Here's everything you need to know for Saturday night's season opener against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

When: Saturday, March 15 at 7.35pm AEDT
Where: Marvel Stadium, VIC
Gates open: 5.30pm. Check your ticket for your entry gate
Ticket boxes (Gate 1 & 5) open: 4.30pm 

Get your tickets

Tickets are still available for our game against the Bulldogs!

Saturday's clash is a replacement game for members, however, the Level 1 reserved seating allocation available has been exhausted.

>> For more information on replacement games, head here.

Members who miss out on redeeming a reserved seat will have general admission access by scanning in their mobile membership card (or barcoded card if you have one), and will be able to sit anywhere in general admission seating. Usually, this is Level 3 for Marvel Stadium games.

>> For everything you need to know about your mobile membership, head to our Member Hub

Getting to Marvel Stadium

Information regarding Marvel Stadium parking can be found below. With Big Build works in place the use of public transport is encouraged.

Parking | Public Transport | Travel Disruptions | Accessibility

To view more information and to plan your journey, please visit The Big Build Website. For further details, map and to plan your journey, click here.

Can't make it to the game?

Our venue partner The Pass have 200+ venues available in Australia. Find a location near you to watch with other Roos fans!

Exclusive to NMFC members, receive 15% off all your food and bev purchases at The Wharf in Docklands, and 10% off at all other venues, when you order with The Pass!

To join the NMFC list and receive your exclusive discount:

1. Download The Pass from the App Store or Google Play
2. Sign up, and add your preferred payment method
3. Head to More > Promo Code, and enter ‘NMFC‘ followed by your membership number, e.g. NMFC123456
4. Order using The Pass to receive 15% off at The Wharf, and 10% off at all other venues

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Saturday's game will be broadcast live for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

>> Remember, you can grab a digital membership to get a discounted Kayo subscription! Find the membership package that suits you here

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X to stay up to date with everything happening at the match and don't forget to use #Kangas.
 
Bring on Round 1!

North Melbourne will be out to kickstart its 2025 season in positive fashion against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

The Kangaroos, who are set to unleash No.2 draft pick Finn O'Sullivan, have an opportunity to break their hoodoo against the Bulldogs, who have been the better side in each of the clubs' last seven meetings.

Round 1, Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
Where: Marvel Stadium, VIC
When: Saturday, March 15 at 1.35pm AEDT
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

Although the Bulldogs came away winners over Hawthorn in their Community Series matchup, the focus has been on their injury list in the build-up to Round 1.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli is set to miss due to a calf issue, while Liam Jones, Cody Weightman and Adam Treloar have also been ruled out.

Bailey Dale and Ed Richards are pushing to be available after interrupted pre-seasons but will need to get through main training to be considered for selection.

Despite some notable absentees, the Bulldogs boast several stars who can tear games apart. Tom Liberatore (23 disposals, 10 clearances) set the tone in midfield when the Roos and Dogs last met and will need to be checked closely, while Sam Darcy booted seven goals and is sure to be someone for whom the Roos' coaching staff will be preparing extra thoroughly.

Keep an eye on

Finn O'Sullivan…

The young gun from Koroit has earned an early chance to showcase his talent on the big stage in his rookie season, after learning earlier in the week that he'll be making his debut in Round 1.

Classy, versatile and evasive, O'Sullivan has impressed since arriving at Arden Street in late November and stood out in the club's pre-season clashes with Melbourne and West Coast.

In Bunbury against the Eagles, he tallied 18 disposals, nine intercepts and eight marks, solidifying his spot in Alastair Clarkson's first 23 of the year.

… and Caleb Daniel

The 2016 premiership player and best and fairest winner will front up against his former side on Saturday night, after North Melbourne acquired the defender in the 2024 Trade Period.

For years, Daniel was one of the Bulldogs' main playmakers off half-back under coach Luke Beveridge, using his elite kicking and sharp decision-making to spark attacks from defence. Now, he's Clarkson's weapon to deploy, setting the stage for an intriguing start to the No.5's life as a Roo.

What the coach has said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Thursday: "They're a really, really competitive outfit. We've just got to be going full throttle and hope that it's good enough to be really competitive against the Dogs. It's boring language really, when you just talk about [following] the process and the outcome will look after itself, but that's generally what we're after. We're just looking to compete deeper into games."

A plucky North Melbourne has gone down to the Western Bulldogs by 16 points in the clubs' season-opening clash in sweltering conditions at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

The Roos trailed by just seven points at three-quarter time after Nick Larkey's fifth goal closed the margin, but despite a three-goal final-term cameo from Paul Curtis, it wasn't to be as the Dogs won 17.11 (113) to 14.13 (97).

The thrilling match was overshadowed by a horror fourth-quarter collision between Kangaroo Jackson Archer and Bulldog Luke Cleary.

Cleary was getting down low to pick up the ball, with Jacob Konstanty in pursuit, when Archer flung himself forward and went over the top of the Bulldog, accidentally collecting him in the head with his knee.

The Bulldog was knocked out and play was stopped for several minutes as he received medical attention before being taken off on a stretcher.

Bulldogs Ed Richards (30 disposals, one goal), Bailey Dale (29 touches, two goals), stand-in skipper Tom Liberatore and recruit Matt Kennedy were busy.

Laitham Vandermeer and Aaron Naughton (three goals apiece) hit the scoreboard along with Ryley Sanders and Lachie McNeil (both two).

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Kangaroos spearhead Nick Larkey kicked five goals after coming into the game under an injury cloud.

North big man Tristan Xerri (51 hitouts) dominated the ruck against Tim English and Sam Darcy to give first use to Tom Powell (27 touches), Harry Sheezel (31) and Jy Simpkin (30).

The Dogs pounced on poor turnovers to take a 23-point lead into quarter-time.

Alastair Clarkson's team ramped up the pressure and snagged four consecutive goals to cut the deficit to just four points, before trailing by 10 at half-time.

The Bulldogs host Collingwood next Friday night while the Kangaroos play Melbourne next Sunday.

There's another loaded gun in Clarko's arsenal

Plenty of good judges thought Finn O’Sullivan the cream of last year’s draft crop, and he showed enough to have Roos fans confident they’ve landed another gun. Playing off half-back O’Sullivan gathered 16 possessions at 81 per cent disposal efficiency, looking every part a composed AFL footballer. Clarkson now has an amazing group of talented young midfielders and, if he can keep them together, it’s only a matter of time till they take North back near the top end of the ladder.

WESTERN BULLDOGS      5.3    8.5     12.7      17.11 (113)
NORTH MELBOURNE        1.4    6.7    10.12     14.13 (97)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, Vandermeer 3, Bale 2, Sanders 2, McNeil 2, Richards, Freijah, Harmes, Davidson, Darcy
North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Curtis 3, Davies-Uniacke 2, Zurhaar, Simpkin, Scott, Darling

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Dale, Richards, Naughton, Liberatore, Vandermeer, Darcy
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Powell, Larkey, Sheezel, Daniel

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: O'Donnell (jaw), Cleary (head)
North Melbourne: Archer (leg), Logue (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jones (replaced O'Donnell at three-quarter time)
North Melbourne: Tucker (replaced Phillips in the third quarter) 

Crowd: 34,406 at Marvel Stadium