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Skipper pushes case for return
THE BULLDOGS' explosive start to the season has filtered beyond the senior ranks with some stunning performances in the VFL over the weekend.
Ruckman Wayde Skipper played an incredible game in Williamstown's seven-goal win over the Box Hill Hawks, collecting a whopping 32 possessions, kicking two goals and amassing 35 hit-outs.
Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said Skipper, who played one senior game last year after another injury-affected season, would push for senior selection this week.
"He's probably been our best player for the past two weeks now, which is really good for the depth of the place," Gotch told westernbulldogs.com.au.
"It's also great for him because he's getting a lot of confidence and his work rate is good.
"You think he'd be pushing but he's got to oust Will Minson or Ben Hudson.
"We get a little bit too big if we have him in as well, unless they play him up forward, which they may do, but you don't want to upset a winning line up.
"But he's not doing his chances any harm. I'd say he'll be in the training squad for Friday, which is good."
Gotch also applauded the game – and recent form – of young pair Guy O'Keefe and Sam Reid, who will be on the "consideration board" when match committee meets later this week.
Rookie-listed midfielder Liam Picken took another step towards convincing the coaches to elevate him for the injured Paul O'Shea with a strong three-goal, 25-touch game.
"With the pre-season he's had and his form being really good, I'd say elevation is possible and might not be far away," Gotch said.
"It would depend on whether they have a role for him in the seniors, but it could happen anytime."
Forward Scott Welsh also played against Box Hill after overcoming illness to end with three goals, but Gotch believes the former Crow will spend another week gathering match fitness before coming into senior consideration.
Exciting young gun Jarrad Grant also showed signs in the game, although Gotch said he tired in the second half, while Jarrod Harbrow put in an encouraging performance.
Tim Callan's run of bad luck continued when the small defender was bumped front-on in the first half and missed the rest of the game.
The knock came less than a week after Callan was taken to hospital with anaphylactic shock following the flare-up of his peanut allergy.
"It was quite a solid hit and it forced him to go backwards, which crunched his back and he had a spasm, which was a bit nasty," Gotch said.
"He also got a bit of a corky in that. He had looked really good and really sharp before it too, so it wasn't ideal.
"I don't think he'll come up this week. If he does, it will be a late call and he'll play with the VFL."
Easton Wood also picked up a minor complaint in the match when he suffered a knock to the knee, which burst a bursa. He had the knee drained earlier this week and is likely to miss Saturday's clash with North Ballarat at Whitten Oval.
THE BULLDOGS' explosive start to the season has filtered beyond the senior ranks with some stunning performances in the VFL over the weekend.
Ruckman Wayde Skipper played an incredible game in Williamstown's seven-goal win over the Box Hill Hawks, collecting a whopping 32 possessions, kicking two goals and amassing 35 hit-outs.
Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said Skipper, who played one senior game last year after another injury-affected season, would push for senior selection this week.
"He's probably been our best player for the past two weeks now, which is really good for the depth of the place," Gotch told westernbulldogs.com.au.
"It's also great for him because he's getting a lot of confidence and his work rate is good.
"You think he'd be pushing but he's got to oust Will Minson or Ben Hudson.
"We get a little bit too big if we have him in as well, unless they play him up forward, which they may do, but you don't want to upset a winning line up.
"But he's not doing his chances any harm. I'd say he'll be in the training squad for Friday, which is good."
Gotch also applauded the game – and recent form – of young pair Guy O'Keefe and Sam Reid, who will be on the "consideration board" when match committee meets later this week.
Rookie-listed midfielder Liam Picken took another step towards convincing the coaches to elevate him for the injured Paul O'Shea with a strong three-goal, 25-touch game.
"With the pre-season he's had and his form being really good, I'd say elevation is possible and might not be far away," Gotch said.
"It would depend on whether they have a role for him in the seniors, but it could happen anytime."
Forward Scott Welsh also played against Box Hill after overcoming illness to end with three goals, but Gotch believes the former Crow will spend another week gathering match fitness before coming into senior consideration.
Exciting young gun Jarrad Grant also showed signs in the game, although Gotch said he tired in the second half, while Jarrod Harbrow put in an encouraging performance.
Tim Callan's run of bad luck continued when the small defender was bumped front-on in the first half and missed the rest of the game.
The knock came less than a week after Callan was taken to hospital with anaphylactic shock following the flare-up of his peanut allergy.
"It was quite a solid hit and it forced him to go backwards, which crunched his back and he had a spasm, which was a bit nasty," Gotch said.
"He also got a bit of a corky in that. He had looked really good and really sharp before it too, so it wasn't ideal.
"I don't think he'll come up this week. If he does, it will be a late call and he'll play with the VFL."
Easton Wood also picked up a minor complaint in the match when he suffered a knock to the knee, which burst a bursa. He had the knee drained earlier this week and is likely to miss Saturday's clash with North Ballarat at Whitten Oval.
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