2025 Starting Line-Up

[JackCJohnston2000]

In case the image didn't upload:

The 2010 list had 7 players who played on in 2016, 5 of which played in both the 2010 prelim and 2016 GF.
The 2016 list had 14 players who played on 2021, 9 of which played in both GFs.

The 2021 list had 16 players who are here in 2025, 10 of which played in the 2021 GF.

We've just gone through our routine 5-6 year development phase after the 2021 Grand Final loss.

We've drafted and developed the kids, we've found bargains in free agency/ trade. All while remaining competitive.

I think we're ready to strike again. This time for longer.

[distinctive_]

If English is out for R1, what do us woofers think we should do?

[Rusty12]

Athough we are thin at ruck, all the concern on English is very premature.
I doubt there is much concern he misses the start of the season.
If he does, the bloke that has been competing against him all summer should play, and let's hope that doesn't happen very often.

[Mofra]

Athough we are thin at ruck, all the concern on English is very premature.
I doubt there is much concern he misses the start of the season.
If he does, the bloke that has been competing against him all summer should play, and let's hope that doesn't happen very often.

I'm fine with a depth ruckman playing occasionally. I really just wish it wasn't in Round 1 against Xerri.

[Grantysghost]

I'm fine with a depth ruckman playing occasionally. I really just wish it wasn't in Round 1 against Xerri.

Can't we get Croswell as a potential basketballer playing for Aus or something ...like the mysterious category q rookie.
Just for one game.

[Rusty12]

Question for the track watchers.
If, you subscribe to the 2 Key Backs, as a 3rd has not justified selection, then you likely have JJ either starting or on the bench at present.
If you had to choose between JOD/Kamis or Jaques, based purely on pre-season form, who do you pick to replace JJ?

[GVGjr]

Question for the track watchers.
If, you subscribe to the 2 Key Backs, as a 3rd has not justified selection, then you likely have JJ either starting or on the bench at present.
If you had to choose between JOD/Kamis or Jaques, based purely on pre-season form, who do you pick to replace JJ?

I certainly had JJ as our 7th defender. for R1.
My wildcard selection is potentially Gallagher being used as a defender.
Jaques is close but I don't think think he's going to be ready for R1.
JOD ahead of Khamis or Coffield.

[Rusty12]

Thanks, like the wildcard to

[soupman]

I certainly had JJ as our 7th defender. for R1.
My wildcard selection is potentially Gallagher being used as a defender.
Jaques is close but I don't think think he's going to be ready for R1.
JOD ahead of Khamis or Coffield.

Is there anything at training indicating Gallagher might have some roles as a defender or is this just your take?

[GVGjr]

Is there anything at training indicating Gallagher might have some roles as a defender or is this just your take?

Just my take, he's only now starting to get a decent training block completed.

[Garbs_7]

I'm interested to see who starts on the opposite wing from Bailey Williams if Davidson enters the team as a 3rd tall / HFF. He was my lock for the other wing, but seems he may be more fwd now without Jamarra. Who would everyone like to see start on the wing week 1?

[Rusty12]

I guess we have some answers now.
List management agrees we are thin at ruck.
Lobb is preferred as a key back.
Who has seen Crossley play a lot?
I saw him dismantle our VFL team in a final last year, but that is all.

[GVGjr]

I guess we have some answers now.
List management agrees we are thin at ruck.
Lobb is preferred as a key back.
Who has seen Crossley play a lot?
I saw him dismantle our VFL team in a final last year, but that is all.

I haven't seen a lot of him either but he's done well when I have viewed.

[Rusty12]

Backs:

Bramble - Jones - Duyrea

Dale - Lobb - Freijah


Outside: Williams - Davidson


Inside: English - Bont - Sanders - Richards


Forward:

McNeil - Naughton - M Kennedy

Weightman - Darcy - West


Int: VDM - JOD - Libba - Harmes

Sub: Garcia/Gallagher


In the Mix: Karmis - Buss -Jaques - Arty - L Kennedy - Gardener -

Relevant Injury: Marra - Trelor - JJ

[Axe Man]

Mature-age draftee Sam Davidson in frame to replace Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at Bulldogs

With doubts over Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s early 2025 season status growing, a mature-age Bulldogs recruit has put himself into the mix for a stunning debut against the Kangaroos.

