Footscray Bulldogs Finals 2025

[kickit2Koly]

Hynes is an afl level tank away from being a star. He needs to be attached at the hip to Fridge and Croft for all running drills this summer.

[josie]

I’ll comment on the afl boys later this evening, but my word has Will Lewis improved. When he first started at footscray I didn’t know how he got a game. He seemed to **** everything up he touched!

Now he is a barometer. A real team player. His defensive pressure is huge. Couldn’t be more impressed with his level of improvement at this level. I reckon he could be the next Brodie Miocheck if a team picked him up.

I keep saying this, but CCP should also be on a list. Consistently top 5 players in a strong team. Does everything well. I think he has enough toe for his game to translate well to High Half Forward role at AFL Level.

100% with you, especially CCP. Big heart in a sturdy, albeit short frame. Quick of mind & low fumble rate. Enjoy watching him play. Really hope a club takes a punt as I reckon he might have what it takes.

[josie]

Wow big mark to Arty .

Was that one late in Q3 close to 50m mark, Barkly St end? That mark was a cracker. Two blokes beside me, one was talking and looked away from play & missed it. His friend said you missed a speccy, that’s what you get for talking too much.

One of the things I’m looking forward to most is Arty playing for seniors next year. Think he is going to be an excitement machine. He is starting to gain way more disposals & fewer fumbles, let alone some good marks.

I miss Poulter’s mullet. Still played ok so no Samson effect.

[Pleather Sole]

Anyone see what Dolan’s injury is?

Dunno but he moved freely in to the circle for the song.
Update:
Was told Dolan out with concussion protocol, was bleeding from forehead.

[GVGjr]

If Scott got concussion today I doubt he plays for us again.

[Eastdog]

Great win today. We go straight into the preliminary final. I got in to Whitten Oval at quarter time.

Here a few photos I took today:

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Some more observations;

Liam Jones moved really well. Had pace back in his legs, killed numerous contests. I'll watch with interest how he plays vs better opposition but it would be hard to retire him on that performance.

Arty was fun to watch. It might just be clicking for him. Still a few errors you'd like cleaned up i.e. avoidable poor kicks and some of his ball handling could be better, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. He just makes things happen.

Jacques might be my new favourite pup. First time I've seen him play and it was worth it. Clearly needs to get stronger but even in a couple of contests he lost, he had the right idea in how he was trying to out position his opponent. High IQ player, able to get out of trouble with how he maneuvers his body, doesn't panic and stays involved in passages of play. He's going to be a beauty.

Hynes is an exciting talent. He's played better games but he just has it. Liked seeing some aggression from him today. He looks like being a complete player in that he can win his own ball, be a receiver, set up play and finish play.

Smith had a big day. Positions himself well in the ruck and competed strongly. What impressed me most was how involved he got in general play. Took some good marks at both ends, ran pretty hard. Just needs to keep it simple and move the ball quicker to avoid getting himself into trouble but there's a bit to work with here

Coffield was pretty solid and is more confident at this level. The pace of the game is better suited to his style. You can see why he would have been a highly rated junior and it's unfortunate injuries have curtailed some of his athleticism because it's probably why his career doesn't continue post 2025.

Duryea was solid but caught once or twice, provided great direction for younger players like Jacques though. Gardner is a good player at this level and dependable, Poulter has some moments but more of the same.

Scott is a good player and was dominating prior to the big hit, the only thing that has stopped him from playing a lot more AFL games is injury/concussion.

Baker is fun to watch, bit of a mixed bag at times but he just doesn't stop trying. Hard at it with some great tackles, runs hard and provides an option. He's perfect depth, his best is clearly good enough.

Sellwood showed his courage in the air a few times. Made some good spoils and showed a bit of aggression too. Plenty to work with.

Walker had an absolute day out. I wouldn't get carried away with this performance because a lot of things kinda just 'worked' for him today, but he competed strongly and worked hard. Kicked 4, 1 hit the post and another 1 or 2 didn't make the distance so he could have had a bag of 5 or 6. At the very least, he's a good size and moves well, excellent mid season pick.

Unfortunately Dolan didn't play too long, not sure what happened. Kennedy didn't get involved much to my eye until late, but he did have some nice moments. He's an exceptional kick of the footy, and one play on the outer wing he had at least 3 involvements before setting up a shot at goal.

Treloar was first class. He certainly wasn't just going through the paces. Laid some big tackles and was in and under. Played a 'Libba' type of inside game where he fed the receivers. It was an absolutely stupid decision not to play him vs Freo and it's a risk we simply should have taken, even if it meant we subbed him out OR started him as sub. In any event, re-signing him is the easiest decision we'll ever make.

