The Western Bulldogs have qualified for the AFLW finals for the first time since 2022. The club finished 2023 as wooden spooners after winning just one game. A review led to new coaching and football leadership, and the list was rebuilt through trades and draft picks. Under coach Tam Hyett, the club first tightened its defence before working on scoring. Sarah Hartwig has become the club's all-time leading goalkicker, and the Bulldogs will play in the finals in a fortnight.
The Western Bulldogs are now seen as premiership favourites for the 2027 AFL season after signing Zak Butters, provided they stay healthy. Past seasons have ended in disappointment, with injuries derailing their last push. The writer argues the club's core players will remain strong beyond 2027, but says failing to reach at least a preliminary final could raise doubts about their premiership hopes. The pressure to perform is significant, with the writer suggesting that falling short could cost jobs at the club.
Zak Butters has revealed that a conversation with Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan swayed his decision to join the club. Butters said Regan asked him what he wanted from football and how he hoped to be remembered. Butters said his father and grandfather both barracked for the Bulldogs, which made him feel more naturally connected to the club. He had earlier been reported to prefer Geelong. Butters, who previously played at Port Adelaide, now returns to Victoria and joins a midfield including Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards.
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Zak Butters says he considered going public with his planned move to the Western Bulldogs while still playing for Port Adelaide. The Bulldogs unveiled the midfielder at Whitten Oval after he signed as a free agent on a nine-year deal worth $2 million a season. Butters said the AFL landscape was not quite ready for such an announcement, unlike the NRL, where deals are often announced during the season. He said he could see the change being a good thing in the future.
The Western Bulldogs beat Essendon by 43 points on Friday night at Whitten Oval, winning 10.5 (65) to 2.10 (22). The win was their seventh of the season. Essendon started well, with Emily Gough kicking an early goal, but the Bulldogs responded with five unanswered goals. Sarah Hartwig kicked a career-high four goals for the home side. The Bulldogs next face Carlton, Melbourne and Geelong, while Essendon plays North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Collingwood.
