Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Tips - Dogs to consolidate top six spot with another win
The 2026 AFL matchup between the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide Crows promises to be a tightly-contested battle. Both teams are in solid form, but the Bulldogs' recent defensive improvement and deeper midfield, led by Tim English and Marcus Bontempelli, give them a slight edge. Bailey Dale’s outstanding ball-winning ability is expected to play a pivotal role, especially with Adelaide missing key defenders. Given their current form and Adelaide’s reliance on close wins, the recommendation is to back the Bulldogs by 1-39 points, with Dale to gather plenty of disposals.
- Bulldogs tipped to win by 1-39 points thanks to superior form & midfield depth
- Bailey Dale expected to gather plenty of disposals against Crows
- Adelaide missing key players, making Bulldogs slight favorites in another likely close contest
2026 Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Preview
- 2026 Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Preview
- Head to Head
- Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
- Western Bulldogs Team News
- Adelaide Crows Form Analysis
- Adelaide Crows Team News
The Bulldogs will continue their recent roll with plenty pointing towards a tight game when they take on the Adelaide Crows in the opening match of AFL Round 14.
The two sides have been in the thick of some thrilling matches this season and it is the Bulldogs that enter with the slightly superior win-loss record of 8-5, while Adelaide are 7-5 with a game in hand.
The Bulldogs appear to have rediscovered the formula that made them one of the competition's most dangerous sides earlier in the season. After a difficult stretch that coincided with a lengthy injury list, they have won four of their past five matches and arrive with momentum after knocking off Melbourne, Collingwood and Hawthorn in consecutive weeks.
While their attacking talent is well documented, it is the improvement in their defensive structure that has stood out in recent weeks. The Bulldogs were under immense pressure against Hawthorn, conceding 26 scoring shots, but their backline repeatedly stood firm and restricted the damage. That resilience has become a feature of their recent wins and shapes as a key factor against an Adelaide side that can occasionally struggle to maximise its opportunities.
The midfield battle is likely to decide the contest and this is where the Bulldogs hold a significant advantage. With Tim English feeding the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Matt Kennedy and Riley Sanders, they form one of the deepest midfield groups in the competition. With English in the side this season, the Dogs have won seven of eight, with their only loss a 12-point defeat at the hands of the ladder leaders, Fremantle.
Bailey Dale continues to be one of the most reliable ball winners in the competition and should again find plenty of opportunities across half-back. His elite kicking remains critical to the Bulldogs' ball movement and he has now recorded 30 or more disposals in six of his past eight matches. Against an Adelaide side that allows opposition defenders to accumulate possession, Dale looks well placed to continue that trend.
Adelaide deserve enormous credit for their season to date and continue to find ways to win close matches. However, the Crows have relied heavily on Jordan Dawson to drive their midfield and scoreboard impact, while injuries to key players add another layer of difficulty heading into this encounter. The absence of Jordon Butts would also be significant against a Bulldogs forward line that possesses multiple threats.
Expect another close contest. The Bulldogs' past six matches have all been decided by 12 points or less, while Adelaide have made a habit of living on the edge with seven games decided by less than 10 points this season. The margin should again remain manageable, but the Bulldogs appear to have slightly more weapons across the ground and enter in stronger overall form.
- The Bulldogs defeated Adelaide in Adelaide earlier this season.
- Bailey Dale has had 30+ disposals in six of his past eight matches.
- The Bulldogs' past six matches have been decided by 12 points or less.
- Adelaide's last two matches have been decided by less than 10 points.
Head to Head
The Bulldogs took out a thriller against the Crows earlier this season by six points at the Adelaide Oval, but it was the Crows last season when the two sides met at Marvel Stadium.
Standout player performances in the recent head-to-heads have come from:
- Marcus Bontempelli (Dogs) – 30+ disposals in three of his past four matches against the Crows.
- Jordan Dawson (Crows) – 25+ disposals in his past three against the Dogs.
- Ed Richards (Dogs) – 29 disposals in each of his past two against the Crows.
- Taylor Walker (Crows) – 2+ goals in five of his past six against the Bulldogs.
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
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 four of their past five, including the last three.
The past three have been by six points or less but have come against quality opposition in Melbourne, Collingwood and Hawthorn. Last weekend they conceded 26 scoring shots to 17 but held on.
Tim English was solid in the ruck and when he has been present in the side, the Dogs have won seven of eight, 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 Hawthorn, with Jordan Croft kicking three goals, while Marcus Bontempelli booted two from his 23 disposals. Bailey Dale had 36 disposals and has hit the 30+ in six of his past eight matches.
Western Bulldogs Team News
Lachie McNeil is set to miss with concussion. Cody Weightman made a successful return from injury and will benefit from the match fitness. Jedd Busslinger, Harvey Gallagher and Sam Davidson will be considered for selection.
Adelaide Crows Form Analysis
Adelaide have a 7-5 win-loss record and have won four of their past five matches, with their only loss in that period coming against Hawthorn by nine points. Seven of their matches have been decided by less than 10 points and they are 3-4 in these battles, with the three wins coming remarkably by one point on each occasion, including the thriller last week against Geelong.
The Crows have a solid defence and rank fourth for fewest points conceded this year but are mid-range for goals scored. Josh Rachele leads their goalkicking table with 18 goals from 12 matches this season, while Jordan Dawson comes off a best-on-ground performance with three goals from 22 disposals.
Adelaide were also beaten convincingly at centre clearances against Geelong and that shapes as a concern against one of the AFL's strongest midfield groups.
Adelaide Crows Team News
The Crows suffered injuries to a couple of important players in the win over Geelong, with Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) and Jordon Butts (calf) set to miss. Izak Rankine faces a fitness test in his bid to return from a calf injury.
Verdict
Take the Dogs in the 1-39 margin with Dale to find a stack of the footy.
Western Bulldogs 1-39
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