Before you know it, the 2019 AFL season will upon us, and the fight for the premiership will be on in earnest.
The AFL released its fixture last week, and we’ve narrowed down the five games you simply cannot miss.
Round 1 vs Sydney – Marvel Stadium, Saturday March 23, 7.25pm
2016 was the last time the Bulldogs got to host their opening round match (a win over Fremantle), and there there’s nothing quite like rocking up at our home ground for game number one, when all teams are equal and excitement is peaking.
It’ll be an occasion too, with Marvel having its first crack at putting on an AFL match-day after they took over the naming rights of Docklands Stadium.
And let’s not forget – we’ve had our fair share of quality battles with the Swans in recent times.
Round 4 vs Collingwood – MCG, Friday April 12, 7.50pm
It’s our only game under Friday night lights for the 2019 season, and what better occasion to take on last season’s grand finalists, the Magpies, in front of their hardcore fans.
Our undermanned pups went down in the only clash between the teams last year, but we won five-straight before then – two of those at the ‘G.
It’ll be the first of two meetings with Collingwood next year (they’ll visit Marvel in Round 14), and might be our first look up close at former Dog Jordan Roughead in the back and white colours.
VIEW THE 2019 WESTERN BULLDOGS’ AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON FIXTURE
Round 10 vs North Melbourne – Marvel Stadium, Saturday May 25, 2.10pm
Games between the Dogs and Kangaroos in recent years have been compelling stuff. The last four games (over the last two seasons) have been decided by seven points or less, and the last six (over the last three seasons) decided by less than three goals.
It’ll most likely be the second edition of the Harmony Game too, after the success of last season’s inaugural event, which celebrated cultural diversity and our multicultural community.
You don’t need too much motivation to get to Marvel on a Saturday arvo for this one.
Round 17 vs Melbourne – Marvel Stadium, Sunday July 14, 3.20pm
Redemption will be on the cards here for the Bulldogs, who have been on the receiving end of three consecutive heavy defeats by the Demons.
It’s been an average of 52 points in those games, so if that doesn’t make you want to lend your voice to help the Bulldog cause in mid-July, we’re not sure what will.
We only play them once next year, so the boys will be hell-bent on making it count.
Round 23 vs Adelaide – Mars Stadium, TBC
Ballarat’s Mars Stadium has become a home away from home for the Dogs, and we broke our duck at the venue last season against the Gold Coast.
Unfortunately, near-cyclonic conditions put a dampener on the second venture to Ballarat in 2018, but the Club and AFL have made sure to schedule this one against the Crows in the final round, when Spring is around the corner.
Here’s to finishing the home-and-away season with a short road trip and a big victory the ‘Rat.
