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Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Tips - Can the Magpies continue their momentum against injury depleted Dogs?

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 20 Mar 2025

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Adam Cusworth 20 Mar 2025

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Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies expert predictions for Friday’s Round 2 AFL game
The game will be played at MCG, with the bounce at 7:40 PM (AEDT)
Can Collingwood continue their momentum against injury plagued Dogs?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Predictions

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies, Round 2 2025 - Expert Prediction

The Western Bulldogs sizeable injury list will see them face a tough task against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 2.

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies, Round 2 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Western Bulldogs Team News
Western Bulldogs Team List
Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Collingwood Magpies Team News
Collingwood Magpies Team List
Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2025 Round 2 FAQ’s

Luke Beveridge’s side were able to overcome the absence of Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman, Liam Jones and other starting players to hold out North Melbourne by 16 points last weekend but come up against Collingwood, who will head in full of confidence after dominating Port Adelaide in Round 1.

The Magpies responded to an Opening Round defeat at the hands of GWS by thrashing the Power by 91 at the MCG last weekend. Their new look forward line clicked for thei Pies highest score since 2016 with Brody Mihocek, Tim Membrey and Daniel McStay combining for 10 majors.

That trio will test the Dogs defence that conceeded 14 goals (27 scoring shots) to North Melbourne last weekend.

Take Collingwood 1-39 with Tim Membrey to boot 2+ goals. Tom Liberatore will find plenty of the ball to keep the Dogs within reach

Four of the Bulldogs last five matches have been decided by 39.5 points or less
20 of Collingwood’s 23 matches in 2024 resulted in under 39.5 point margins
Tim Membrey booted four goals last weekend and has kicked 20 from his last 10.
Tom Liberatore has averaged 28 disposals in his past four matches against the Magpies.

Head to Head

The Western Bulldogs have had the superior recent record in head to head, claiming three of the past four between the two sides. The Dogs turned arounf a two-goal deficit at three-quarter time of their last meeting to win by 18. Marcus Bontempelli starred in that match with 38 disposals and two goals but will be missing for this match with injury. Nick Daicos gathered 32 and two majors for the Pies.

15 of the past 16 matches have been decided by 39 points or less. Aaron Naughton has booted nine goals in his past three outings against the Magpies. The Dogs major contributers with the ball have been Bontempelli, Bailey Smith and Adam Treloar. None will be in action here.

Western Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
1-0	0-1	1-0

The Western Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine matches. The Doggies ran out 16-point victors over North Melbourne last weekend with Aaron Naughton and Laitham Vandermeer both kicking three goals. Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Tom Liberatore and Joel Freijah all had 28+ disposals.

The Bulldogs rank 5th for goals scored in their last 10 matches with 13.1 majors per game. They have hit the over in five of their last six matches. Four of their past five have been decided by 39.5 points or less.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
0-1	1-0	1-0	0-0

Western Bulldogs Team News

There is no major immediate relief from injuries as far as the big names are concerned with Bontempelli, Treloar and Jason Johannisen all weeks away. Luke Cleary won't be available for Friday night, but James O'Donnell is aiming to play after recovering from jaw surgery. Liam Jones is close to returning but still at least a week away. Buku Khamis could be called up to strengthen the defense, and Jedd Busslinger is still pushing for a debut.

Western Bulldogs Team List

B: J.Freijah, B.Khamis, T.Duryea

HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale

C: B.Williams, T.Liberatore - C, S.Davidson

HF: L.McNeil, A.Naughton, M.Kennedy

F: L.Vandermeer, S.Darcy, J.Harmes

FOLL: T.English, R.Sanders, E.Richards

I/C: O.Baker, J.Dolan, H.Gallagher, A.Jones, R.West

EMG: J.Busslinger, R.Gardner, C.Poulter

In: B.Khamis, O.Baker

Out: J.O’Donnell (Injured), L.Cleary (Injured)

Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
1-1	1-1	1-1

Collingwood have won five of their past seven matches. They ended 2024 with a bit of a rush and their only loss in the final five rounds was a three-point margin to Sydney.

They were slow out of the blocks in 2025 with inaccuracy costing them early against GWS before they faded out to lose by 52 points.

But with their boom recruit, Dan Houston, in the side, they enjoyed a 91-point victory in front of their home fans at the MCG last weekend. While their two matches this season have yielded 39.5+ margins, 20 of their 23 matches in 2024 were under.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
1-1	1-1	0-0	1-1

Collingwood Magpies Team News

Collingwood will be strengthened by Jordan De Goey's return. Will Hoskin-Elliott is also available after missing the win over Port Adelaide due to a knee injury. Ed Allan was unlucky to be dropped in Round 1, while Mason Cox played in the VFL but may find it tough to break into the forward line with the current tall trio.

Collingwood Magpies Team List

B: D.Houston, R.McInnes, J.Howe

HB: J.Daicos, D.Moore - C, I.Quaynor

C: J.Crisp, H.Perryman, S.Sidebottom

HF: B.Hill, D.McStay, B.McCreery

F: J.De Goey, T.Membrey, J.Elliott

FOLL: D.Cameron, S.Pendlebury, N.Daicos

I/C: P.Lipinski, B.Maynard, L.Schultz, N.Long, M.Cox

EMG: E.Allan, B.Frampton, L.Sullivan

In: J.De Goey, M.Cox

Out: L.Sullivan (Omitted), B.Mihocek (Injured)

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2025 Round 2 FAQ’s

How to watch Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2025 Round 2?

You can watch the Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2025 Round 2 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.