Scratch Match

[bornadog]

Josh Schache (Achilles soreness) not playing in the Western Bulldogs vs Geelong scratch match. Bailey Dale, Sam Lloyd and Cody Weightman all out there as the club ponders a possible replacement for Aaron Naughton.

[Happy Days]

This going on now?

[bornadog]

This going on now?

Yes it is

[1eyedog]

Josh Schache (Achilles soreness) not playing in the Western Bulldogs vs Geelong scratch match. Bailey Dale, Sam Lloyd and Cody Weightman all out there as the club ponders a possible replacement for Aaron Naughton.

Has Naughts been ruled out?

[bornadog]

Has Naughts been ruled out?

Not yet

[azabob]

Weightman ended up in a moonboot after the game.

[ledge]

Weightman ended up in a moonboot after the game.

Sad to read that , would finish him off for the year, in saying that I think all round he has had a good year, got a look at senior footy and can now concentrate on his body building for next season.

[Axe Man]

Scratch match wrap | Dogs v Cats

Assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa believes the Western Bulldogs have a group of players ready to make the step up to finals football if required in the coming weeks.

The Bulldogs played a scratch match against Geelong on Monday on the Gold Coast after securing a finals berth with a win against Fremantle on Sunday night.

On the scoreboard, the Bulldogs came out on top, with Giansiracusa impressed by the attitude and performance of the team.

“They’ve attacked it with the right attitude the whole time, in trying conditions and circumstances,” Giansiracusa said.

“It was good to come up against a quality opponent in Geelong, a team that’s entrenched in the AFL finals equation and have their own motivations.

“It was a pretty high-quality hit-out in terms of the physicality, considering it was 16-v-16.

“The boys put in a great effort and are keeping themselves ready should an opportunity arise. All we keep preaching to the players is to control what you can – and if an opportunity comes, you’ll feel confident that you’re prepared well and ready to have an impact at the higher level.”

Billy Gowers was the stand-out performer, according to Giansiracusa, playing through the midfield and pushing forward.

“Billy had a good balance in his game, he was probably the best player on the ground,” he said.

“He came with an attitude to be physical but not reckless, and he did that really well. He was strong in the contest and worked extremely hard.

“He made a lot of 30-70 balls his and was a real presence around the ground. The other boys jumped on his back and came with him.”

Travelling AFL emergencies Ben Cavarra and Jordon Sweet both played after flying back from Cairns on Monday morning.

Cavarra was also among the Bulldogs’ best, alongside the likes of Riley Garcia, Bailey Dale and Tory Dickson.

“Ben had an interrupted preparation flying back the morning of the game but his ferociousness around the ball, alongside Riley was outstanding,” Giansiracusa said.

“The opposition know when they’re around and they tackled really hard, but also when they got the ball they were really clean. Both explored the space with their legs and bursting out of congested situations to set up scoring opportunities for us, which was good to see.

“Bailey did his better work as a midfielder and showed some real strength in his game. He’s been focusing on his pressure and that was at a really high level which was pleasing.

“Tory was good in the air and provided for his teammates at ground level. He worked extremely hard.”

Giansiracusa was also positive about the back line’s consistency through recent scratch matches.

“Our backline is gelling really well – they were good with their one-on-ones and ability to guard dangerous space and come off their men to support,” he said.

“Lachie Young had some really good support plays where he came off and spoiled and Jackson Trengove has been a really solid contributor, particularly with his experience, voice and energy.”

[comrade]

Billy 'Scratch Match King' Gowers loving the 16 v 16 format.

[bornadog]

No to Billy Gowers for finals footy

[bulldogsthru&thru]

No mention of Lewis Young again in defence.

Good to see Garcia among the best again. Considering he's a first year player and coming off an ACL he's doing really well.

[comrade]

No mention of Lewis Young again in defence.

Good to see Garcia among the best again. Considering he's a first year player and coming off an ACL he's doing really well.

Yep, excited to see more of him next year. Sounds like a bit of a terrier.

[Happy Days]

Billy Dangerfield popping up again is very worrying considering who's under a cloud.

[Happy Days]

https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/...es-strong-form

Some highlights of us getting dunked on here. Find it pretty hilarious and petty that the Cats make their seconds play in VFL jumpers.

[comrade]

https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/...es-strong-form

Some highlights of us getting dunked on here. Find it pretty hilarious and petty that the Cats make their seconds play in VFL jumpers.

Didn't make us look too bad, IMO.

Some nice tackling and pressure from Cavarra & Dale, a good spoil by Lachie Young and multiple appearances of Brad Lynch's Naughton-esque mullet.