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Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs AFL Betting Tips - Tight tussle to go the way of Hawks in Round 13

adam-cusworth
Editor
Last updated: Wed 03 Jun 2026 11:25
Hawthorn Hawks take on the Western Bulldogs in a tightly contested AFL clash. Hawthorn have dominated recent encounters, winning the last five against the Bulldogs, including a 40-point win earlier this season. However, Bulldogs’ star Tim English, whose presence has heavily influenced the team’s fortunes this season, returns to boost the Dogs’ chances. Both sides have players in top form, with Nick Watson and Jai Newcombe starring for Hawthorn and a spread of solid contributors for the Bulldogs. Expect a close game, but the prediction leans narrowly towards a Hawthorn victory.
Adam Cusworth 03 Jun 2026
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  • Hawthorn have won their last 5 matches vs. Bulldogs
  • Tim English returns for the Bulldogs; Dogs are 6-1 when he plays in 2026.
  • Predicted: Hawthorn to win narrowly, with Newcombe and Watson pivotal.
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hawthorn western bulldogs
Hawthorn Hawks and Western Bulldogs to clash in a close one (Getty Images)

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.

Verdict

Hawthorn to prevail in a close one, with Newcombe a key player as well as Watson in the forward line.

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