Bulldogs boost finals chances as forwards fire in belting of Bombers

The Bulldogs have run riot in an emphatic win over the Bombers

Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton celebrate a goal during the Western Bulldogs' clash against Essendon in round 20, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have had a night out, belting Essendon by 93 points at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

The win puts the Bulldogs back in the top eight as they take another step forward in their race to make finals after winning 22.11 (143) to 7.8 (50) in front of a crowd of 29,367.

BOMBERS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

The Dogs were ruthless against the injury-ravaged Bombers, who have now lost eight games in a row, with captain Marcus Bontempelli leading the way, finishing the night with 35 disposals and two goals.

Bontempelli's performance topped off a big week for the Dogs skipper, who signed a new four-year contract and was named the second greatest Bulldog of all time in the club's centenary celebrations.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS Previous Next 09:51 'They just got us, bit by bit, over four quarters, which added up to a big margin': Scott Watch Essendon’s press conference after round 20’s match against Western Bulldogs

09:33 ''Naughts' (Naughton) has really come into his own after an interrupted pre-season': Beveridge Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after round 20’s match against Essendon

02:26 'As good as he's ever been': Naughton notches career-high seven Aaron Naughton launches into seventh heaven with a career-best haul to continue his outstanding form

08:12 Highlights: Essendon v Western Bulldogs The Bombers and Bulldogs clash in round 20 of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

00:51 Richards never stops running in these two magnificent majors Ed Richards starts his work in the middle of the ground before bursting forward to notch two outstanding goals on the night

00:34 The Bont makes everything look so easy Marcus Bontempelli crumbs the pack to perfection and slots his second goal with class

00:43 Cracking Kako controls stubborn footy for fine finish Isaac Kako gathers a hot football and slots a ripper to give Essendon fans one to cheer

00:55 Snappy Darcy doing as he pleases with more for the bag Sam Darcy keeps the show rolling with a couple of cool finishes in the second term to bring his tally to four before half-time

00:54 McMahon makes an impact with tidy double Liam McMahon converts both his opportunities in the first quarter to provide a bright spot in Essendon's forward line

01:00 Bont and Darcy pull out one-handed tricks early Marcus Bontempelli and Sam Darcy both reel in eye-catching marks and hit the scoreboard in the first term as the Bulldogs run riot

Normally the Bulldogs' opponents can quell the influence of one of their key forwards, but they both got off the chain with Aaron Naughton kicking a career-high seven goals, while Sam Darcy booted six of his own.

The Bombers had moments, although few and far between and in the first half they came through key forward and mid-season draftee Liam McMahon, who kicked their only two goals up until half-time.

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McMahon was one of three Bombers from the Mid-Season Rookie Draft who took to the field, with fellow draftees Lachlan Blakiston and Oskar Smartt getting opportunities as a result of the Bombers' extensive injury list, which now is up to 15 players.

Blakiston was given a huge learning curve, spending most of the night on Darcy, while Smartt started as the sub but was brought into the game in the second term when injury-prone defender Jordan Ridley was subbed out with hamstring tightness.

Learn More 02:26

The Bulldogs started strongly, kicking five unanswered goals, with Naughton kicking two within the first three minutes. Naughton was joined by big dogs Bontempelli, Darcy and Ed Richards who all added to their side's tally.

McMahon eventually broke the run when the second-gamer put through the Bombers' first 20 minutes into the term, before slotting his second right on the quarter-time siren, giving Dons fans something to cheer about.

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Essendon's defence improved in the second term, limiting the Dogs to just four goals, but while it slowed the Dogs' scoring, it couldn't apply any scoreboard pressure of its own, and the Dogs went into the main break with an eight-goal lead.

There were concerns in the third quarter when Tom Liberatore went down into the rooms with a foot injury, but the gun midfielder returned later in the quarter to the relief of Bulldogs fans. It seemed that Liberatore's foot had been stood on in a contest and the vice-captain was subbed out tactically later in the game.

Rhylee West started to have an influence on the game, kicking two goals in the third quarter, while Darcy and Naughton continued to add to their tallies.

Young Bombers Nate Caddy and Isaac Kako showed Bombers fans a glimpse into the future when they both hit the scoreboard, but the Bulldogs extended their lead to 79 points at the three-quarter time break.

Learn More 00:43

Peter Wright, who had been threatening all night, finally hit the scoreboard in the final term, kicking two in a row, along with a major to Archie Perkins, making it the highest-scoring term for Bombers.

But the Bulldogs kept their foot on the pedal, adding a further five goals, extending their lead to more than 15 goals at the final siren.

Learn More 00:51

Big Dogs deliver

The Dogs' two tall targets were unstoppable, with Naughton snagging seven and Darcy six. It was their accuracy in front of goal that made their efforts even more exceptional. Naughton kicked 7.1, while Darcy slotted 6.2. The Bombers didn’t have answers for the pair who also took 14 marks, seven of which were contested.

Ridley’s run with injury continues

Unlucky Essendon defender Jordan Ridley lasted just over a quarter when the 26-year-old was subbed out with hamstring tightness in the second term. It was Ridley's fourth game back since injuring his hamstring in round eight. Tightness suggests the sub was precautionary, and the Bombers will be hopeful it isn't another serious injury for the talented backman.

ESSENDON 2.2 2.5 4.6 7.8 (50)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.5 10.5 17.7 22.11 (143)

GOALS

Essendon: Wright 2, McMahon 2, Perkins, Kako, Caddy

Western Bulldogs: Naughton 7, Darcy 6, West 3, Richards 2, Bontempelli 2, Sanders, Poulter

BEST

Essendon: Merrett, Durham, Shiel, Redman, Roberts

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Naughton, Darcy, Liberatore, Williams

INJURIES

Essendon: Ridley (hamstring tightness)

Western Bulldogs: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Essendon: Oskar Smartt (replaced Jordan Ridley in the second quarter)

Western Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer (replaced Tom Liberatore in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 29,367 at Marvel Stadium

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