North Melbourne will be aiming to spring an early-season surprise when they take on an injury-hit Western Bulldogs side at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Luke Beveridge's squad showed promise on the field during the pre-season, but off-field issues have been a nightmare. The Bulldogs secured a confidence-boosting win over Hawthorn in the warm-up matches, with young gun Sam Davidson proving he’s more than capable of making an impact at AFL level.
However, their selection headaches are mounting, with a staggering number of key players ruled out. Captain Marcus Bontempelli headlines an extensive list of absentees, which also includes Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Liam Jones, Adam Treloar, and Jason Johannisen—a serious blow to their depth and structure.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will take plenty of encouragement from their offseason recruitment, having bolstered all areas of the ground with seasoned campaigners. Caleb Daniel, Jack Darling, and Luke Parker are all set to make their club debuts, giving North Melbourne an injection of class and experience ahead of this showdown.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne in the AFL, plus plenty more.
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne date and start time
Date | Saturday, March 15 |
Start time | 8:35 pm AEDT/ 7:35 pm AEST/ 7:05 pm ACST/ 5:35 am AWST |
Venue | Marvel Stadium |
Location | Docklands, Australia |
How to watch Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne on TV & stream live online
There are several options to watch the Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne AFL game in Australia, including Network Seven, Foxtel, Foxtel from Telstra, and Kayo Sports.
The best way to livestream the aforementioned AFL game is through Kayo with a seven-day free trial. It also does not have a lock-in contract or equipment fees, which means you can cancel anytime if you are no longer using it.
All you need to decide is whether you want to pick Kayo Standard at $25 per month (1 stream and up to HD), or Kayo Premium at $40 per month (2 streams and up to 4K).
What channel is Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne game on?
The game will not be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7mate on free-to-air TV and live streaming. It will be available to watch Fox Sports 3 and Binge on pay TV. Triple M, ABC and AFL Nation will provide the radio coverage.
Streaming the game with a VPN
- Overview of VPN services that allow access to geo-restricted streams
- How to set up and use a VPN service to stream the match
You can watch the game from wherever you are in the world by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service such as NordVPN/ ExpressVPN. A VPN will allow you to create a secure connection online when you are abroad on holiday or for work and you want to stream the game live.
If you are not sure which VPN to use or how to use a VPN, we have taken a look at the best options available out there for watching live sports - check out the best VPN services review here.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to watch a game when you are overseas:
- Install VPN of your choice - see our reviews here for the best options.
- Select the location you wish to connect to. This is easy - if you are visiting the UK and you wish to continue watching one of your U.S. streaming services, you would select the US.
- Grab the popcorn and get ready to watch!
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne team news & confirmed lineups
The Western Bulldogs are facing a major selection dilemma due to a growing injury list ahead of their clash with North Melbourne. Captain Marcus Bontempelli has been ruled out with a calf problem, while key players Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Liam Jones, Adam Treloar, and Jason Johannisen are also sidelined. Despite these setbacks, the Bulldogs showed encouraging signs in the pre-season, picking up a morale-boosting victory over Hawthorn.
North Melbourne, led by Alastair Clarkson, is eager to turn the page on a disappointing 2024 campaign, where they managed just three wins. The Kangaroos have added much-needed experience to their squad, with Caleb Daniel, Jack Darling, and Luke Parker set to make their club debuts, bringing leadership and depth across all lines.
The Bulldogs' midfield, spearheaded by Tom Liberatore, will play a crucial role in dictating the tempo, while North Melbourne’s chances hinge on the performances of their high-profile recruits and young stars like Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, who will be looking to make an impact in the engine room.
With the Bulldogs riding a seven-game winning streak against North Melbourne—averaging a commanding 58.3-point margin—they enter the contest with history on their side. However, Clarkson has warned against writing off his side, insisting they have the talent and adaptability to cause an upset.
Position | Western Bulldogs | North Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
FB | James O'Donnell, Joel Freijah, Taylor Duryea | Charlie Comben, Aidan Corr, Griffin Logue |
HB | Lachlan Bramble, Rory Lobb, Bailey Dale | Bailey Scott, Caleb Daniel, Jackson Archer |
C | Bailey Williams, Tom Liberatore, Sam Davidson | Finn O'Sullivan, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin |
HF | Josh Dolan, Aaron Naughton, Matthew Kennedy | Harry Sheezel, Nick Larkey, Colby McKercher |
FF | Laitham Vandermeer, Sam Darcy, James Harmes | Paul Curtis, Jack Darling, Cameron Zurhaar |
FOL | Tim English, Ryley Sanders, Ed Richards | Tristan Xerri, Tom Powell, Luke Parker |
IC | Luke Cleary, Harvey Gallagher, Arthur Jones, Lachlan McNeil, Rhylee West | Luke McDonald, Darcy Tucker, Will Phillips, Jacob Konstanty, Robert Hansen Jr |
EMG | Oskar Baker, Riley Garcia, Buku Khamis | Dylan Stephens, Finnbar Maley, Brynn Teakle |
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Head-to-Head
The Western Bulldogs have completely dominated North Melbourne in recent meetings, securing victories in each of their last five encounters. Their most emphatic win came in 2024 when they dismantled the Kangaroos by 96 points (138-42), while their second clash that year saw the Bulldogs grind out a 17-point triumph (77-60). In 2023, they continued their winning streak with a 21-point victory (105-84), building on their commanding performances from previous seasons, including a 68-point demolition (139-71) in 2022 and a comfortable 29-point win (108-79) in 2021.