Always Right Match Committee R3 vs Carlton 2025

[Before I Die]

Bevo put Naughton into the ruck because he wanted to keep Darcy forward. On that alone I expect Croft or JOD to play forward against Carlton. I suspect the MC will give Liam Jones another week to get himself completely right, and bring in JOD to play at fullback. I also expect Croft to come in and play forward. I just hope he doesn’t compete in the air against Darcy or Naughton.

So who is out? Arty Smith didn’t have an impact when he came on first week and got dragged second week, so I think he goes out. Buku deserves to retain his place, so I suspect Baker may find himself back out this week. I know that’s two smalls for two talls, but we need to be taller this week and the contributions of Arty and Baker were minimal. Not sure who goes to the bench, I’ll leave that to the MC.

[Garbs_7]

Treloar's done another calf so at least another 4-6 weeks before we see him again

[Aidan7557]

Treloar's done another calf so at least another 4-6 weeks before we see him again

That hurts...

[Bornadog]

Bevo put Naughton into the ruck because he wanted to keep Darcy forward. On that alone I expect Croft or JOD to play forward against Carlton. I suspect the MC will give Liam Jones another week to get himself completely right, and bring in JOD to play at fullback. I also expect Croft to come in and play forward. I just hope he doesn’t compete in the air against Darcy or Naughton.

So who is out? Arty Smith didn’t have an impact when he came on first week and got dragged second week, so I think he goes out. Buku deserves to retain his place, so I suspect Baker may find himself back out this week. I know that’s two smalls for two talls, but we need to be taller this week and the contributions of Arty and Baker were minimal. Not sure who goes to the bench, I’ll leave that to the MC.

I would give Baker a full game. He has some pace and can kick long.

[Bornadog]

Treloar's done another calf so at least another 4-6 weeks before we see him again

Oh **** NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Bornadog]

Bulldogs veteran eyes return in Carlton clash


Liam Jones is firming for a return from a hamstring strain in time for the Bulldogs' Friday night clash against Carlton

By Josh Gabelich


WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Liam Jones is on track to return ahead of schedule in Friday night's clash against Carlton at Marvel Stadium, while James O'Donnell will also be available for selection.

Jones suffered a high-grade hamstring strain during the club's intra-club on the pre-season camp in Queensland at the start of February.

The 34-year-old was expected to be sidelined for up to ten weeks with the injury, but after making strong progress over the past fortnight, the key defender just needs to complete training on Wednesday to be cleared to return in round three.

With Coleman Medallists Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay set to play together for the first time this year, Jones will provide a timely boost if he returns on Friday night.
Jones has finished top five in both Charles Sutton Medals since returning to the Whitten Oval at the end of 2022, following a season playing for Palm Beach-Currumbin in the QAFL.

Luke Beveridge's side has been hit hard by injuries across the first few months of 2025 and started the season without captain Marcus Bontempelli, reigning All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar, small forward Cody Weightman, Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen, Jones and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who isn't available for selection due to the personal issues.

The Bulldogs have managed to overcome personnel issues to produce two decent performances to start the campaign, beating North Melbourne in round one, before falling six points short against Collingwood last Friday night at the MCG.
The club celebrated 100 seasons in the VFL/AFL in front of a record home and away attendance of 78,027 – nearly 10,000 more than the previous record – in round two, marking the milestone with a pre-game ceremony led by favourite son Bob Murphy.

O'Donnell is also expected to be available after missing the game against the Magpies due to the broken jaw he suffered against the Kangaroos.

The 22-year-old underwent surgery a week ago to insert a plate in his jaw then trained fully last Wednesday, before the Dogs opted not to risk him at the MCG.

Bontempelli isn't expected to be available until Gather Round at the earliest, but the six-time All-Australian took a step forward last week, running three times and starting skills.

The 29-year-old sustained a complex calf injury during the AAMI Community Series, ruling him out for at least six weeks.

