Preview Changes Round 1 vs GWS Giants

[Doggies7]

WIN Medallion Club tickets to this game, just post over in this thread:

Win Prizes Thread 'Round 1 - 10 x Medallion Club Tickets to be won for the Bulldogs match on Saturday - Details in the OP'

Mar 12, 2026

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Western Bulldogs v GWS GIANTS
Round: 1
Date: Saturday 14 March 2026
Time: 1:15 PM AEDT
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Mike at The Golden Ticket has 10 Medallion Club tickets up for grabs for BigFopoty Bulldogs supporters, for Saturday's Bulldogs vs GWS Giants match.


How do you get tickets?

1. Make a new post in this thread.
2. In that post, write "IN", and also @ any other Bulldogs supporter on BigFooty (they have to have Western Bulldogs selected as their team).
3. Also include whether you would like 1 ticket or 2 tickets if your...

• Chief
• Replies: 52
• Forum: Western Bulldogs

• 
• 

- Chief

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Arty unfortunately out with concussion and possibly Croft who I don't believe came back on in the second half after his big fall in the 2nd quarter. Not sure if they revealed the injury, but looked like a bad corked hip potentially.

If he misses, that's two forwards out and I don't think we need another tall and to bring Lewis in just for the sake of it. Bont, Kennedy and Davidson can pinch hit as 3rd talls when needed.

Sanders will be back in if ok after the concussion and maybe then Hynes plays more forward, or we bring in Dolan to play Arty's role who was apparently solid in the VFL and has been training for a few weeks now since his injury. Davison was a bit quiet and had low TOG so could be on the bubble and Baker was just ok, but ran and pressured hard so stays in for mine.

IN - Sanders, Dolan

OUT - Arty, Croft (if injured)


Others in the frame will be Gallagher, Luke Kennedy as the travelling emergency and potentially Ads, but I think they are going to be very careful with him and maybe want to see a VFL / practice match first.

 

[dergert]

I think Will Lewis will make his debut next week in place of croft.

 

[3rdgenbulldog]

Shattered for jones hes showing heaps

 

[Doggies7]

I think Will Lewis will make his debut next week in place of croft.

Interested to see if so. If Darcy was out, I would probably lean that way too, but Croft at this stage is probably more of a running HF than a KPF target. So I feel like we might get more out of another runner against the Giants like Dolan, rather than a tall.

Worst case, and no offense to the young man, but if they turn to McNeil again...

 

[Golden_6]

In: Sanders, Dolan
Out: Davidson, Jones

Croft instead of Davidson if he’s injured. We need a small forward without Arty but realistically Bevo is probably going with VDM or McNeil.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

In: Sanders, Dolan
Out: Davidson, Jones

Croft instead of Davidson if he’s injured. We need a small forward without Arty but realistically Bevo is probably going with VDM or McNeil.

Yeah I think this is most likely.

If Croft is out too, perhaps Emmett

 

[Mojorisin]

Assuming Sanders for Jones is the obvious change.
I'd say Croft misses atleast one week. If we replace him with a tall I'd prefer it be Emmett. He can take the pseudo-Sub role off of Davidson and pinch hit in the ruck against riccardi aswell as fill in forward.
I'd prefer to go in with an extra small though for atleast this week, Dolan most likely but wouldn't rule out a Kennedy debut.

 

[Testekill]

Out: Jones, Croft (if he doesn't pull up)
In: Sanders, Dolan

 

[BigFloppa]

Have to win here to consolidate. We'll go in as favourites back in Melbourne.

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

Assuming Artie and Croft out.

Ins: Sanders and Dolan

Davidson and Hynes to play third tall.

I like Lewis but he’s think it is about keeping our structure.

If Darcy out - Emmett tall forward and second ruck

If Naughton Out - Lewis

If Croft out - need to keep speed with Davidson or Hynes

If Artie out then Jones

If Weightman out then Kennedy - medium marking forward (have played McNeil but not as good as Kennedy.

If West out then VDM

Defence probably similar:

If JOD out then Gards

If Lobb out then abuss

If Khamis out then Coffield

 

[geoffjennings79]

Need someone to quell that gun forward of theirs, what's his name... Jesse Stringer

Jesse Stringer

Age

34

Ht

182cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.8

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

5.5

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

1.2

3star

No current season stats available

D

11.8

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

3.6

5star

CL

1.2

4star

? Sellwood? Or maybe Gardner?

