Friday Fallout: The Bulldogs could be scary in 2026

Friday

Two opposing gamestyles came together on Friday night, and both paid dividends at certain stages.

Adelaide surged the ball by foot and had 139 more kicks to hanballs, while the Western Bulldogs differential was just 37 as they looked to weave through the Crows with their sharp handball game.

In front of a raucus home crowd, the Crows managed to overturn two several-goal leads - once in the second term and once in the final term to re-take the lead and seemingly the momentum.

But the most impressive part of the Bulldogs win last night was how well they managed to stem that wave of Crows dominance twice, only to take the lead back rapidly at both times.

It could be scary what these Bulldogs are in 2026.

Joel Freijah (three goals, 24 touches) set the tone in the first half, Bailey Williams (two goals, 23 disposals) stepped up in the last when required, Marcus Bontempelli (one goal, 30 disposals) was at his usual best and when the moment called for someone to take it by the horns, Oskar Baker (three goals) provided the match-winner.

This was truly a flip of the coin game and the fact there were issues with the clock in the final term seemed fitting to the chaotic and frantic nature of the night.

Crows fans can be pleased with the fight of their lads, especially if the Bulldogs are the real deal, and head to Geelong next Thursday in another ripping contest on paper.

The Bulldogs will head to the bye before taking on the struggling Essendon, they should go 4-0.

Ethan Clark

Thursday

It was a gun-slinging shootout at times, but what won in the end was composure over chaos.

Hawthorn’s 17-point triumph (99-82) over the Sydney Swans could have been more comfortable if they made the most of their chances, and at times it even looked like they might have gone under.

But in a fast-paced game full of momentum swings and gilt-edged chances, it was Hawthorn’s system, control and maturity that stood up in the end.

The most impressive part of the Hawks' win was their response when things weren’t going their way.

The Swans were slick early and piled on the goals with relative ease, but the Hawks didn’t panic. They absorbed pressure, regained control, and when the game was there to be won they were cool, calm and collected.

Enter 34-year-old marvel Jack Gunston who was clutch in the final term.

He finished with 4.4, which probably should have been six goals, and now has 13 in three games. In his 17th season mind you. His wisdom and experience is crucial.

It was the maturity from Gunston in tight moments, as well as a rampaging Jai Newcombe, who put the midfield on his back after a slow start. Throw in Jack Ginnivan who was unsighted in the first half only to rack up 20 touches in the second half - his composure and cleverness in the clinches standing out.

Tom Barrass had Charlie Curnow in his pocket after the new Swan’s two-goal first term. Just one handball in the second half for the two-time Coleman Medallist. That ain’t earning the big bucks.

The Swans battled manfully in the midfield without Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden. Chad Warner was solid but a bit untidy, Justin McInerney was good again, and Angus Sheldrick battles hard, but the Swans lacked cutting edge without their two stars. The Swans’ ball use suffered. That trio had 22 turnovers between them. Heeney and Gulden combined for just 13 between in the opening two games.

We learnt that both sides struggled to defend early when the contest was at break-neck pace, up and down like an NBA All-Star game. But once it finally settled, the Hawks were able to control territory, overcome periods of Swans momentum, clamp down in defence, and edge away when it mattered most.

If they had made the most of their chances (29 scoring shots to 17) then it might have been put to bed a little earlier.

But they’ll be thrilled to start 2-1 after the Opening Round blunder at GWS, especially with a near three-week break ahead.

The Swans lost no admirers but Dean Cox does need his ball-using jets back if they are to contend.

Andrew Slevison