Round 1 VFL - Footscray Bulldogs v Northern Bullants - Saturday 22 March 2025 • 7:10 PM

[mighty_west]

Geez, how bad are the opposition? Given all our injuries to win by that much doesn't say much about the other team..

Our VFL recruiting have done an excellent job (Including Naughton) picking up some good players, there will be quite a few unlucky players when we get some AFL players back.

[Eastdog]

An absolute demolition job tonight. Very poor the Northern Bullants.

I got into the Whitten Oval towards the end of the 2nd quarter.

Was good to see Hynes, L Kennedy, Croft, Bussllinger do well. Hynes very good in the 2nd half. Moves very well. I hope we give Buss ago at some stage but there are a lot still ahead of him.

A few photos I took when I got into the ground tonight.

[Bornadog]

The fixture is really ridiclous. We have a bye next week then play April 5th followed by April 20th

[The Bulldogs Bite]

The fixture is really ridiclous. We have a bye next week then play April 5th followed by April 20th

How is that even possible?

At least it will strengthen the side with a few to return over that time.

[Eastdog]

Also a very good game from Lachlan Smith.

[josie]

Also a very good game from Lachlan Smith.

Agree-best I’ve seen him play. Tenacious and pretty good around ground too. Tempered by quality of opposition.

Agree with woofers that Luca Muratore has something.

[GVGjr]

What was everyone's thoughts on Poulters game?
Outside of the last quarter where he ripped a very good mark I was frequently disappointed that he needed two bites to complete his marking.
He may not get 2nd chances with those marks at the next level.

[lemmon]

Bevo mentioned that Croft was on the cusp on playing round 1 before he picked up a niggle. I don't think you can read much into last night but I wonder if that is enough to nudge him into the 22 for Carlton?

It feels like we want to get back to three genuine tall forwards and Gardner doesn't feel like he's in the mix as forward / relief ruck.

[kruder]

What was everyone's thoughts on Poulters game?
Outside of the last quarter where he ripped a very good mark I was frequently disappointed that he needed two bites to complete his marking.
He may not get 2nd chances with those marks at the next level.

Watching Poulter it just feels like his head isn't in the game, he has some AFL tools but yeah as you say isn't clean enough and more importantly consistent enough.

[Aidan7557]

Bevo mentioned that Croft was on the cusp on playing round 1 before he picked up a niggle. I don't think you can read much into last night but I wonder if that is enough to nudge him into the 22 for Carlton?

It feels like we want to get back to three genuine tall forwards and Gardner doesn't feel like he's in the mix as forward / relief ruck.

I think I am Croft's number one fan on this forum. I would have him in as soon as possible even if he is still a bit raw. Hard to find that wingmen/third forward.

[kruder]

Bevo mentioned that Croft was on the cusp on playing round 1 before he picked up a niggle. I don't think you can read much into last night but I wonder if that is enough to nudge him into the 22 for Carlton?

It feels like we want to get back to three genuine tall forwards and Gardner doesn't feel like he's in the mix as forward / relief ruck.

What a luxury to have Croft on the list, he looks a real talent. His athleticism gives Bevo that flexibility to play the three talls, and it was nice to see his neat finishing last night.

Love the way he came up at the footy and took that mark in the first, has some aggression. If Marra continues to be out, I like the idea of Naughty playing second ruck and Dracy staying forward while Crofty could also slot in to keep the structure ahead of the pill. We just desperately need another mid back, we just aren't winning enough of the ball/ inside 50s to do enough damage atm.

[GVGjr]

It was a really small crowd there last night which is a shame.
Met a couple of supporters who only follow the VFL side and they'll even go to interstate games.

[Aidan7557]

It was a really small crowd there last night which is a shame.
Met a couple of supporters who only follow the VFL side and they'll even go to interstate games.

Saturday 7:10pm is a weird time. Feel like if it was an afternoon game more would go.

[Aidan7557]

What was everyone's thoughts on Poulters game?
Outside of the last quarter where he ripped a very good mark I was frequently disappointed that he needed two bites to complete his marking.
He may not get 2nd chances with those marks at the next level.

It's over for Poulter for me. I know he still has his fans and if you describe him physically (tall, big kick, can take a nice mark) you think he would be a player. Still looks a bit light for me and at AFL level he can be a bit fumbly. Not bad list depth but where else can we trial him? Not good enough for a wing and no forwards like him really exist in the AFL. I guess defence is the last position we could give him a go in? Has some talent but one of those guys who just isn't good enough despite being a professional and well liked.

[Bigdog]

What was everyone's thoughts on Poulters game?
Outside of the last quarter where he ripped a very good mark I was frequently disappointed that he needed two bites to complete his marking.
He may not get 2nd chances with those marks at the next level.

My big knock on Poulter as a footballer is he doesn’t know how to use his size. He plays like a 18 year old that shot up a foot in a year and doesn’t realise how big he is.

I am hoping this move is part of the education piece.

He is big enough that he should dominate a lot of match ups aerially on a wing and also get dangerous forward.