We're marching out under Thursday night lights at Marvel Stadium to take on the Western Bulldogs!

This game is the second of our two member replacement games in 2026, meaning Kangaroos members will have general admission access. 

Here’s everything you need to know.

When: Thursday, August 6 at 7.30pm AEST
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC 
Tickets: Secure your seat here!
Gates open: 5.45pm

Member replacement game

Members can scan in using their mobile membership via the NMFC app, or by using their barcoded membership card to gain general admission access.

You can find your replacement game barcode here.

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

Find everything you need to know about getting to Marvel Stadium here ...

Parking | Public Transport | Travel Disruptions | Accessibility 

... or get straight to the game for less, thanks to our transport partner 13cabs!

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 per cent off all your food and bev purchases at The Wharf in Docklands, and 10 per cent 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 per cent off at The Wharf, and 10 per cent off at all other venues

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Thursday night's game will be broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy and Kayo.

Become a Digital Roo member and access the all the member benefits, and a discounted Premium Kayo subscription. Buy now! 

Stay connected on social media 

For behind-the-scenes access follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X.

The Kangaroos are out to build on a spirited showing against Hawthorn last week when they return to Marvel Stadium to take on the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Round 22, Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
When: Thursday, August 6 at 7.30pm AEST
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC
How to watch: Channel 7, Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

The Bulldogs are treating Thursday night like a final, knowing a win over the Kangaroos will lock in at least a top-10 finish and a place in the finals picture.

It comes off the back of a gritty 37-point loss to ladder-leaders Fremantle, a result that ended a three-game winning streak, but one coach Luke Beveridge says his side can use as motivation with something tangible now on the line.

Their midfield remains the Bulldogs’ biggest weapon regardless, with Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Ed Richards, Ryley Sanders and Matthew Kennedy giving them one of the most damaging engine rooms in the competition.

They’ll regain sharpshooter Aaron Naughton as well as Cody Weightman and Lachie Jacques, with Louis Emmett, Jedd Busslinger and Laitham Vandermeer all omitted.

Running hot

Luke Davies-Uniacke celebrated his 150th AFL game against Hawthorn in strong individual fashion, racking up 27 disposals, 633 metres gained, seven clearances and seven tackles at UTAS Stadium.

It's the kind of two-way influence North Melbourne will need again on Thursday night against a hard-running Bulldogs midfield, with Davies-Uniacke set to play a crucial role matching it with the Dogs’ best at stoppages and centre ball-ups.

What the coach has said

North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Tuesday: "Every week you come up against a star player and sometimes you try to do something about that ... we'll have to put some consideration into 'The Bont' (Marcus Bontempelli). He's a star player, for 10 years he's been the marquee player of the competition just about, so we'll have to have a heavy focus on him."

Last time we met

The Western Bulldogs spoiled North Melbourne's centenary celebrations when the two sides last met, running out 49-point winners over the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium in Round 17 last season.

The Kangaroos matched it with the Dogs for large parts of the first half as Nick Larkey slammed through five majors, but the Dogs kicked 10 goals to five in the second half to pull away.

Sam Darcy, who was held quiet for most of the night by young North Melbourne defender Wil Dawson, booted three of his four majors in the final term, while Naughton finished with five of his own.

It was the Bulldogs' engine room that ultimately proved the difference, with Bontempelli, Richards and Liberatore helping the visitors seize control in the second half. Colby McKercher was elite for the Roos, finishing the night with 32 touches and a goal.

Paul Curtis took a Mark of the Year contender as North Melbourne took down the Western Bulldogs in a Thursday night thriller at Marvel Stadium.

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The Kangaroos kept alive their slim hopes of playing finals in winning by 23 points, 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77).

As the Roos made a rare appearance in Thursday night primetime, Curtis stepped up as the star of the show.

He set up the win with an exhilarating first quarter - the fourth-highest rated quarter of his career. It included the opening two goals and a sensational first-quarter hanger, perched on the shoulders of Bulldog defender Michael Sellwood.

He finished with a game-high four goals from 19 possessions.

The Kangaroos led by 28 points midway through the third quarter but the Bulldogs surged back, closing within a kick in the early stages of the last term.

But the Roos were able to turn the tide once again when it mattered, kicking the game's final three goals.

Alongside Curtis's heroics, they were led by an immense performance by star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, who kicked two goals and won 31 disposals, 10 clearances and 10 tackles.

He was well supported by senior stars Harry Sheezel (29 disposals, six tackles) and Luke Parker (26 disposals), while George Wardlaw showed what he brings to the side with 19 disposals and four bone-crunching tackles from only 57 per cent gametime.

Despite enjoying its best season in seven years, North Melbourne was yet to beat an opponent above it on the ladder before facing the eighth-placed Bulldogs.

And the Roos had to do it the hard way, playing with a man down for the entire second half after defender Aidan Corr suffered issues with his back and was ruled out for the rest of the night.

Their ninth win of the season, and their first over the Bulldogs since 2019, keeps the club's finals hopes mathematically alive with two games of the home-and-away season remaining. 

Roo hauls in huge Mark of the Year Contender

Paul Curtis was already having a field day in the first quarter with two early goals but it was this massive leap that lifted the roof off Marvel Stadium. The Roos livewire launched over the top of Bulldogs defender Michael Sellwood to take an absolute screamer, putting him well in contention for this year's Virgin Australia Mark of the Year.

Welcome back, George

To say North Melbourne has missed the grunt of George Wardlaw would be an understatement. The inside bull has missed the past month with a hamstring strain but his return on Thursday night brought smiles to all Roos supporters. The 22-year-old was on managed minutes but still made a massive impact on the contest, finishing with 19 disposals and a goal. But it was his crunching tackle on Ed Richards that typified his endeavour and defensive qualities, prompting Channel 7's commentary team to call it 'one of the tackles of the year'.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   2.3   5.6     10.9    11.11 (77)
NORTH MELBOURNE    6.0    10.2   12.7   15.10 (100)  

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Kennedy 2, Naughton 2, Bontempelli, Davidson, Freijah, Hynes, Khamis, Liberatore, Richards
North Melbourne: Curtis 4, Banch 2, Darling 2, Davies-Uniacke 2, Parker, Simpkin, Spargo, Wardlaw, Xerri

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Bontempelli, West, Freijah, Bramble
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Curtis, Sheezel, Parker, Daniel, Zurhaar, Wardlaw
 
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: English (knee)
North Melbourne: Corr (back)

Crowd: 25,052 at Marvel Stadium