Round 19 - Footscray Bulldogs v GWS GIANTS• Friday 1 August 2025 • 2:05 PM

[Eastdog]

Appreciate the updates. I have been to a few Footscray VFL games this season the first game at Whitten Oval against Northern Bullants which we won by heaps, the game against Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval which was a great win and the game against Willy at DSV stadium which we lost. Been to a few Willy games as well.

[Bornadog]

I think. I used to be a sponsor of his. I asked him which players to keep an eye on and nominated Gothard, Oliver, Leake and Madden.

One other player to watch with Bulldog connection was McGhee-Galimberti who got a heap of the footy.
Tried to focus a bit of James Wehr who we have been linked to. He was a solid contributor.

You were. I went to a player sponsor function with you once when Ward was just a baby.
Good to catch up with you and Smads today.

[Rusty12]

Enjoyable day at the WO watching the VFL boys go through their paces. It's also great to listen to the quarter time address.
Just some notes.
Khamis is almost a non factor when the ball is on the ground and he fell over repeatedly. If he marks it then he's a force so a bit of all or nothing with his game today.
Dolan and Jaques were very neat and tidy with their kicking. Good performances by both of them.
Sometimes you have to look past inflated stats and while Coffield got a lot of the footy he was very disappointing. Poor disposal, decision making and got caught all too frequently.
Harmes was really solid, a very good display and he should be first in line for a promotion.
L.Jones struggled and while he got the ball a bit frequently got caught out with his disposal.
Duryea was okay but he's not earning a promotion with that sort of performance.
Croft had one of his best games. Marks, kicks, tackles and goals and while he waste's the footy a bit it was one of his better games. Matthew Croft was there watching his son.
Gardner was a strong contributor and really puts his body on the line.
Davidson was okay but he might need a bit of luck to get a run next week.
Sellwood is an attacking defender and it was good to see him sneak in for a goal. There is a bit to like in his game.
Its a really early phase in Walker's development but he is competitive and has a crack. Long term investment.
L.Kennedy was a non factor. Couldn't get near the footy.
A.Jones looks okay at times but he doesn't grasp his chances like he should. This happened a few times today.
Smith showed some good signs today but he isn't holding the marks that he should for one of the bigger boys.
Hynes switched between a few roles but performed well. He's around the mark.
Scott, solid performance. Very competitive.

Had a quick chat to both Cal Ward and Brett Montgomery
I asked Brett if there were some signs that the players weren't switched on like they should have been and he said yes the coaching team was a bit concerned,
Games against the Swans drains the players for the following week. He talked about his two boys playing for GWS. One of them played today and the other did a severe hamstring injury a couple of weeks back.
Ward is moving back to Melbourne in October I think. I used to be a sponsor of his. I asked him which players to keep an eye on and nominated Gothard, Oliver, Leake and Madden.

One other player to watch with a Bulldog connection was McGhee-Galimberti who got a heap of the footy.
Tried to focus a bit of James Wehr who we have been linked to. He was a solid contributor.

The Khamis pojnt is telling G, and is without question, the reason Poulter is in the senior team ahead of him.

[Bornadog]

Harmes was best on for us and I thought Croft took a big step. He was thrown in the ruck and whilst he was rag-dolled by the GWS rucks, who are very strong and solid, it got him into the game. Croft took some nice marks in the goal square and kicked 3.2 which could have been 5.0 and had 17 disposals. Scott continued to rack up disposals but I think he is finished. Arty very disappointing and only had 1 or 2 disposals at half time - finished with 6 plus a goal from a free kick.

Dolan also played well, kicking 3 and creating some goals for others.

On the Sellwood and Walker front, I thought Walker was the more impressive - A tall kid but very slender.

As for Sellwood, no way is he ready to play AFL this year, but another preseason he most likely could.

[GVGjr]

The Khamis point is telling G, and is without question, the reason Poulter is in the senior team ahead of him.

I get Khamis is very popular with our supporter base and I probably wouldn't have dropped when we did but:
Despite his marking, goal kicking accuracy and versatility he has a few a few faults the club is working with him to improve.
He has to stop falling on the ground so frequently because it's a real problem in a game.
He has to get better when the ball in on the ground, currently that's a big issue and finally there is a question mark on his endurance.

