Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn - Practice Game 23/02/24

[Pleather Sole]

What I'd like to see us go into the game with the Hawks that includes an eye on the future as much as displayed form.

Backs:
Bramble - L.Jones - Coffield*
Richards - O'Donnell - Dale

Midfield:
Poulter - Treloar - Baker
English - Bontempelli - Liberatore

Forwards:
Harmes* - Naughton - West
Weightman - Lobb - Darcy

Interchange:
Daniel - Sanders* - Scott
Busslinger* - Gallagher* - McNeil

Missing:
Ugle-Hagan - Not worth risking
Macrae - Needs at least another week or two
Johannisen - He's been starring and really one of the standouts but we don't need to play him this time
Williams - No real reason, he's been solid but I want to test Baker and Poulter
Vandermeer - It was a choice between Laith and McNeil
Clarke - It's a shame about his knee injury but it's a short term thing.
A.Jones - Must be getting close now.
Duryea - Running in the rehab group means he's a step behind.
Khamis - I went with Busslinger so that Liam Jones can get a spell
Bedendo - He's been a brilliant trainer but it hasn't flowed through to the match sims.
Freijah - I was tempted to give him a run.
Cleary - Couldn't find a spot for him.
L.Smith - Not ready
Garcia, O'Driscoll, Gardner, Keath and Croft - in the rehab group and need more time.
Baz - LTIL

Agree on most but would have Bedendo in for the same reason you ommitted him. I have a feeling he's going to flourish as a big game player. Shane Warne was crap in Grade & State cricket. As sub instead of McNeil.
Would also bring Khamis on to the bench at the expense of Scott. Khamis needs time resettling as a defender, even omit Caleb Daniel as he's a certain starter for round 1.
If Poulter, Baker or West was ill I'd bring in Freijah.

[GVGjr]

Agree on most but would have Bedendo in for the same reason you ommitted him. I have a feeling he's going to flourish as a big game player. Shane Warne was crap in Grade & State cricket. As sub instead of McNeil.
Would also bring Khamis on to the bench at the expense of Scott. Khamis needs time resettling as a defender, even omit Caleb Daniel as he's a certain starter for round 1.
If Poulter, Baker or West was ill I'd bring in Freijah.

We could certainly omit some players based on them being sure things for R1. With Daniel and Liberatore I just felt it was important that all of our leadership team players are available. Getting the balance between experience players and development of the younger guys is always a challenge.

I don't mind the suggestion of Bedendo it's just who to leave out with the likes of Harmes, West or McNeil etc?

[Pleather Sole]

We could certainly omit some players based on them being sure things for R1. With Daniel and Liberatore I just felt it was important that all of our leadership team players are available. Getting the balance between experience players and development of the younger guys is always a challenge.

I don't mind the suggestion of Bedendo it's just who to leave out with the likes of Harmes, West or McNeil etc?

True, I hadn't considered CD as part of the leadership group. I'd say on balance we know what we'll get from McNeil so I'd go with Bedendo. He's had it rocky and needs priming. Likely doesn't play round 1 or even 2, 3, or 4 but if he's got some time in the thick of things in this regenerating team, if someone goes down he can have his chances. Harmes for sure, we can see why he was chosen to play the gritty defensive mid/Hfwd role, will click the new structure in to place.

I love how much competition there is for spots. Feels like the energy and skill expectation has gone up a level. Everyone appears to be extra hungry, starving even. Think with Bont & Libba as 1 & 2 the commitment will break the roof. Macrae is great but just not the right fit for vc in the group, he seemed to know it too, very real and gracious.

[Mantis]

True, I hadn't considered CD as part of the leadership group. I'd say on balance we know what we'll get from McNeil so I'd go with Bedendo. He's had it rocky and needs priming. Likely doesn't play round 1 or even 2, 3, or 4 but if he's got some time in the thick of things in this regenerating team, if someone goes down he can have his chances. Harmes for sure, we can see why he was chosen to play the gritty defensive mid/Hfwd role, will click the new structure in to place.

I love how much competition there is for spots. Feels like the energy and skill expectation has gone up a level. Everyone appears to be extra hungry, starving even. Think with Bont & Libba as 1 & 2 the commitment will break the roof. Macrae is great but just not the right fit for vc in the group, he seemed to know it too, very real and gracious.

I know this probably isn't the right thread to discuss the bolded part, but in 2023 both Bont & Libba had career years in terms of performances and led the way in terms of desire & will to win, but the rest of the team didn't follow... for any number of reasons.

What changes in 2024?

[azabob]

I know this probably isn't the right thread to discuss the bolded part, but in 2023 both Bont & Libba had career years in terms of performances and led the way in terms of desire & will to win, but the rest of the team didn't follow... for any number of reasons.

What changes in 2024?

From what i've picked up is that the coaches and the players have recognised that Bont and Libba can't do it alone and each and every player needs to take responsibility on field.

My ears did prick up when Anthony Scott (I think) said in front of the group we lost some games last year because we failed to follow the game plan or something to that effect.

Obviously only time will tell if anything has changed.

[ledge]

From what i've picked up is that the coaches and the players have recognised that Bont and Libba can't do it alone and each and every player needs to take responsibility on field.

My ears did prick up when Anthony Scott (I think) said in front of the group we lost some games last year because we failed to follow the game plan or something to that effect.

Obviously only time will tell if anything has changed.

That wouldn’t be unusual at any club to lose a few games from not following the game plan.

[lemmon]

I don't mind the suggestion of Bedendo it's just who to leave out with the likes of Harmes, West or McNeil etc?

Think your side is pretty spot-on. I'd probably give Treloar the day off, rotate Sanders, Daniel and Gallagher through the middle more heavily and squeeze Bedendo onto the bench.

Treloar's a pro - he shouldn't need that much match play to be ready for the real stuff and I don't think it's worth risking his hammies. Bedendo sounds like he deserves a run based on pre-season effort.

[GVGjr]

Think your side is pretty spot-on. I'd probably give Treloar the day off, rotate Sanders, Daniel and Gallagher through the middle more heavily and squeeze Bedendo onto the bench.

Treloar's a pro - he shouldn't need that much match play to be ready for the real stuff and I don't think it's worth risking his hammies. Bedendo sounds like he deserves a run based on pre-season effort.

It's a fair point, he's had a few sessions in the rehab group and perhaps needs the work but it makes sense to give him the game off.
No use playing him for Footscray either.