2025 Starting Line-Up

[Cmac1297]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

I think Poulter was quite stiff to be honest. He came in and played well in that stretch of wins against Carllton Geelong Sydney and Melbourne then after the loss to Adelaide he was dropped even though he was in the best handful for us that day.

i think JJ if fit like early this season should still be pushing for that starting position played well the first 8-9 before being injured.

And with Busslinger it probably is more of I want him to have a shot, I like JOD hopefully they’re both given a fair shot over the pre season to see who gets the first crack at it.

[mjp]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Poulter has played some excellent VFL games and has put in some good performances for the seniors but I can't work out what is missing from his game but there is something missing.

The only thing that keeps him on the ground is the FENCE.

I love players who hold their width but he takes it too far...he needs to change his running patterns and engage in the game.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

The only thing that keeps him on the ground is the FENCE.

I love players who hold their width but he takes it too far...he needs to change his running patterns and engage in the game.

I forgot about that. In one game he had nearly all of his possessions within 10mtrs of the boundary

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

What I hope happens:

B: Freijah, Jones, Bramble
HB: Dale, Lobb, Treloar
C: Williams, Richards, McNeil
HF: M Kennedy, Naughton, West
F: Marra, Darcy, Weightman
R: English, Bont, Libba
IC: JOD, Sanders, VDM, Garcia, Croft

The main ones for me is Treloar to half back (won?t happen, but I can dream), McNeil to a wing, inclusion of Kennedy as a high half forward, and then banking on organic growth from our younger troops and greater depth in our midfield rotations.

Heaps to play out and great to see some interesting thinking from others.

[Mofra]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Marra out is there any reason you want this?

Certainly not a want, but if he doesn't get a full pre-season under his belt I want him to be ripe when he does come in (physically and mentally).
The whispers are damn loud and I think he may need a circuit breaker.

[Mofra]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

What I hope happens:

B: Freijah, Jones, Bramble
HB: Dale, Lobb, Treloar
C: Williams, Richards, McNeil
HF: M Kennedy, Naughton, West
F: Marra, Darcy, Weightman
R: English, Bont, Libba
IC: JOD, Sanders, VDM, Garcia, Croft

The main ones for me is Treloar to half back (won?t happen, but I can dream), McNeil to a wing, inclusion of Kennedy as a high half forward, and then banking on organic growth from our younger troops and greater depth in our midfield rotations.

Heaps to play out and great to see some interesting thinking from others.

Pretty sure he rotated HB in 2023. It's not as crazy as it sounds, especially if it's just rotating and he gets midfield time too.

[azabob]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

What I hope happens:

B: Freijah, Jones, Bramble
HB: Dale, Lobb, Treloar
C: Williams, Richards, McNeil
HF: M Kennedy, Naughton, West
F: Marra, Darcy, Weightman
R: English, Bont, Libba
IC: JOD, Sanders, VDM, Garcia, Croft

The main ones for me is Treloar to half back (won?t happen, but I can dream), McNeil to a wing, inclusion of Kennedy as a high half forward, and then banking on organic growth from our younger troops and greater depth in our midfield rotations.

Heaps to play out and great to see some interesting thinking from others.

I think your balance is a bit off.

The forward line looks slow and lumbering and we are bloody tall with Lobb, Naughton, Darcy, JUH, English and Croft.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Certainly not a want, but if he doesn't get a full pre-season under his belt I want him to be ripe when he does come in (physically and mentally).
The whispers are damn loud and I think he may need a circuit breaker.

Ah the old Whispers.

I'd have him in mine until there's a reason not to.

I get there's some noise, I also think there's some people capitalising on scoring easy "I'm in the know" points.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Certainly not a want, but if he doesn't get a full pre-season under his belt I want him to be ripe when he does come in (physically and mentally).
The whispers are damn loud and I think he may need a circuit breaker.

I've heard some of them on other sites but I'd prefer to have a chat with some people at the club over the next couple of days.
I've often found things are never quite as bad as you might hear but obviously it's a little concerning that some of the commentary is so direct and confronting.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

I think your balance is a bit off.

