He’ll play for sure. We mauled them in the ruck & all Beveridge’s hoo haa about him not being ready is just that, designed to keep us guessing.
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I’m aware of that.
Referring to Francis. Just love him. Only 50 games this week after how many years? 5? …he’s had a rough run with family tragedy and injuries. He’s still young. He’ll be amazing.
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So annoying how everyone is flogging the dogs in the media and talking us up.
I’ve seen how this plays out 1000 times over the past 20 years
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I hope the club has banned all media snot from the players for the week
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All the pressure is on them hopefully they crumble on Sunday
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At least we got to round 24 
Edit: Let’s see if Round 25 is on the menu - we’ll know if we’ve brought it early in the 1st. Can always tell with us!
Edit Edit: ■■■■ off Essington, nobody likes you.
I hate being bi-polar, it’s awesome!
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Yeah but that’s always the case in the situations of the past that I am referring to
It’s a running joke that needs to be put to an end.
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If we win I’ll be over at big footy giving it to every kent
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I would send ridley to weightman teach the young buck a lesson
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Snelling to beat Daniel again
We need to tag Bont. he’s been out of form and I prefer to keep him that way the last thing we want is him tearing us a new one to stick it up kents
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Francis to keath try and free up 2mp
Too many variables to get overly stressed about. Weather, form, selection and how the Dogs, who have played 3 finals series since ’16 without a win, attack the game?
One thing that stands out is Trucks calm demeanour. Not sure whether it’s because Essendon have exceeded expectations but the level of calm shown by players is reassuring too.
At the end of the day, I’d like to believe gains made this year will hold to team in good stead for 2022 and beyond. It would be nice to reflect on 2021 as a watershed moment in the clubs storied history.
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Dogs weighing up ‘big risk’ for elimination final
Will Luke Beveridge recall an underdone Stef Martin for Sunday’s elimination final?
By AAP - 4 hrs ago
Josh Schache and Stef Martin at Bulldogs training on June 16, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
STEFAN Martin is no guarantee to fill the Western Bulldogs’ ruck hole, with coach Luke Beveridge declaring it would be a “big risk” to play the underdone veteran in Sunday’s elimination final against Essendon.
The Bulldogs were belted in the ruck department during their two-point loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night, a defeat that ultimately cost them a crucial top-four spot.
Tim English was used as a key forward, with Beveridge instead trusting Lewis Young to go up against Power goliath Scott Lycett.
Martin was Brisbane’s No.1 ruckman for eight seasons before his move to the Whitten Oval during last year’s trade period.
The 34-year-old was important for the Bulldogs early in the year but has not played due to injury since round 12.
Stef Martin after the win over Fremantle in round 12, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
Beveridge reiterated his point after the loss to Port that Martin was not a player the Bulldogs could depend on in their premiership tilt.
“What do you think happens if we put a player out there who can’t run the game out,” Beveridge said on Tuesday.
"The pressure that he puts on his teammates, the probability that we can’t get to the line as a group - that’s the biggest consideration.
"It’s not whether Stef can turn up to stoppages and get his hands on the ball, it’s whether he can play four quarters and it’s whether he can operate in the turnover game.
"He hasn’t played much footy, he’s had one full session and one practice match, which was eight and 12-minute periods - it’s not a great preparation going into a final.
"I think everyone’s got to understand what the situation is. If we pick Stefan we’re taking a big risk, I’m not saying we won’t, there’s a chance we might.
“If we feel that Stef hasn’t done the yards and won’t be able to get there for the full four quarters, then most likely he won’t be in the team.”
Beveridge said the Bulldogs had quickly moved past the disappointment of blowing a double chance in the finals after three straight defeats to end the season.
They were in the top-four since round two but a late behind from Brisbane’s Lincoln McCarthy against West Coast on Saturday saw the Lions jump into fourth, putting the Bulldogs in a sudden-death final in Launceston.
“The body of work, the 15 wins, there’s a stable platform there we know that can help us from here on in,” Beveridge said.
“There’s a great opportunity for us to win our first final for a while and that’s where we turned our minds really quickly.”
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Yeah, I’d entertain the option of Ridley going to the deepest forward, whether that’s Weightman or Bont/Dunkley when they rest forward. Then Stewart to English, Lav to Naughton, Hind to Johannisen and Redman/Cutler/Heppell to Hannan/Garcia/Scott.
Keath would take Wright, Cordy to Francis, Wood to Waterman.
Sounds angry… where’s your Confucius now, Bevo?
Cut from the same cloth as Malthouse… self-important c@ckhead.
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I take your point but I’d argue that Walla has far more upside than Cutler, Guelfi, Clarke, etc.
Those players have also had the benefit of cashing in on bottom 3 sides the past couple of weeks, so I think some context is useful re how well they’re actually going. But yes, whoever makes way will be stiff to miss out (just as Cox is, along with a few others).
Are you just playing devil’s advocate, or are you genuinely hoping for zero changes this week?
Which ruckman are the Dogs going to feed to Big Sam this week??
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