The Western Bulldogs have responded to last week’s loss in emphatic fashion, thrashing Essendon by 42 points at Metricon Stadium.

The Bulldogs secured their fourth win in their last five games, on the back of a dominant performance from Tim English.

The emerging ruckman picked up an equal career-high 22 disposals (17 contested) for the third time this season, took seven marks, won six clearances, kicked a goal and had eight score involvements.

MATCH CENTRE | Full match wrap, highlights, player and team stats from the Bulldogs and Bombers clash.

06:16

Match Highlights | Essendon v Western Bulldogs

Watch all the key moments and plays from the Western Bulldogs' 42-point victory over Essendon at Metricon Stadium.


The Bulldogs were emphatic in the middle stages of the game, kicking five straight majors in the third term to set up the comprehensive victory.

The win enabled the Club’s percentage to climb significantly, on the back of its highest score of the 2020 season to date.

It was also the sixth straight win by the red, white and blue against the Bombers. 

00:34

Towering English lets his hands do the talking

Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English strong in the aerial contest and kicks a critical goal.

The Dogs’ midfield stood up for four quarters, winning the clearances by eight, with Jack Macrae (29 disposals), Lachie Hunter (26), Marcus Bontempelli (23) and Tom Liberatore (22) finding plenty of the ball.

Debutant Cody Weightman booted two brilliant goals, including a miraculous checkside goal from the boundary with his first kick in football, after a towering pack mark.

Mitch Wallis was the game’s highest goalkicker, with three, as 10 players hit the scoreboard for the winners.

00:32

Weightman dobs the banana on debut

Cody Weightman announces his arrival on the AFL stage with an early grab and goal

The Dogs took a slender lead into the first break after a free-flowing opening, despite some missed opportunities in front of goal.

They controlled the second term as English helped his midfielders to an ascendancy in the clearances, but the margin was only extended to 13 points by half time.

It was as close as the Bombers would get as the Dogs put the foot down, at one stage blowing the margin out to 55 points.

The victory ensures the Western Bulldogs retain the EJ Whitten Cup, having won the past six encounters between the two clubs.

The Bulldogs face the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium in Round 8 next Thursday, July 23.

All The Highlights & Interviews
  • 01:01

    Game in 60 seconds

    Check out all the action from the Round 7 win over Essendon condensed into 60 seconds.

    AFL
  • 08:52

    Beveridge | 'It's a promising night for us'

    Watch Senior Coach Luke Beveridge speak to the media following his side's win over Essendon at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 04:41

    Cody Weightman | 'I had an absolute blast out there'

    Hear from Bulldogs debutant Cody Weightman following the Round 7 win over Essendon on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 02:52

    Mitch Wallis | 'We'll enjoy this one'

    Hear from Bulldogs forward Mitch Wallis following the Round 7 win over Essendon on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Sing the song, 'Sons of the West!'

    Watch the Bulldogs sing the team song and celebrate their round seven win over Essendon.

    AFL
  • 06:16

    Match Highlights | Essendon v Western Bulldogs

    Watch all the key moments and plays from the Western Bulldogs' 42-point victory over Essendon at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Cody strikes again as Dogs run hot

    An impressive debut from Cody Weightman getting better by the second after repeat efforts finishes with a slick shot on goal.

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Suckling on the end of a perfect delivery

    Laitham Vandermeer provides a perfectly-weighted ball for Matthew Suckling to mark and goal.

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Towering English lets his hands do the talking

    Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English strong in the aerial contest and kicks a critical goal.

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Weightman dobs the banana on debut

    Cody Weightman announces his arrival on the AFL stage with an early grab and goal

    AFL
  • 03:46

    Match Committee | Round 7

    Jack Heverin and Terry Wallace bring you all the latest team selection news ahead of the Round 7 clash against Essendon.

    AFL
  • 18:18

    Luke Beveridge | 'The Bombers play a strong brand of team football'

    Hear from Luke Beveridge in the lead up to the Round 7 clash against Essendon on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 03:29

    Lachie Hunter | 'It hurt a lot'

    Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter speaks to Bulldogs Media about how he dealt with the days, weeks and months after an incident which saw him suspended for four games, culminating in his return to the field for the Bulldogs last weekend.

    AFL
  • 02:30

    Weightman | 'I'm super happy and can't wait'

    Hear from Cody Weightman following the announcement of his debut ahead of the Round 7 clash against Essendon on Friday at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 01:44

    Cody Weightman calls his parents

    Check out the moment Cody Weightman calls home to tell his parents about his debut.

    AFL
  • 02:57

    Bailey Smith | 'I've enjoyed it so far'

    Hear from Bailey Smith in the lead up to the Round 7 clash against the Bombers on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Medical Room | Latest on Lloyd, Dunkley, Gardner.

    Hear the latest injury news on Sam Lloyd, Josh Dunkley and Ryan Gardner thanks to Elastoplast.

    AFL

 

ESSENDON                      3.3    4.3    4.6      7.9 (51)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    4.1    6.4    11.7    14.9 (93)

GOALS
Essendon: Laverde 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Snelling, Hooker, Zaharakis, Smith
Western Bulldogs: Wallis 3, Suckling 2, Weightman 2, Bruce, English, Johannisen, Lipinski, Richards, Vandermeer, Dale

BEST
Essendon: McGrath, Saad, Hurley, Parish
Western Bulldogs: English, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Macrae, Smith, Daniel

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

AFL Round 7 | Essendon v Western Bulldogs

Under the Friday night lights, the Western Bulldogs squared off against Essendon at Metricon Stadium. After a disappointing loss to Carlton five days prior, the Bulldogs bounced back with an emphatic 42-point victory under the Friday night lights.
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