Training 2026 Bulldogs Pre-Season

[X_box_X]

Good.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Setback for young Dogs mid, injury-hit veteran trains strongly

Josh Gabelich has the latest updates from the Western Bulldogs' pre-season

www.afl.com.au

 

[VitalDread]

Things you love to see

New recruit Connor Budarick

19

Connor Budarick

Age

24

Ht

175cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

1.5

3star

MG

171.3

3star

D

10.6

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

171.3

3star

D

10.6

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

153.0

3star

has settled in seamlessly at the kennel, making an early impression at training in defence, while Cooper Hynes, Josh Dolan, Arty Jones and Joel Freijah have burst out of the blocks this summer.

 

[stefoid]

Setback for young Dogs mid, injury-hit veteran trains strongly

Josh Gabelich has the latest updates from the Western Bulldogs' pre-season

www.afl.com.au

check out the pauldrons on fridge

 

[DiamondDogs8]

check out the pauldrons on fridge

BYOR (Bring your own reptile) day at the club

Joel opted for a pair of twin cobras

 

[WAbulldog]

Setback for young Dogs mid, injury-hit veteran trains strongly

Josh Gabelich has the latest updates from the Western Bulldogs' pre-season

www.afl.com.au

Looks like Freijah has gained some muscle which is great to see. Also happy to hear that both Hynes and Dolan having good stats in the pre season.

 

[Dougs Wing]

Things you love to see

New recruit Connor Budarick has settled in seamlessly at the kennel, making an early impression at training in defence, while Cooper Hynes, Josh Dolan, Arty Jones and Joel Freijah have burst out of the blocks this summer.

Buadrick did his biggest session since he arrived today, but it still wasn't a full session.
I think we copped another player injury today and the club should confirm it later.

 

[Distinctive_]

This thread would be a lot more active if WOOF training watchers posted here too.
Consolidating our forums into the one here would help best with engagement IMO.

Nothing against the track watchers on WOOF, love their work.

 

[HK_Bulldog]

This thread would be a lot more active if WOOF training watchers posted here too.
Consolidating our forums into the one here would help best with engagement IMO.

Nothing against the track watchers on WOOF, love their work.

I find the WOOF reports overly positive. Each year, we sound like premiership contenders yet can't even make the 8. I've stopped reading them so I'm not disappointed when the real thing starts.

 

[Bulldogs85]

 

[Foxman98]

Death Taxes Western Bulldogs preseason vs Hawthorn and in season match at Pork Barrell park

 

[Golden_6]

Can someone at the AFL explain why we have to play the same team each preseason?

 

[Sentinel]

All this talk of the failure of the English cricket side's BazBall approach, kind of feel like some comparisons can be made to our 2025 gameplan. All out attack with little defensive mindset or plan B, leading to a lot of fast scoring which can look fantastic at times, but ultimately very little success against decent opposition when you need to tighten the screws. #bevball

 

[Dougs Wing]

All this talk of the failure of the English cricket side's BazBall approach, kind of feel like some comparisons can be made to our 2025 gameplan. All out attack with little defensive mindset or plan B, leading to a lot of fast scoring which can look fantastic at times, but ultimately very little success against decent opposition when you need to tighten the screws. #bevball

I'm not good on the tactical part of the game and especially in reading the training but there does appear to be a switch in how we are setting up in the back line and the way we are focusing on some specific drills for the defensive players. I get to maybe one session per week and have seen us working more on ground ball contests and tackling. Some on X are saying it's done at a higher intensity. It remains to be seen if under Bevo attacking style if we can strike a better balance between attack and defense. Budarick and Sellwood might help us in that area.

 

[X_box_X]

Can someone at the AFL explain why we have to play the same team each preseason?

You've accidentally posted this on a public Western Bulldogs forum, mate.

 

[Dougs Wing]

Can someone at the AFL explain why we have to play the same team each preseason?

I prefer us playing good teams and I doubt it matters if it's the same team 2 or 3 years in a row.

 

[Angak]

Things you love to see

New recruit Connor Budarick has settled in seamlessly at the kennel, making an early impression at training in defence, while Cooper Hynes, Josh Dolan, Arty Jones and Joel Freijah have burst out of the blocks this summer.

Barring injury I suspect all 5 players mention in the article will be in the starting 22 come round 1.

 

[bobs head soup]

I'm not good on the tactical part of the game and especially in reading the training but there does appear to be a switch in how we are setting up in the back line and the way we are focusing on some specific drills for the defensive players. I get to maybe one session per week and have seen us working more on ground ball contests and tackling. Some on X are saying it's done at a higher intensity. It remains to be seen if under Bevo attacking style if we can strike a better balance between attack and defense. Budarick and Sellwood might help us in that area.

Appreciate the observations. Thank you.

 

[TedDougChris]

All this talk of the failure of the English cricket side's BazBall approach, kind of feel like some comparisons can be made to our 2025 gameplan. All out attack with little defensive mindset or plan B, leading to a lot of fast scoring which can look fantastic at times, but ultimately very little success against decent opposition when you need to tighten the screws. #bevball

All out attack and the defense will take care of itself, was a phrase that popped into mind the other day

 

[Optimistic Dog]

How many goals for Sam and Aaron is realistic in 2026 barring injury.

They both are coming off shoulder surgery at the end of the 25 season. Plus Aaron had a slow start after glanduar fever and Sam missed a large chunk of the season with a knee injury. Aaron kicked 60 and Sam 48.

So with shoulder surgery out of the way early both could easily finish with 70 plus goals touch wood with injuries. Especially if Sam does not second ruck a lot.

Surely two 70 plus goal kickers sees us playing finals from the top 6.

 

[TiAn_]

How many goals for Sam and Aaron is realistic in 2026 barring injury.

They both are coming off shoulder surgery at the end of the 25 season. Plus Aaron had a slow start after glanduar fever and Sam missed a large chunk of the season with a knee injury. Aaron kicked 60 and Sam 48.

So with shoulder surgery out of the way early both could easily finish with 70 plus goals touch wood with injuries. Especially if Sam does not second ruck a lot.

Surely two 70 plus goal kickers sees us playing finals from the top 6.

I think about the same. Maybe a reverse, so Darcy has ~60 if he plays a full season and Naughts ~50.

 

[JohnnySteel]

If Darcy plays every game, he’ll definitely average at a minimum 3 goals a game so that would put him around the 70 mark.

 

[Dougs Wing]

I find the WOOF reports overly positive. Each year, we sound like premiership contenders yet can't even make the 8. I've stopped reading them so I'm not disappointed when the real thing starts.

I don't get this because during the season it's easier to be critical when required because you can measure losses against wins but how do you benchmark training other than calling out some players when they don't perform?

 

[Ratdweller]

I'm glad that it's at Whitten Oval and not 5000 capacity Ballarat.

 

[Dale4captain]

I'm glad that it's at Whitten Oval and not 5000 capacity Ballarat.

Just so you are aware, VUWO is currently a 6.5k capacity. Not a whole lot of difference.