When: Friday 21 March
Where: MCG, Wurundjeri
First bounce: 7:40pm AEDT
Admission: Buy tickets now
Broadcast: Channel 7, 7plus, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Binge
What’s on: See what’s on around the ground in our game-day guide.
Be in your seats or on the couch before 7:10pm AEDT for a special pre-game ceremony, featuring past players and former skipper, Bob Murphy.
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.
LAST MEETING
Round 12, 2024
Collingwood 12.10 (82) def. by Footscray 15.10 (100)
The Dogs handed Collingwood its first loss in 10 weeks, claiming a three-goal victory in their last encounter at Marvel Stadium. Despite losing two players to injury in the opening half, the Bulldogs dug deep to run out 15.10 (100) to 12.10 (82) winners in front of a vocal Pies crowd. Marcus Bontempelli was at his best, motivating his side with 38 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals, while Sam Darcy (three goals, five contested marks) starred inside 50.
THE LINE-UP
Ins: Buku Khamis, Oskar Baker
Outs: Luke Cleary (concussion), James O’Donnell (jaw)
New: -
WHO TO WATCH
While due to unfortunate circumstances, stand-in skipper Tom Liberatore will be relishing the opportunity to lead the team in its 100th anniversary match this Friday night. A Bulldog through and through with a famous surname, the script could not have been written better for Libba Jnr. He was impactful against the Roos, collecting 28 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances, and will be keen to record a similar output against the Pies on the hallowed MCG turf.
The clash will also mark Luke Beveridge’s 350th combined game milestone, which includes 118 games as a player and 231* games as coach.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
- Martin Pegan, afl.com.au
Footscray will look to the past and revert to its original name for its centenary celebration but showed against North Melbourne last week that it also has an eye on the future. The Bulldogs fielded nine players with fewer than 50 games of experience in the win over the Roos amid an injury crisis that has sidelined five key players and leaves them again relying on youth to mark the huge occasion in style.
The all-too-immediate reaction to Collingwood failing to keep pace with GWS in Opening Round was that it was too old and too slow, but it was little surprise to see it bounce back in emphatic style against Port Adelaide at the MCG. The Magpies might have fielded the fourth-oldest team ever but have shown they still have the energy as well as experience to tame the young Dogs.
