Essendon vs Western Bulldogs LIVE: Dogs fight to keep finals hopes alive as Dons chase upset win; Giants, Swans battle in Sydney We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. DismissSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer Our network Open NavigationMenu Brisbane Times Brisbane Times Search Site Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Bulls N' Bears The economy Banking & finance Small business Show subsections North America Middle East South America Show subsections Western Australia Show subsections Show subsections Rugby union Show subsections Tips & advice Show subsections Art & design Live reviews Show subsections Health & wellness Life & relationships Show subsections Destination guides Inspiration Reviews & advice Travel news Good Weekend Sunday Life Show subsections Super & retirement Planning & budgeting Environment Show subsections Conservation Climate change Sustainability Show subsections Video games The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Commercial Real Estate Advertisement Essendon vs Western Bulldogs LIVE: Dogs fight to keep finals hopes alive as Dons chase upset win; Giants, Swans battle in Sydney By Roy Ward, Danny Russell, Russell Bennett and Vince Rugari Updated July 25, 2025 — 6.38pmfirst published at 6.25pm Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size 6.38pmSubs named for Dons v Dogs 6.34pmBuckley warns Dogs not to take things easy 6.28pmHeading to Marvel Stadium? Might want to leave early 6.24pmBeveridge laments Grant’s absence from Bulldogs gala 6.11pmInteractive: Your side’s path to the finals Hide key posts Go to latest Pinned post from 6.11pm Interactive: Your side’s path to the finals Latest posts Latest posts Subs named for Dons v Dogs No late changes. Oskar Smartt (Dons) and Laitham Vandermeer (Dogs) are the subs. Buckley warns Dogs not to take things easy AFL great Nathan Buckley has warned the Bulldogs not to take Essendon lightly tonight. The Dogs are heavy favourites and must win to make sure they remain a chance to make the top eight. Isaac Kako of the Bombers warms up.Credit: Getty Images “It’s almost like the game has been run and won so if anyone in the Dogs’ camp is feeling that, that’s when trouble can start,” Buckley said on Fox Footy. “Everyone assumes that the Dogs come out and win this game and that might be the outcome but the game is still to be played and here is a lot of talent still in this Essendon side as well.” Heading to Marvel Stadium? Might want to leave early We’ve just heard from the Department of Transport that parts of the Werribee and Williamstown train lines are down. “Buses are replacing trains due to a train fault at South Kensington,” the statement said. “Passengers are asked to listen for announcements, check the platform displays and allow extra travel time. “Our signals team is monitoring conditions in the area and will adjust traffic lights to assist with bus movements.” Advertisement Beveridge laments Grant’s absence from Bulldogs gala By Danny Russell Luke Beveridge has addressed Chris Grant’s absence from the Western Bulldogs’ centenary gala celebration on Monday night, saying the former executive football manager and champion player had been a “critical figure” at the club. Grant chose to maintain his self-imposed exile from Whitten Oval and stay away from the historic evening at which he was named No.3 of the Bulldogs’ 25 greatest-ever players, behind E.J. Whitten and current captain Marcus Bontempelli. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and club great Chris Grant in 2020.Credit: AFL Photos The 341-game great parted ways with the Bulldogs late last year after a club review reduced his day-to-day connection with the men’s program and coach Beveridge. Tensions had flared between Grant and Beveridge following the then football manager’s decision at the end of the 2023 season to overrule the coach and move on his long-time assistant Rohan Smith. Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains strongly denied reports of a rift between the pair. Grant declined to comment, and Bains was contacted for comment. It is the second centenary celebration that Grant has missed this year after he stayed away from a past players’ function in round two. “It would have been great to have Chris there [on Monday night] for him, especially when you consider the impact that he’s had on our football club,” Beveridge said at a press conference on Thursday. “Even in the struggling times when the club wasn’t financial and our survival was questioned, Granty was a critical figure on the playing field and through that journey to show his loyalty, as Marcus has in recent times. “So it would have been great to be able to acknowledge Chris as part of that recognised 25 but, you know, unfortunately, he wasn’t there. It didn’t diminish the celebration. We celebrated everyone that was there. “As you know, there’s a number of gentlemen who are no longer with us on this Earth, and it was great to have representatives from their families there, to be able to celebrate who they have been, as men who impacted our footy club.” Click here to read the story. Interactive: Your side’s path to the finals Good evening G’day everyone. We have a huge night of AFL action ahead with matches going on at Marvel Stadium and Engie Stadium in Sydney. It should be a huge night. The Bulldogs and Bombers get us started at 7.20pm before the Swans and Giants play at 7.50pm. We will have the best of both matches and all the post game reactions. Enjoy the hours to come. 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