AFL Round 22 begins on Thursday night with the Western Bulldogs taking on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The Bulldogs have dominated this matchup for a long time and are the favourites to get the job done once again as they continue their top 6 push.
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Bulldogs vs Kangaroos below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2026 Round 22
Bulldogs Chasing a Crucial Victory
The Western Bulldogs return to Marvel Stadium this Thursday night knowing their season is delicately poised. Coming off a low-scoring 78-41 defeat to the ladder-leading Dockers in Perth last Friday, Luke Beveridge's men currently sit in eighth position. While they are too far back on percentage for it to realistically matter, they will be desperate for four points here to keep pushing for a top six finish. They will be significantly bolstered forward of centre this week, with Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman both returning after being rested for the trip west. Their inclusions add immediate structure and scoring power to an attack that managed just five goals against Fremantle.
Roos Playing for Pride
North Melbourne arrive at Docklands desperately trying to salvage something from the final weeks of their campaign. Alastair Clarkson's side fought hard in Tasmania last Saturday but ultimately fell 16 points short against Hawthorn. The 99-83 result extended their losing streak to five consecutive matches and leaves them well adrift of the finals pace. Despite the scoreboard results, there have been genuine bright spots for the Kangaroos, although fans are certainly becoming impatient and are demanding more than just flashes of excellence.
Dogs Dominating the Matchup
The Western Bulldogs hold a commanding head-to-head record over North Melbourne, having won their last nine consecutive meetings. Their most recent clash in Round 17 of 2025 showcased this divide perfectly. After a competitive first half, the Bulldogs broke the game open to kick ten goals after the main break and cruise to a comfortable 134-85 victory. This fixture has consistently been a nightmare for the Kangaroos defensively, with the Bulldogs routinely finding avenues to move the ball cleanly and control the pace of the game.
Match Prediction and Best Bet
This Thursday night clash carries genuine weight, but the pressure sits squarely on the Western Bulldogs. North Melbourne showed plenty of effort against the Hawks last week and have the midfield talent to match the Dogs early on. However, the Bulldogs will be desperate to secure the win to keep their top six aspirations alive before September. The Dogs have completely dominated this matchup in recent years, scoring 105 or more points in eight of their nine recent wins over them. Expect a tight contest early, but the added scoring power returning to the Bulldogs' forward line should be enough for them to pull away late and clear the line.
Western Bulldogs -20.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Prop Bet
Cody Weightman hasn’t had a lot of impact since returning from injury although he did kick two goals in his most recent match before being rested last week. He has dominated this matchup against the Kangaroos over the course of his career. He’s kicked 20 goals against them in his last five matches for an average of four, kicking 2+ on each occasion.
Cody Weightman 2+ Goals
$2.20
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Same Game Multi
Cody Weightman 2+ Goals: For the reasons highlighted above in our prop bet.
Ed Richards 25+ Disposals: He’s been on fire over the last couple of weeks and has had 25+ disposals in four of his last five matches.
Ryley Sanders 20+ Disposals: It’s been a strong breakout season for Sanders. He’s averaging over 24 disposals and has reached the 20+ mark in 15/18 matches.
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne Match Info & Betting Odds
Date: Thursday 6th August
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Odds: Western Bulldogs $1.32 vs North Melbourne $3.40
Line: -20.5
Points: 171.5
Where to Watch Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne
You can watch the Bulldogs vs Kangaroos live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
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