Live: Bulldogs - Eagles kicks off Sunday footy at Docklands

Western Bulldogs and West Coast kick off a Sunday triple-header as round 18 of the AFL comes to a close.

The Bulldogs and Eagles play at Docklands, before attention switches to the MCG where Melbourne hosts Richmond hoping to keep touch with the top four.

The final game sees the defending premiers Brisbane Lions look to add to their run of four wins in a row, as they face the Bombers in a Sunday evening match at the Gabba.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:00pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:00pm

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Bulldogs vs Eagles

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Highlights

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Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 2:10pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 2:10pm

Harley Reid produces amazing kick to escape tackle

By Andrew McGarry

The Eagles were on the burst there, down the left wing.

Elliot Yeo handballed inbound, and then it was passed on to Harley Reid, but the Eagles star had someone on his hammer, and he was quickly wrapped up as he tumbled to to the turf.

It should have been ball, but Reid tumbled over and somehow let the ball go and flung  kick at the ball as he was upside down.

It went clear downfield as the Dogs fans howled in outrage for the lack of a free. Great effort by Reid.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 2:05pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 2:05pm

Jobe Shanahan puts West Coast ahead!

By Andrew McGarry

The Eagles are sticking in here, and they have just showed what they are capable of with a swift burst down the left wing.

Jake Waterman handballed out to Willem Duursma, who kicked on the run and hit Jobe Shanahan in the forward pocket.

And Shanahan NAILED the kick to quieten down the Bulldog fans!

West Coast leads by two points, nearly halfway through the quarter.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 2:02pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 2:02pm

Cody Weightman comes off for the Bulldogs

By Andrew McGarry

Not sure how serious it is, but Cody Weightman has come off and is sitting on the bench for the Bulldogs.

He was limping there for a while, then seemed to run it off, but has now come off. Given his various leg issues, we hope it's ok.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:58pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:58pm

Wayward kicking under the roof

By Andrew McGarry

Not sure what's going on, but there are a few set shots being missed here.

The Bulldogs had a chance for a quick reply, as they set up Artie Jones for a mark inside 50. But his kick slid to the right for a point.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:57pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:57pm

Jack Williams misses, then makes amends for West Coast

By Andrew McGarry

The Eagles are trying hard here to manufacture chances. A soft free kick against Harley Reid at one end was followed by an intercept mark by Reid to end a Bulldogs attack.

They went down the other end, and Elliot Yeo fed a great handball to Riley Murdock, who chipped to Jack Williams, but he missed the set shot.

A minute later he made amends with a nice snap, and the lead is back to two points, early in the second term.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:52pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:52pm

QT stats

By Andrew McGarry

Inside 50s: 13-11 Western Bulldogs

Clearances: 14-11 Western Bulldogs

Centre clearances: 4-2 Western Bulldogs

Contested possessions: 40-35 West Coast

Uncontested possessions: 50-48 West Coast

Marks inside 50: 3-1 Western Bulldogs

Tackles: 21-15 West Coast

Key Event

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:45pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:45pm

QT: Western Bulldogs 4.2 (26) leads West Coast 2.5 (17)

By Andrew McGarry

The siren sounds, and a slightly scrappy opening comes to an end.

There was a nice moment deep in time on where Harley Reid ran down Marcus Bontempelli for a holding the ball. More of that would help the Eagles, but they don't have enough potency in attack right now.

The two goals in a minute from Aaron Naughton kind of defined this term. The Eagles are far from out of it, but they need a bit more composure at times.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:36pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:36pm

Bulldogs giving away frees as Eagles creep closer

By Andrew McGarry

The Bulldogs are getting frustrated, giving away free kicks.

They just gave away 50, giving Elliot Yeo a shot from around the arc or just behind.

He blasted it, but it didn't quite have the distance and was punched through.

Another behind followed, and it's an eight-point game just going into time on.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:33pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:33pm

Tom Cole answers for West Coast

By Andrew McGarry

Better there from West Coast!

A burst down the right wing, then a switch of play and it nearly broke down, but a kick inside 50 to a contest came off hands but Tom Cole was given a free for a hold.

Cole splits the sticks, and West Coast get a much needed goal.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:30pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:30pm

Problems for West Coast as Bulldogs roaring ahead

By Andrew McGarry

A few warning signs here for the visitors.

Harley Reid has been off having a quick rest, and the Bulldogs have been looking dangerous at stoppages.

They've done it again there, winning it and chipping quickly inside 50 for Sam Davidson to mark.

