Bulldogs’ Finals Hopes Hang by a Thread After Round 24 Loss
The Western Bulldogs’ dream of playing finals this year now feels more like a long shot than ever. After a heart-wrenching home defeat to Fremantle in Round 24, their season is largely out of their own hands. Coach Luke Beveridge was candid after the 17.10 (112) to 14.13 (97) loss at Marvel Stadium, admitting that the Bulldogs are now relying on an upset from injury-hit Essendon against Gold Coast to sneak into the finals. Beveridge described the likelihood of that happening as “as long a shot as there is,” acknowledging that, realistically, the Bulldogs’ season is probably done.
The loss to Fremantle highlighted a glaring weakness in the Bulldogs’ list: their defensive stocks. While their midfield remains strong and attack brims with firepower, their backline struggles against the league’s taller forwards. Fremantle’s trio of Josh Treacy, Pat Voss, and Jye Amiss ran rampant, exposing a hole that has plagued the Bulldogs throughout the season. Younger defenders like Jedd Busslinger have shown promise, but he is still developing, and experienced players such as Liam Jones are out of contract or out of favour. Beveridge’s team dominated early in the match but were overpowered in a second-quarter blitz, conceding seven unanswered goals.
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Despite the setback, Beveridge and his squad are keeping the small chance alive. Training sessions continue as usual, with a focus on preparation and process rather than despair. The Bulldogs will monitor Essendon’s clash closely, knowing that a win or draw for the Suns would officially end their finals hopes. Beveridge emphasized that the team must maintain perspective: “We can’t have a ‘woe is us’ sort of attitude. That’s just what it is. The competition has moved ahead, and there just haven’t been enough upsets to help us.”
Looking at the bigger picture from Round 24, other AFL teams are showing key developments as the finals approach. Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey returned to form after injury, showing he could be pivotal in their finals push. West Coast found a promising replacement for Oscar Allen in young forward Jobe Shanahan, who has impressed in his rookie season. The Giants will be counting on Finn Callaghan to fire in the finals after a career-best season, while Isaac Kako at Essendon has carried an impressive workload in his first year. Adelaide needs to lift its clearance game before September, and Gold Coast’s Ben King must involve himself more in general play despite his goal-scoring prowess. Finally, Geelong’s Tom Atkins set a new record for tackles in a season, underscoring the unsung work that fuels top teams.
For the Bulldogs, the story is clear: their finals fate is now beyond their control, and their defensive weaknesses have been brutally exposed. Yet, as Beveridge insists, they will keep showing up and preparing for the slim chance that fortune might still favor them. It’s a tense wait for Footscray fans, hoping for a miracle that may never come.
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