Key Forward Poised for Impact; Young Duo Set for Big Year – Bulldogs Track Watch

Lalor eyes call up for a round one spot | 00:56

If today’s match simulation at Whitten Oval is anything to go by, Western Bulldogs key forward Sam Darcy is ready to explode in 2025.

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Darcy was dominant in Friday morning’s match simulation, doing everything right as the Bulldogs were put through their paces.

He caught fire early booting a few goals in the first term, but it was his work around the ground that was most impressive.

Darcy ruled the airways at Whitten Oval, taking multiple big, contested grabs, while his work at ground level was also sound for a big man.

If he wasn’t marking the ball he was crashing packs and bringing the ball to the ground, where his follow up pressure and tackling intensity was high.

The young tall has had a great pre-season so far and with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s availability unclear, he will be crucial to the club’s success in 2025.

Another youngster who looks likely to take his game to another level this year is on-baller Ryley Sanders.

Sanders played 14 games in his debut campaign, but all signs point towards greater opportunities in 2025.

The Sandringham Dragons product was incredibly classy, calm and composed under pressure with ball in hand. The Tasmanian was powerful coming out of stoppages and was a clearance beast on Friday morning. He also ran hard both ways and tackled well, which would not doubt have pleased coach Luke Beveridge.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli also looked a class above and was at his brilliant best.

Bontempelli was dominant at stoppages and clever with ball in hand, often creating possession chains that resulted in goals.

He highlighted his ability to change the course of the game with a burst in the second quarter that saw him earn two shots on goal in the space of a couple of minutes. He drew a free kick after being held at a stoppage before converting a set shot following a chase down tackle inside 50.

Ed Richards’ move to the midfield was a revelation last season and that will become a permanent fixture in 2025. Richards’ pace and burst adds another dimension to Luke Beveridge’s midfield which was already one of the most stacked in the competition.

Ruck Tim English is also tracking nicely after a disrupted pre-season coming into 2024. English had to deal with “migraine symptoms” this time last year and hence missed a chunk of pre-season but it looked as though he hadn’t missed a beat on Friday.

The Bulldogs tall took plenty of contested grabs, dominated the ruck and won plenty of clearances, also drifting forward to create another option inside 50.

Draftee Sam Davidson is pushing hard for a round one debut and looked the part as a wing/half-forward.

Davidson worked hard up and down the ground to present as an option and was also solid in the air when asked to play as a hybrid tall forward.

In the second term, Davidson went back with the flight and took a mark, wasting no time to play on and burst through a tackle before finding a teammate in open space.

Cooper Hynes had his moments as did Lachie Jaques, while mature-ager Dom Brew continues to push for the Bulldogs’ last list spot.

Brew, a star with Werribee in the VFL, has been training with the Dogs over the summer in a bid to realise his AFL dream. A tough customer who runs and runs all day and won the JJ Liston Trophy as the VFL’s best and fairest, Brew can be signed as a pre-season supplementary selection ahead of the 2025 season.

Veteran Jason Johannisen had some nice moments off half-back utilising his run and carry, kicking a nice goal after receiving a handball right on the forward 50 arc.

Tom Liberatore was as hungry as ever, ex-Blue Matthew Kennedy played plenty of midfield minutes, Joel Freijah had some good moments off half-back and Caleb Poulter played as a forward as he looks to establish himself as an AFL regular.

Father-son youngster Jordan Croft continues to push hard for an AFL debut with Ugle-Hagan’s future up in the air, showcasing his talents as a forward and as a wing.

The Calder Cannons product is still raw, but his work ethic and aerial capabilities means he looks a likely player.

There was no ‘A’ side or ‘B’ side, the Dogs mixing players across both teams before working on game scenarios in the fourth term.

Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman both participated in the warm-up but did not partake in the main part of the session.

They completed ball work on the far side of the ground before working on some leading patterns and shots at goal throughout the rest of the session. Neither player has any serious injury concern and are instead being managed ahead of a busy period.

Star midfielder Adam Treloar was also with the rehab group as he deals with a calf niggle. The 31-year-old had a career-best season in 2024 earning All-Australian honours for the first time. Despite the setback, Treloar is a seasoned campaigner who will slot back into the side seamlessly when fit.

Defender Nick Coffield and draftee Josh Dolan are on the comeback trail from injury and were withdrawn from the latter stages of match simulation, instead doing some top up running.

The Bulldogs head to Noosa in early February as they ramp up their preparations towards round one.

They’ll take on Essendon in an unofficial match simulation on February 15 before heading to Tasmania to play Hawthorn in the AAMI Community Series on February 27.