How Much Do the Western Bulldogs Earn? Salary, Schedule and Stars in 2023

The Western Bulldogs are one of the most exciting teams in the Australian Football League (AFL). They have a talented roster, a passionate fan base, and a rich history of success. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the Bulldogs for 2023, including their player and coach salary cap, their upcoming schedule, how to get tickets, and who are their highest paid players.

Player and Coach Salary Cap

The AFL has a salary cap system that limits the amount of money each team can spend on their players and coaches. The salary cap for 2023 is set at $13.54 million per team¹. This means that the Bulldogs have to manage their payroll within this limit, while also trying to retain their star players and attract new ones.

The Bulldogs have already made some moves to secure their future, by signing some of their key players to long-term contracts. For example, Caleb Daniel, one of the best small defenders in the league, has signed a five-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2026. Cody Weightman, a promising young forward, has also extended his contract until 2025. The Bulldogs have also appointed Stef Martin, a former ruckman who retired in 2022, as a development coach for 2023. Martin will work closely with the midfield and stoppages coaches, as well as provide support to the young rucks Tim English, Jordon Sweet and Sam Darcy.

However, the Bulldogs also face some challenges in managing their salary cap. They have several players who are set to become free agents at the end of 2023, such as Josh Dunkley, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Smith and Lachie Hunter. These players are likely to attract interest from other clubs, and the Bulldogs will have to decide whether to match any offers they receive or let them go. The Bulldogs will also have to consider the impact of the father-son rule, which allows them to draft the sons of former players with a discount. The Bulldogs have two potential father-son prospects for 2023: Sam Darcy, the son of club legend Luke Darcy, and Ewan Macpherson, the son of former captain Steven Macpherson. The Bulldogs will have to use some of their draft points to secure these players, which could affect their salary cap flexibility.

Upcoming Schedule

The AFL has not yet released the full fixture for 2023, but it has announced some of the marquee matches that will take place throughout the season. The Bulldogs will be involved in some of these matches, which will showcase their skills and test their mettle against some of the best teams in the league.

One of the highlights of the Bulldogs’ schedule is the Anzac Day clash against Collingwood at the MCG on April 25. This is one of the most anticipated games of the year, as it honours the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The Bulldogs and the Magpies have a fierce rivalry that dates back to 1954, when they met in the grand final. The Bulldogs won that game by 51 points, ending a 40-year premiership drought. The Anzac Day clash will be a chance for both teams to honour their history and compete for glory.

Another exciting match for the Bulldogs is the Queen’s Birthday clash against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on June 12. This is another traditional game that celebrates the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The Bulldogs and the Demons have a long history of playing each other on this occasion, dating back to 1955. The Queen’s Birthday clash will be a showdown between two of the most talented teams in the league, as both sides have star-studded line-ups that feature Brownlow Medal winners, All-Australians and Rising Stars.

The Bulldogs will also face some tough challenges from interstate teams in 2023. They will travel to Perth to take on West Coast at Optus Stadium in round 10, where they will face a hostile crowd and a formidable opponent. They will also host Adelaide at Mars Stadium in Ballarat in round 16, where they will try to maintain their dominance over the Crows in regional Victoria. The Bulldogs will also play two games in Tasmania in 2023: one against Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium in Launceston in round 6, and one against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in Hobart in round 18. These games will be part of the AFL’s commitment to grow the game in Tasmania and give fans more opportunities to see their favourite teams.

How to Get Tickets

If you want to watch the Bulldogs live in action in 2023, you will need to get tickets. There are different ways to get tickets, depending on your preferences and budget.

One of the best ways to get tickets is to become a member of the club. Memberships are available for different categories of fans, such as adults, juniors, families, interstate and international supporters. Memberships offer various benefits, such as access to home and away games, priority booking for finals, discounts on merchandise, exclusive events and more. Memberships for 2023 are now on sale, and you can find out more information and sign up on the club’s website.

Another way to get tickets is to buy them online through Ticketmaster or Ticketek, the official ticketing partners of the AFL. Tickets for 2023 will go on sale closer to the start of the season, and you can check the availability and prices on their websites . You can also buy tickets at the venue on the day of the game, subject to availability and capacity limits.

If you are looking for a premium experience, you can also book a corporate package or a hospitality suite. These options offer you access to reserved seats, food and beverage service, entertainment and more. You can find out more about these options on the club’s website or contact the club directly.

Highest Paid Players

The Bulldogs have some of the best players in the league, and they are paid accordingly. The exact salaries of the players are not publicly disclosed, but some estimates can be made based on media reports and industry sources.

According to The Age, the highest paid player at the Bulldogs in 2022 was Marcus Bontempelli, who earned about $1.2 million. Bontempelli is the captain and star midfielder of the team, and he won his second Brownlow Medal in 2021. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the game, and he signed a four-year contract extension with the Bulldogs in 2020.

Another highly paid player at the Bulldogs is Josh Bruce, who reportedly earned about $800,000 in 2022. Bruce is a key forward who joined the Bulldogs from St Kilda in 2020. He had a breakout season in 2021, kicking 48 goals and making the All-Australian team for the first time. He also signed a two-year contract extension with the Bulldogs in 2021.

Other players who are likely to be among the highest paid at the Bulldogs are Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton and Alex Keath. Macrae is an elite midfielder who won the club’s best and fairest award in 2021. Liberatore is a hard-nosed midfielder who led the league in clearances in 2021. Naughton is a dynamic forward who kicked 46 goals in 2021. Keath is a reliable defender who was named in the All-Australian squad in 2021.

Conclusion

The Western Bulldogs are a team that every AFL fan should watch in 2023. They have a talented and exciting roster, a passionate and loyal fan base, and a rich history of success. They also have some challenges to overcome, such as managing their salary cap, facing tough opponents, and meeting high expectations. Whether they can win their third premiership in 2023 remains to be seen, but they will surely put on a show for everyone who follows them.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most asked questions about the Western Bulldogs for 2023, and their answers:

Q: When was the Western Bulldogs founded?

A: The Western Bulldogs were founded in 1877 as Footscray Football Club. They changed their name to Western Bulldogs in 1997 to reflect their broader appeal in western Melbourne.

Q: How many premierships have the Western Bulldogs won?

A: The Western Bulldogs have won two premierships: one in 1954 and one in 2016.

Q: Who is the coach of the Western Bulldogs?

A: The coach of the Western Bulldogs is Luke Beveridge. He has been coaching the team since 2015, and he led them to their second premiership in his second season.

Q: Who is the captain of the Western Bulldogs?

A: The captain of the Western Bulldogs is Marcus Bontempelli. He has been captain since 2020, and he is also a two-time Brownlow Medal winner.

Q: Who are some of the best players of the Western Bulldogs?

A: Some of the best players of the Western Bulldogs are Caleb Daniel, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Josh Bruce, Aaron Naughton and Alex Keath.

Q: What are the colours of the Western Bulldogs?

A: The colours of the Western Bulldogs are red,