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AFL live updates: Fremantle Dockers aim for seventh heaven as Western Bulldogs welcome back big guns

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Jake Santa MariaThe West Australian
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Arthur Jones of the Bulldogs is tackled.
Camera IconArthur Jones of the Bulldogs is tackled. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

AFL: Fremantle make their first trip to Melbourne in red-hot form as they aim for a seventh straight victory against a revamped Western Bulldogs line-up.

The Dockers have not won seven on the trot since 2015, but the Bulldogs will hope Tim English’s comeback can help them out of their tailspin sparked by an injury crisis.

These two sides played out a thriller in the final round of last season, and it should be another cracking prime time clash.

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Bont hits back

Disposal no.16 three minutes inton the second quarter gives him his first goal.

He burns Dudley who’s stuck on him in defence and leads perfectly into space to take an uncontested mark.

WB 7.3 (45) FRE 4.1 (25)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs handballs during the round eight AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium, on May 01, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Camera IconMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs handballs during the round eight AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium, on May 01, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

Frederick makes it two in a row

Fremantle have won both centre clearances this quarter and both times they’ve immediately gone inside 50.

Bolton shoots across the face and it comes off hands back into the middle where Frederick gets on the loose ball and snaps his first.

WB 6.3 (39) FRE 4.1 (25)

Dudley’s on the board

He cops a bump as he goes for the loose ball and he could have easily been concussed.

Tough on the Bulldogs defender who was also going for the ball but it goes under him as Dudley crashes into him.

He works it back and gives the Dockers the perfet start.

Other clubs taking notice of the Dockers?

End of Q1 WB 6.3 (39) FRE 2.1 (13)

A lethargic Fremantle will probably be happy to see the end of that quarter.

Despite dominating the hit-outs, Fremantle are -3 in clearances and are getting towled up at the coal-face with -10 contested possessions.

Bontempelli has 15 touches and three score involvements, while Richards has eight touches from four clearances.

Naughton is looking dangers as Fremantle had to do plenty of defending.

Still the Bulldogs started hot last week and ended up getting smashed but pressure is on Fremantle to respond.

That’s the biggest first quarter score the Dockers have conceded this season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Andrew Brayshaw of the Dockers is tackled by Laitham Vandermeer of the Bulldogs during the round eight AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium, on May 01, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Camera IconMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Andrew Brayshaw of the Dockers is tackled by Laitham Vandermeer of the Bulldogs during the round eight AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium, on May 01, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

Dockers defence all at sea

Naughton is proving too much for Brennan Cox as he kicks his second before the Bulldgos spearhead provides the space for Lachlan McNeil to take an uncontested mark.

The lead is out 26-points and Marcus Bontempelli is up to 14 touches.

Dogs hit back

Again, enter inside 50 with speed, and Riley West is a bit lucky to win a high free kick after trying to fend off.

Makes no mistake from close range.

WB 4.2 (26) FRE 2.1 (13)

Jackson flies and kicks goal 100

Kick inside 50 and Buku Khamis is trapped standing under the ball.

He’s the perfect launching pad for Luke Jackson who basically uses Khamis as a training back to take a strong mark and convert.

Can that fire up the Dockers?

Naghton gives the Bulldogs their third

After his terrifying fall last week Naughton has shown no hesitency to fly early as he outmarks Mason Cox just outside the goal square.

The Bulldogs are going incredibly quick when they have possession and it’s cacthing the Dockers out at the moment.

Switkowski hits back

Bulldogs are flooding numbers back to help out their undersized defence with Tim English taking several interceptions.

Brennan Cox with a quick kick inside 50 and Switta is front and square of the contest to pick off the spoil and get the Dockers on the board.

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