 

[Testekill]

Need someone to quell that gun forward of theirs, what's his name... Jesse Stringer? Sellwood? Or maybe Gardner?

I'd be happy to stick Sellwood on Stringer. You don't need to get sucked into playing a tall defender on him, just a medium sized bloke can beat him.

 

[geoffjennings79]

I'd be happy to stick Sellwood on Stringer. You don't need to get sucked into playing a tall defender on him, just a medium sized bloke can beat him.

Agree, the Gardner reference was just me being a smart-4rse (and not intending to denigrate Gards in any way).

 

[Deadly Darcy]

Gee watching tonight’s game makes you wonder wot-if we had managed to actually land Wilkie. He’s an absolute star and would have been an absolute game changer for us. I like our chances but boy he’s what we need.

 

[FoochPackage]

Dolan for Arty. Need to replace Artys pace.
Emmett for Croft if injured.

JOD lucky that the cupboard is bare for competent KPD.

 

[TiAn_]

I think we’re getting Vandermeer for Jones and another tall for Croft, either Lewis or Emmett.

If we replace Jones with Sanders we look awfully one-paced up forward.

 

[MaxiBont]

I think we’re getting Vandermeer for Jones and another tall for Croft, either Lewis or Emmett.

If we replace Jones with Sanders we look awfully one-paced up forward.

Would think they would do Sanders for Hynes as well in that case.

Don’t think you can keep Sanders out after his game against the Hawks.

 

[TiAn_]

Would think they would do Sanders for Hynes as well in that case.

Don’t think you can keep Sanders out after his game against the Hawks.

Yeah, I also think Hynes and Sanders are fighting for the same role at HF, as it seems a bit awkward having two handball-first players there. Sanders is ahead of Hynes atm.

 

[manutd/dogs]

Sanders comes in regardless of who he's replacing. I really liked his two-way running and his disposal in pre-season and considering his recent form I'm confident he'll be a net positive wherever he plays. Dolan's pace, quick thinking and generally classier disposal around the forward 50 make him the best we have available for a Jones replacement. Yes, VDM's running,pressure and tackling can be important, but we need to make the ball go through the big sticks and Dolan's traits are more highly prized right now. Adding Sanders to our midfield and with our new 4chan troll Big Timmy up and about means we should be able to boss GWS in there, which might just allow us the freedom of Bont drifting forward again to stretch them. Would love to play Hynes in a tagging role on Oliver. Would be a good education for the kid.

 

[lachy]

Dolan for Jones
Sanders for Croft

No point weakening the quality if the team for height uo forward when we have Darcy, Naughts and Bont rotating down there

 

[dogwatch]

Agree Sanders comes in. He was close to BoG in the last practice game. I’d like to see Hynes given another go but he might be the one squeezed out.

Dolan may be a good Jones replacement for his creativity but he is not yet a noted goalkicker. I think he has only kicked one goal so far in his short AFL career.

Goals will need to be shared around again. It’s how it should be. As good as they are we don’t want to rely on Darcy and Naughton to kick 8 between them every week.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

Would think they would do Sanders for Hynes as well in that case.

Don’t think you can keep Sanders out after his game against the Hawks.

Yeah, I also think Hynes and Sanders are fighting for the same role at HF, as it seems a bit awkward having two handball-first players there. Sanders is ahead of Hynes atm.

Agree Sanders has to come in but I reckon Davo goes out before Hynes. Although I was happy with Davo so tough call.

 

[Mojorisin]

Agree Sanders comes in. He was close to BoG in the last practice game. I’d like to see Hynes given another go but he might be the one squeezed out.

Dolan may be a good Jones replacement for his creativity but he is not yet a noted goalkicker. I think he has only kicked one goal so far in his short AFL career.

Goals will need to be shared around again. It’s how it should be. As good as they are we don’t want to rely on Darcy and Naughton to kick 8 between them every week.

Sanders was playing more behind the ball/wing from what I remember.
I think bramble replaces Jones at half forward/wing like he did late against the Lions and Sanders joins the mids off halfback.

 

[WAbulldog]

Think it will be:

Sanders in for Croft
Dolan in for Arty Jones

 

[Sheikh from Boggy Creek]

Jeez it's nice to be wondering which highly talented player (Hynes, Davidson) will be dropped for other talented players (Sanders, Dolan). So much more encouraging than the Gallagher, VDM, McComb, McNeil roundabout if recent years.