Match Committee - Round 15 vs Gold Coast Suns

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Time to see if he can play at the top level.

Huge bonus for the club if he can. I have my doubts though - thought he was very slow in the NAB game - but best of luck to him. We really could do with another hard mid, especially at this point of the year.

[LostDoggy]

Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 6m6 minutes ago
Roughead, McLean, Honeychurch won't fly, Hamling unlikely ... Big Ayce back as cover? Crameri? Tom Boyd, I'm told, still sore.

[bornadog]

Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 6m6 minutes ago
Roughead, McLean, Honeychurch won't fly, Hamling unlikely ... Big Ayce back as cover? Crameri? Tom Boyd, I'm told, still sore.

Not good with 4 or 5 changes looming.

[azabob]

Shock horror! Perfect Storm brewing in Cairns. Injuries to key players, Ablett returns and so does then Suns form.

On the positive we will certainly be under know illusions where out depth sits.

#ihavefaith

#bemorebulldog

[G-Mo77]

Just read that. I read yesterday that Hamling hardly trained and figured he could be a scratching. Morris looks like an in so do we play him big or go with Talia?

[bornadog]

Just read that. I read yesterday that Hamling hardly trained and figured he could be a scratching. Morris looks like an in so do we play him big or go with Talia?

I prefer to play Talia than Morris tall. He has lost some of his leap and will struggle against some of the young talls at the Suns.

[G-Mo77]

I prefer to play Talia than Morris tall. He has lost some of his leap and will struggle against some of the young talls at the Suns.

Yeah thinking that way as well. Lynch is a big boy and so is Dixon Talia/Roberts seems like a better fit.

[G-Mo77]

Western Bulldogs ‏@westernbulldogs
Bevo has also confirmed Tom Boyd, Lach Hunter and Michael Talia will also make the trip north to Cairns. #bemorebulldog

[The Underdog]

I'll feel a heap better about Roughy out if Boyd's in. Talia for Hamling is fine especially if Morris plays. Prudden and Hunter for McLean and Honey works. Interested that there's no mention of Crameri, although I think he probably has to be a swap for Redpath for balance, so if Jack stays in then Stew probably stays out.

[bornadog]

Western Bulldogs ‏@westernbulldogs
Bevo has also confirmed Tom Boyd, Lach Hunter and Michael Talia will also make the trip north to Cairns. #bemorebulldog

Stevo tweeted Boyd is still sore. Maybe he has to pass a fitness test.

[bornadog]

Roughead out, Morris to face Suns with a fractured jaw


WESTERN Bulldogs vice-captain Jordan Roughead will miss Saturday's clash against Gold Coast at Cazaly Stadium, while veteran defender Dale Morris will play with a fractured jaw.

Roughead hasn't recovered from the back spasms that plagued him during last Saturday night's win over Carlton, and was a notable absentee when his teammates flew out to Cairns on Thursday morning.

"He's pulled up a bit sore," coach Luke Beveridge told reporters at Melbourne Airport.

"We had to sub him out of the game at half-time last week. It'll take him a good week to get over it so he won't play."

Despite a small fracture in his jaw, Morris has been cleared to face the Suns, and won't wear any protective gear.

Beveridge said the 198-game veteran wasn't in any pain and playing wouldn't risk any further damage.

"It was an innocuous incident, [he] just copped a knee," Beveridge said.

"It's a strange fracture in that there is no impediment to what he's doing with the way he speaks or eats. As much as I lauded his courage last week, it's just a little speed hump and he'll be fine to play.

"We've had medical clearance and there's no real risk there. We all know the head is sacrosanct in the game but it's minimal risk and he'll be fine."

Roughead is one of three Bulldogs forced out of the side with injury.

Mitch Honeychurch (back), Toby McLean (shoulder) and Joel Hamling will miss the game against the Suns.

Defender Michael Talia has been recalled after spending six weeks in the VFL to replace Roughead, while highly prized recruit Tom Boyd returns to the side after missing last Saturday's won over Carlton with knee soreness.

Lachie Hunter's impressive VFL form has earned him a place back in the side.

Young midfielder Josh Prudden will make his long awaited senior debut after a horror run with injury over the past two seasons.

The 20-year-old's first year at the club in 2013 as marred by an ankle injury, while a knee injury restricted him to just four games in the VFL last season.

"Josh has had some injury concerns for a period of time and it's a real credit to him. He's persisted so that's fantastic that we've got another first gamer, " Beveridge said.

[bornadog]

So looks like

Out: Roughead, Hamling, McLean, Honeychurch

In: Prudden, Talia, Hunter and TBoyd

[Bulldog4life]

So looks like

Out: Roughead, Hamling, McLean, Honeychurch

In: Prudden, Talia, Hunter and TBoyd

Wonder who will be in if Boyd doesn't come up? Crameri?

[Rocco Jones]

Wonder who will be in if Boyd doesn't come up? Crameri?

I am guessing that Crameri and Ayce have/will fly up as cover.

[stefoid]

So looks like

Out: Roughead, Hamling, McLean, Honeychurch

In: Prudden, Talia, Hunter and TBoyd

Good outs and good ins. Is this what they call 'depth'?