The Western Bulldogs have moved into the top eight with one match remaining in the 2020 season, after a comfortable 36-point victory over Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

If the Bulldogs can defeat Fremantle in Cairns next Sunday, they’ll confirm back-to-back finals appearances.

MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs best player in the clash against the Hawks for a chance to win a $20 McCafe Gift Card.

06:02

Match Highlights | Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

Watch all the key moments from the Western Bulldogs six-goal victory over Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval.

The win came at a significant cost, however, with Toby McLean suffering a serious knee injury early in the first quarter.

McLean kicked the first goal of the game after just 21 seconds, but shortly after his knee buckled underneath the weight of Hawks ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, and he was forced from the field on a stretcher.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half and led by 40 points at half time, before the Hawks lifted their intensity to limit the damage.

Caleb Daniel continued his brilliant season with a best afield performance, which included 28 disposals, 11 marks, seven inside 50s and a goal.

MATCH CENTRE | View all the team and player stats from the Bulldogs' win over Hawthorn

00:21

Caleb capitalises on costly Hawks clanger

Tim O'Brien takes a fantastic speccy but then inadvertently turns the ball over to Caleb Daniel, who makes him pay full price

Five Bulldogs players registered 25 or more possessions – Daniel, Jack Macrae (29), Marcus Bontempelli (28), Tom Liberatore (28) and Bailey Smith (25).

Bontempelli was at his damaging best, particularly in the first half, and he finished with game-highs for inside 50s (eight), contested possessions (17) and clearances (11).  Seven of those clearances came directly from the centre bounce.

Aaron Naughton was lively in the forward half, kicking two goals and taking six marks, while Jason Johannisen kicked two goals from the wing in the first half.

00:39

JJ off the leash with two first quarter goals

Dangerous rebounder Jason Johannisen produces two first-quarter goals after being afforded too much time and space

The Bulldogs constructed their win with a dominance inside and outside the contest.  They won the contested possessions by 30 and uncontested possessions by 56, despite having 21 fewer hitouts.

They got off to the perfect start, kicking four of the first five goals, before booting the only three goals of the second term to establish a commanding lead.

The Hawks pegged the margin back to under four goals with plenty of time remaining in the final term, but the Bulldogs kicked the last two majors of the game to make sure of the four points.

All The Highlights & Interviews
  • 02:57

    Game Film | Dogs v Hawks

    Take an inner sanctum look at the round 17 win over Hawthorn Hawks on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 12:11

    Beveridge | ‘Great to get in the position that if we win, we’re in’

    Watch Senior Coach Luke Beveridge speak to the media after his side's six-goal win over the Hawks at Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 02:09

    Jason Johannisen | 'We got the job done'

    Hear from Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen following the Round 17 win against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 03:14

    Taylor Duryea | 'It was a good performance'

    Hear from Bulldogs defender Taylor Duryea following the Round 17 win against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 06:02

    Match Highlights | Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

    Watch all the key moments from the Western Bulldogs six-goal victory over Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Dogs sing the song after six goal win

    Enter the inner-sanctum as the Western Bulldogs celebrate their six goal win over Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 00:21

    Caleb capitalises on costly Hawks clanger

    Tim O'Brien takes a fantastic speccy but then inadvertently turns the ball over to Caleb Daniel, who makes him pay full price

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Baz briliance, slots the snap over his head

    Bailey Smith slots a delightful snap goal over his head.

    AFL
  • 00:39

    JJ off the leash with two first quarter goals

    Dangerous rebounder Jason Johannisen produces two first-quarter goals after being afforded too much time and space

    AFL
  • 03:15

    Match Committee | Round 17

    Sam Edmund and Liam Pickering bring you all the latest team selection news ahead of the Round 17 clash against Hawthorn.

    AFL
  • 16:05

    Luke Beveridge | 'It was an encouraging win for us'

    Hear from Luke Beveridge in the lead up to the Round 17 clash against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 37:48

    Barkly Street EP 20 | 'Crossy', A Captain's Goal and NFL Fantasy

    Bulldog royalty Daniel Cross wandered onto Barkly Street for episode 20 of the Club's official podcast this week.

    AFL
  • 04:17

    Jason Johannisen | 'We've got to focus on winning this week'

    Hear from Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen in the lead up to the Round 17 match against Hawthorn on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Medical Room | Latest on Easton Wood

    Hear the latest injury news on Easton Wood, thanks to Elastoplast.

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Quickfire | Which of Libba's tattoos would you get?

    In the latest instalment of Dogs Quickfire, the boys are asked which of Tom Liberatore's tattoos they would get.

    AFL

 

MATCH DETAILS

Hawthorn                           1.1          1.2          5.3          6.4 (40)
Western Bulldogs           4.1          7.6          9.7          11.10 (76)

MATCH CENTRE | View all the team and player stats from the Bulldogs' win over Hawthorn

GOALS
Hawthorn:  Gunston 3, Breust, O’Brien, Wingard
Western Bulldogs:  Johannisen 2, English 2, Naughton 2, McLean, B.Smith, Wallis, R.Smith, Daniel

BEST
Hawthorn: Breust, Shiels, Gunston, Cousins, Greaves, Morrison
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Bontempelli, Liberatore, English, B.Smith, Macrae

MACCA'S MVP | Vote for the Bulldogs best player in the clash against the Hawks for a chance to win a $20 McCafe Gift Card.

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Western Bulldogs: McLean (knee)