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

[doggies ftw]

Obviously slim pickings with the injuries, few surprises though.

Arty behind Dolan? I’m rapt to see Dolan but would have thought we’d want to see Arty and I had him a smokie for round one.

Cleary bit of a surprise but basically down Dale & JJ, as well as Jacques and Red from previous years so we’re pretty limited at HB.

Buss not even considered for a Praccy is frustrating, he’s our best performed key defender at VFL level when he plays alongside Buku, JOD & Gardner I really thought we could at least give him a practise match. Very disappointing but it’s starting to seem like he’s just one of those guys which randomly has his papers stamped with Bevo already.

If JOD & Buku are ahead of him fine but I can’t accept Gardner being ahead of him, if he plays Def that is. Just a joke tbh

other than that very keen for this one and going to be good to see some young blokes who hopefully have big roles like Sanders, Croft, Dolan. As young and inexperienced as Dolan is there’s a spot for him there right now if he’s good enough to take it so will watch him with interest. Would have liked to see Hynes too and maybe a bit of surprise considering the talk in here recently but not concerning, he’s really coming from a long way back in regards to fitness and I don’t think he’s a chance to play AFL early this year so why waste the spot on him now - big big fan of his ability though, can’t wait to see him rip up the VFL this year

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Surprised that Arty got the nod ahead of Baker.

[azabob]

Glad to see Dolan get a run.

I was huge on him as soon as he was drafted and said at the time I would not be surprised if he played 15 odd games due to his skill set and how they complement our exact weaknesses.

Clearly and extremely fit lad and a hard worker considering how much time he has spent in rehab.

[The Underdog]

I saw this team selection and I thought “ah, the season has truly begun”. Let us complain at our perceived selection slights my brethren.
Gardner over Buss
Cleary!
Brings a tear to the eye.

[Rusty12]

Let's assume the dogs' coaching staff and match committee are good at their jobs and know their players' strengths and weaknesses.
If your opinion of Buss is that he is clearly the best option to replace Jones, to not even selected in the first 26, for a practice match when we have 7 automatic selections unavailable and Buss has had a full pre-season, it might be time to reconsider that opinion, or accept the club might have a better understanding of this one.

[Eastdog]

Official footy is back!

Looking forward to seeing the new recruits M (Kennedy, Dolan and Davidson) in action and what they bring.

A shame we haven’t named Busslinger as I would have liked to see him in this game.

Keen on how Sanders does after the great reports from pre-season.

Hooping English has a big influence around the ground. Need that AA English back.

And just keen to see how we play generally

Hope for no injuries and a clean bill of health.

Go Dogs!

[doggies ftw]

Let's assume the dogs' coaching staff and match committee are good at their jobs and know their players' strengths and weaknesses.
If your opinion of Buss is that he is clearly the best option to replace Jones, to not even selected in the first 26, for a practice match when we have 7 automatic selections unavailable and Buss has had a full pre-season, it might be time to reconsider that opinion, or accept the club might have a better understanding of this one.

Just because they’re good at their jobs doesn’t mean they’ve never made mistakes, they’ve made plenty.

ill reconsider my opinion when it’s proven either way, not just because it doesn’t align with the clubs position.

[Go_Dogs]

Good to see some new faces and an opportunity for a few to press a case.

Our round 1 side will look quite a bit different.

enjoy the ride tomorrow folks.

[Grantysghost]

You blokes are harsh. Spends all summer (and half of last year) as a ruck then makes a couple of blues as a defender in something less than a practice game and he immediately sucks?

Who cares what happened against Essendon? It was a hit and giggle pretend match in terrible conditions...let him play tomorrow and let's find out.

Word.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Suspect we like what a few untried young players bring and want to see if they are close to ready. Don't mind that, it's a long season, you learn more from experimenting a little in preseason. I was impressed with the way Dolan moved and how he executed some clever kicks under pressure by lowering his eyes.

If anything I'm surprised Hynes isn't playing, but you can't play them all.

I'm not convinced on Croft as a forward or wing option, but he just needs continuity with playing games at this point.

[ibonttobreakfree]

Sam Mitch was strong when interviewed that small forwards are going to be where their goals come from. Reflecting on it, I think our plan is different with our talls being the pillars of our attack. Will be great to see what the general trend across the afl is early in the season. The Dolan selection might be a bit of each way bet to have a look at some different shapes up forward.

[Grantysghost]

Let's assume the dogs' coaching staff and match committee are good at their jobs and know their players' strengths and weaknesses.
If your opinion of Buss is that he is clearly the best option to replace Jones, to not even selected in the first 26, for a practice match when we have 7 automatic selections unavailable and Buss has had a full pre-season, it might be time to reconsider that opinion, or accept the club might have a better understanding of this one.

Hey hey that's crazy talk.

I live in hope with Busslinger like others however there's nothing major to indicate he's worthy of a spot yet.
He's hopefully going to make big strides this season.

[Rusty12]

Just because they’re good at their jobs doesn’t mean they’ve never made mistakes, they’ve made plenty.

ill reconsider my opinion when it’s proven either way, not just because it doesn’t align with the clubs position.

Of course, we all make mistakes, all the time.
But the collective footy intellect of the club are saying, he is way off, that's my point.

It's not a 50/50, or 60/40 call based on this being a dress rehearsal.

Like most, I hope Buss gets his chance and smashes it, but there is something missing.

[DOG GOD]

That side looks bottom 6 on paper to be expected though with so many injuries. I was really keen for Arty to get a run looks like Dolan is already ahead of him.

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.

[kruder]

Yeah I know, I don't wanna be too negative early but yeah just our reality atm. We just need to find away to beat Norrfff in that first round and go from there.

[Hot Dogs]

Disappointed Buss didn't get the nod, but not really surprised they're staring with O'Donnell.

Looking forward to seeing how Dolan looks. Definitely an area of the ground we need some improvement in.