After our Bye we're back down in Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Who: Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
When: Friday 7th June at 7:40pm (local)
Gates Open: 5:45pm

Weekly Notices
Fan Fest → We have a Victorian Fan Fest view details here. 

Tickets → Round 13 tickets are still on sale here.

Lions Supporters’ Area → Level 1, Aisle 2 

Members  → Meet us at the ticket box at Gate 5 to use your member merch voucher to redeem your 2024 Scarf, Beanie or Cap!

Food & Entertainment →  Read the food and beverages options here.

Address → 740 Bourke St, Docklands VIC 3008

Train → Walk from Southern Cross Station via the pedestrian bridge to Marvel Stadium. It's around a four-minute walk. If you’re coming from outside Melbourne, V/Line services will take you to Southern Cross Station.

Trams → Trams run to Marvel Stadium from LaTrobe Street and Harbour Esplanade. They also stop in the CBD on Spencer Street, Bourke Street and Collins Street and all are a short walk to the venue. Visit Public Transport Victoria for more information.

Bus → The bus terminus is at Southern Cross Train Station and services airport transfers as well as routes across country Victoria. Marvel Stadium is a short walk across the Bourke Street pedestrian footbridge from the bus terminus.  

Car → View the Marvel Stadium map here.

Walking → An elevated, 20-metre-wide pedestrian footbridge connects Marvel Stadium to Southern Cross station and the intersection of Spencer and Bourke streets.

Watch → Free to air on Channel 7 or stream on Fox Footy or Kayo. Broadcast kicking off at 1pm.

Remember! Sign up with a Digital Membership to get discounted Kayo! Become a member today →

The Lions showed patches of promise, but were well-beaten at centre clearances and gave away a number of free kicks inside their defensive 50.  Joe Daniher struggled in front of goal, particularly early, missing two straightforward shots and attempting to pass off – but turning over – a third. He finished with 0.4 for the night. Lachie Neale found plenty of the footy, while Brandon Starcevich was steady in an under-the-pump defence.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.2     4.3     8.4     10.7 (67)
BRISBANE                         1.3     2.7     6.8     7.11 (53)

GOALS
Brisbane: Gunston 3, Neale, Cameron, Rayner, Hipwood

BEST
Brisbane: Neale, Ashcroft, Starcevich, Dunkley, Gunston, Andrews

Crowd: 23,665 at Marvel Stadium

It’s a Friday night canine vs. feline showdown!

We’re back in front of our Vic fans and we couldn’t be more excited.

The pride is strong, our claws are sharpened, it’s time to get into this week’s match preview.

Last Time We Met

Last time: Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) d Brisbane 7.11 (53) Round 3, 2023

In our last encounter, the Western Bulldogs clinched their first win of the season, overcoming the Lions 10.7 (67) to 7.11 (53). Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was the star of the show, booting five goals while Marcus Bontempelli led the charge for the Dogs with 28 disposals, proving their bark was as good as their bite.

The game was a tense thriller, with the margin never stretching beyond 15 points. Eric Hipwood's late goal cut the gap to just two points, but Aaron Naughton’s crucial plays secured the Dogs' victory. Lachie Neale as per usual found plenty of the footy, showcasing his class and work rate, while Brandon Starcevich was a steady presence in an under-the-pump defence.

But this time, folks, our boys are ready to roar with a vengeance in the back end of season 2024! We’re hungry for redemption and with our sights set on the Dogs we’re keen to turn their bark into a mere whimper.

Remember! Sign up with a Digital Membership to get discounted Kayo! Become a member today →

Excited About

Lions Locked In!

Exciting times are buzzing around the Lions’ den with two big re-signings during the week! Hugh McCluggage, the midfield maestro with 166 games and a finals series to remember, signed a seven-year deal, making him a Lion for life. Reflecting on his journey, Hugh expressed pride in the past seven years but emphasised that the team has "unfinished business" and a strong desire to continue improving under coach Chris Fagan. Something all Lion’s fans can agree with and will be excited to see.

Adding to the excitement, Bruce Reville, the fan-favorite who made his debut this season after being picked as a Category B rookie in 2023, has extended with the club until 2025. With chants of 'Bruce' echoing around the Gabba, Reville’s journey from cutting meat and driving forklifts to AFL stardom is nothing short of incredible.

It’s safe to say, off the back of these re-signings, its injected a surge of energy and excitement into the group, not only for this week's showdown against the Bulldogs but also with the thrill of having these two key players locked in for the future.

Match-ups we're keen for

Marcus Bontempelli vs Hugh McCluggage

This matchup is set to be a canine vs. feline clash of the titans.

Marcus Bontempelli has been the alpha on the field this season, even as the Bulldogs have had a rollercoaster ride with injuries and results. The Bulldogs skipper is dishing out 26.3 disposals, 6.7 clearances, and five tackles a game. Despite spending a fraction of his time up forward, he's still managing to kick a career-high 1.3 goals per game, with 16 for the season.