Thought CCP was very good and Crofts had some good moments.

[Bornadog]

Kennedy had a quiet three quarters but got lots of the ball in the last quarter. His field kicking is pretty good.

[comrade]

Footscray is awesome.

[Bigdog]

I agree CCP is an AFL level footballer to my eye, still wished we got Shaun Mannagh he is so good at that role.

Nearly picked him up mid-season. Went with poulter instead. Poulter not a bad pick up but Mannagh would have improved this side significantly.

[Go_Dogs]

Thanks for all the information. Much appreciated.

Sounds like we’re set for a deep run which is great for younger and emerging players, and perhaps a nice little kicker for some of the older blokes too to help our developing players in that journey.

I must admit, I did not have Walker pinned as a multiple goal kicking player. Sounds like he got them from a few different avenues too.

Anyone keen to offer their thoughts on what role he projects for at AFL level and if there’s a current player he could emulate (not just from our list)?

[GVGjr]

I must admit, I did not have Walker pinned as a multiple goal kicking player. Sounds like he got them from a few different avenues too.

Anyone keen to offer their thoughts on what role he projects for at AFL level and if there’s a current player he could emulate (not just from our list)?

I talked to Michael Reardon a few weeks back mainly about Sellwood and Walker.
He had been over to WA a few times to monitor another player but Sellwood kept catching the eye.
Regarding Walker, he has never done a preseason so was always going to be a longer term prospect.
When he arrived he was also restricted to light duties because of a concussion at the Cotes League level.
The impression I got was that he viewed Walker more as a category B type selection. Given his form in the last few weeks he's probably exceeded that rating.
Forward or back I think we have an open mind.,

[doggies ftw]

Arty Jones for mine was the highlight. I’m certain he plays 15 plus AFL games at least next year.

If he backs up his form in the PF and hopefully the GF he will play all games.

Shame we lost Dolan and Scott before half time. Someone said Buss was sick and I wonder if Croft was in concussion protocols?

Selwood has some size and agro in him, can’t wait to see him next year at afl level.

Any guesses what position Jacques will settle into?

Good question on Jacques, I was thinking he was a lock for HBF earlier in the season even after we were throwing him around but that may be limiting his output. He seems extremely comfortable forward of the ball, liking what I’m seeing of him on a wing to be honest - he can get forward and hit the scoreboard or set others up inside 50 and he can push back and use his marking to support the defence. It feels wrong to keep pulling talented players out of defence though!

I think I see him as a Bailey Williams type role wise - best on the wing but will be used fwd/back too as needed. Player comparison - Ollie Dempsey anyone? I see a lot of similarities. Williams, Davo and Jacques as the wing rotations sounds great to me.

The kids got it, after a big preseason I’m tipping he starts round 1. Last years draft is looking like a monster (when you throw in MSD too)

[doggies ftw]

Has it clicked for Arty? I’ve always been pretty vocal as a fan on here but admittedly it can take a bit of mental gymnastics sometimes as you just can’t justify super low possession games which he obviously puts out too much.

For mine though I’m a big believer in impact, and he’s shown since some of his earliest games he can have match winning moments and I don’t think that can be taught. A match winner can be taught to find more of the footy as they learn the structures of professional footy, but I think it’s a lot harder to teach a lower impact player to get more ‘damaging’ which is why I’ll always lean to the side of giving those high impact, low production players more time.

in saying that AFL history is littered with guys who show flashes of brilliance but never put it all together, so it’s no sure thing that improves but again I’ll give those guys more time personally. He came to the club at about 60kgs he is the textbook slow burn IMO. I look at some of his cameos at AFL level - the Carlton game early in his career, GWS game round 24 last year and Freo round 24 this year, you can’t write off a guy that just has that ability to change a game in 10 mins. He has that.

Needs another big preseason in the gym and an injury free run and I think he can grab a spot round 1 and hopefully hold it

[Go_Dogs]

I talked to Michael Reardon a few weeks back mainly about Sellwood and Walker.
He had been over to WA a few times to monitor another player but Sellwood kept catching the eye.
Regarding Walker, he has never done a preseason so was always going to be a longer term prospect.
When he arrived he was also restricted to light duties because of a concussion at the Cotes League level.
The impression I got was that he viewed Walker more as a category B type selection. Given his form in the last few weeks he's probably exceeded that rating.
Forward or back I think we have an open mind.,

That’s great on Walker - sounds like plenty of upside. If he’s got natural goal sense, I hope that is his pathway - or at least a role that allows him to exploit it regularly.