The Western Bulldogs have clinched an 11-point win over Hawthorn in Tasmania, in an enthralling final pre-season hit out for the two top eight hopefuls.
Watch Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs in the 2025 AAMI Community Series Live & ad-break free during play, exclusive to FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs looked the better team for the vast majority of the night, however inaccurate kicking early meant they couldn’t put the game away when they first had the chance — eventually winning 11.11 (77) to the Hawks’ 9.12 (66).
Superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli exited Thursday night’s pre-season clash early due to injury. Eleven minutes into the first quarter at UTAS Stadium. The 29-year-old succumbed to calf tightness, with the Dogs taking no chances with their elite ball-winner. Medium-sized forward Laitham Vandermeer also exited prematurely with a concussion, and is also now a watch for their Round 1 match against North Melbourne in 16 days time.
“You said that the way he even walked around the boundary and came off, he didn’t look overly concerned, so it would’ve been one of those ‘just felt a little bit tight, just want to make sure (I’m) right for Round 1’,” three-time premiership player Cameron Mooney told Fox Footy boundary side at UTAS Stadium.
As Bontempelli walked past Mooney not long after, he quipped, “Yeah, I’ll be alright”.
Small forward Lachie McNeil kicked four goals for the evening in Launceston, with three of them coming inside the first 10 minutes of the opening term. Emerging star Sam Darcy excelled much later in the game, with him and sidekick Aaron Naughton finishing with three majors each.
Connor Macdonald and Nick Watson were both flashy in the second half of the hit out, and were the Hawks’ two players to kick multiple goals.
THE 3-2-1… (with Jack Jovanovski)
3. MORE DOGS INJURY WORRIES AS SUPERSTAR EXITS EARLY… BUT HE’LL ‘BE ALRIGHT’
Western Bulldogs superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli exited Thursday night’s clash early due to injury.
Just 11 minutes into the first quarter at UTAS Stadium, Bontempelli succumbed to calf tightness, with the Dogs taking no chances with their elite ball-winner.
Fox Footy boundary-rider Cameron Mooney was first on the scene in Launceston.
“The news has come through that there’s just a little bit of calf tightness,” Mooney told the broadcast as hearts sat in the mouths of the Dogs’ faithful.
“I don’t think they’re too worried about it, but we won’t be seeing Marcus Bontempelli for the rest of the game.
“Obviously, they want to make sure it’s OK for Round 1, but apparently from all reports they’re not overly concerned — but there is something there just to make sure that he won’t be seen again today.”
If even a relatively serious injury, it would add to a horror Dogs toll, with Adam Treloar and Ed Richards already sidelined with calf issues and Liam Jones (hamstring), Jason Johannisen (hamstring) and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal) also absent on the eve of the season proper.
“(It’s the) third calf — even if small — it’s the third one with Treloar, Richards and now Bontempelli; the starting midfield for the Western Bulldogs,” Dogs legend Brad Johnson lamented.
AFL legend Jason Dunstall said: “I think players are getting better, though, at seeing the signs of when something might be potentially wrong and heading off before they actually strain it.”
Mooney continued: “You said that the way he even walked around the boundary and came off, he didn’t look overly concerned, so it would’ve been one of those ‘just felt a little bit tight, just want to make sure (I’m) right for Round 1’.”
As Bontempelli walked past Mooney back to the Dogs’ interchange he quipped, “Yeah, I’ll be alright”.
The Bulldogs don’t play their Round 1 clash for another 16 days, when they will meet North Melbourne on March 15.
By half-time, a second Bulldog was ruled out of the match, with the club deeming Laitham Vandermeer would take no further part due to a concussion suffered in the second quarter.
2. ‘A LOCK’: RD 1 LOOMS FOR MATURE-AGER WHO ‘HAD THE BALL ON A STRING’
Mature-age recruit Sam Davidson was the big positive story for the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night, and a Round 1 AFL debut seems a formality.
The 23-year-old, who the Bulldogs picked No.51 in last November’s national draft after starring for Richmond’s reserves, was a frequent presence on the flanks against the Hawks.
He finished with 29 disposals, an equal game-high eight inside-50s, 617 metres gained, six score involvements and a goal.
“Gee, he looks good early, Davidson, doesn’t he? He’s done a number of things. Six possessions already. Kicked to the advantage of his teammate,” AFL legend Jason Dunstall noted early on Fox Footy.
Davidson gathered 10 disposals and 206 metres gained in the first quarter. Dunstall later called Davidson the “best midfielder on the ground” at that point, alongside a busy Tom Liberatore, who finished the night with a game-high 31 disposals of his own.
