Preview Western Bulldogs VS GWS @ Marvel 31st July 2025

[Dogsman16]

With GWS’s injuries/suspensions there is simply no excuse.

Have to get the job done. If we don’t then we need to hope for a miracle and hawthorn crash and burn. Probably not realistic. We just have to assume they pinch a game from Adelaide, Collingwood or Brisbane.

 

[grassman75]

Arty needs to put a few good games together and build some strength and fitness. Could be an X factor for us in coming weeks

Davo and Harmes in for me, maybe Jones L.

Outs Baker and Poulter

 

[Libbaaaa]

Am happy we are playing Thursday, win and put pressure on those around us

 

[House_of_Dahl]

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

This must take some effort...why bother with the caricature?

 

[Norm De Guerre]

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.

If we defeated a Bombers AFL side with >13 of their regular first pick players missing.

Then I don't think we can take too much out of beating a VFL side that would've been scraping the bottom of the paddock footballing barrel looking for players to just fill slots.

To be honest. Id be more concerned if Jones wasn't BOG given the wealth of his experience.

Personally I wouldn't take a single thing out of that game.

 

[Dogman 1]

3 big outs for GWS

Id also send McNeil or Vanders to Whitfield

Whitfield would absolutely flog either of those two.

 

[BEaston]

Buku would be making a strong case based on form but if you're expecting him to come in while any of VDM/McNeil/Garcia come out, it's not going to end well.

If Buku comes in, we're going to need all the pressure in F50 we can muster.

Also I still don't really see a role for him anyway. He'd replace Poulter but his role has been has more of a gut running forward - up and down the ground. Buku just doesn't have the aerobic capacity for that unfortunately.

Harmes could come in to play that role. That's probably what I'd do.

Davidson as well for Baker.

I'd shift Freijah back as well, who Cleary would have to make way for - even though I thought he was decent.

Fwds: Darcy, Naughton, West, McNeil, VDM , Garcia, Harmes
Mids: English, Bont, Richards, Kennedy, Libba, Sanders, Davidson, Williams
Backs: Lobb, Buss, JOD, Freijah, Dale, Bramble, JJ
Sub: Baker

 

[adogsfan5]

Whitfield would absolutely flog either of those two.

Not so sure about that. Both McNeil and VDM aren’t the best players but have HUGE tanks. All we need is for one of them to just blanket him.

 

[VogonProsthetnic]

Interesting that Bevo said they wanted to maximise Darcy and Naughton together in the forward line which you could say worked ok.

Lobb rucked - not sure that would be fair on him - maybe bring in Buku as back up ruck.

Callaghan is the one who they play through. Be negligent not to put a lot of time into him.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Callaghan is a tough matchup because he gets so much of his ball running by in chains. Key to stopping him is stopping their “tsunami” which isn’t easy.

 

[VogonProsthetnic]

Callaghan is a tough matchup because he gets so much of his ball running by in chains. Key to stopping him is stopping their “tsunami” which isn’t easy.

We need to avoid all those shallow entries where everybody overcommits - it’s almost a trademark of our play they past couple of seasons.

 

[Dog 36]

Interesting that Bevo said they wanted to maximise Darcy and Naughton together in the forward line which you could say worked ok.

Lobb rucked - not sure that would be fair on him - maybe bring in Buku as back up ruck.

Callaghan is the one who they play through. Be negligent not to put a lot of time into him.

Reg Callaghan what you say almost guarantees we will do nothing about him
See Newcombe and others

 

[Libbaaaa]

Bedford hasn’t been doing as many hard tag jobs as usual but I’d expect him to go to Richards.

Also feel like Briggs is the type of ruck English can monster in all facets if he is on.

 

[X_box_X]

Callaghan is a tough matchup because he gets so much of his ball running by in chains. Key to stopping him is stopping their “tsunami” which isn’t easy.

He gets easily distracted, though. All you need to do is call his name and clap your hands when he is preparing to take his kick and he'll turn his attention to a random opposition supporter in the crowd. I thought he was gonna hit me lace out in the crowd last year at Ballarat.

