Western Bulldogs host Adelaide Crows in Round 14 AFL clash at Docklands

Adelaide Crows captain Jordan Dawson delivered a career-defining performance, finishing with 32 disposals, three goals, 12 score involvements, eight tackles, seven clearances and six intercepts as the Crows dismantled the Western Bulldogs 19.7 (121) to 9.10 (64) at Marvel Stadium. The match was effectively over by quarter-time, with Adelaide kicking 9.2 — nearly their largest ever first-term score — to lead by 41 points, exposing the Bulldogs' lack of size and inability to handle the Crows' pressure. Dawson, who has been grieving the death of his brother Jaryd in April, spoke before the game about football providing him clarity and purpose during an intensely difficult period. Josh Rachele (four goals), Riley Thilthorpe (three goals) and Sam Berry (29 disposals, 11 clearances) were also outstanding for Adelaide, while Rory Laird led all players with 35 disposals. For the Bulldogs, Marcus Bontempelli managed 29 disposals but was goalless and never imposed himself, while veteran Adam Treloar was controversially benched for the entire third quarter — coach Luke Beveridge later explaining it was a tactical decision to save him for a final-quarter impact. The win was Adelaide's fifth from their last six games, and coach Matthew Nicks called it the most complete performance of their season, though the Crows were dealt a blow with a hamstring injury to forward Luke Pedlar.