Pick No.6 stars in Dogs demolition; Hawks left to sweat after nasty injury scare: The 3-2-1

The Western Bulldogs gave fans at Whitten Oval plenty to smile about in a strong practice match win over Hawthorn on Friday, 16.12 (108) to 12.11 (83).

Pick No.6 Ryley Sanders starred early for the Dogs, while the forward firepower was considerable despite a number of key names absent from the side.

While the Hawks rallied in the second quarter to cut a 40-point margin back to single digits, the Dogs proved far too classy for the rest of the match.

Hawthorn lost the match but will be relieved a potential injury blow to Mabior Chol looks to have been averted, with the recruit returning to the field for the second half after the blow in the second quarter.

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The likes of Adam Treloar, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Cody Weightman, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Alex Keath and Tim English all missed the AFL portion of the practice match.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge didn’t attend the match due to illness and will instead stay home, with Brendon Lade to take charge of the side.

The Dogs made an impressive start, headlined by Ryley Sanders, who on top of winning the first clearance put through a goal from the 50 metre arc on the run.

“That is a glimpse of the talent of Ryley Sanders!”, commentator Ben Waterworth exclaimed in commentary of last year’s pick No.6.

AFLW star Bonnie Toogood agreed, adding: “He is awfully impressive. He’s racked up the disposals in this first quarter, he moves like a natural footballer.”

Tom Liberatore made it five unanswered goals for the Dogs late in the opening term as the lack of experienced personnel for the Hawks looked to have a significant impact on their output.

A goal to James Harmes just before quarter-time made it a 40-point lead.

Undeterred, the Hawks stormed back into the contest, kicking five unanswered goals to force their way into the match.

In a potentially significant blow, Mabior Chol came from the ground cradling his right wrist after a crowded marking contest, sparking fears of yet another injury blow for the Hawks.

“He’s in a lot of discomfort,” Waterworth observed watching on as Chol exited the game.

Despite the setback, the Hawks added another two goals to their tally, making it a nine-point game at half-time.

In good news for the Hawks, Chol returned to start the second half, shaking his right wrist but taking his place on the ground.

While good news, it was largely the only positive for the quarter, with the Dogs kicking seven unanswered goals at one stage to go ahead by 41 points at the final change.

Yet again the Hawks rallied, stringing together multiple majors to at least force a contest, but the Dogs once again proved too strong.

THE 3-2-1

3) SILKY SANDERS PUTS ON A SHOW

It didn’t take long for Ryley Sanders to announce himself as a star of the future.

Last year’s pick No.6 won the opening clearance of the match and later put through a shot on the run from the 50-metre arc, underscoring poise that is beyond his years.

“That is a glimpse of the talent of Ryley Sanders!”, commentator Ben Waterworth exclaimed in commentary of last year’s pick No.6.

AFLW star Bonnie Toogood agreed, adding: “He is awfully impressive. He’s racked up the disposals in this first quarter, he moves like a natural footballer.”

With some big names missing from the starting lineup, Sanders was given plenty of exposure to the engine room, attending an equal team-high 82.8% of centre bounces, level with new vice-captain Tom Liberatore.

Liberatore was brilliant as usual, but the showing from Sanders was magnificent and would give Dogs fans reason to buy into the hype.

Whether he’s there at the start of the season or is made to wait a bit longer, Sanders looks like he’ll be worth the wait.

2) KEY POSITION JUGGLING ACT WORKS IN PRACTICE

Practice makes perfect and Dogs fans would be hoping the promising signs shown by key position players on Friday translates into the season proper.

Fitting all of their tall timbre into one side and getting reward from it was easier said than done in 2023 and it should be noted that talls Tim English and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan were absent from the AFL practice match.

Still, Sam Darcy made his presence felt as he looks to put his injury woes behind him, kicking multiple goals while also holding his own in the ruck, showcasing his versatility and potential when he is free of niggles.

Aaron Naughton was reliable too as an aerial target and also did damage on the scoreboard, while Lachlan McNeil was also a surprise focal point.

Seeing how the likes of English and Ugle-Hagan integrate into the side will be key and the Hawks defence isn’t exactly star-studded at the moment, but the signs were still encouraging.

1) MIXED RESULTS FOR REBUILDING HAWKS

The good news for the Hawks is that Blake Hardwick’s move forward looks to be a winner early days.

Hardwick kicked a couple of goals early and looked to be a force in the attacking 50 to aid Mitch Lewis.

Also good news is that another key position player – Mabior Chol – looks to have avoided injury despite going down in the second quarter with what looked to be a nasty blow to his wrist.

Losing Chol is something the Hawks could ill afford due to their injury-ravaged key position stocks.

The bad news is the Hawks were made to look second-rate at stages of the match, coughing up scores and transition with barely a whimper.

It was not dissimilar to stages of 2023, where the Hawks’ passages of brilliance and scoring prowess were undone by periods of haphazard defence and too much left to too few.

On two occasions on Friday the Hawks erased considerable margins to threaten a comeback, but weren’t able to consolidate.

It’s only early, but those fluctuations could cost them dearly in 2024 if the damage on the scoreboard isn’t brought in.

BULLDOGS SQUAD

7. Rory Lobb, 9. Ryley Sanders, 10. Sam Darcy, 12. Harvey Gallagher, 13. Oskar Baker, 14. Rhylee West, 17. Nick Coffield, 18. James O’Donnell, 19. Liam Jones, 21. Tom Liberatore, 22. James Harmes, 23. Laitham Vandermeer, 24. Buku Khamis, 25. Caleb Poulter, 28. Anthony Scott, 29. Lachlan Bramble, 30. Lachlan McNeil, 32. Arthur Jones, 33. Aaron Naughton, 34. Bailey Williams, 35. Caleb Daniel, 36. Luke Cleary, 39. Jason Johannisen, 43. Ryan Gardner

Notable absentees: Jack Macrae, Adam Treloar, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Cody Weightman, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Alex Keath and Tim English

HAWKS SQUAD

1. Harry Morrison, 2. Mitch Lewis, 3. Jai Newcombe, 4. Jarman Impey, 5. James Worpel, 6. James Sicily, 7. Ned Reeves, 8. Sam Frost, 11. Conor Nash, 14. Jack Scrimshaw, 15. Blake Hardwick, 16. Massimo D’Ambrosio, 17. Lloyd Meek, 18. Mabior Chol, 19. Jack Gunston, 23. Josh Weddle, 25. Josh Ward, 26. Bodie Ryan, 28. Cam Mackenzie, 29. Jai Serong, 30. Sam Butler, 31. Connor Macdonald, 32. Finn Maginness, 33. Jack Ginnivan, 34. Nick Watson, 35. Calsher Dear, 37. Ethan Phillips, 38. Max Ramsden, 41. Josh Bennetts, 44. Henry Hustwaite, 45. Clay Tucker

Notable absentees: Luke Breust, Chad Wingard, Karl Amon, Dylan Moore, Will Day, Changkuoth Jiath, Denver Grainger-Barras, James Blanck, Will McCabe

MATCH FORMAT

4 x 30 minute periods