An AFL legend has cast doubt on the Western Bulldogs’ 2025 premiership aspirations, suggesting the team is better poised for a championship run in 2026. The Bulldogs’ recent defeat to Adelaide at Marvel Stadium has left them with a 1-7 record against top eight teams, underscoring their struggles against the league’s elite.
Currently sitting at a 10-7 record, the Bulldogs find themselves outside the top eight. Their upcoming schedule includes a challenging visit to the Gabba to face reigning premiers Brisbane, followed by crucial matches against Essendon, GWS, Melbourne, West Coast, and Fremantle. This stretch of games will be pivotal in determining their finals fate.
Despite a season spent outside the top four, the Bulldogs boast the third-best percentage in the competition and a roster brimming with talent. Some pundits have drawn parallels to their fairy-tale 2016 premiership run. However, Saints great Leigh Montagna believes their recent loss to the Crows highlights their current inability to compete for the flag.
Montagna’s Analysis: A Reality Check for the Bulldogs
Montagna, speaking on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, expressed skepticism about the Bulldogs’ ability to win the premiership this year. “It was an opportunity for the Western Bulldogs to make a statement against another contender. And I think they did — the statement was they are not ready to win the flag yet, 2025 is not the year of the Dog,” Montagna said.
“The record now shows and we’ve seen enough body of work this season to say they are going to come up short. There’s no way I can see them come finals time winning four games in a row against the very best teams to win the flag. I just think right now they are a rung below the real contenders.”
The Bulldogs’ defensive frailties were exposed against Adelaide, with the team laying only 51 tackles. Montagna noted that the Crows appeared “12 to 18 months” ahead in their development. In response, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge offered a more optimistic perspective, acknowledging their poor record against top teams but emphasizing their position to compete.
Defensive Struggles and Youthful Promise
One of the Bulldogs’ key areas for improvement is their defense. Ranked 10th in the AFL for points against and 13th when facing top eight sides, Beveridge has opted for a more agile backline, which has yet to yield the desired results.
POINTS AGAINST VS. TOP EIGHT SIDES:
- Brisbane Lions (71.6)
- Adelaide Crows (73.9)
- Collingwood (74.7)
- Gold Coast Suns (79.6)
- GWS Giants (82)
- Hawthorn (82.1)
- Geelong Cats (83.3)
- Fremantle Dockers (83.3)
- 13. Western Bulldogs (99.4)
Despite these challenges, Montagna remains optimistic about the Bulldogs’ future, citing their wealth of young talent. In Round 18, the Bulldogs fielded nine players with fewer than 50 games of experience, a stark contrast to other contenders like Collingwood and Hawthorn.
“I think they’re 12 months away, they will be cherry ripe come 2026,” Montagna added. “I still think they’re a little bit away. I know their top-end is as good as you get, they’ve got five of the top 20 players in the competition. But these guys need another pre-season.”
Debate Over the Bulldogs’ Championship Window
Not everyone shares Montagna’s optimism for the Bulldogs’ future. Fellow St Kilda Hall of Famer Nick Dal Santo expressed reservations, questioning whether the team should capitalize on their current window with stars like Marcus Bontempelli in their prime.
“I don’t think there’s any guarantee because you play those young guys they will necessarily be year on year,” Dal Santo said. “You’re speaking about them not being a contender this year, they might not even make the eight. There’s a big difference between that.”
Dal Santo emphasized the importance of maximizing the talents of players like Bontempelli, who delivered a standout performance against Adelaide. “If you’re Marcus, how long can you wait for this next group to come through?” he pondered.
As the Bulldogs navigate the remainder of the season, the focus will be on closing the gap with the top contenders and nurturing their promising young talent. Whether they can make a late-season surge remains to be seen, but the groundwork for a strong 2026 campaign appears to be in place.
