Preview Western Bulldogs VS GWS @ Marvel 31st July 2025

[Golden_6]

I like the move of Lobb playing second ruck. This allows Darcy to play nearly 100% forward. However probably can only do it against teams that Lobb matches up forward against second ruck. Think it is more reason why we need Jones.

It certainly won’t work this week.

Lobb on Riccardi to leave JOD on Cadman & Busslinger on Hogan under the roof is the genuine stuff of nightmares.

 

[grassman75]

I have a gnawing in my gut that says Stringer is going to tear us a new arse….looks like he’s got himself fit which is an indictment on Essendon in itself…I’m worried

 

[Doggy]

I have a gnawing in my gut that says Stringer is going to tear us a new arse….looks like he’s got himself fit which is an indictment on Essendon in itself…I’m worried

We didn't even have Darcy last time

 

[grassman75]

I know…it’s my inner pessimist

 

[lachy]

There is no one available that will do a significantly better job than those who played on Friday night so changes will not make any differences at all.

Our mids need to out perform them, we need to keep our turnovers to a minimum and our team defence accross the ground needs to be significantly better than it has been.

This narrative, occasionally here but always on Facebook that team selection this year has cost us games is a nonsense. It is how the team performed in the above areas against good teams that has us where we are.

 

[Dogsman16]

Jones just has to come back in. Lobb as the 2nd ruck keeps both our big boys forward and I don’t think as a supporter base we could accept Busslinger being smashed by one of their key forwards and it ends up costing us victory/finals.

Busslinger doesn’t have the strength nor leg speed to match those forwards. Not in dry conditions under the roof.

 

[lachy]

Jones just has to come back in. Lobb as the 2nd ruck keeps both our big boys forward and I don’t think as a supporter base we could accept Busslinger being smashed by one of their key forwards and it ends up costing us victory/finals.

Busslinger doesn’t have the strength nor leg speed to match those forwards. Not in dry conditions under the roof.

So bring in Jones whose form through injuries had him dropped for the first GWS game for Buss who acquitted himself well in that game is what will cost us victory/finals!!!!

Jones has not played well for over 12 months, Buss may not be the answer but if rhe current Jones is the answer you are asking the wrong question

 

[BEaston]

Buss did fine with JOD and Lobb last time round vs GWS.

In fact that game was better than any Jones has played all year.

 

[_Mike_]

You could argue that every last game is a must win. GWS, Dees, Eagles, and Freo. All in Melbourne .

I would persevere with Buss on the basis that Jonesy isn’t fit and struggled in his last game. JOD was fine and Lobb the usual dependable. We know Essendon were fielding a VFL side, the thing causing turnovers was the small dinky kicks and handballs on the backline. That can be fixed.

Happy with JOD and Lobb as the talls and Buss has to get more game time. Buku over Cleary might be a shot

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Much debate on either Jones or Bussinger. I am clearly in the Jones camp for this game. We need the bigger body and Jones just come off a BOG in the VFL even if it was only against the Bombers.

 

[lachy]

Much debate on either Jones or Bussinger. I am clearly in the Jones camp for this game. We need the bigger body and Jones just come off a BOG in the VFL even if it was only against the Bombers.

Like Buss was the week before against a much stronger Brisbane!! Jones unfortunately has not played a strong gamenin 12 months due to injuries, this is not the Jones of early 2024

 

[TommyD13]

Artie and Dolan is an upgrade on McNeil and Vandermeer in terms of football smarts, which is what we need. Longer term I see no issues with those two, plus Westy and Weightman as the small forwards. I think there is definitely enough pressure and speed there too, which are of course Vandermeer and McNeils strengths

 

[stefoid]

Is now the time to be experimenting with fresh inclusions? we need to be stable and players need to be able to handle the step up to finals pressure if we make it.

 

[low impact and reckless]

Artie and Dolan is an upgrade on McNeil and Vandermeer in terms of football smarts, which is what we need. Longer term I see no issues with those two, plus Westy and Weightman as the small forwards. I think there is definitely enough pressure and speed there too, which are of course Vandermeer and McNeils strengths

Any posters have access to average tackles / possessions per game for McNeill and VDM? Cheers in advance.

