Round 14 of the 2026 AFL Season opens at Marvel Stadium this Thursday night as a rejuvenated Western Bulldogs side prepares to host the surging Adelaide Crows.

Both of these proud clubs enter this clash full of confidence, fresh off impressive victories against Hawthorn and Geelong respectively.

Adelaide fans are still up and about after witnessing their team claim a thrilling 75-74 win over the Cats last Thursday night in front of a ravenous home crowd.

Faced with adversity, skipper Jordan Dawson put together an heroic performance, finishing with 22 disposals, three goals, and nine tackles to help lift his troops into eighth spot on the ladder with their seventh victory of the season.

Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs exorcised some demons of their own last weekend, securing a gritty 77-71 victory over Hawthorn at the MCG.

The standard-setting win was a feisty Friday night affair that saw Luke Beveridge's men overcome a near five-goal second-half deficit to record their most impressive win of the season.

Bailey Dale stuffed the stat sheet with an outrageous 36 disposals and a major, while captain Marcus Bontempelli was typically influential in traffic with 24 disposals and two goals.

The Bulldogs currently sit in sixth place on the ladder and will draw massive confidence from their previous encounter this year, having already logged a tight 94-88 victory over Adelaide back in Round 2.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Round 14 prediction and preview below.

Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

This Thursday night blockbuster looms as a cracking contest between a gritty, physical Dogs outfit hanging tough minus some key soldiers and an Adelaide side desperately aiming to begin their run to the finals.

Jordan Dawson was heroic last week and possesses the necessary tool kit to be the difference-maker again, especially given his handy recent tracking record against these Doggies.

The Crows have generally opted against employing hard defensive tags throughout 2026, but Matthew Nicks might want to re-think that structural path with Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards both operating in sparkling form.

Adelaide’s fleet-footed runners will thoroughly enjoy the fast deck inside Marvel Stadium; the Dogs fans in the stadium, maybe not so much.

Lest we forget, the corresponding clash at this very venue last season was an all-time memorable shootout where big Riley Thilthorpe tore the Bulldogs' defensive structures to absolute shreds.

Are the Crows finally ready to truly announce themselves as a flag contender in 2026?

While the Dogs have proved they can find a way under heavy pressure, we think Adelaide’s midfield edge and superior aerial versatility will help them sneak across the line in a thriller.

Head-to-Head Prediction: Adelaide Crows by 4 points.

First Goal Scorer Prediction

We’re throwing our tip behind the remarkably consistent Ben Keays to kickstart the scoring account under the roof.

Keaysy has been in sensational, hard-working form throughout 2026, routinely outscoring the talls even when the midfield delivery is far less than silver service.

He is a class act who would easily find a comfortable home in any starting side in the competition.

With veteran spearhead Taylor Walker missing due to suspension, expect the Crows' transition players to look for Keays as a primary leading target deep inside 50 right from the opening bounce.

Betting Tip: Ben Keays first goal scorer.

Most Disposals Prediction

Bulldogs rebounding defender Bailey Dale is our selection to dominate the statistics and accumulate the most leather on Thursday night.

The elite playmaker has been in blistering form lately, completely running amok out of the defensive half as the primary distributor for his team's transition lines.

Coming off that phenomenal 36-disposal masterclass against the Hawks, Dale is seeing an immense volume of the footy and thrives on the fast track at Docklands.

Expect his teammates to heavily feed him the Sherrin at every available opportunity.

Betting Tip: Bailey Dale most disposals.

*Odds are subject to change.

Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Predicted Teams

Western Bulldogs Predicted Team List

FB: Michael Sellwood, Buku Khamis, Rory Lobb

HB: Bailey Dale, James O'Donnell, Connor Budarick

C: Lachlan Bramble, Marcus Bontempelli (c), Arthur Jones

HF: Adam Treloar, Jordan Croft, Ryley Sanders

FF: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Will Lewis

FOLL: Tim English, Matthew Kennedy, Ed Richards

I/C: Nick Coffield, Joel Freijah, Cooper Hynes, Lachlan McNeil, Rhylee West

Adelaide Crows Predicted Team List

FB: Josh Worrell, James Borlase, Max Michalanney

HB: Rory Laird, Jordon Butts, Wayne Milera

C: Daniel Curtin, Jordan Dawson (c), Brayden Cook

HF: Callum Ah Chee, Ben Keays, Josh Rachele

FF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Darcy Fogarty, Riley Thilthorpe

FOLL: Lachlan McAndrew, James Peatling, Sam Berry

I/C: Zac Taylor, Toby Murray, Jake Soligo, Luke Nankervis, Hugo Hall-Kahan,

Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows Match Details

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026.

First Bounce: 7:30pm AEST.

Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.

How to Watch: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.