Training 2025 Pre Season and Training Reports Thread

[total football]

Does anyone have any intel on where Jed Busslinger is at?

He was always going to be a slow build, but not even getting selected for pre-season games in his third pre-season has me worried he's nowhere near it.

Is there something holding him back?

 

[weltschmerz]

Does anyone have any intel on where Jed Busslinger is at?

He was always going to be a slow build, but not even getting selected for pre-season games in his third pre-season has me worried he's nowhere near it.

Is there something holding him back?

Really hard to tell. He’s frequently among the best on ground in the VFL and is tracking as a genuine full back option, but with Jones being out you’d expect it’d be a good time to give him some exposure at the level and we haven’t.

 

[Eastdog]

Richards,West and Dale are all expected to be available at this stage.

All important players. So hopefully they can get up.

 

[Eastdog]

Does anyone have any intel on where Jed Busslinger is at?

He was always going to be a slow build, but not even getting selected for pre-season games in his third pre-season has me worried he's nowhere near it.

Is there something holding him back?

I was hoping he would be tried in that pre season game against the Hawks to see how he goes. There must be some KPI's that he has not reached still in order to play at AFL level. A very good VFL player.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

If Richards, West and Dale play round one we’re a lock to win.

Our depth is pretty solid to cover injuries, add those [emoji639] in we will field a very good side.

When your “worst” players on ground are Harmes, Vandermeer & Gallagher, that’s the same as last year essentially. That means we don’t need to dig too deep.

I take your point but removing the literal best player in the game from the team makes it nowhere near essentially the same team.

Whether or not West is injured realistically isn't as huge as a deal as Bont.

 

[Graeme Cook]

Does anyone have any intel on where Jed Busslinger is at?

He was always going to be a slow build, but not even getting selected for pre-season games in his third pre-season has me worried he's nowhere near it.

Is there something holding him back?

Bus is excellent at reading the play & intercept marking but the knock on him is one on one and his a bit slow.

 

[dergert]

Bus needs to take more contested grabs imo.

 

[total football]

I'm starting to get Kieran Collins vibes.

My dream is to see Naughton played at CHB, but it's starting to fade. Especially with the story around JUH.

Given Croft found his way into the pre-season squads, I wonder if he could build game time in the JOD role. I know they say he is, but I just don't feel he's a natural forward.

 

[Foxman98]

I'm starting to get Kieran Collins vibes.

My dream is to see Naughton played at CHB, but it's starting to fade. Especially with the story around JUH.

Given Croft found his way into the pre-season squads, I wonder if he could build game time in the JOD role. I know they say he is, but I just don't feel he's a natural forward.

Not at all Collins had no mobility Buss is fine

 

[adogsfan5]

Buss reminds me of Fletcher Roberts.

 

[BulldogMuscle]

Buss reminds me of Fletcher Roberts.

*Premiership fullback Fletcher Roberts.

 

[TiAn_]

Buss reminds me of Fletcher Roberts.

They’re different players, but the realistic case for Buss making it is hoping he’s on a Josh Worrell trajectory. Worrell is more athletic and versatile but Busslinger finds the ball a bit easier. They were similarly painfully thin for a KPD when drafted. Worrell didn’t play at all his first two seasons. One game in his third, four games in his fourth. Broke out at AFL level in his fifth and sixth seasons.

 

[weltschmerz]

They’re different players, but the realistic case for Buss making it is hoping he’s on a Josh Worrell trajectory. Worrell is more athletic and versatile but Busslinger finds the ball a bit easier. They were similarly painfully thin for a KPD when drafted. Worrell didn’t play at all his first two seasons. One game in his third, four games in his fourth. Broke out at AFL level in his fifth and sixth seasons.

Sam de Koning played one game in his first two seasons then played most matches and got a premiership medal in his third.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I'm starting to get Kieran Collins vibes.

The first opportunity we had for Collins to be out of contract, we delisted him immediately and he was not seen at AFL or VFL level again - for any team.

When Buss came out of contract, we signed him for not one, but two years, amidst rival interest.

Not necessarily indicative that he will make it, but the situations are definitely different.

 

[TiAn_]

Sam de Koning played one game in his first two seasons then played most matches and got a premiership medal in his third.

True, but Buss isn’t close to De Koning physically and athletically.

 

[Mofra]

I'm starting to get Kieran Collins vibes.

My dream is to see Naughton played at CHB, but it's starting to fade. Especially with the story around JUH.

Given Croft found his way into the pre-season squads, I wonder if he could build game time in the JOD role. I know they say he is, but I just don't feel he's a natural forward.

Buss' judgement in the air and kicking skills are miles ahead of 'Dad'.

 

[Smiley Boy]

I reckon Croft could make a great CHB gives me Darcy Moore vibes with his run

 

[Mofra]

I reckon Croft could make a great CHB gives me Darcy Moore vibes with his run

Ditto. Attacks the ball in the air and is a freak endurance athlete. Has enough agro to kill the high ball. I've mentioned it a few times elsewhere

 

[Pencil case]

Another cryptic message on Twitter from Woof. Supposedly a positional change in the match sim today, anyone know who?

 

[True Dog]

Ditto. Attacks the ball in the air and is a freak endurance athlete. Has enough agro to kill the high ball. I've mentioned it a few times elsewhere

The kid has so many attributes in his favour that require development. I’d give him as much exposure as we can as early as possible so long as he’s not getting smashed. A guy his size that runs 400s for fun will be a chess piece every coach would love to have.

 

[Pencil case]

Bulldogs set for boost as gun duo eye round one

A pair of gun Bulldogs could be ready to face the Kangaroos in round one

www.afl.com.au

THE WESTERN Bulldogs are hopeful of being bolstered by the return of All-Australian defender Bailey Dale for their round one clash against North Melbourne, with Ed Richards also firming as a likely inclusion.

Dale made it through the entirety of a significant training session at the Whitten Oval on Friday, having also completed a VFL scratch match on managed minutes over the weekend, in his bid to return from a quad issue.

Rhylee West appears another certain starter, having struggled with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, while Adam Treloar also took part in the bulk of Friday's drills as he continues his return from calf issues.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Anyone know where I can find an A4 size fixture to print off? The only one I can find online is too small.

 

[dogwatch]

Anyone know where I can find an A4 size fixture to print off? The only one I can find online is too small.

Does this work for you?

 

[Pencil case]

Jamarra played in defence in the match sim today and took a few really nice intercepts

 

[dogwatch]

Jamarra played in defence in the match sim today and took a few really nice intercepts

Interesting move. I presume it's not permanent, but he wouldn't be the first FF to have his career resurrected when swung to FB!