 

[cecil]

No changes. Baker to sub.

 

[Freshwater]

Harmes comes in for sure. For Baker or McNeill or VDM?

 

[Dogsman16]

Any posters have access to average tackles / possessions per game for McNeill and VDM? Cheers in advance.

VDM - 10.5 disposals, 2.1 tackles
McNeil - 8.9 disposals, 2.5 tackles

This is their career averages. I was blown away that VDM is 26 and 1/2 years old. He’s almost a full year older than Naughton.

 

[Doggies7]

Even they know he's a grub who deserves a week.

 

[Golden_6]

Is now the time to be experimenting with fresh inclusions? we need to be stable and players need to be able to handle the step up to finals pressure if we make it.

So you're suggesting that we stick with Baker, Poulter, Cleary & McNeil (& to a much lesser extent Buss) for the rest of the year even when most have received numerous oppurtunities to show they aren't up to it with better players ready to go?

 

[Mucat]

Agree with your changes. Just can’t see Bevo switching Buss and Jones after one game. Baker didn’t do much wrong but would certainly prefer Davidson.

I have a gnawing in my gut that says Stringer is going to tear us a new arse….looks like he’s got himself fit which is an indictment on Essendon in itself…I’m worried

yES I WORRIED THERE 2 MATE lobb has too be on his tows

 

[stefoid]

So you're suggesting that we stick with Baker, Poulter, Cleary & McNeil (& to a much lesser extent Buss) for the rest of the year even when most have received numerous oppurtunities to show they aren't up to it with better players ready to go?

Quite the opposite - why bring in Baker and Poulter at all right now? I would stick with Davidson who has played all year (would love to know specifically why he was dropped) and invest faith in Jones - a seasoned proven player who is down on form

 

[grassman75]

Quite the opposite - why bring in Baker and Poulter at all right now? I would stick with Davidson who has played all year (would love to know specifically why he was dropped) and invest faith in Jones - a seasoned proven player who is down on form

I’m sure Davo was given a “rest” to get ready for a big few weeks

 

[adogsfan5]

3 big outs for GWS

Id also send McNeil or Vanders to Whitfield

 

[Optimistic Dog]

I find this week's selection the toughest for the year probably because there is no wriggle room.

Possible ins Liam Jones

19

Liam Jones

Age

34

Ht

199cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

134.5

2star

D

7.6

2star

K

6.1

3star

HB

1.4

1star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

116.3

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

, Davidson, Harmes, Arty Jones, Dolan, Buku

Possible Outs Busslinger, Cleary, Mcneill, Garcia, Poulter, Baker

There is no way we make 6 changes and most are fringe players except Davidson and Dolan in their first season there is not a lot difference who we select. I guess it gets down to match ups.

Buku gets the nod if we want to go a bit taller in the forward line
Jones gets the not if want more strength and experience down back
Harmes maybe he kicked 4 from memory last game against GWS
Davidson because he has been pretty good all season
Dolan and Arty for speed

For what it is worth

Ins
L Jones
A Jones/Harmes sub
Davidson
Buku

Outs

Busslinger
Baker
Poluter
McNeill

 

[Mucat]

I find this week's selection the toughest for the year probably because there is no wriggle room.

Possible ins Liam Jones, Davidson, Harmes, Arty Jones, Dolan, Buku

Possible Outs Busslinger, Cleary, Mcneill, Garcia, Poulter, Baker

There is no way we make 6 changes and most are fringe players except Davidson and Dolan in their first season there is not a lot difference who we select. I guess it gets down to match ups.

Buku gets the nod if we want to go a bit taller in the forward line
Jones gets the not if want more strength and experience down back
Harmes maybe he kicked 4 from memory last game against GWS
Davidson because he has been pretty good all season
Dolan and Arty for speed

For what it is worth

Ins
L Jones
A Jones/Harmes sub
Davidson
Buku

Outs

Busslinger
Baker
Poluter
McNeill

i Kind of agree with you i really like Arty there may be 2 or 3 things i like i like Harmes as sub but Arty his hamstring Arty has the speed and can put pressure on the oppisition the one i agree with Mcneil yes i"ll drop him noe you might disagree that"s fine , but what worrie"s me his hamstring other than that Arty the one for me