[Scott2016]

But hear me out...this is a great plan because he can and will outmark the 10 people.

I didn't think Hill did much, his two goals were the only occasion I really saw him.

I think the pies had to use their smalls more because they don't have a Sam Darcy. McNeil, west and VDM all nailed their chances which is the most important part of their games. Pressure was down - McNeil 4 pressure acts, VDM 13, West 8, Dolan 5. Mason Cox had 12 pressure acts as a comparison.

Dolan had a few moments in the second half which made me think he's starting to adjust to the level, but I still worry about his fitness and ability to impact consistently. Dolan out for Croft could be an interesting change?

Collingwood took 10 marks inside 50 without a bulldogs player with 5 metres of them. We need to have multiple options like Hawthorn Brisbane. McNeil had 2 possessions after half time and 0 tackles for the game. If he is not kicking 3 goals from 3 kicks then the opposition ignore that he is even on the field and peel off to help Darcy opponent. You said they nailed their chances but most of them were in the first 10 minutes when we were 22 points up. After that point we were beaten by 5 goals and only West and Darcy kicked a goal

[Critter]

Treloar has sustained further injury to his calf - out for 4-6 weeks

[mjp]

I wouldn't be rushing Jones back. I thought Khamis was good last week, so I'd either play Buss or O'Donnell if he's fit. I would drop Dolan and Baker, moving Jones back to sub.

OK - I would have thought L. Jones comes in, Buku moves to Williams spot and Williams moves back to the wing...to me that would mean A. Jones doesn't play (Baker stays as sub - he's more versatile) that about wraps it up.

JOD is the interesting one. Bevo has repeatedly said he's been preparing to play forward and back...so maybe there's a role there? If Dolan goes out we need to replace him with another running forward.

[Go_Dogs]

In: L Jones, Hynes, Croft
Out: Buku, Dolan, A Jones

[JackCJohnston2000]

In: L Jones, Hynes, Croft
Out: Buku, Dolan, A Jones

You're debuting 2 kids and only going with two key backs against Carlton?

[Rocco Jones]

In: L Jones, JOD, Croft
Out: Buku, Arty, Dolan

Do we lose too much high speed run with Arty and Dolan out? Feel like JOD and Croft have good aerobic capacity but not sure about their top speed. They can release others too. Just feel we are getting very little from Arty + Dolan.

- JOD as KPD3 releasing Truck to pick up wing time
- Croft can play wing and spend time fwd when Darcy/Naughts in the ruck

Baker as sub.

[kruder]

Adz hurts so much, we desperately need one more senior mid to the mix. I'd prefer to continue to play closer to small ball not keen on 3 tall forwards and 3 tall backs, we need to keep the run going.

Anyone else love Williams in defence? It's going to be difficult to keep him there with Buku/JOD( I saw him on Friday night very impressive looking athlete). I'm keen to see Westy play some more midfield minutes and we need to get Harmes some more ball inside 50 he is a lovely finish.

[Aidan7557]

Adz hurts so much, we desperately need one more senior mid to the mix. I'd prefer to continue to play closer to small ball not keen on 3 tall forwards and 3 tall backs, we need to keep the run going.

Anyone else love Williams in defence? It's going to be difficult to keep him there with Buku/JOD( I saw him on Friday night very impressive looking athlete). I'm keen to see Westy play some more midfield minutes and we need to get Harmes some more ball inside 50 he is a lovely finish.

Yeh I like Williams in defence. Uses the ball well, most of the time, and can help us rebound. I know Buku played well but do we really trust him every week? I don't. Still think Lobb, JOD and Jones is the best set up there. Keep Williams back and get rid of Arty Jones for Croft. Croft is a tall but runs like a small so we fix two potential issues with one player. I still don't mind giving Dolan another go.

[meenies]

Jones for Jones for me.
Just put a rocket up McNeil. Give newbies a chance to grow as we don't really have any replacements that will add value just yet.