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Josh Schache (Achilles soreness) not playing in the Western Bulldogs vs Geelong scratch match. Bailey Dale, Sam Lloyd and Cody Weightman all out there as the club ponders a possible replacement for Aaron Naughton.
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FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018. -
Re: Scratch Match
This going on now?- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases - -
Re: Scratch Match
Weightman ended up in a moonboot after the game.More of an In Bruges guy?Comment
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Re: Scratch Match
Scratch match wrap | Dogs v Cats
Assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa believes the Western Bulldogs have a group of players ready to make the step up to finals football if required in the coming weeks.
The Bulldogs played a scratch match against Geelong on Monday on the Gold Coast after securing a finals berth with a win against Fremantle on Sunday night.
On the scoreboard, the Bulldogs came out on top, with Giansiracusa impressed by the attitude and performance of the team.
“They’ve attacked it with the right attitude the whole time, in trying conditions and circumstances,” Giansiracusa said.
“It was good to come up against a quality opponent in Geelong, a team that’s entrenched in the AFL finals equation and have their own motivations.
“It was a pretty high-quality hit-out in terms of the physicality, considering it was 16-v-16.
“The boys put in a great effort and are keeping themselves ready should an opportunity arise. All we keep preaching to the players is to control what you can – and if an opportunity comes, you’ll feel confident that you’re prepared well and ready to have an impact at the higher level.”
Billy Gowers was the stand-out performer, according to Giansiracusa, playing through the midfield and pushing forward.
“Billy had a good balance in his game, he was probably the best player on the ground,” he said.
“He came with an attitude to be physical but not reckless, and he did that really well. He was strong in the contest and worked extremely hard.
“He made a lot of 30-70 balls his and was a real presence around the ground. The other boys jumped on his back and came with him.”
Travelling AFL emergencies Ben Cavarra and Jordon Sweet both played after flying back from Cairns on Monday morning.
Cavarra was also among the Bulldogs’ best, alongside the likes of Riley Garcia, Bailey Dale and Tory Dickson.
“Ben had an interrupted preparation flying back the morning of the game but his ferociousness around the ball, alongside Riley was outstanding,” Giansiracusa said.
“The opposition know when they’re around and they tackled really hard, but also when they got the ball they were really clean. Both explored the space with their legs and bursting out of congested situations to set up scoring opportunities for us, which was good to see.
“Bailey did his better work as a midfielder and showed some real strength in his game. He’s been focusing on his pressure and that was at a really high level which was pleasing.
“Tory was good in the air and provided for his teammates at ground level. He worked extremely hard.”
Giansiracusa was also positive about the back line’s consistency through recent scratch matches.
“Our backline is gelling really well – they were good with their one-on-ones and ability to guard dangerous space and come off their men to support,” he said.
“Lachie Young had some really good support plays where he came off and spoiled and Jackson Trengove has been a really solid contributor, particularly with his experience, voice and energy.”Comment
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Re: Scratch Match
Billy 'Scratch Match King' Gowers loving the 16 v 16 format.Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.Comment
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Re: Scratch Match
No to Billy Gowers for finals footy
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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Re: Scratch Match
No mention of Lewis Young again in defence.
Good to see Garcia among the best again. Considering he's a first year player and coming off an ACL he's doing really well.Comment
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Re: Scratch Match
Billy Dangerfield popping up again is very worrying considering who's under a cloud.- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -Comment
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Re: Scratch Match
Some highlights of us getting dunked on here. Find it pretty hilarious and petty that the Cats make their seconds play in VFL jumpers.- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -Comment
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Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.Comment
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