NAB Challenge Game 2 v Melbourne, 6 March 2016 at Craigieburn

[bornadog]

Sunday 6 March, 2.05pm

2:05pm – Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

Women’s Exhibition Match
5:00pm – Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

Venue
Highgate Recreation Reserve is located at 229 Grand Boulevard, Craigieburn.

Broadcast
TV: Fox Footy 2:00pm (AEST)
Radio: TBC

General Public Tickets
Adult: $20
Children 6-14 years: $5
Concession: $15
Family of 4 (2 Ad & 2 Ch) (Admits 4): $40
Family of 5 (2 Ad & 3 Ch) (Admits 5): $40
Family of 6 (2 Ad & 4 Ch) (Admits 6): $40
Access members will be able to scan in with their 2016 membership card subject to capacity.

[bornadog]

Tom Boyd and Tom Libba set to Play

Key forward Tom Boyd and midfielder Tom Liberatore are expected to officially step out for the first time this season when the Western Bulldogs face Melbourne on Sunday.

Boyd and Liberatore were rested from the Bulldogs' opening NAB Challenge clash against Greater Western Sydney because of light "knocks".

The Dogs had also lifted the training loads of the pair in the four previous weeks and had felt it was best to ease off.

As was the case last season in their second NAB Challenge clash, the Dogs are likely to take a young side, before several of their senior players have one final hit-out against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on March 12.

This may mean Josh Dunkley, the son of former Swans defender Andrew Dunkley, plays his first match, while Declan Hamilton, the club's only 2014 draftee not to debut in 2015, has a run. Hamilton is classy midfielder, who has Darren and Andrew Jarman as his famous uncles.

There will be great focus on Boyd this season, for he will be the Dogs' highest paid player, earning about $1 million. Having joined the Dogs as part of a trade with Ryan Griffen, he booted 16 goals in 14 matches last season but did not play after round 16.

Boyd was in superb touch in a recent intra-club clash, where he moved swiftly and dominated inside 50.

AFL great Wayne Carey recently said Boyd was ready for a breakout season.

Liberatore had been in strong form through the summer, having recovered from a knee reconstruction. His rugged work as an inside midfielder will be important if the Dogs are to maintain their running game.

Teammate Nathan Hrovat, who played only seven matches last season and is off contract this season, said Liberatore's return was akin to having a boom recruit.

"It was devastating when Tommy went down last year. Having him back ... it's almost like having a No.1 draft pick," Hrovat said on Radio Sport National.

"He brings a competitive, hard edge to the midfield."

The clash against the Demons will also contribute to the debate over who should be the starting ruckman come the home-and-away season opener against Fremantle. Jordan Roughead, Will Minson and Tom Campbell are jostling for the role, and there wasn't a stand-out against the Giants in the 31-point win.

[Mofra]

Boyd was in superb touch in a recent intra-club clash, where he moved swiftly and dominated inside 50.

Gawd

[bornadog]

Gawd

Yeah I thought he didn't play

[ledge]

Brad Boyd If Dermie was watching and calling.

[craigsahibee]

Yeah I thought he didn't play

It's frightening that these so called journalists are not held to be accountable for their obvious errors.

[Templeton31]

It's frightening that these so called journalists are not held to be accountable for their obvious errors.

I prefer to believe the bs I know he's preaching!

[ratsmac]

Yeah I thought he didn't play

Was there an intra club match that we don't know about?

[Greystache]

Was there an intra club match that we don't know about?

Not that I know of. I imagine he's mistaking Boyd for Redpath, who was very impressive in the intra-club.

[Templeton31]

Not that I know of. I imagine he's mistaking Boyd for Redpath, who was very impressive in the intra-club.

Suckling said in an interview on Pride of the West (radio segment with Tony Leonard and Plough thats on Dogs website) that they had some match play a week and half ago (interview was Monday this week) and in a short period (can't remember 15mins?) Boyd ripped down 4-5 contested marks and kicked 3 goals. Journo may have got it from that.

[LostDoggy]

Suckling said in an interview on Pride of the West (radio segment with Tony Leonard and Plough thats on Dogs website) that they had some match play a week and half ago (interview was Monday this week) and in a short period (can't remember 15mins?) Boyd ripped down 4-5 contested marks and kicked 3 goals. Journo may have got it from that.

Thanks for that T31. I listened to that also, but couldn't remember where I'd heard it.

[Greystache]

Suckling said in an interview on Pride of the West (radio segment with Tony Leonard and Plough thats on Dogs website) that they had some match play a week and half ago (interview was Monday this week) and in a short period (can't remember 15mins?) Boyd ripped down 4-5 contested marks and kicked 3 goals. Journo may have got it from that.

That's great news then.

[Axe Man]

Squads:

WESTERN BULLDOGS
3. Mitch Wallis, 5. Matthew Boyd, 6. Luke Dahlhaus, 11. Jack Macrae, 12. Zaine Cordy, 13. Nathan Hrovat, 15. Tom Campbell, 16. Toby McLean, 17. Tom Boyd, 18. Fletcher Roberts, 19. Lukas Webb, 20. Josh Dunkley, 21. Tom Liberatore, 22. Mitch Honeychurch, 23. Jordan Roughead, 26. Declan Hamilton, 27. Will Minson, 28. Josh Prudden, 30. Joel Hamling, 31. Bailey Dale, 32. Kieran Collins, 33. Marcus Adams, 34. Bailey Williams, 35. Caleb Daniel, 36. Brad Lynch, 40. Luke Goetz, 43. Jack Redpath, 44. Jed Adcock, 46. Lin Jong

Notable absentees: Robert Murphy, Jake Stringer, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson

MELBOURNE
2. Nathan Jones, 3. Christian Salem, 4. Jack Watts, 7. Jack Viney, 11. Max Gawn, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Clayton Oliver, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Billy Stretch, 16. Dean Kent, 17. Sam Frost, 20. Colin Garland, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23. Bernie Vince, 25. Tom McDonald, 28. Oscar McDonald, 29. Jayden Hunt, 30. Alex Neal-Bullen, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Tomas Bugg, 35. Ben Kennedy, 36. Jeff Garlett, 37. Aaron vandenBerg, 39. Neville Jetta, 42. Josh Wagner, 43. James Harmes, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich

Notable absentees: Jesse Hogan, Heritier Lumumba, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw

The Western Bulldogs have included 17 new-faces from the team that secured a NAB Challenge victory over the Giants last week for Sunday’s match against Melbourne.

Amongst the inclusions for the Bulldogs’ second NAB Challenge fixture, is Tom Liberatore, who will make his first senior appearance since injuring his knee last year.

Power forward Tom Boyd, and draftees Josh Dunkley, Bailey Williams, Brad Lynch and Luke Goetz are all in line to play their first game in Bulldogs colours.

Senior players Jack Redpath, Fletcher Roberts and Joel Hamling have also been named in the squad, alongside rookie Jed Adcock.

11 senior team regulars will not take part in Sunday’s preseason match.

Those to be watching on from the stands include the podium from last year’s Sutton Medal – Easton Wood, Robert Murpy and Marcus Bontempelli.

Also to sit out the match will be All Australian forward Jake Stringer, Lachie Hunter, Tory Dickson, Jason Johannisen, ETC

Link

[LostDoggy]

Poor Wood, All Australian and doesn't rate a mention as a notable absentee!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Squad still looks pretty good, even without all those names missing. Starting to see some quality depth at the club, the best I've ever seen. Pretty intrigued for this game.