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Live sport on SN this weekendAre the Bulldogs the 'most vulnerable' side in the top 10?
Nicholas Quinlan • August 1st, 2026 4:52 pm
Adam Simpson has labelled the Western Bulldogs the most vulnerable side within the top 10 following their lose to Fremantle.
After going undefeated through the first four games of the season, the side has now slipped into the wildcard spots after a mixed bag of close wins and big defeats.
That mixed bag of performances continued on Friday night as, despite a valiant performance by the red, white and blue, they suffered their first defeat since Round 17 against the ladder-leading Dockers by 37 points.
This marked their sixth loss by 35 points or more since that Round 4 victory against Essendon, with those losses all coming from sides within the top six.
Reflecting on their performance, the former West Coast coach thought the result demonstrated the gulf between the Bulldogs and the competition’s contenders.
“I think it was a reflection of where the Bulldogs were at last night,” Simpson said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“I know they had some injuries, but it looked like a really good side playing a poor side.
“That's what it looked like, and the poor side just held on for as long as they could, and that's no disrespect to the Bulldogs.
“I know they're trying things, but out of all the teams in the top 10, I think the Bulldogs are the most vulnerable at the moment.”
That sentiment was shared by Gerard Whateley.
“It feels to me like Luke Beveridge knows that,” he added.
“He keeps speaking about it: we will not be competitive at the pointy end of the season unless we evolve, and he's desperately trying to evolve them as quickly as possible.
“Last night, for whatever their planning was, they were brought undone by the absolute fundamental of the game, which was the wrong error at the wrong moment.”
The Bulldogs will spend the remainder of the season in Melbourne with their next two matches at Marvel Stadium against North Melbourne and Carlton.
They’ll close their home and away season against the Demons at the MCG.
