Round 14 - Sydney Swans v Footscray Bulldogs • Friday 27 June 2025 • 2:05 PM

[Bigdog]

Playing more in the forward half

Thought so. From what I’ve seen it looks like his being thrown everywhere. I’d prefer him to settle in one spot ideally at half back as a first year player.

His ball use is elite, the coaches might want him delivering in 50 with the ‘money kick’.

[GVGjr]

Garcia must be ready for a call up

If they're going to play him in the midfield he's a good chance.

[Bigdog]

Dolan 7 tackles at vfl level is a good day. Probably shows what he will be capable of after a couple of preseasons at afl level. The tackles aren’t quite sticking at senior level yet!

[Bornadog]

Without seeing any DE stats - I'd say Buss was going at around 50% - not a great game from him today.

He copped a stinger in shoulder so he was in a lot of pain.

[Axe Man]

I see there was some praise for Walker earlier in the thread - thoughts overall for those that watched?

[GVGjr]

I see there was some praise for Walker earlier in the thread - thoughts overall for those that watched?

Looked okay and impacted a few contest. His kicking is awkward and he needs to tidy that up.
He made some errors, got a bit right but faded as the game went on. Good first up effort.

[comrade]

You can see why Buss can’t crack a regular senior gig. Just lacking something in his game and makes bad decisions at inopportune times.

[GVGjr]

You can see why Buss can’t crack a regular senior gig. Just lacking something in his game and makes bad decisions at inopportune times.

He slows play down and cant accelerate any transition out of defense. He's quite good in 1 v 1 contests but he has to take the game on more.

[comrade]

He slows play down and cant accelerate any transition out of defense. He's quite good in 1 v 1 contests but he has to take the game on more.

He’s a good reader in the air but any forward with athleticism would cook him. Croft is the opposite, athletic but doesn’t know where the ball is going. I’d give JC a run in defence, he’s struggling to do anything of substance inside 50.

The slow play was rampant across the team today. Gardner, Scott, Baker and even Duryea were all guilty of holding it up when there was an opportunity for a release kick or someone running past. Walker was actually quite proactive for a debutant, good signs.

We’re also very thin for forward craft across the list but especially at vfl level. At one point we had 26 more inside 50s for a 4 goal lead!

[NAUGHTY100]

Full marks to Gardy. I know we hope Buss will be the future but i love the way Gardner turns up week in week out.

Do we as a supporter base get seduced by another good showing by Gardner at VFL level ? .
I know he was arguably our best out there today but can he make that step up , i just dont know any more , do we keep playing him giving him another chance every time he puts together a few good games in the VFL .
Or is it a form of insanity where we are doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different outcome .

[comrade]

Do we as a supporter base get seduced by another good showing by Gardner at VFL level ? .
I know he was arguably our best out there today but can he make that step up , i just dont know any more , do we keep playing him giving him another chance every time he puts together a few good games in the VFL .
Or is it a form of insanity where we are doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different outcome .

I think Gardy’s time as a senior player has passed - getting cooked by Chol was the final nail, but he still has plenty to offer as a mature head at Footscray.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Do we as a supporter base get seduced by another good showing by Gardner at VFL level ? .
I know he was arguably our best out there today but can he make that step up , i just dont know any more , do we keep playing him giving him another chance every time he puts together a few good games in the VFL .
Or is it a form of insanity where we are doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different outcome .

I don't see him as a genuine long term option at the top level anymore. More of a break glass option. Jones time is probably over. I definitely want to see more of a presence from Buss.
I just love seeing players who maybe on the AFL borderline still perform consistently at the lower level . Some don't.

[Hotdog60]

I think we need to reinvent Busslinger may be move him up the ground more even half forward to make him more attacking. To me he's falls in line with Cleary and Gardner in that they don't progress the ball enough when they have it.

[Hotdog60]

I was impressed with Walker in his first outing he did fade but looked good early.

[bulldogSimmo]

Honestly I don't know why I see Busslinger completely differently than most of the commentary in here. I see someone who is quite progressive with his possessions and is always keen to push forward after release and make a second option. If anything I thought he can sometimes rush in his release in the desire to get things moving