Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

[Bornadog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Very short one posted by AFL twitter account

https://twitter.com/i/status/1656606118293180417

Looks like he has a bit of pace. Some good intercepting in those clips

[comrade]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Obviously can’t take much away from such a short video but looks like he moves well and has good hands. Go well kid.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Very short one posted by AFL twitter account

https://twitter.com/i/status/1656606118293180417

He looks amazing, if I'm honest.

Kicks it quick and flat on the preferred, can use the opposite.

Seems quick of mind. The hit 25 seconds in is something else.

[josie]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

All the best to James. What a story it will be if he plays well.

At 20yo he is a little older than some who debut and having played both cricket and footy, then solely cricket, then returning to footy he is clearly athletically gifted and presumably very focused. Hoping that maturity helps steady the nerves a bit, and if he plays ok that he copes well with the media attention. Slotted into vfl pretty much seamlessly so may surprise us all and do the same in seniors. JJ and other experienced leaders in backline will be crucial as to whether this brave Bevo call will succeed.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

For all the science and the focus we place on data and stats footy can still throw forward a good old mystery selection puzzle for all of us to mull over.
We lose one of our gun mids in Treloar and overlook a host of reasonable but somewhat uninspiring replacement options instead opting for a 197cm tall defender who has played very limited football in the last 3 years and only arrived at the club pm the senior list a few weeks back.
To complicate matters just that bit more we already have 3 x 197cm key defenders in the side so we wait in anticipation how Bevo and the MC set up for the game against Carlton.

And now for the player. I saw O'Donnell him when he first arrived at the training at Skinner after being announced as a cat B player.
It was initially to train with a handful of rehab players and the likes of Weightman and Vandermeer more or less took him under their wings and started putting him through his paces with some basic kick, mark and run drills.
I noted on the training thread that he moved well for a bigger boy, held his marks in a one touch style but his kicking had a tendency to look a bit proppy when tested more on the 40mtr range. Plenty to work with though and a few of the track watchers have claimed him as an inspired selection but none of the track watchers predicted this debut game at such and early stage.
Since then he also shadowed Lobb in a training session and has played a few times for Footscray before this surprise announcement.

It's a great news story to see him almost rushed into the side and you can tell on here that we all wish him well but this is where it all gets real for him on Saturday night.

I'd imagine his family and friends are super excited and as nervous as anything and I wonder how JOD feels the morning after the huge announcement? Go well young man and enjoy the experience.

[Topdog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

He looks amazing, if I'm honest.

Kicks it quick and flat on the preferred, can use the opposite.

Seems quick of mind. The hit 25 seconds in is something else.

Does look really good, love how he is always moving forward too.

Takes a mark and instantly faces the front which helps move the ball on quickly.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

My friend and I spoke briefly with Simon one day.
He is a big unit to be well coordinated.
I'm excited.
Promising cricketer turns to footy and Bevo gives him close attention and says you are ready.
I can't wait.
197cm
88kg
#18.
We beat Collingwood to get Ed Richards, now St Kilda with James.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

My friend and I spoke briefly with Simon one day.
He is a big unit to be well coordinated.
I'm excited.
Promising cricketer turns to footy and Bevo gives him close attention and says you are ready.
I can't wait.
197cm
88kg
#18.
We beat Collingwood to get Ed Richards, now St Kilda with James.

Heard Simon interviewed today on SEN. Said it was the most exciting thing to ever happen to him. He was so excited.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Jumper presentation. A very emotional Father. Lovely words.

Video Link: https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/v...=1683868785001

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

[westdog54]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

If you haven't seen any of the videos the club has put out since yesterday, stop what you're doing right now and head to the website/app.

It might mean a little more to Summon than it does to James when you listen to the sound of his voice.

[macca]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Jumper presentation. A very emotional Father. Lovely words.

Video Link: https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/v...=1683868785001

really nice video and quite touching to see father's love for his son.

I have a good feeling about James O'Donnell.

Its incredible we picked him up instead of st kilda, given his father played for them.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Scoob did well to keep it all together.

[westbulldog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

If this kid is as good a sportsman as his old man, we look forward to him Naughton, Jamarra, Darcy, Busslinger and Cleary in the team together one day.

[jazzadogs]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Did Bevo pick him just so he could meet Simon? Haha