Training 2026 Bulldogs Pre-Season

[BigFloppa]

Zak Butters is training with the Dogs this preseason. Make of that what you will

 

[iambrilliant]

Weightman OK? Saw some comments on FB he’s out til mid season?

If this is true why not put him on the long term injury list and bring in a train on player

 

[weltschmerz]

If this is true why not put him on the long term injury list and bring in a train on player

Because that writes him off for the full year

 

[iambrilliant]

Because that writes him off for the full year

Okay , I thought it was 8 weeks ? Or atleast that’s what chat gpt told me

 

[Inside The Kennel]

Flea is aiming to be back for Round 5. Club more conservative with a Round 8 Return To Play schedule.

 

[weltschmerz]

Okay , I thought it was 8 weeks ? Or atleast that’s what chat gpt told me

ChatGPT also just told me that JUH is our number 2 for 2026.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

WTF do all these new reaction/likes mean?

• place litter in the bin
• don't litter
• Thor's hammer
• Ernie having his ear reamed by a banana??
• old lady with glasses
• rainbow penis

I have no idea what these mean on a forum or when it's appropriate to use them.

 

[Dougs Wing]

Big session today that included a 4 quarter match simulation with AFL umpires adjudicating.
Players were on the track early and some were still doing some specialized drills well after midday.
Bontempelli dominated.
We had a few from the VFL side and even Billings making up the numbers.

 

[fred cook]

Big session today that included a 4 quarter match simulation with AFL umpires adjudicating.
Players were on the track early and some were still doing some specialized drills well after midday.
Bontempelli dominated.
We had a few from the VFL side and even Billings making up the numbers.

It official 3 players in the top four of the 2013 draft have played for the Bulldogs now

1 Tom Boyd
3 Jack Billings
4 Marcus Bontempelli

[td][/td]

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

​

 

[Dougs Wing]

It official 3 players in the top four of the 2013 draft have played for the Bulldogs now

1 Tom Boyd
3 Jack Billings
4 Marcus Bontempelli

​

[td][/td]

[td]


[/td]
[td]


[/td]​

​

I clearly get the point you're trying to make but it's just a training session match simulation and not for premiership points.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Big session today that included a 4 quarter match simulation with AFL umpires adjudicating.
Players were on the track early and some were still doing some specialized drills well after midday.
Bontempelli dominated.
We had a few from the VFL side and even Billings making up the numbers.

Did you attend it? If so, who else stood out? We already know Bont is good. But more curious about how our new and first year recruits, and how our second year players looked.

 

[Dougs Wing]

If this is true why not put him on the long term injury list and bring in a train on player

I know you have just posed a question, but it seems we have a few on here who just assume the club doesn't know how to work the system. As far as I know, and I'm quoting someone else here, but at this stage a realistic return target is still round 8 for Cody.
We would be hoping he starts to do some running soon.

 

[Dougs Wing]

Did you attend it? If so, who else stood out? We already know Bont is good. But more curious about how our new and first year recruits, and how our second year players looked.

Darcy, Freijah, West and Lobb all stood out
Hynes in the midfield, Dolan up forward, Jaques half back flank, Davidson on a wing pushing forward and L.Kennedy mainly forward
Hynes and Dolan were more prominent, but Jaquest did a couple of interceptions.
Unfortunately, I didn't have my better glasses on.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Sounds like Cody still has a battle to get back first and then to return to his best. Good luck Cody I know you will.be throwing everything at it.

 

[spindles11]

When will training be this week and next! Considering taking the kids out for the day

 

[Contador]

We had a few from the VFL side and even Billings making up the numbers.

Has impressed on the track and the group love him. We do still have a rookie spot available and dogs are seriously considering it.

 

[Sentinel]

Has impressed on the track and the group love him. We do still have a rookie spot available and dogs are seriously considering it.

We have no spots available other than on the Cat B list, which he isn't eligible for.

 

[Dougs Wing]

Has impressed on the track and the group love him. We do still have a rookie spot available and dogs are seriously considering it.

As Sentinal has confirmed, we don't have any spots unless a Category B candidate can be found.

 

[stefoid]

Flea is aiming to be back for Round 5. Club more conservative with a Round 8 Return To Play schedule.

well, at least his busted elbow should be back to 100%

 

[cecil]

Would be keen to see where M.Kennedy, Freijah, Treloar and Sanders line up over the offseason.

I think that Bont, Libba and Richards are locks for starring mid positions and im not a fan of having all 4 play second rotation/Half forward roles. While all 4 can hit the scoreboard, the latter three aren't great on a defensive transition. Considering our defensive flaws and inability to lock down the wing roles I'd personally look to move Freijah to half back again for a year.

FB: Budarek, JOD, Buss
HB: Freijah, Lobb, Dale
C: Williams, Libba, Davidson
HF: VDM, Naughton, Kennedy
FF: West, Darcy, A.Jones
R: English, Bont, Richards
Int: Bramble, Treloar, Sanders, Harmes, Hynes

 

[JohnnySteel]

I'd personally look to move Freijah to half back again for a year.

I think Freijah will be in the midfield. He is so damaging through there.
And we have a few more options for half back with Budarick coming in & Jaques / Sellwood likely to debut.

As well as Carmichael who could put his hand up at some stage.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

As well as Carmichael who could put his hand up at some stage.

I don't know anything about his readiness but I wouldn't be surprised to see him very, very early, even if he's not quite there yet. Bev has been vocal about needing more pieces down back and he's never been afraid to throw some curve balls with young players he has faith in.

 

[Golden_6]

I think Freijah will be in the midfield. He is so damaging through there.
And we have a few more options for half back with Budarick coming in & Jaques / Sellwood likely to debut.

As well as Carmichael who could put his hand up at some stage.

The point is valid though. Injuries occur but I feel like Treloar & Sanders will be fighting for the same spot. Do we carry both in the team based on individual abilities but sacrifice defensive pressure and transition running?

We have a lot of players who you can slot in those HFF/wing roles (Treloar, Sanders, Harmes, Davidson, Hynes etc.). The elephant in the room will be whether Libba can carry a high workload in the midfield at his age. I love the man but he's only effective as a centre bounce midfielder and can't effectively play elsewhere on the ground.

Kennedy is an excellent rotation mid and he can make an impact in the forward line on the scoreboard and with tackling pressue.

 

[dergert]

Bullish about Carmichael from what I've seen at training.

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

Would be keen to see where M.Kennedy, Freijah, Treloar and Sanders line up over the offseason.

I think that Bont, Libba and Richards are locks for starring mid positions and im not a fan of having all 4 play second rotation/Half forward roles. While all 4 can hit the scoreboard, the latter three aren't great on a defensive transition. Considering our defensive flaws and inability to lock down the wing roles I'd personally look to move Freijah to half back again for a year.

FB: Budarek, JOD, Buss
HB: Freijah, Lobb, Dale
C: Williams, Libba, Davidson
HF: VDM, Naughton, Kennedy
FF: West, Darcy, A.Jones
R: English, Bont, Richards
Int: Bramble, Treloar, Sanders, Harmes, Hynes

I don't think Libba is a lock for the midfield this year. If it weren't for Garcia getting flattened in match sim, Libba would have spent basically the whole game forward. So even with a higher number of mids (given we need to field two teams for a match sim) he wasn't getting CBAs. And that's with Richards and Sanders both missing.

Maybe this was to give more opportunity to the younger guys, but I won't be surprised if it's a sign of a role change