The forward line looks slow and lumbering and we are bloody tall with Lobb, Naughton, Darcy, JUH, English and Croft.

Our forward line will look slow and lumbering! I suppose we’re reliant on West / VDM / McNeil / Garcia to all add dash to the front half and I’ve got them all names. If I’ve missed someone else, happy to hear it. Arty I suppose but not sure he’s a front half player we’re looking for (even if we try again to slot him in there).

On height, I get it. We basically canned our tall forward line in the final against the Hoks, but we need a point of difference and it needs to be this. Lobb and Jones down back with a bunch of runners (or running capable) players seems the go to me. Im going early off the initial woof reports but figure Croft is in the mix and while a tall, could play all over.

If we end up going with only two tall forwards we should’ve traded someone in the off season. We didn’t so suspect we are backing it in. We bloody well should be.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Pretty sure he rotated HB in 2023. It's not as crazy as it sounds, especially if it's just rotating and he gets midfield time too.

Yep. It’s what I have in my head. He did well in the role and like Boyd to the backline, he adds a steady head to an important part of the ground and has the playmaking ability to move the needle. I get he’s a midfielder and coming off his best season too, so he absolutely spends plenty of time there too. I think he helps us now and for the next three years playing some time down back though - and allows us development time for some others.

[JackCJohnston2000]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Rolling Round 1 Best 22

FB: Duryea L. Jones JOD
HB: Dale Lobb Freijah
C: Williams Libba Richards
HF: Garcia Naughton Flea
FF: West Darcy Marra
Foll: English Bont Treloar
INT: Kennedy Sanders A. Jones Gags
Sub: McNeil

[azabob]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

Our forward line will look slow and lumbering! I suppose we’re reliant on West / VDM / McNeil / Garcia to all add dash to the front half and I’ve got them all names. If I’ve missed someone else, happy to hear it. Arty I suppose but not sure he’s a front half player we’re looking for (even if we try again to slot him in there).

On height, I get it. We basically canned our tall forward line in the final against the Hoks, but we need a point of difference and it needs to be this. Lobb and Jones down back with a bunch of runners (or running capable) players seems the go to me. Im going early off the initial woof reports but figure Croft is in the mix and while a tall, could play all over.

If we end up going with only two tall forwards we should’ve traded someone in the off season. We didn’t so suspect we are backing it in. We bloody well should be.

All fair calls.

Re looking at your entire team and not just the front half in isolation, your back half and centre line is full of run and carry with nice kicks. I actually think the backline and midfield looks more balanced with Treloar at HB.

Hopefully Naughton can get enough miles in his legs to continue playing with his high half forward role during 2024.

The Croft selection is the one I am really questioning; I get his athletic profile but 200cm is still 200cm.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

From Fox Footy

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, J.O’Donnell

HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale

C: E.Richards, A.Treloar, B.Williams

HF: L.Vandermeer, A.Naughton, R.West

F: C.Weightman, J.Ugle-Hagan, S.Darcy

FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli, T.Liberatore

I/C: M.Kennedy, J.Freijah, H.Gallagher, R.Garcia, R.Sanders

EMG: J.Harmes, L. McNeil, N. Coffield

The Bulldogs lost a trio of players in Caleb Daniel, Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith during the trade period, but they’ve got plenty of players knocking down the door for senior selection. Young gun Ryley Sanders should feature heavily in 2025, while former Blue Matthew Kennedy will be a key part of Luke Beveridge’s plans straight away. Defender Joel Freijah and winger Harvey Gallagher are others who should benefit for increased opportunity, same with Riley Garcia. There are plenty of spots up for grabs over the summer and the likes of James Harmes, Lachie McNeil, Nick Coffield, Jason Johannisen and Caleb Poulter will be eyeing those off.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2025 Starting Line-Up

With the Fox Footy suggested side I would imagine McNeil is the most unlucky player not named in the starting line-up.
It probably comes down to a contest between McNeil and Vandermeer and while VDM always seems to be picked I really believe McNeil should be considered. Gallagher could also be someone who makes way for McNeil.

4 midfielders in the IC bench might be a bit problematic as well.
Is Richards starting on a wing just a convenient placing or could it really happen?