RECAP: Fremantle Dockers take down Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium
Fremantle remain unbeaten in WA across 2026 after a strong last quarter toppled a gutsy Western Bulldogs. Recap all the action from Optus Stadium with our blog.
Fremantle remain unbeaten in WA across 2026 after a strong last quarter toppled a gutsy Western Bulldogs.
Hayden Young returned strongly in place of Corey Wagner who picked up an injury during the week while the Dogs were hurt by the absences of Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman up forward.
Recap all the action from Optus Stadium with our blog.
Key events
31 Jul 2026 - 09:12 PM
ANALYSIS
31 Jul 2026 - 08:57 PM
MATCH REPORT
31 Jul 2026 - 08:46 PM
THREE-WORD ANALYSIS
31 Jul 2026 - 08:41 PM
FT: Fremantle 78, Western Bulldogs 41
31 Jul 2026 - 08:03 PM
3QT: Fremantle 46, Western Bulldogs 32
31 Jul 2026 - 07:15 PM
HT: Fremantle 29, Western Bulldogs 29
31 Jul 2026 - 06:39 PM
QT: Fremantle 9, Western Bulldogs 8
That’s a wrap!
It wasn’t glorious but the Dockers have chalked up their 11th home win of the season and remain unbeaten in WA.
They now face a trip to the home of footy next week to take on the Demons.
We will be back for West Coast v Richmond on Sunday but in the mean time, make sure you check out our rolling Comm Games blog!
MATCH REPORT
Fremantle have all but sewn up the minor premiership and won a club record 18 games in a home and away season, on a night where the Western Bulldogs used radical tactics to try to create an unlikely upset.
THREE-WORD ANALYSIS
FT: Fremantle 78, Western Bulldogs 41
The Dogs were gutsy for three and but quarters but they simply ran out of puff.
It’s another good sign for the Dockers who showed they can overcome dour defensive tactics, which could be handy come finals.
Josh Treacy was the difference in the end, his ability to clunk marks and then slot the goal turned the tide.
Broken open
The Dockers are piling on the pain now.
The Dogs have run out of energy and the Dockers are finally finding the synergy they’ve been after all night.
FRE 78, WB 41
Dudley calls game!
The small forward knew the moment the ball left his boot the set shot was sailing true.
He turned to the crowd and gave some love as his second seals the result.
FRE 65, WB 34
The key
Fremantle had one key man they absolutley had to stop and that was Marcus Bontempelli.
And that’s what they did.
He has a history of carving the Dockers up but tonight he’s had 16 disposals and two clearances.
He also copped a brutal don’t argue from Erasmus for good measure.
FRE 58, WB 33
Eye of the storm
The ‘Cyclone’ crunches a mark between five Bulldogs defenders and it feels like the dam wall is on the verge of breaking.
Treacy slots the set shot and he is having a great night.
FRE 52, WB 33
Last-term problems
The Western Bulldogs have only won seven last quarters across the season and have a net points total of minus 83.
It leaves them a huge hill to climb but they started well here at Optus.
Can they dig deep and pull of a stunning upset?
FRE 46, WB 33