 

[ossie_21]

Arty needs to put a few good games together and build some strength and fitness. Could be an X factor for us in coming weeks

At his stage of development (and conditioning), he’s a perfect sub choice later on in games. Even Robbie McComb got subbed on one game and he was the quickest player out there….

 

[Optimistic Dog]

If we defeated a Bombers AFL side with >13 of their regular first pick players missing.

Then I don't think we can take too much out of beating a VFL side that would've been scraping the bottom of the paddock footballing barrel looking for players to just fill slots.

To be honest. Id be more concerned if Jones wasn't BOG given the wealth of his experience.

Personally I wouldn't take a single thing out of that game.

What do you want him to do it is not his fault the opposition was poor. So, what you are saying is nobody can get promoted because of the quality of the opposition.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

What do you want him to do it is not his fault the opposition was poor. So, what you are saying is nobody can get promoted because of the quality of the opposition.

Pretty much.

I don't really see much need to make any changes this week.

 

[dogwatch]

He gets easily distracted, though. All you need to do is call his name and clap your hands when he is preparing to take his kick and he'll turn his attention to a random opposition supporter in the crowd. I thought he was gonna hit me lace out in the crowd last year at Ballarat.

The Providence Petrel of footy?

 

[dogwatch]

Pretty much.

I don't really see much need to make any changes this week.

We only won by 93 points Norm. That's a coach killer.

Got to make at least four changes.

 

[X_box_X]

The Providence Petrel of footy?

We gotta think outside the box to help our team win. What can we do as supporters to help us bank the four points? Within reason, within a spirit of the game. Hire some professional hecklers to put opponents off their game. Take Keow language class so we can call for Seagulls to swarm above the opposition's kick to smother their shots at goal. Wear opposition colours and sit in their cheer squad holding a large bullseye and then move off target just as an opposition player is about to drop the ball on his foot.

 

[low impact and reckless]

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.

Thanks mate

 

[Norm De Guerre]

We only won by 93 points Norm. That's a coach killer.

Got to make at least four changes.

As amusing as it was to completely pull Essendon pants down. Exposing their little pee pee South Park style.

Playing them at the nadir of their VFL/AFL season was not all that helpful in determining what we do with selection during what is shaping as a season defining match this week.

It's a real problem when guys like Poulter, Baker and Garcia who I'd reflexedly call to be dropped. All played respectable games.

All I took from the game on Friday was that I can now accept that I find it a bit boring watching us rack up 75+ point wins with ease. Which in itself is an astonishing thing for a bulldogs supporter to say.

 

[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.

Giants played Cadman, Hogan and Stringer against the Swans.

I don’t think we need the three tall backs. Think it’ll be a good game for Sellwood to come in and play on Stringer.

Think Artie could add something that we don’t have in the 22. Davidson to come straight in as well.

In - Sellwood, Davidson, Artie
Out - Buss, Baker, McNeil

Is sellwood quick too go with stringer is sellwood , I was reading on this post that Sellwood plays with anger whats he like

 

[geoffjennings79]

Is sellwood quick too go with stringer is sellwood , I was reading on this post that Sellwood plays with anger whats he like

Yes, Sellwood is quick to anger, but otherwise a friendly chap.

 

[grassman75]

As amusing as it was to completely pull Essendon pants down. Exposing their little pee pee South Park style.

Playing them at the nadir of their VFL/AFL season was not all that helpful in determining what we do with selection during what is shaping as a season defining match this week.

It's a real problem when guys like Poulter, Baker and Garcia who I'd reflexedly call to be dropped. All played respectable games.

All I took from the game on Friday was that I can now accept that I find it a bit boring watching us rack up 75+ point wins with ease. Which in itself is an astonishing thing for a bulldogs supporter to say.

Do you think we’ve gotten worse with Garcia in the team? Or others aren’t doing as much since he came in?

It’s def changed….maybe like someone said…it’s vdm and lobbs hair