Western Bulldogs’ mature-age draftee Sam Davidson has surged into the frame for Round 1 selection as a potential replacement option for star goal kicker Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Davidson, who last year completed a medicine degree, has made an immediate impact at the kennel as a mobile 190cm goal kicker who could provide x-factor deep forward or on the wing.

The 23-year-old has emerged as the biggest AFL selection bolter of the summer so far and a potential straight swap for Ugle-Hagan who is training away from the club to deal with personal issues.

Ugle-Hagan appears unlikely to be available for the early rounds of the season with the Bulldogs confirming on Wednesday that they would head to Noosa for a pre-season camp on Friday and match simulation session on Sunday without him.

Football manager Sam Power could publicly comment on the matter on Thursday.

While the Dogs have vowed to support Ugle-Hagan, there are fears over his immediate career prospects after 67 games and 103 goals in red, white and blue.

Ugle-Hagan, 22, was not at training again on Wednesday after the club last week confirmed the No. 1 draft pick was on a “flexible” training program.

His ongoing absence is a considerable blow for the club ahead of a big decision on the future of out-of-contract coach Luke Beveridge this year.

But Davidson has emerged as the silver lining after impressing on the track with his outstanding running capability, flexibility forward, mobile marking and clean skills since he arrived at the club with pick 51.

At the state combine, Davidson ran the 2km in 6min 12sec, which was the fourth-best result in the boys’ division, and would give the Dogs some extra running power in the forward half of the ground.

Davidson’s rise is an extraordinary climb from a man who worked in a cafe in Brighton last year and previously ran riot for various country footy clubs including Maffra and South Mildura in 2023 and Sale City in 2022 as he completed his regional medical placements.

He starred at times in the VFL last year for Richmond, booting 26 goals from 17 games in the VFL, including bags of six (Northern Bullants) and four (Port Melbourne) to lob on recruiters’ radars.

The attention came quickly after he was overlooked in the opening rounds of the VFL for selection at Punt Rd.

Western Bulldogs’ recruiting boss Dom Milesi said in a post-draft club video Davidson was a special character and brilliant runner.

“Unbelievably good interview, probably was close to the best we did all year,” Milesi said.

“Just going to be fantastic in a group and not surprisingly he is pretty intelligent.

“Some of his running to get from one end of the ground to the other late in the year he was playing as the high forward role was as good as I’ve seen anyone do.

“Athletically, yes he’s straight up with one of our better players.

“I think this guy will find a way to play AFL footy because there’s so many good things about him.”

At the end of the season Davidson was awarded the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s most promising young player.

Without Ugle-Hagan, Davidson could offer immediate assistance to Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy as the Dogs look to reshape their forward line for 2025 after successfully recasting Rory Lobb as a defender late last year.

The Bulldogs take on North Melbourne in Round 1 at Marvel Stadium on Saturday March, 15 when new Roo Caleb Daniel prepares to face his old team in the Kangaroos’ first game of the season.

Beveridge has shown he is prepared to be bold with selection in the first game of the season after dropping Lachie Hunter from the best 22 in 2022 and opting for more run in favour of premiership stars Daniel and Jack Macrae last year.

Davidson, who is from St Kevin’s, will audition for a Round 1 guernsey this month in the club’s practice match against Essendon at Whitten Oval on February 15 and the formal pre-season game against Hawthorn in Launceston on February 27.

This Sunday also looms as a key opportunity when the Dogs play an internal scratch match at Maroochydore Sports Complex from 9.30am.

Davidson is vying with 201cm untried big man Jordan Croft, 19, for a spot in the team.

[GVGjr]

I'm glad that Davidson is getting a bit more attention because he has had an impressive summer training block.
The fact that he has an AFL type speed and endurance combination also helps.
He's still got a bit to learn but he's accountable for his opponent and capable of getting the ball moving forward gives him a chance if an early debut