AAMI Practice Match Review: Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

A glimpse of a new rivalry here at Whitten Oval. North Melbourne's kids against Western Bulldogs' depth — the kind of game that matters for list-building even when the result means nothing in September.

The Bulldogs won 16.13 (109) to 11.12 (78), but the scoreline doesn't capture what the significant elements were. Sam Darcy at his best is genuinely unplayable as a key forward when the Bulldogs' midfield is running through. And at his best, he looked today.

The Match in 60 Seconds

The Bulldogs controlled the first half through Bontempelli's dominance and Darcy's aerial ability. The big man kicked two goals from seven marks — efficient and dominant in a way that suggested his pre-season health concerns are behind him.

North Melbourne's resistance came through Harry Sheezel (30 disposals, MID/FWD operating with enormous freedom) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (28 disposals), who absorbed more centre bounce time than anyone on the ground. Lachy Dovaston got 20 minutes in the third quarter and showed enough — one goal, two forward entries created — to press his Round 1 case.

Three Players to Watch for Round 1

1. Sam Darcy (FWD, $784,000) — Western Bulldogs

The numbers: 22 hitouts (from ruck swingers), 2 goals, 7 marks.

Darcy's back health was the question mark heading into 2026. The answer after 90 minutes at Whitten Oval: no issue visible. He moved freely, competed hard at every aerial contest, and converted twice from set shots. That's the best-case scenario for Bulldogs fans and SuperCoach coaches alike.

The SuperCoach case at $784,000 is for a player who, when healthy, averages 95+ from a key forward position in a team that generates enormous scoring opportunities. If he plays 22 games, he'll be one of the best picks of the year.

Verdict: Health-dependent premium. Buy him now while the health confirmation is fresh.

2. Harry Sheezel (MID/FWD, $1,145,000) — North Melbourne

The numbers: 30 disposals. In a losing side. Second week running.

Sheezel's consistency is the defining feature of his supercoach value. The second-most selected player in Fantasy Classic doesn't become that by accident — he finds the ball everywhere, in any conditions, regardless of the team score. Thirty disposals at Whitten Oval against the Bulldogs' midfield is excellent individual output.

Verdict: Premium lock. Buy him, forget the team, count the touches.

3. Lachy Dovaston (FWD, $290,000) — North Melbourne

The numbers: 13 disposals, 1 goal in limited minutes.

The first look at Dovaston in a practice match — and it's positive. He moved the ball cleanly, created a contest inside 50 from a snap, and showed the footskills that drew Watson comparisons in the draft. He needs more time before Round 1 confirmation, but the ceiling is clearly there.

Verdict: Watch closely next week. If he gets 20+ minutes again and produces, lock him in at $290k.

Other SuperCoach Notes

• Marcus Bontempelli (MID, Bulldogs): 27 disposals, 4 clearances. The Bont is the Bont — elite, consistent, and the foundation of Western Bulldogs' scoring structure.
• Tim English (RUC, Bulldogs): 18 disposals, 1 goal as a ruck swinger with Darcy. Both men on the ground creates an interesting rotation — English may push forward more in 2026.
• Luke Davies-Uniacke (MID, North): 28 disposals. If this is his year to break 100 averaging, he's significantly underpriced right now.
• Bailey Smith (MID, Bulldogs): Managed 2 quarters. No concern — precautionary.
• Cooper Trembath (FWD, North): 2 goals in limited time. Cheap FWD who provides a guaranteed scoring floor.

Injury Watch

| Player | Club | Issue | R1 Impact | |--------|------|-------|-----------| | Aaron Naughton | Bulldogs | Shoulder (managed) | Expected fit Round 1 | | Bailey Smith | Bulldogs | Managed | Fine — load management | | George Wardlaw | North Melbourne | Hamstring | Monitor |

The Bottom Line

The Bulldogs look like a serious team. Darcy fit, English roaming, Bontempelli controlling — when all three are available and healthy, they score from everywhere. The concern around Darcy's back appears overblown after this performance.

North's bright spots — Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke, and Dovaston's cameo — suggest the Roos won't be entirely without hope in 2026. The kids are interesting. Dovaston in particular: if he gets consistent pre-season minutes, the Round 1 case looks compelling.

-DK

For more pre-season analysis, see our Rookie Power Rankings Traffic Light Guide and the AAMI Community Series wrap.