Round 6 - Footscray Bulldogs v Collingwood - Saturday 3 May 2025 • 2:05 PM

[Axe Man]

Thanks Bigdog.

I kept a bit of an eye on VFL match whilst watching seniors & after it had finished. Good summary.

PS I enjoy it when folks mistakenly make up wonderful new words. “Thumbled” enters that hollowed pythonon.

I enjoyed "thumbled" but I'm enjoying "pythonon" in response even more!

I'm not sure if it describes a benefit event for snakes or the act of watching Monty Python for an extended period?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I enjoyed "thumbled" but I'm enjoying "pythonon" in response even more!

I'm not sure if it describes a benefit event for snakes or the act of watching Monty Python for an extended period?

I cannot get past his over he's. I see it so often these days I'm beginning to think it's a practical joke.

Bigdog thanks for the summary.

If Smith becomes a legitimate ruckman what happens? Because there's no room for him with the way English is playing. A pure ruck is basically insurance for us.

[Axe Man]

I cannot get past his over he's. I see it so often these days I'm beginning to think it's a practical joke.

Both his in place of he's and then in place of than annoy me no end as they are pronounced differently. I can understand why people mess up there/their/they're when they sound the same.

If Smith becomes a legitimate ruckman what happens? Because there's no room for him with the way English is playing. A pure ruck is basically insurance for us.

Every club has backup rucks that only play when there is an injury. Hence the annual backup ruck merry go round in trade period. Sometimes they find a senior role like Sweet, others are perennial reserves players.

[Bigdog]

Both his in place of he's and then in place of than annoy me no end as they are pronounced differently. I can understand why people mess up there/their/they're when they sound the same.



Every club has backup rucks that only play when there is an injury. Hence the annual backup ruck merry go round in trade period. Sometimes they find a senior role like Sweet, others are perennial reserves players.

I think Smith has some forward craft. I think he could work in a 2 ruck set up.

[soupman]

Smith must still be years off being an AFL guy. His best case timeline probably reads:
2025. Solid to good VFL year
2026. Good VFL year, maybe a debut if English is out/injuries allow it
2027. Maybe a smattering of AFL games.
2028. Maybe here he could be something meaningful at AFL level, but probably still not a 1st ruck option. English turns 30.

I think that positions him pretty well if he is good enough to fold in with English winding down his career into becoming a 2nd ruck/key forward in his thirties.

[comrade]

I’ve said it before, but I can’t see any way Smith becomes a number 1 ruck at AFL level. Not big enough and lacks the athleticism and skill to counter it.

[Bulldog Joe]

Watched the replay last night.

Arty Jones was more involved than I have ever previously seen. I would take him to Darwin as a good option for sub.

Gallagher was dynamic with his run.

The experience in the backline was very good for us.
Gardner, Duryea and Coffield all good but hard to see a spot for them at senior level. Excellent depth.

I like the look of Tristan Maple and Chan Hargraves from the Footscray list.

[Mantis]

I’ve said it before, but I can’t see any way Smith becomes a number 1 ruck at AFL level. Not big enough and lacks the athleticism and skill to counter it.

He’s about the same size in height as Xerri who took until the age of about 24 to really establish himself as a bonafide AFL player… so he has time on his side.

[comrade]

I like the look of Tristan Maple and Chan Hargraves from the Footscray list.

I also like Hargraves, got some tricks inside 50.

[NAUGHTY100]

He’s about the same size in height as Xerri who took until the age of about 24 to really establish himself as a bonafide AFL player… so he has time on his side.

I dunno what it is but Smith is 203cm according to the AFL stats , but on field he dosnt look anything like that height , when i see Xerri at center bounces or around the ground taking marks he looks huge , i dont get that from Smith , his legs might be shorter and his top half bigger who knows but when he finally gets his chance in the big time and i have no doubt he will eventually , i cringe thinking him going up against guys like Gawn , Xerri , Watts , Cameron , i hope its just an optical illusion on my part .

[Axe Man]

I dunno what it is but Smith is 203cm according to the AFL stats , but on field he dosnt look anything like that height , when i see Xerri at center bounces or around the ground taking marks he looks huge , i dont get that from Smith , his legs might be shorter and his top half bigger who knows but when he finally gets his chance in the big time and i have no doubt he will eventually , i cringe thinking him going up against guys like Gawn , Xerri , Watts , Cameron , i hope its just an optical illusion on my part .

Yeah something doesn't quite add up:
image.png
Officially Lobb 207, Smith 203, JOD 197.

[jazzadogs]

Yeah something doesn't quite add up:
image.png
Officially Lobb 207, Smith 203, JOD 197.

He's all neck.

[comrade]

Yeah something doesn't quite add up:
image.png
Officially Lobb 207, Smith 203, JOD 197.

Cheers, that lines up with how I see it when he plays. He's more like a decent key back size than a true ruck.

[Axe Man]

I see why we won by so much, Collingwood are resting players this week due to a 5 day break and game in WA, so they pulled players from the VFL on the weekend in preparation.

The Magpies withdrew Jeremy Howe, Oleg Markov, Lachie Sullivan, Ed Allan and Charlie West from the VFL last week in preparation for their quick turnaround.

[Hotdog60]

Yeah something doesn't quite add up:
image.png
Officially Lobb 207, Smith 203, JOD 197.

He really does remind me of Goose from Top Gun