Bulldogs off to a Winning Start in the AFL

The Western Bulldogs got their 2025 Australia Football League (AFL) campaign off to a flying start with a hard-fought victory over North Melbourne Kangaroos on Saturday.

The two sides were keen to make a positive start to the new season, but the odds were always heavily stacked against the Roos.

They came close to getting one over the Bulldogs, but they fell just short as Luke Beveridge’s side clinched a 113-97 win in Melbourne.

The thrilling contest drew nationwide viewership, and fans in Ballarat would have been particularly pleased to see the Dogs come away with a win given their connection to the team.

The city recently signed a three-year partnership extension with the Dogs to host two AFL home and away games and one AFLW match at Mars Stadium every year until 2027.

That agreement will see the Dogs host Port Adelaide and Adelaide in Ballarat later this season and the games will undoubtedly attract plenty of interest from the local betting community.

Many punters will use betting sites with bonuses to boost their wagering balance, especially with the added benefit of getting to watch the games live at the Mars Stadium.

Given their strong record in Ballarat, bettors will be on the lookout for value bets and Beveridge’s side will be well-backed after an impressive season-opener.

Bulldogs Punish Roos’ Turnovers

The Bulldogs Picked up a win, but it was far from a walk in the park. However, they were dogged enough to see out a 17.11 – 14.13 win in shoddy conditions.

Beveridge’s side were at it from the first whistle. They imposed themselves on the contest early on, racing to a 23-point lead by quarter-time.

They were able to punish the Roos’ poor turnovers and made the most of their chances in front of goal. Ed Richards (30 disposals, one goal) and Bailey Dale (29 touches, two goals) were crucial in the build-up phase.

Laitham Vandermeer and Aaron Naughton were clinical at the top end of the field with three goals apiece, while Ryley Sanders and Lachie McNeil also made their presence felt with two each.

The Dogs consistently made the Roos pay for their errors. Alastair Clarkson’s side put up a fight, especially in the second quarter. However, the Dogs already had the buffer they needed to get over the line.

Beveridge’s side will take confidence from their opening-round win and will look to build on a positive start to the season when they take on Collingwood next week.

Nick Larkey Spearheads Gritty Fightback

North Melbourne’s 3-20 win-loss record made for grim reading last season, but key forward Nick Larkey was one of only a few shining lights in Clarkson’s team.

Despite coming into the game under an injury cloud, Larkey showed exactly why he is one of the most prolific and reliable forwards in the ARL. The 26-year-old booted five goals to keep his team within striking distance for the majority of the game.

He wasn’t alone in the fight. Paul Curtis scored three times in the final quarter in a late attempt to salvage the game, but it was already beyond their reach.

Midfielders Harry Sheezel (31 disposals), Jy Simpkin (30), and Tom Powell (27) benefited from dominant ruckman Tristan Xerri, who amassed a massive 51 hitouts.

The Roos came away empty-handed, but they showed they have a fight in them which will come in handy as the season progresses.

Sickening Collision Overshadows Thrilling Contest

The biggest talking point came in the fourth quarter when Roos’ Jackson Archer was involved in a nasty collision with Bulldogs defender Luke Cleary.

Cleary was getting down to pick up the ball with Jacob Konstanty on his tail, when Archer flung himself forward and clattered Cleary in the head with his knee.

Play was stopped for several minutes as medical staff attended to the Dogs ace before he was taken off the field on a stretcher.

The unsavoury incident overshadowed the thrilling contest, with players from both teams visibly concerned for Cleary’s health. However, as he was being taken from the ground, Cleary delivered a thumbs up to the crowd. He was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The Dogs are optimistic the young defender will be okay, but they will be sweating over his fitness ahead of their next game against Collingwood. Archer has been banned for three weeks.

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