Always Right Match Committee R24 vs Fremantle Dockers 2025

[doggies ftw]

I’d literally sack Bevo if we dropped Croft, meaning we decided to play him for a one out game in round 23. Chopping and changing the structure of the side 1 week out from finals would be completely insane. If we were going to go back to Poulter anyway why would we have not have just kept him against WCE?

it’s a completely ridiculous suggestion to be honest, Obviously, he will not be dropped. No shit freo is a different level but the coaches knew this coming into last week. Nothings changed.

Since when has Bevo ever been scared to play a young kid in a big game or against good opposition? Hes been seen as ready to play afl, so he’s ready to vs anyone.

id bet any amount of money on Croft playing this week, barring an injury mishap

[mighty_west]

I wouldn't drop Croft for Poulter, Croft's tenacity is exactly what we need in the side especially if we pull through to finals, i understand Poulter kicked 6, but then Schache used to kicks bags of 6 and 7 for fun at VFL level, i am also for Treloar to come in for McNeil but to play a full game as he needs the continuity for finals, if Dolan is available i'd use him as sub and Sanders goes back to the VFL, Dolan has had an impact on games starting as sub this year.

[mjp]

I’d literally sack Bevo if we dropped Croft.

You don't think that would be somewhat of an over-reaction?

Best 22 this week and best sub.

If Croft is in it, he plays. Otherwise he misses.

I don't think leaving out a 1-game player for a must win game is a sacking offence.

[doggies ftw]

You don't think that would be somewhat of an over-reaction?

Best 22 this week and best sub.

If Croft is in it, he plays. Otherwise he misses.

I don't think leaving out a 1-game player for a must win game is a sacking offence.

It was a joke… My point was it would be incompetent to muck around with the structure of the side completely 1 week out from finals, Croft or not I don’t mind but I’m saying messing with the team so much would be ridiculous. If we were really going to bring Poulter back 1 week later why on earth would we drop him for the wce game?

Croft is very clearly going to keep his spot this week, not sure why it’s such a big point of discussion

[bulldogsthru&thru]

It was a joke… My point was it would be incompetent to muck around with the structure of the side completely 1 week out from finals, Croft or not I don’t mind but I’m saying messing with the team so much would be ridiculous. If we were really going to bring Poulter back 1 week later why on earth would we drop him for the wce game?

Croft is very clearly going to keep his spot this week, not sure why it’s such a big point of discussion

But bringing in a debutant 2 weeks before finals (or 1 week before what is basically a final) is fine?

A debutant who is basically a 3rd tall forward which we haven't done for weeks?

I'm not sure what the MC will do. I can see merit either way but the hysteria is over the top. Whether it's Poulter or VDM coming in, it wouldn't surprise me if Croft was in for a taste of AFL yesterday knowing it'd be a 1 and done. The fact he played so well is going to give the MC something to think about.

[doggies ftw]

But bringing in a debutant 2 weeks before finals (or 1 week before what is basically a final) is fine?

A debutant who is basically a 3rd tall forward which we haven't done for weeks?

I'm not sure what the MC will do. I can see merit either way but the hysteria is over the top. Whether it's Poulter or VDM coming in, it wouldn't surprise me if Croft was in for a taste of AFL yesterday knowing it'd be a 1 and done. The fact he played so well is going to give the MC something to think about.

It’s completely fine, players debut in similar circumstances all the time. Pickett recently debuted in a grand final even.

If a player is considered ready and theyre chosen for a role that is what it is. We’ve had a 3rd tall pretty much exclusively for a while now, Buku/Poulter. Croft was considered best for the role.

What would be insane is completely ****ing with the structure one week out from a must win game just to give someone a taste, if that was what we’re doing it would be completely ridiculous to not just back in Poulter to find form and continue to gel with the others in the WCE game.

[Bulldog Joe]

But bringing in a debutant 2 weeks before finals (or 1 week before what is basically a final) is fine?

A debutant who is basically a 3rd tall forward which we haven't done for weeks?

I'm not sure what the MC will do. I can see merit either way but the hysteria is over the top. Whether it's Poulter or VDM coming in, it wouldn't surprise me if Croft was in for a taste of AFL yesterday knowing it'd be a 1 and done. The fact he played so well is going to give the MC something to think about.

I can't believe that he would be brought in for 1 game.

I know they were pretty keen to play Croft pre-season and have elevated him as soon as he has shown some worthwhile form over multiple weeks.

At senior level they have been trying to use Poulter as a marking option even though he doesn't have the competitive aggression required.

Croft brought that competitive aggression and the bonus of being agile and quick at ground level to be a presence.

There is no universe that would pick the Poulter we have had on display at senior level over the Croft that turned up to play against the Eagles.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I can't believe that he would be brought in for 1 game.

I know they were pretty keen to play Croft pre-season and have elevated him as soon as he has shown some worthwhile form over multiple weeks.

At senior level they have been trying to use Poulter as a marking option even though he doesn't have the competitive aggression required.

Croft brought that competitive aggression and the bonus of being agile and quick at ground level to be a presence.

There is no universe that would pick the Poulter we have had on display at senior level over the Croft that turned up to play against the Eagles.

If Croft is seen as best 22 in that hff role then he should play. I'd prefer him over Poulter for sure.

