GWS V Western Bulldogs R7, Saturday 26/4/25 at Manuka Oval, Canberra at 7.35pm

[Bornadog]

Some of his tap work and aggression in the ruck has enabled that. Matching Briggs and probably better around the ground. Still needs to take more marks.

Our mids are on top

[JanLorMill]

If they are going to pay pushing frees in the ruck then English should have at least 5.

[Mofra]

Super impressed with Busslinger as a KPD in his debut game. He may tire in the second half but I'm not sure we can ask much more of him.

[The Underdog]

Bit of a concern we haven't taken more of an advantage. If GWS get on top, we don't really look capable of stopping their forwards.

Good first half though. They're a hard side to crack, and we've acquitted ourselves very well for a half.

Busslinger has looked pretty solid and hasn't pannicked. He certainly follows up the play well. Some of the defensive efforts have been good.

JOD doing well enough on Hogan, who has become a super player. He's at the peak of his powers, strong, smart and fit, hard to stop. JOD competing well.

It’s definitely down to the mids to stop the footy coming in easily. If they get time and space our backs will get cooked.

[Bornadog]

West, Dolan and VDM need to do more

[angelopetraglia]

That English free in the ruck was there. He ran straight into him front on before the ball got there. Cleary blocked him.

[angelopetraglia]

West, Dolan and VDM need to do more

Yes. Agree. Not enough pressure coming out of defence.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

It’s definitely down to the mids to stop the footy coming in easily. If they get time and space our backs will get cooked.

Yep, which is true of most sides.

I'd like to see us target some players who have a defensive edge in the trade/draft period. It's an area of the ground we've been vulnerable in since Boyd/Morris etc retired. Jones/Duryea are on the way out so we need to find some replacements, especially given the likes of Bramble, Dale and JJ are attack first/defend second.

[angelopetraglia]

The Buss can find the footy. VFL form stacking up so far.

[jazzadogs]

If they are going to pay pushing frees in the ruck then English should have at least 5.

Is he being timid or is he being illegally pushed? I'm confused.

I thought he's been good, competing hard against the type of ruck who has typically smashed him. Briggs has used his strength a few times but English has done enough to disrupt him, hitouts pretty even.

Important finish from Tim.

[merantau]

Strange game this. We are being kept in it by a few players having good games and some bad misses by them.

Harmes has been terrific Sanders continues to impress. Kennedy has been very good. Bont has been important up forward.

The game is there to be won as we have yet to play any precise football. Scrambled goals are not going to get the job done.

[Bornadog]

The Buss can find the footy. VFL form stacking up so far.

Just please no short kicking Buss. Impressed so far.

[Mofra]

West, Dolan and VDM need to do more

West seems to be covering more ground than VDM, it's normally the other way round. VDM did lay a beautiful tackle.

[Bornadog]

West seems to be covering more ground than VDM, it's normally the other way round. VDM did lay a beautiful tackle.

Yes it was a ripper run down

[The Bulldogs Bite]

When will we pull the trigger on Dolan / Hynes?

I'm thinking halfway through the third if Dolan is still quiet, which allows Hynes a bit of time to get into the game. He could be important as another bigger body up forward too.