogs have ended the 2025 pre-season with a spirited win over Hawthorn in their AAMI Community Series game on Thursday night. 

Travelling to Tasmania to face the Hawks, the undermanned Dogs fought off a fast-finishing opposition to take home a 11-point win.

While veteran Tom Liberatore led the way with a game-high 31 disposals and 10 tackles, it was the likes of Sam Davidson, Sam Darcy, Lachlan McNeil and Joel Freijah who stood tall in the absence of some key personnel. 

06:51

AAMI Community Series | Match Highlights

The Hawks and Bulldogs clash in the AAMI Community Series

Quarter one: 

The Dogs would suffer an early blow with Marcus Bontempelli leaving the field early in the game with calf-tightness. Despite the captain not featuring in the remainder of the game as a precautionary measure, the Dogs stood tall in their leader's absence. A first quarter hattrick of goals from Lachlan McNeil a real highlight, while youngsters Sam Davidson and Josh Dolan looked up to the task at the senior level. Setting up well defensively, the Dogs were able to stem the run-and-carry of the speedy Hawks and rebound efficiently and effectively through Rory Lobb and Joel Freijah. The Dogs would take a 10-point lead into the first break.

00:47

AAMI Community Series | McNeil steals first-term spotlight with hat-trick

Lachie McNeil makes a blistering start, booting the Bulldogs’ first three goals to own the opening quarter

Quarter two: 

McNeil picked up where he left off in the first quarter, snagging another early goal to record his fourth for the day. A Bulldogs' blitz saw the hard-running Dogs put on three goals to one in the second quarter and extend their lead to 22 points at the main break. Davidson continued to impress reaching double-digit possessions and recording a goal during the term. The Dogs were calmly supported by the experience of Taylor Duryea, James Harmes and Bailey Williams who gave their teammates the time and space to build on the first-quarter lead. 

00:33

AAMI Community Series | Davidson having a day out for Dogs

Mature-age draftee Sam Davidson continues to impress with a stunning finish, adding to his strong first-half performance

Quarter three: 

It came as no surprise that the Hawks would come out swinging in the second half. The Dogs were somewhat stunned by the Hawks after the main break, who seemed to break the shackles of the first half and find the space to play their natural fast-paced style. James O'Donnell and Luke Cleary stood tall as the Hawks were more damaging with their movement inside 50m. A goal to Aaron Naughton would stem a run of three goals to the opposition and give the Dogs a nine-point lead heading into the final break. 

01:00

AAMI Community Series | ‘You don’t see 210cm players do that’: Darcy blows minds

Sam Darcy sends a warning to the competition with a high-flying mark and two superb goals moments later

Quarter four: 

Early goals to the Hawks would see them claim the lead and set up what would be a thrilling final quarter. Fighting from the front, Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton provided the Bulldogs midfielders with strong targets up forward. The two would combine for 16 marks and six goals to help their team to a hard-fought victory over the Hawks. The backline held strongly under consistent pressure from the Hawks in the last quarter, while the work around the contest by Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Riley Garcia and Ryley Sanders was not to be underplayed in the team's win. 

Match summary:

HAWTHORN                  2.2     3.5     6.8      9.12 (66)
WESTERN BULLDOGS           3.6     6.9     7.11     11.11 (77)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Macdonald 2, Watson 2, Chol, Ginnivan, Maginness, Worpel, D'Ambrosio
Western Bulldogs: McNeil 4, Darcy 3, Naughton 3, Davidson

BEST
Hawthorn: D'Ambrosio, Worpel, Morrison, Amon, Sicily
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Naughton, Davidson, McNeil, Freijah

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli (calf), Vandermeer (concussion)