Preview Western Bulldogs VS GWS @ Marvel 31st July 2025

[Freshwater]

Would have loved to have Davidson back in the team, still not sure why he was dropped. Would also have liked to see Harmes in, he kicked a bag of goals against them last time from memory. I also feel like he brings a hardness that we need. Still not sure how McNeil keeps his place in the team week after week. Hasn’t played a really good game in a while. This is a huge game for us and I worry about him panicking.

Their forwards really worry me when I look at our backline and think of Hogan on either JOD or Buss. Although I remember Buss played not too bad on him last time. But Cadman is a big worry like Thilthorpe. Just in general we are poor one on one defenders and our mids don’t work hard enough defensively to help, so that’s where I think we will come undone. Thing is we don’t have many other options at this point so just have to hope that Buss, JOD and Lobby can hold up and our midfield can get on top at home.

Agree 100%. I was saying anyone lucky enough to be in last weeks team will look like a superstar compared with those that missed out. Cleary got in the coaches votes and Garcia was quite good, so they must remain. So really VDM and McNeil needed to make way, both have been lousy recently but never seem to get dropped. Harmes is definitely needed for any finals tilt and Dividson too it reckon.
I can remember McNeill and VDM playing in last year’s final whilst West and Garcia were watching on, and we know how that turned out.

 

[ossie_21]

Nobody could look me in the eye and say Davidson & Harmes should be behind Baker, Poulter, McNeil & Vandermeer in the pecking order.

I know a couple of them play slightly different roles, but come on.

 

[ossie_21]

Which is even more baffling.

Good reader of the ball and gets in good spots to intercept. Weak at the contest and has abysmal decision making and skills under moderate pressure.

He had 17 @ 94% with only 1 turnover last week. And hasn’t even played 20 games yet.

Should we only look at drafting 17 or 18-year olds with at least 20+ years of AFL experience?

 

[Unorth]

Nobody can use the “weak bottom 6” excuse to cover for Bevo any more.

There were options to improve there, we just haven’t taken them.

That weak bottom X number of players is by design at this point.

 

[X_box_X]

Also just had some awful flashbacks to big John Patton absolutely destroying Lewy Young in late 2017 to effectively end our season on a Friday night at Marvel. Let’s hope the same doesn’t happen on Thursday.

Bob Murphy with his last ever goal and what a beauty it was.

 

[Doggies7]

Baker hopefully as sub, makes the most sense and best chance at an impact sub in the second half out of those listed on the bench. If it's Freijah there will be a melt down on here (There's no way it's Freijah, surely...).

 

[BigFloppa]

I'm outraged by this team selection. Seething.

 

[synchrodogcal]

I’m outraged by the lukewarm melts in here.
Seriously.

 

[Libba39]

Nobody could look me in the eye and say Davidson & Harmes should be behind Baker, Poulter, McNeil & Vandermeer in the pecking order.

I know a couple of them play slightly different roles, but come on.

GWS is a fast team. I can see why Harmes stayed out. Kennedy and Sanders are the ones taking his spot. All three in and we start to look one-paced.

 

[immortalmike]

Going into a must win game against a top 6 team in red hot form with Baker, Poulter and McNeil is certainly a choice...

A very bad choice but certainly a choice.

 

[The Inbetweener]

Biggest game of the year with Baker, McNeil, Poulter, VDM isn’t ideal

 

[my plums]

Harmes needs more miles in his legs as per Bevos press conference. You’d think Arty is the same. Maybe Davidson could’ve come in but that’s about it. Cleary was not getting dropped after a coaches vote for Selwood.

 

[Doggies7]

Harmes needs more miles in his legs as per Bevos press conference. You’d think Arty is the same. Maybe Davidson could’ve come in but that’s about it. Cleary was not getting dropped after a coaches vote for Selwood.

Yep Harmes would have at least been named an emergency if he was available for selection you'd think. Another week in the 2s to get some more fitness and touch and then back in against his old team at the G next week.

 

[dogz]

If we played a undermanned Essendon, then by that logic the reserves played an even more terrible then usual VFL team.
Stats would be inflated whoever played.
Back our boys in
Go Poulter baby!!!

 

[low impact and reckless]

I'm outraged by this team selection. Seething.

It's absolutely judgement day for Bevo. After this team selection either
1.The man is a Sharman
2.The man is a snake oil salesman.
All hinges on the result.

This week stinks of comfortable Bevo ,he has his pay check ,he has his contract,he has his theory . The theory that numbers 23 ,30 , 25:and 13 are AFL standard players . The theory that undervalues the importance of getting a kick, undervalues beating your opponent - of pressing high against a team that is quicker than you,of conceding the positions of ruck and wing. After tomorrow either the pro or con Bevo camps have to shut up. There is no middle ground.

 

[glenashley]

Really unsure how Davidson lost his starting wing spot to Baker

I know he needed a rest but not sure what world Davidson isn't best 23 in??

 

[Philthy1]

I'm outraged by this team selection. Seething.

ok, I’ll bite.

why are you seething?

 

[Mucat]

I don't care who plays, just get rid of McNeil. To many chances given and to many times he's let us down. Vfl player at best.

Agree

 

[go_sports_team]

Why on earth are we massive favourites for this game?!

The named team has a lot of weaknesses. It's just where we are I guess and I'm at peace with that, but I can't for the life of me see why we are $1.44 to win.

 

[Mojorisin]

Why on earth are we massive favourites for this game?!

The named team has a lot of weaknesses. It's just where we are I guess and I'm at peace with that, but I can't for the life of me see why we are $1.44 to win.

I agree but the Giants do have 3 big outs.

 

[Doggies7]

Why on earth are we massive favourites for this game?!

The named team has a lot of weaknesses. It's just where we are I guess and I'm at peace with that, but I can't for the life of me see why we are $1.44 to win.

Beaten them 8 out of the last 9 times now I think including a very comfortable win already this season. Game is at home with a few key GWS outs. Absolutely makes sense why we are comfortable favourites, but whether we justify that tag or not is another question.

 

[Mucat]

I'm outraged by this team selection. Seething.

It seem's LIKE HE DOENT' WANT TO WIN

 

[Optimistic Dog]

My team
ins Harmes, Buku, Davidson and L jones

Outs Busslinger, Poulter, Mcneill and Baker

Confidence level my team 80%
Confidence level selected team 60%

 

[go_sports_team]

Beaten them 8 out of the last 9 times now I think including a very comfortable win already this season. Game is at home with a few key GWS outs. Absolutely makes sense why we are comfortable favourites, but whether we justify that tag or not is another question.

Dogs supporter self preservation kicking in perhaps...

 

[BigFloppa]

ok, I’ll bite.

why are you seething?

Because Gardner should be in the side to play second ruck.