Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs Prediction
The two sides have already met this year when Hawthorn claimed a 40-point win at the Adelaide Oval in Gather Round. This should be a lot closer with Tim English back in the Dogs side, but the Hawks can still edge it.
- Hawthorn have won the past five matches against the Bulldogs and were 40-point winners when the two sides met earlier this season.
- Tim English was absent the last time the two sides met and the Dogs are 6-1 this season when he has played.
- Nick Watson has kicked 30 goals this season.
- Jai Newcombe has had 25+ disposals in his past three matches against the Bulldogs.
Head to Head Stats
Hawthorn have won their past five matches against the Western Bulldogs and the two sides have already met once in 2026 with the Hawks scoring by 40 points during Gather Round at the Adelaide Oval.
They were 37-point winners in the most recent meeting between the two sides at the MCG, with that coming in the 2024 Elimination Final.
Hawthorn Hawks Form - Hawks Response
After a mini slump that saw them draw against Collingwood, then lose to Fremantle and Melbourne, the Hawks have responded with wins over Adelaide by nine points and St Kilda by 52.
They held the Saints to no goals in the first half and the win was set up by Jack Gunston early on with five goals, while Blake Hardwick was swung forward in the last quarter and kicked four. James Sicily was the Hawks' best with 33 disposals, while Cam Mackenzie had a breakout game with 29 of his own.
Nick Watson kicked another two goals and has registered 2+ in each of his past seven matches, while Gunston has kicked 11 goals in his past two and has bags of 5+ in three of his past four. Karl Amon has had 25+ disposals in four of his past six matches and comes off 24 last weekend.
Western Bulldogs Form - Three Wins In Four
The Bulldogs flew out of the blocks in 2026 with four straight wins before injuries began to take their toll, leading to a four-game losing streak. But they have bounced back since then by winning three of their past four.
The past two have been by four points or less but have come against quality opposition in Melbourne and Collingwood. Last weekend they held off a fast-finishing Magpies outfit by four points.
Tim English returned and when the big ruckman has played this season, the Dogs have won six of seven, with their only defeat in that period coming by just 12 points against the ladder leaders, Fremantle.
A pleasing sign for the Bulldogs was the spread of contributors in the win over Collingwood, with Bailey Dale, Matthew Kennedy and Ryley Sanders all picking up over 25 disposals, while Ed Richards had 24 and two goals.
Sanders has had 25+ in his past nine matches and has gone 30+ in two of his past four. Aaron Naughton kicked just one goal against the Magpies but had registered 2+ in the four matches prior.
Hawthorn Hawks Team News
Will Day returned to the senior side last week on managed minutes and had 18 disposals from just over 60% game time as the Hawks escaped unscathed on the injury front.
Conor Nash was a late withdrawal with neck soreness but is expected to be available, with Tom Barrass a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Western Bulldogs Team News
No injuries for the Bulldogs to come out of the Collingwood win. Sam Davidson and Harvey Gallagher were solid contributors in the VFL, while Cody Weightman is on the cusp of making his long-awaited return from a lengthy injury layoff.