Western Bulldogs Game Plan for 2026

[WBFC4FFC]

We literally are built the opposite of finals, most talent in the midfield and with key forwards when it should really be in defence and with those high half forwards. I'm a massive Bevo fan too but i thought Scott and Mitchell coached so well tonight with a lot of tactical moves in a game of chess. We are well of the prelim and grand final pace. Concerning.

Given Croft looks like a player and if Weightman returns to form, do we put Naughton down back?

I only say this if the Half-Forwards a Defence are considered the most critical positions.

PS: To be fair to Bevo, did he not put Smith to Half-Forward but given Sniff thought this was a demotion and led to him seeking more ill gotten gains with the Hand-Bags?!?!

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Given Croft looks like a player and if Weightman returns to form, do we put Naughton down back?

I only say this if the Half-Forwards a Defence are considered the most critical positions.

PS: To be fair to Bevo, did he not put Smith to Half-Forward but given Sniff thought this was a demotion and led to him seeking more ill gotten gains with the Hand-Bags?!?!

Not even kicking 60 and fishing 4th in the Coleman after a "down" year has ended the Naughton to defence argument.

[Bornadog]

Given Croft looks like a player and if Weightman returns to form, do we put Naughton down back?

I only say this if the Half-Forwards a Defence are considered the most critical positions.

PS: To be fair to Bevo, did he not put Smith to Half-Forward but given Sniff thought this was a demotion and led to him seeking more ill gotten gains with the Hand-Bags?!?!

Naughton should stay where he is. I would be training Croft with the backs as a future CHB

[SonofScray]

Naughton should stay where he is. I would be training Croft with the backs as a future CHB

Agree and I am a believer that it is easier to go from back to forward than it is the other way as a KPP.

[doggies ftw]

Croft shown way too much in those 2 games to move him now IMO. Especially with Marra gone. Plus we don’t have time to wait for him to become a gun CHB, we need mature defenders now, much better to bring them in ie Butts

Naughty, Darcy & Croft is perfect forward trio for the modern game, their pressure and ground level work and ability to get up and down the ground, for talls will be off the charts

[angelopetraglia]

What is winning big finals? Defensive pressure. Pressure around the ball. Perceived pressure on the opposition when they have ball.

Manic levels of pressure. That’s what wins finals.

[Aidan7557]

What is winning big finals? Defensive pressure. Pressure around the ball. Perceived pressure on the opposition when they have ball.

Manic levels of pressure. That’s what wins finals.

The more I watch the more I get concerned about our team and players. Doesn't help we rarely play in big games in front of large crowds which goes underrated. These sides as you said play with such high intensity but have great composure too. Do we have enough in our team with these traits? Took Brisbane 6 goes to get a GF win and experience is important.

[doggies ftw]

What is winning big finals? Defensive pressure. Pressure around the ball. Perceived pressure on the opposition when they have ball.

Manic levels of pressure. That’s what wins finals.

We should know better than anyone, we built that game in 2016.

Why can’t we do it/handle it anymore? Personnel I guess or standards not being set & upheld?

This was my biggest concern when we brought in the back off 5m off the mark tactic, it is never the right idea to give opposition space & time. Even if you can’t effect the contest manning the mark with the stand rule there’s still always benefit getting in their face and providing perceived pressure. It’s slipped into our game in all facets, a directive to corral rather than pressure.

you can’t do it for 28 weeks so you need other ways to win BUT you have to be able to both do it and handle it when it matters. And we’re so far from that, hence our top 8 record, absolutely wilted under pressure this year

[SonofScray]

Saw a big heavy team get stuck in against or young players yesterday and they really held up well. Perhaps we will get the combative, physical upswing we need from the 4/5 players who have tasted that flag in the VFL and will be pushing for a spot in the AFL next year.

Hynes has it.

I saw him crack a Shark right on the nose, as you are supposed to when attacked by a Shark. It wasn't quite Shaggy on Heath Black but it was a thing of beauty, a little snarl, no monkey business just straight to it and moved on. As the kids would say, real FAFO areas.

Said to him after the game, "next one of them you'll have around your neck is an AFL one one, into 'em young fella!" Response "F yeah"

2 goals and a fight.

Sign me up Bevo.

[Bornadog]

Saw a big heavy team get stuck in against or young players yesterday and they really held up well. Perhaps we will get the combative, physical upswing we need from the 4/5 players who have tasted that flag in the VFL and will be pushing for a spot in the AFL next year.

Hynes has it.

I saw him crack a Shark right on the nose, as you are supposed to when attacked by a Shark. It wasn't quite Shaggy on Heath Black but it was a thing of beauty, a little snarl, no monkey business just straight to it and moved on. As the kids would say, real FAFO areas.

Said to him after the game, "next one of them you'll have around your neck is an AFL one one, into 'em young fella!" Response "F yeah"

2 goals and a fight.

Sign me up Bevo.

At times, we did look like Boys up against physical men, but credit to our young fellas, who withstood the aggression.

[WBFC4FFC]

Not even kicking 60 and fishing 4th in the Coleman after a "down" year has ended the Naughton to defence argument.

In the interest of full-disclosure, I am a Nughton up forward guy too. Best at crumbing the ball too.

My argument is if the game needs better defenders and half-forwards and they are hard to find, then the switch might be an option.

[Willow18]

I think Croft has the tools to be an excellent defender, but again, more of the 3rd key, intercept type. Not the big full back or CHB

[josie]

At times, we did look like Boys up against physical men, but credit to our young fellas, who withstood the aggression.

We were fortunate the weather cleared up a bit. I think they had us in toast when it was bleak weather. Although our AFL level strength and conditioning maybe helped us in Q4 when all players must have been exhausted after a high pressure, high tackling game.

[josie]

I think Croft has the tools to be an excellent defender, but again, more of the 3rd key, intercept type. Not the big full back or CHB

Could end up being a versatile type like Lobb; F, B, Ruck…Love his competitiveness and controlled aggression.

[Bornadog]

I think Croft has the tools to be an excellent defender, but again, more of the 3rd key, intercept type. Not the big full back or CHB

Lobb back to Fwd/Ruck and Croft take his spot alongside Wilkie