2025 AFL Team Previews

Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Tue 18 Feb 2025 12:41

Jeremy Darke 18 Feb 2025

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Western Bulldogs predicted to finish 6th in the 2025 AFL season.
Key player movement includes trading Bailey Smith and acquiring Matt Kennedy.
Bulldogs to start on the backfoot, carrying injuries into the season.

Western Bulldogs predicted to finish 6th in the 2025 AFL season. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement
Where the Western Bulldogs finish in 2025: 6
Projected Win total: 14
Best Contender for Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli
What’s to like
What’s NOT to like
Western Bulldogs Offseason Player Movement
Western Bulldogs Predicted Round 1 Squad

Where the Western Bulldogs finish in 2025: 6

The Bulldogs finished sixth last season and that sounds just about right in 2025 as well.

It is fair to say that they did go backwards in the offseason, for now, trading away Bailey Smith to the Cats, however, they picked up a good draft pick and Matt Kennedy which helps with their depth in the midfield.

All in all, there is not a lot of improvement expected but not a lot of deterioration either, that's why the Doggies stay put in 6th with the same amount of wins.

Projected Win total: 14

The Western Bulldogs got more consistent as the year went on and were able to take on some of the top teams in the comp and even snag a few underdog wins. They will sit firmly in the top 8 this season, despite losing their gun, Smith, as their roster is still very heavily stacked with a good blend of experience and young talent.

Best Contender for Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

The Bulldogs’ captain is class and his six-time All-Australian honours along with his six Charles Sutton Medals proves just that.

Bontempelli has finished as the runner-up in both 2021 and 2023 in the Brownlow race and there is arguably no other player in the league that deserves one more. If the Dogs can find themselves in the top four at the end of the season, it could just be the 29-year-old’s season.

What’s to like

The forward line for the Dogs can tear apart most sides on their day with Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy all having the talent to have real big days.

With a strong midfield, led by Aaron Naughton and Tom Liberatore and captain Marcus Bontempelli steering the ship, the service to the quality forward line should be premium.

What’s NOT to like

The Dogs are going to start the year tough with a long list of quality players potentially missing the first round.

Cody Weightman, Adam Treloar, Liam Jones, Jason Johannisen and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan are all in doubt which wipes out the above comment about what is to really like about the Western Bulldogs this season.

They will need their forward line intact if they are going to compete against the big guns this season.

Western Bulldogs Offseason Player Movement

Sam Davidson (No.51 draft pick), Josh Dolan (No.31 draft pick), Cooper Hynes (No.20 draft pick), Lachie Jaques (No.29 draft pick), Luke Kennedy (No.62 draft pick), Matt Kennedy (trade, Carlton)

OUT

Dominic Bedendo (delisted), Charlie Clarke (delisted), Caleb Daniel (trade, North Melbourne), Alex Keath (retired), Jack Macrae (trade, St Kilda), Aiden O'Driscoll (retired), Kelsey Rypstra (delisted), Bailey Smith (trade, Geelong)