Round 21 in the AFL begins on Thursday night with a juicy matchup between the Western Bulldogs and the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium. It’s 9th vs 6th and a crucial game for both clubs and their finals aspirations.
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Western Bulldogs vs GWS Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2025 Round 21
Do or Die for Dogs
The stakes could not be much higher as the Western Bulldogs host the GWS Giants to kick off Round 21 on Thursday night. For the Bulldogs, the equation is simple: their season is on the line. Currently sitting ninth on the ladder and effectively two games outside the top eight, they will likely need to win all four of their remaining matches to play finals. It is do-or-die, and they responded to the pressure last week by snapping a two-game losing streak with an utter demolition of Essendon. The 93-point victory was spearheaded by their towering forward duo of Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, who were unstoppable, combining for an incredible 13 goals.
Giants Aiming for Top 4
The GWS Giants have plenty of their own motivation as they travel to Marvel Stadium. Adam Kingsley’s side enters the round in sixth position but are only separated from the top four by percentage. They are in scintillating form and are coming off one of their most famous victories, staging a remarkable comeback in the "Battle of the Bridge" against Sydney. After trailing by five goals at halftime, the Giants produced a stunning second-half blitz to run out 44-point winners. The famous victory came at a significant cost, however. Skipper Toby Greene received a one-match suspension for a strike, while key players Josh Kelly and Jack Buckley both suffered injuries that will see them miss this crucial clash, leaving three gaping holes in their lineup.
A Bitter Rivalry
This fixture has developed into one of the league’s fiercest rivalries, with a genuine dislike between the two clubs that often spills over on the field. While the Giants have had their moments in the past, recent history has belonged to the Bulldogs. They have won the last three matches between the sides, all by comfortable margins. This includes a comprehensive 32-point victory when they met in Canberra earlier this season, a result that will give them a significant psychological edge heading into this encounter.
Dogs or Giants? Here's Our Bulldogs vs Giants Tip
With their season on the line, expect a desperate and ferocious Western Bulldogs outfit. The Giants are severely depleted by the loss of their captain and two other critical players, which tips the scales in the Bulldogs' favour. The Dogs’ recent dominance over the Giants, coupled with their urgent need to win, should see them rise to the occasion. They have the firepower to trouble the undermanned Giants and should be able to secure a vital victory to keep their finals hopes alive and cover the -14.5 point spread.
Western Bulldogs –14.5
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
Western Bulldogs vs GWS Prop Bet
Our Best Player Prop Bet: Naughton 3+ Goals
What a back half of the season this man is putting together. Aaron Naughton copped a lot of scrutiny early this year for some poor form but he’s certainly turned it around. He’s kicked 22 goals from his last five games and is coming off a bag of seven against the Bombers last weekend. Naughton has kicked at least three goals 10 times in 2025 and remains strong value on Thursday night.
Aaron Naughton 3+ Goals
$2.35
Western Bulldogs vs GWS Same Game Multi
Aaron Naughton 3+ Goals: See best prop bet above for reasoning.
Jake Stringer 2+ Goals: The package has been delivering frequently of late, kicking 2+ goals in six of his last seven games and looks as fit as ever.
Tom Green 25+ Disposals: He’s averaging 29.9 disposals this season and has had 25+ in 16 of his 18 matches in 2025. I expect him to bounce back after a quiet one against the Swans.
Western Bulldogs vs GWS Betting Odds & Match Info
Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Odds: Western Bulldogs $1.42 vs GWS $2.90
Line: Western Bulldogs –16.5
Where to Watch Western Bulldogs vs GWS
You can watch the Bulldogs vs Giants on Channel 7 or live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back in our Western Bulldogs vs GWS Tips at Dabble!