I don't know the make-up of Freos defence but the MC might be keen on a fair bit of agility at ground level to ensure freo can't easily exit the ball once it hits the deck. Naughton and Darcy will give us a contest but the MC may see VDM/Arty etc as better options of containing thr ball in our 50. Croft gives his all and is agile FOR A BIG MAN, but will that be enough to cover a team like Fremantle? (the Eagles ball use and decision making leaving 50 was pathetic).

I'm not saying Croft can't do it. Just providing an alternate view the MC might take. I just wouldn't be surprised if Croft was dropped or retained.

I don't envy the MC this week. Let's hope they get it right this time. Last year against the hawks was a disaster.

[Bornadog]

Straight in or too soon? Bulldogs facing Treloar dilemma
The Bulldogs face an interesting selection call on Adam Treloar this week

NO ONE picked in the 2024 All-Australian team has played less games in 2025 than Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar.

But after a stunning performance for Footscray on Sunday, the 32-year-old has put his hand up for a return against Fremantle on the final Sunday of the home and away season.

The Western Bulldogs remain alive heading into round 24 after smashing West Coast on Sunday by 94 points to record a fourth straight win and eighth win since Sam Darcy returned in round 15.

Treloar amassed 40 disposals in his first ever VFL appearance – he played eight NEAFL games in 2011 and 2012 for Greater Western Sydney – from 84 minutes game time at Mission Whitten Oval, along with 10 tackles, nine clearances and a goal in a 115-point win over Carlton.

The out-of-contract midfielder hasn't played since suffering his latest calf setback in the win over Richmond in round 15.

Treloar didn't start his season until round eight following a pre-season interrupted by calf strains that started in the off-season and lingered all summer, preventing him from training with the main group for most of summer.

After pulling up with calf tightness from that first game in Ballarat, Treloar didn't play for a month and then played two uninterrupted games before being subbed out against the Tigers.

Adam Treloar on the bench during the round 13 match between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, June 5, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Scans then revealed a moderate-grade strain that put the rest of his home and away season in doubt, rocking the veteran as he came to terms with the uphill battle he was facing to return.

But after a few weeks of full training and a successful return on Sunday, Luke Beveridge now has a decision to make on a player who was one of the best midfielders in the competition last year.

The 2016 premiership coach didn't rule out picking Treloar for a final if he got back in the VFL by September. Sunday is essentially a wildcard final dressed up as round 24 - win and the Dogs are in, same case for the Dockers.

Treloar performed first-up against Port Adelaide in round eight, collecting 27 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal. He finished with 28 touches and four goal assists in his most recent full game.

[mjp]

I'm not saying Croft can't do it. Just providing an alternate view the MC might take. I just wouldn't be surprised if Croft was dropped or retained.

Same. Maybe he plays, maybe he doesn't.

If he's best 22 vs Freo he plays. I'm really not sure that's the case...if he is selected, good luck to him.

[mjp]

Croft is very clearly going to keep his spot this week, not sure why it’s such a big point of discussion

I doubt he would be left out for Poulter. I wouldn't be surprised if the Match Committee wanted more ground ball support this week and selected VDM, McNeil and West...which would mean someone has to go out.

[GVGjr]

I’d literally sack Bevo if we dropped Croft, meaning we decided to play him for a one out game in round 23. Chopping and changing the structure of the side 1 week out from finals would be completely insane. If we were going to go back to Poulter anyway why would we have not have just kept him against WCE?

it’s a completely ridiculous suggestion to be honest, Obviously, he will not be dropped. No shit freo is a different level but the coaches knew this coming into last week. Nothings changed.

Since when has Bevo ever been scared to play a young kid in a big game or against good opposition? Hes been seen as ready to play afl, so he’s ready to vs anyone.

id bet any amount of money on Croft playing this week, barring an injury mishap

You've maintained that aggressive stance with Bevo about player selection but I don't think the facts support that hard nosed approach towards him.
Lets have a look at the youngsters:
Sanders and Freijah have continued to be played and we have introduced Dolan, Hynes and Davidson and not just with a few token games.
We have also introduced Busslinger and he just played his best game and now Croft has debuted.
It seems to me like we have been refreshing the playing list right throughout the season and done a pretty good job of it.

I don't think we will drop Croft but I certainly won't be joining in any chorus to sack the coach if it does happen.

[doggies ftw]

You've maintained that aggressive stance with Bevo about player selection but I don't think the facts support that hard nosed approach towards him.
Lets have a look at the youngsters:
Sanders and Freijah have continued to be played and we have introduced Dolan, Hynes and Davidson and not just with a few token games.
We have also introduced Busslinger and he just played his best game and now Croft has debuted.
It seems to me like we have been refreshing the playing list right throughout the season and done a pretty good job of it.

I don't think we will drop Croft but I certainly won't be joining in any chorus to sack the coach if it does happen.

As I said in a later post, it was a joke no I obviously wouldn’t call for his sacking lol. Was just exaggerating in a way to say it would be insane selection tactics to bring in Croft for 1 week then go back to Poulter or even a completely different structure in the last round before finals. It would be completely chaotic, hence it won’t happen.

Selection has been good for a few weeks as I’ve said every week, it’s taken us a while to get there but where somewhere towards our best team right now. We usually get there in the end but I’m not sure why Bevo always seems to take the roundabout way to it every year.

[dog town]

I wouldn’t be playing Croft this week. He was very impressive but I felt it hurt our chemistry at times and he isn’t the best fit for an opponent we have to beat.

We will definitely pick him though in my opinion.

[Hotdog60]

Bevo in his presser said Croft has earnt another game whether he sticks to that will at the selection table.