Meanwhile, our man Hugh McCluggage has given Brisbane fans something to roar about by turning his back on free agency this week and signing a seven-year deal. The Lions' vice-captain is averaging 25.5 disposals, 16.3 kicks, 4.6 clearances, and three tackles a game. Come Friday night we know Hugh will be ready to lead the charge as we come up against a tough Bulldogs outfit.

Lion’s fans, brace yourselves for a dogfight of a game where only the king of the jungle (or the top dog) will come out on top!

Heading to the game against Dogs at Marvel Stadium? Plan your trip! →

Brisbane's season still has a pulse after a 43-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

A refreshed Eric Hipwood made a statement with an equal career-high six goals as his Lions cruised to the 17.12 (114) to 10.11 (71) win under the Marvel Stadium roof.

Lachie Neale was allowed plenty of time and space to direct his team, moving freely to gather 38 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals. In return, the Lions refused to allow the Bulldogs any such freedom with the ball.

The impact of Josh Dunkley (24 disposals, one goal) and Jarrod Berry (23 disposals, one goal) through the middle was equally important, the latter tasked with nullifying Marcus Bontempelli for the duration.

After an inspirational best on ground performance from Bontempelli last week, he was well held to 19 disposals, yet still broke through for three goals in his tireless attempts to lift his side.

Brisbane's strength around the contest was evident from the off, leading the clearance count 30-13 at the half to put the home side on the back foot at the source, eventually winning the metric 50-32.

The visitors made end-to-end transition a real feature of the game, often propelled by Hugh McCluggage (24 disposals, six clearances) and Darcy Wilmot (23 disposals, 461 metres gained) out of the back half, and utilising the space created by the forward line.

Without Aaron Naughton (knee) and Sam Darcy (suspension), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (two goals) became the Bulldogs' main target in attack. He moved well early and proved why comparisons have been made between him and Lance Franklin, but he had to fight hard all night.

Ugle-Hagan was supported by emerging key defender James O'Donnell, who spent the night in attack attempting to limit Harris Andrews, while kicking two goals of his own.

Tom Liberatore's return from concussion saw him pick up where he left off, throwing his weight around at the contest he was industrious in his attempts to set up teammates. He was the Dogs' strongest midfield presence with 23 disposals and seven clearances.

The Lions' forward unit made a concerted effort to apply pressure, often sprinting out of the attacking 50 at the restart to offer support to the midfield group. Although Charlie Cameron struggled to get his hands on the footy, he never stopped working defensively, while Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris were always on the move.

It wasn't just in support of the midfield where the front six made an impact defensively, Brisbane laid 15 tackles inside 50 compared to the Dogs' six, refusing the home side any easy exits and keeping them under the pump for the duration.

The win keeps Brisbane's season alive at 5-6-1 after an inconsistent start, while the Bulldogs are now 6-7.

Freedom to move

Reigning Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale was afforded time and space for much of the game to rack up the possessions and do plenty of damage through the middle of the ground for Brisbane. With 15 disposals and four clearances in the first quarter alone, Neale ultimately finished the game with 38 and 10. Where the Lions were sending Jarrod Berry to quell the impact of Marcus Bontempelli, the Bulldogs didn't opt for a similar structure and in the end, it hurt them.

Hipwood's heroics

On return from a one-match suspension, Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood was seriously dangerous in attack on Friday night. Moving well and attacking the ball with strength, Hipwood fed off his teammates' forward pressure game. His equal career-high six goals came in a variety of forms, including neat set shots, impressive movement out of congestion, and gathers out the back. Especially evident was his connection with youngster Logan Morris who, after kicking a goal of his own, pressed high out of the attacking 50 and delivered the ball beautifully to Hipwood deep.

The best laid plans

The Western Bulldogs came in with a clear plan to minimise the impact of Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews. Emerging key defender James O'Donnell was sent into attack to occupy Andrews. The pair went toe-to-toe before Dog Alex Keath was taken from the ground to complete a concussion test midway through the first quarter. With Keath off the field, O'Donnell spent the remainder of the term in his home of defence, before returning to his role on Andrews after the first break. Although the task was largely to limit Andrews, O'Donnell was in fact the player to kickstart his Bulldogs late in the second term, wheeling around and kicking just his second goal in the AFL to end a run of five consecutive Brisbane majors.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          4.0       5.4       8.7       10.11 (71)
BRISBANE                               4.3     10.7     13.9     17.12 (114) 

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Ugle-Hagan 2, O'Donnell 2, West, Treloar, Garcia
Brisbane: Hipwood 6, Neale 2, Daniher 2, Bailey 2, Rayner, Morris, Lohmann, Dunkley, Berry

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Williams, Garcia, Treloar
Brisbane: Neale, Dunkley, Hipwood, Starcevich, Berry, McCluggage

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Buku Khamis (replaced Rory Lobb in the fourth quarter)
Brisbane: Noah Answerth (replaced Conor McKenna in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 31,042 at Marvel Stadium