He steers it through, and it's four goals to one.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:27pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:27pm

Aaron Naughton gets two in a minute for the Bulldogs

By Andrew McGarry

Stoppage work is taking on serious importance early.

The Dogs had a forward 50 stoppage, the tap went to Marcus Bontempelli who nudged a handball to Matthew Kennedy, who chipped and found Aaron Naughton.

Naughton converted the set shot, and then very soon after the Dogs had it again inside 50, it was scrappy but went over the back for the headbanded one to dart in and finish it from the goalline.

Bulldogs suddenly have a 10-point lead!

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:23pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:23pm

Waterman goal rubbed out for a Bulldogs touch

By Andrew McGarry

That was a lovely move from West Coast!

They had a forward 50 stoppage, and Bailey Williams got a great tap to Jake Waterman, who grabbed it and snapped a lovely goal!

But wait ... it's been touched!

That's unfortunate for the Eagles. But they look up and about early.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:20pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:20pm

Great finish from Jordan Croft for the Bulldogs

By Andrew McGarry

And a quick answer from the Bulldogs!

A turnover in the middle, and Cody Weightman grabs it and uses his pace to burst ahead before a lovely kick inside 50.

Jordan Croft is stationed there, he drops the mark but regathers and snaps from the pocket. Some finish!

The margin is back to a point.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:18pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:18pm

Shanahan gets the opener for West Coast!

By Andrew McGarry

Good start for West Coast!

We've been going a few minutes and it's been a little to and fro.

But a turnover on the wing was pounced on by the Eagles, with Tim Kelly finding Jack Graham, who chipped to Jobe Shanahan inside 50.

Shanahan steers it through, and the Eagles lead by seven.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:16pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:16pm

Beveridge wants Bulldogs to be 'agile' and 'nimble'

By Andrew McGarry

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was speaking to Fox Footy before the bounce, and confirming that Tim English still has a back issue that has kept him out.

"He's still caught up in the back issue, like last week we were working out if it was a good move to play him. In the end it cost us last week."

Beveridge says pressure will be important, and he pointed to the team's mosquito fleet of forwards.

"Hopefully we'll be agile, we'll be nimble. That's what we've been searching for."

Key Event

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:11pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:11pm

We are underway at Docklands

By Andrew McGarry

It's on at Docklands for the first game of Sunday AFL.

The Eagles are on the road, looking to end a four-game losing streak and put a dent in the Bulldogs' hopes.

Can the Bont and Co take control early or will this one be competitive for a long way? We're about to find out.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:08pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:08pm

Recent results between Western Bulldogs and West Coast

By Andrew McGarry

R23, 2025: Western Bulldogs by 94 (Docklands)

R3, 2024: Western Bulldogs by 76 (Docklands)

R23, 2023: West Coast by 7 (Docklands)

R11, 2022: Western Bulldogs by 101 (Perth Stadium)

R15, 2021: Western Bulldogs by 55 (Perth Stadium)

R2, 2021: Western Bulldogs by 7 (Docklands)

The Bulldogs have had the better of this matchup in recent times, with five wins out of the last six and six out of the last seven.

However, the only win the Eagles have had came at today's venue, with a seven-point victory in 2023.

These games seem to be complete blowouts or really close ones — let's hope today's encounter is closer to the seven-pointers rather than the 76, 94 or 101-pointers.

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:04pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 1:04pm

Bulldogs favourites at Docklands

By Andrew McGarry

We're getting ready for the opening game, with the Bulldogs against the Eagles.

For Luke Beveridge's men, this is one that has to go in the win column.

The way things are for the wild card spots, every win is precious in this run-in.

Officially it's ninth against 16th, so the pressure is on the Dogs to get this done.

Key Event

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 12:55pm

Sun 12 Jul 2026 at 12:55pm

Teams are in for Bulldogs vs Eagles

By Andrew McGarry

There are no late changes for either side, and you can have a look at both line-ups above.

The Bulldogs have made six alterations to the side that went down to the Swans in Sydney last week.

Nick Coffield (concussion), Connor Budarick (ankle) and Ryley Sanders (hand) are all out through injury, while Tim English was originally named before being ruled out on Saturday. Lachie McNeil and Will Lewis are omissions.

In come Bailey Williams, Jedd Busslinger, Luke Cleary, Sam Davidson, Rhylee West and Josh Dolan.

It's much more straightforward for West Coast, who name the same side that lost to the Crows in Perth.