2025 AAMI Community Series - Hawthorn V Western Bulldogs Thu 27/2/25 UTAS Stadium, Launceston 5:20PM AEDT

[Bornadog]

it’s a weak lineup. Bottom 6 is being nice Kruder. If Buss is not getting a game ahead of Gardner, then that says a lot.

Are you going to the game DG?

[Bontempelli44]

Really excited to see how the forward line goes, feel like Harmes and Bam Bam (Matt Kennedy) can be crucial as the mid/forward hybrid roles, Harmes did it well last year before injuries cruelled him, Naughton and Darcy should be impenetrable in the air, Dolan is a energy spark cannot wait, Vandermeer would want to go very well.

[Stevo]

Really excited to see how the forward line goes, feel like Harmes and Bam Bam (Matt Kennedy) can be crucial as the mid/forward hybrid roles, Harmes did it well last year before injuries cruelled him, Naughton and Darcy should be impenetrable in the air, Dolan is a energy spark cannot wait, Vandermeer would want to go very well.

Welcome to WOOF Bontempelli44.
So who's your favorite player?

Nice first up post and I hope you enjoy the site.

[Smads57]

Just a minor thing re Buss - last couple of training sessions he has had strapping not only on his shoulder, but around his upper and lower forearm. This bandaging was not present when he played Ess. Maybe we are being careful with him around this arm issue for now(?)

[Pleather Sole]

Thank the deities for the avid eyed local knowledge!

[Bornadog]

Who will be second ruck today?

[JackCJohnston2000]

Who will be second ruck today?

The obvious answer is Darcy.

But an out of left field choice, if they want to keep Darcy forward, they could throw JOD in there.

[Dazza]

Little concerned about Busslinger. Surely he gets a game ahead of Gardner at this stage. Especially in a practice game. Unsure of that decision making

[Rusty12]

Who will be second ruck today?

I thought it was Tim English, diddn't we sign Crossley and make him no1 ruck?

[GVGjr]

Who will be second ruck today?

Gards and Darcy

[Dazza]

Very keen to see how Dolan and Davidson go. On paper they seem to have some attributes the team has been missing in recent times. Hopefully they can show a bit and give the match comittee something to think about going into rd1.

[GVGjr]

Very keen to see how Dolan and Davidson go. On paper they seem to have some attributes the team has been missing in recent times. Hopefully they can show a bit and give the match comittee something to think about going into rd1.

It's a hard spot to shine where Dolan has been selected but Davidson has a chance to get a bit of the footy. Seeing Croft could be an added bonus.

[Aidan7557]

Might be pessimistic here but that team on paper is not great. The big thing that stands out is how many "iffy" players we have right now. Go through Collingwood's team last night without de goey, mitchell and maynard. It is loaded from player 1 to 22. Feel like even with adz, red, weightman and jones back we still are about 4 or 5 players off the mark compared to the best teams. I feel like the only way we challenge this season is guys like sanders, davidson, mcneil, west etc go from D or C players to B's and our top line play out of their minds. Overall feeling like we are in a transition period with the list as a whole and it might be a frustrating season or two. Not saying we will be bad but all this is in the context of challenging for a premiership. Lots of good teams this year and looking at the Pies team on paper last night really woke me up to see we are a bit off their pace right now.

[Dazza]

It's a hard spot to shine where Dolan has been selected but Davidson has a chance to get a bit of the footy. Seeing Croft could be an added bonus.

Yeah that half forward role is a hard one to make much of an impact. In recent times Bailey Smith was good at it especially in that 2021 finals series.

Croft is interesting I'm just not sure about the position the coach seems to want him to play. I really think he has the attributes to be a good defender. Not sure about the wing or if we need another tall forward developed.

[Brody23]

Understanding its a practice match, but that’s as poor a side we’ve put together in a little while on paper.
in saying that, we’ve put together strong sides on paper and been blown away in games, so I’ll reserve judgement for now.
I don’t see it with Buss, he is pretty slow and I’m not sold he’s going to be a long term 150 game+ player, just my opinion.

[NAUGHTY100]

Might be pessimistic here but that team on paper is not great. The big thing that stands out is how many "iffy" players we have right now. Go through Collingwood's team last night without de goey, mitchell and maynard. It is loaded from player 1 to 22. Feel like even with adz, red, weightman and jones back we still are about 4 or 5 players off the mark compared to the best teams. I feel like the only way we challenge this season is guys like sanders, davidson, mcneil, west etc go from D or C players to B's and our top line play out of their minds. Overall feeling like we are in a transition period with the list as a whole and it might be a frustrating season or two. Not saying we will be bad but all this is in the context of challenging for a premiership. Lots of good teams this year and looking at the Pies team on paper last night really woke me up to see we are a bit off their pace right now.

I agree Collingwood look strong but lets face facts here, most side are going to do to Richmond what the pies did to them ,i think id keep my powder dry about Collingwood this early , and at full strength no way is Collingwood that much better then us , coming into the finals last year we were pounding sides like Collingwood , in fact we beat all the top side , so at full strength you might be selling us a bit short.