Halfway through the second quarter, Davidson added to his impressive outing by snagging a checkside goal.
“Sam Davidson is having an afternoon!” Fox Footy caller Dwayne Russell exclaimed.
Dunstall added: “There’s nothing better than seeing young players take their opportunity when they present themselves — he’s sitting here putting his hand up saying ‘Round 1, I’m ready to go. If you’ve got queries over anyone else, there’s no queries over my form’.
“He’s now the number one possession-getter on the ground with 18 possessions, and (now) he’s added a goal.”
Johnson spoke of the value Davidson brought while playing a key position on the ground.
“The wing spot is so important, and you need someone who’s got that endurance ability who can find the ball but is clean also,” he said.
“That’s what he does so well, and he did that well at VFL level, (he had a) big rise last year. (He’s got a) big opportunity, and he’s making it work so far.”
By only half-time, the 190-centimetre utility had a game-high 23 disposals to his name, as well as 452 metres gained and his earlier goal.
“He had the ball on a string,” Dunstall said at the main change. “23 possessions in the first half and a goal — that’s just saying: ‘you have to play me in Round 1’.
“He has looked relaxed; he hasn’t looked rushed or anything like that.
“He’s handled the ball cleanly, which, often when you get those first opportunities, you’re a little bit fumbly because you’re trying to spend it before you get it. But he’s been very composed.”
Johnson added: “That’s a lock (for Round 1), right there. If you looked up ‘lock’ in the dictionary, you’d see Davidson’s face there at the moment. He’s been outstanding, and it’s a credit (to him).”
With the Bulldogs five points ahead in the game’s waning moments, Davidson’s 29th touch was an important one; edging his opponent under the contest before gathering and delivering accurately to Sam Darcy, who assisted Aaron Naughton’s game-sealing major.
Davidson kicked 26 goals at VFL level last year, winning the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition’s best young talent.
And given the bevy of first-choice personnel that will likely be missing from the Dogs’ season-opening side, it’s hard to see a scenario where Davidson isn’t afforded an AFL debut against the Kangaroos.
1. ‘OUTSTANDING’ RECRUIT UNVEILED AS SCARY DUO IS BORN
It didn’t take long for marquee acquisition Tom Barrass to provide Hawthorn supporters a tantalising glimpse of what he is set to bring in 2025.
The former West Coast intercepting star finished with 11 disposals, six marks and six intercept possessions.
The 29-year-old began his evening with a superb contested mark deep in the Hawks’ defensive goalsquare, out-jostling both Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton.
Asserting himself from the very start, Barrass took his second contested intercept grab just a couple of minutes later, again up against Naughton.
Barrass made it three after working the smaller Lachie McNeil out of his way. His one-on-one nous was on full show from the get-go, and as we’ve become accustomed to, his composure was notable.
“Outstanding,” Russell said of Barrass’ efforts.
Johnson added: “That’s three (intercept grabs). Hawks supporters will be very, very happy.”
Fellow off-season recruit Josh Battle, alongside Battle formed a star-studded back-half tandem, got his first taste in Hawthorn colours against Geelong last week and followed up with another impressive outing on Thursday evening.
The ex-Saint was the busier ball-getter of the key-defending pair, rounding off his night with 27 disposals, six marks and 11 intercept possessions.
Re-live our coverage of Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs in our blog below!
HAWTHORN SQUAD
B: Tom Barrass, Sam Frost, Finn Maginness
HB: Jack Scrimshaw, Josh Battle, Karl Amon
C: Cam Mackenzie, Jai Newcombe, James Sicily
HF: Connor Macdonald, Conor Nash, Mabior Chol
F: Harry Morrison, Dylan Moore, Jack Ginnivan
R: Lloyd Meek, Will Day, Josh Ward
INT: Bailey Macdonald, James Worpel, Will McCabe, Josh Weddle, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Jack Gunston, Nick Watson, Max Ramsden
EMG: Seamus Mitchell, Jai Serong, Henry Hustwaite, Ned Reeves
BULLDOGS SQUAD
B: J.O’Donnell, R.Lobb, L.Cleary
HB: J.Freijah, L.Bramble, H.Gallagher
C: B.Williams, T.Liberatore, J.Croft
HF: J.Dolan, A.Naughton, M.Kennedy
F: L.Vandermeer, S.Darcy, R.Garcia
FOLL: T.English, R.Sanders, M.Bontempelli
INT: T.Duryea, L.McNeil, R.Gardner, S.Davidson, A.Jones, C.Poulter, J.Harmes, B.Khamis
EMG: C.Hynes, L.Kennedy, J.Busslinger, O.Baker
Discussion about this post