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Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL Round 5 Tips - Hawks to restrict wounded Bulldogs

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Fri 10 Apr 2026 09:00

Adam Cusworth 10 Apr 2026

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The game will be played at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 11th April, with the bounce at 7:35 PM (AEDT)
Can the Bulldogs overcome run of injuries and keep unbeaten start to 2026 intact?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs

Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs, Round 5 2026 - Expert Prediction

Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs, Round 5 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Hawthorn Hawks Form Analysis
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs Team List & News
Hawthorn Hawks Team News
Western Bulldogs Team News

Hawthorn are set to hand the Western Bulldogs their first loss of the season in what shapes as one of the games of Gather Round.

The Hawks come in with a 3-1 win-loss record after knocking over their arch-rivals, Geelong, by a point in the Easter Monday clash and head in as favourites in the head-to-head betting, despite the Bulldogs superior record of 4-0.

Sam Mitchell’s side have won the past four between the sides and their blueprint stacks up well again- bring relentless pressure around the contest, deny the Bulldogs clean exits from stoppage and force them into the kind of fumbles and rushed ball use that Luke Beveridge referenced after last week’s messy 34-point win over Essendon.

That pressure-first style should be even more effective with the Bulldogs carrying key injury concerns. Tim English, Ed Richards and Arty Jones will all miss, while the absence of Tom Liberatore continues to test their midfield depth.

Against a Hawthorn side that thrives on chaos, intercept marking and forward-half territory, that lack of continuity around stoppage and transition could be the difference.

The Hawks’ back six also looks perfectly suited to blunt the Bulldogs’ twin aerial threats of Luke Darcy and Aaron Naughton. Tom Barrass, Josh Battle and James Sicily give Hawthorn the size, intercept craft and organisational strength to match up on Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy.

Take Hawthorn head-to-head betting. Nick Watson shapes as a strong 2+ goals play, while Jai Newcombe can continue his superb run against the Bulldogs with 25+ disposals and is worth considering for 30+ as well.

Hawthorn have won their past four matches against the Bulldogs.
The Hawks restricted the Dogs to just 59 points the last time they met, the Bulldogs lowest score in 2025.
Nick Watson has kicked 10 goals this season and booted four the last time he played the Bulldogs.
Jai Newcombe has had 25+ disposals in three of four matches this season and has averaged 31 in his past four matches against the Bulldogs.

Head to Head Stats

Hawthorn have won the past four matches between the two sides and restricted the Bulldogs to their lowest score of 2025 with the Round 13 scoreline reading 12.9.81 to 8.11.59. Mabior Chol booted four for the Hawks in that clash.

The Bulldogs have averaged just 69 points in those four matches, well down on their normal output, while the Hawthorn wins have been by an average margin of 17 points.

Notable player performances in the head to heads have come from Nick Watson, who booted four in the 2024 Elimination Final win- he was absent from the Round 13 clash last season. Jai Newcombe has averaged 31 disposals in his past four against the Bulldogs, while a host of Dogs have been down on usual output, including Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy.

Hawthorn Hawks Form Analysis

Hawthorn sit at 3-1 in 2026, rebounding from a 27-point Opening Round loss to GWS with three straight MCG wins with those coming against Essendon (62 points), Sydney (17) before their one point win over Geelong on Easter Monday.

Their strengths are built on a high-pressure, intensity-driven game style, with strong intercept marking and forward-half territory control. They consistently generate inside 50 opportunities and it was Jack Gunston and Nick Watson that snagged three goals against the Cats. Gunston has kicked 16 goals this season, while Watson has 10.

Josh Ward, Connor Macdonald and Jai Newcombe all had 25+ disposals. Newcombe has had 25+ disposals in three of four matches this season, while Ward has reached that mark in his last three.

They venture interstate for the second time this season and were victorious the last time they played at the Adelaide Oval, knocking Adelaide out of the 2025 finals series with a 34 point win. They are yet to win in Gather Round, having lost close matches to GWS and Collingwood in 2023 and 2024, before being blown out early by Port Adelaide last season when going down by 30 points.

Western Bulldogs Form Analysis

The Western Bulldogs are the only undefeated side in 2026, advancing to 4-0 with a 34-point win over Essendon last weekend. But that result was far less convincing than it should have been, with sloppy turnovers, poor handling under pressure after quarter time and fatigue from in-game injuries preventing them from turning their early control into the percentage-boosting blowout that was expected.

Essendon held the Bulldogs to 14 goals, with seven coming in the first term, while the other seven were spread over the final three quarters. Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy both booted three goals and have kicked 14 and 10 respectively this season.

Matthew Kennedy found plenty of the footy with 36 disposals, while Marcus Bontempelli had 35. The ‘Bont’ is in rare form this season and has had 30+ in his past three matches, while he has also put on scoreboard pressure with eight goals.

The Bulldogs have the benefit of an appearance at Adelaide Oval already this season, ventured to Adelaide Oval earlier this season when edging past the Adelaide Crows in a thriller by six points. They had lost their previous five at the venue and are also yet to win a Gather Round match.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs Team List & News

Hawthorn Hawks Team News

Jack Gunston and James Sicily came off for treatment in the win over Geelong but played out the game. Karl Amon and Cam McKenzie missed with knee concerns and a decision on their availability will be made during the week.

Western Bulldogs Team News

The win over Essendon came at a cost with Ed Richards a late withdrawal before the opening bounce with knee soreness, while star ruckman Tim English hurt his knee after half-time. His fitness now becomes a major watch heading into the match. Arty Jones, was sidelined with hamstring tightness. Adam Treloar is a chance to return, while Tom Liberatore remains on the sidelines.

Hawthorn	POS	Western Bulldogs
J. Weddle, T. Barrass, J. Impey	B	C. Budarick, B. Khamis, R. Lobb
J. Battle, J. Sicily, B. Hardwick	HB	L. Bramble, J. O’Donnell, B. Dale
M. D’Ambrosio, C. Mackenzie, F. Perez	C	O. Baker, M. Bontempelli, B. Williams
S. Butler, M. Lewis, N. Watson	HF	R. Sanders, S. Darcy, J. Freijah
D. Moore, M. Chol, J. Gunston	F	J. Croft, A. Naughton, R. West
N. Reeves, J. Newcombe, J. Ward	FOLL	L. Emmett, M. Kennedy, E. Richards
K. Amon, C. Macdonald, J. Ginnivan, C. Nash, L. Meek	I/C	C. Hynes, J. Dolan, M. Sellwood, S. Davidson, H. Gallagher

Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 5 FAQ’s

How to watch Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 5?

You can watch the Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 5 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 5?

To buy tickets to the Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 5 game check the AFL website or the official Hawthorn Hawks site.

Verdict

Hawthorn Hawks v Western Bulldogs

Hawks in the head to head with Newcombe and Watson among the better players

Hawthorn

Match Result

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