Some of the drills at training seem to focus on helping him in those areas.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

For regular VFL watchers, how do you rate Kennedy? Seems quiet most weeks, where is he mainly playing? Concerned, or encouraged?

[Hotdog60]

For me hard to tell on the small screen but he doesn't do enough. Early days plays a bit of midfield from what I can see but CCP is all over him ATM.

[GVGjr]

For regular VFL watchers, how do you rate Kennedy? Seems quiet most weeks, where is he mainly playing? Concerned, or encouraged?

Kennedy hasn't developed like I was hoping he would. He's a touch slow and he isn't productive enough when he's not in the midfield.
At the moment floating between forward and midfield roles isn't working for him.

[Pedro Sanchez]

Kennedy hasn't developed like I was hoping he would. He's a touch slow and he isn't productive enough when he's not in the midfield.
At the moment floating between forward and midfield roles isn't working for him.

Do you think its a close call if he gets cut after only one year or will they persist?

[Pedro Sanchez]

Enjoyable day at the WO watching the VFL boys go through their paces. It's also great to listen to the quarter time address.
Just some notes.
Khamis is almost a non factor when the ball is on the ground and he fell over repeatedly. If he marks it then he's a force so a bit of all or nothing with his game today.
Dolan and Jaques were very neat and tidy with their kicking. Good performances by both of them.
Sometimes you have to look past inflated stats and while Coffield got a lot of the footy he was very disappointing. Poor disposal, decision making and got caught all too frequently.
Harmes was really solid, a very good display and he should be first in line for a promotion.
L.Jones struggled and while he got the ball a bit frequently got caught out with his disposal.
Duryea was okay but he's not earning a promotion with that sort of performance.
Croft had one of his best games. Marks, kicks, tackles and goals and while he waste's the footy a bit it was one of his better games. Matthew Croft was there watching his son.
Gardner was a strong contributor and really puts his body on the line.
Davidson was okay but he might need a bit of luck to get a run next week.
Sellwood is an attacking defender and it was good to see him sneak in for a goal. There is a bit to like in his game.
Its a really early phase in Walker's development but he is competitive and has a crack. Long term investment.
L.Kennedy was a non factor. Couldn't get near the footy.
A.Jones looks okay at times but he doesn't grasp his chances like he should. This happened a few times today.
Smith showed some good signs today but he isn't holding the marks that he should for one of the bigger boys.
Hynes switched between a few roles but performed well. He's around the mark.
Scott, solid performance. Very competitive.

Had a quick chat to both Cal Ward and Brett Montgomery
I asked Brett if there were some signs that the players weren't switched on like they should have been and he said yes the coaching team was a bit concerned,
Games against the Swans drains the players for the following week. He talked about his two boys playing for GWS. One of them played today and the other did a severe hamstring injury a couple of weeks back.
Ward is moving back to Melbourne in October I think. I used to be a sponsor of his. I asked him which players to keep an eye on and nominated Gothard, Oliver, Leake and Madden.

One other player to watch with a Bulldog connection was McGhee-Galimberti who got a heap of the footy.
Tried to focus a bit of James Wehr who we have been linked to. He was a solid contributor.

Great insights G. What are the chances of getting Ward back to the kennel as an assistant next season?

[Axe Man]

Do you think its a close call if he gets cut after only one year or will they persist?

There is close to zero chance they cut a contracted draftee after one year unless there were discipline or commitment issues.

[Bornadog]

There is close to zero chance they cut a contracted draftee after one year unless there were discipline or commitment issues.

Don't draftees now get two years, or is it three?

[GVGjr]

Do you think its a close call if he gets cut after only one year or will they persist?

We should stick with him, he appears to have the footy IQ and some of the skills required.

[azabob]

Don't draftees now get two years, or is it three?

It depends what round you are drafted. I think first round are three years and second round onwards is 2 years.

[Axe Man]

It depends what round you are drafted. I think first round are three years and second round onwards is 2 years.

It's 3 years for the top 20. This used to be the first round but with all the academy picks the first round extends well into the 20s these days.