‘Take it personally’: Dogs star’s bullying blitz; Hawk in hot water as duo concussed

Tim English and the blistering Western Bulldogs made a pre-season statement with a dominant 44-point win over fellow contender Hawthorn.

But both clubs are counting the cost of the clash as they approach the season proper with more injury and suspension concerns.

English (23 touches, 29 hit-outs, six marks, two goals) was dominant in the ruck to lead his side’s commanding 18.9 (117) to 11.7 (73) victory at Mission Whitten Oval in Friday night.

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Plenty of the Dogs’ lesser lights shone including thee goals apiece to Jordan Croft and Arthur Jones.

Ryley Sanders (26 disposals) was also enjoying a big night across midfield and halfback before a concussion forced him to exit early after a ball was kicked into his face. It rules out the young gun for next week’s season Opening Clash with back-to-back premier Brisbane.

Hawthorn could also be down a couple of soldiers in Opening Round and leave a midfield already missing Will Day even more undermanned.

Cam Mackenzie also failed a concussion test for a tackle gone wrong on Croft, meaning the emerging Hawks midfielder will miss next Saturday’s season-opening clash with GWS.

Plus Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe will be sweating on MRO results for a dangerous tackle on Ed Richards.

Newcombe had one of Richards’ arms pinged as he drove the Bulldogs jet into the ground, though Richards was able to play on unaffected.

So does Newcombe have anything to worry about?

“My first view is I think he’s OK. The outcome is really important in most of these things,” former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said on Fox Footy.

“He’s tackled him fairly and taken him down with natural force.

“I don’t think it’s an over the top sling or anything like that. I doubt he gets in too many troubles for that.”

Demons great Garry Lyon suggested it “ticks a lot of boxes for a suspension apart from the fact (Richards) got up and played on” .

“I know we ask a lot. But the way it’s described to us is he has to identity he has one arm where he can’t move and he takes him to ground and his head hits the ground,” Lyon said.

“From that point of view, a lot those boxes were ticked.

“But the fact that Ed Richards jumps up and plays on suggests he’ll be OK.”

The 3-2-1 (what we learned) …

3. ‘SUPERB’ ENGLISH MANHANDLES HAWKS

Tim English is ready for a massive 2026.

The star Bulldogs ruckman was his side’s best on Friday night in a dominant performance to suggest he’s going to relish with the new ruck rules and more open style.

Back from State of Origin duties for Western Australia, English accumulated 23 disposals, 29 hit-outs, six marks and two goals

It included a particularly dominant third quarter where he kicked those two goals from eight disposals and seemed to manhandle anyone that went near him.

“That’s his quality, we see his best games are like this. This one’s probably as good as any I’ve seen him play,” former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said on Fox Footy.

“I love when you see a player want to own the game and that’s what he did in that third quarter.

“He said: ‘Whatever you put on me, it’s not good enough. I’m going to take you and I’ll take you where I want to go’.

“He really did control the narrative of his position … and they wouldn’t get near him.”

English’s dominant third term prompted Garry Lyon to throw big challenge to Hawthorn counterpart Lloyd Meek.

“Lloyd Meek, take this personally, man,” Lyon said on commentary after English’s third-quarter goal when he grabbed the ball out of the ruck and snapped truly.

“You’ve got to take this personally now. Tim English is handing it to you at the moment … Lloyd Meek has barely had an impact.

“You’ve got to try and stretch him the other way. Take it personally, see what sort of response you get.”

And no matter who Hawthorn threw at English, with Meek, Mabior Chol and Josh Weddle rotating in the ruck, the Bulldogs beast couldn’t be stopped.

“He’s just feeling it, sometimes in footy you don’t get to feel it like this,” Lyon continued during the third quarter.

“He’s running forward at every opportunity, finding the ball, doing his own clearance work from centre bounce — he’s just looked superb.

“What I’ve loved most is he’s looked at the three Hawthorn ruckmen they’ve tried against him and he’s just said: ‘Nup, good luck going with me’.

“He’s playing like he’s the best player in the comp. Which, he’s clearly not, but that’s the sort of mentality he’s taken. Which I love.”

2. ‘REALLY GOOD STORYLINES EMERGE’ FOR RISING DOGS

While English was the Dogs’ best, there was plenty of other things to like about Luke Beveridge’s side.

Most notably the emergence of several new-age Dogs that look like they’re ready to blossom.

Jordan Croft kicked all three of his goals in the first quarter and a bit, while Arthur Jones added three majors too and was dangerous around goal all night.

“Love Jones, he’s a player I think needs a bit of belief he belongs at the level. I think he can be a really good small forward,” former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said on Fox Footy.

Hinkley pointed out that with Sam Darcy still to return from injury, “the future looks pretty bright for their key forwards.”

Melbourne great Garry Lyon said Croft, who played in the Dogs’ final two games of 2025, is “real talent”.

“They’ve been patient with him and it’s a hard forward line to get yourself involved in, he did late in the year and he burst onto the scene,” Lyon said of the 20-year old.

The emergence of Croft would also help offset the loss of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Elsewhere, Ryley Sanders (26 disposals) was also busy through the midfield and across half back before his night came to a halt in the fourth quarter due to concussion.

And Michael Sellwood, Buku Khamis and recruit Connor Budarick were all rock solid in defence.

Such names going to another level could well be the difference in making the Bulldogs a legit contender in 2026.

“There’s some really good storylines emerging out of this,” Lyon said.

“Sanders has been really good, English is the story. And I think (Jones) is every bit the dangerous small forward clubs crave.

“I know there’s Bulldogs fans out there desperate for one of these boys to step up and play this role, he’s giving every indication tonight.”

1. WATSON WIZARDY ‘TO CREATE ALL SORTS OF HEADACHES’

It wasn’t a great night for Hawthorn overall, but Nick Watson was “the shining light.”

‘The Wizard’ provided his usual highlights including an epic hanger in the third quarter to go with two goals.

He was Hawthorn’s biggest X-factor and sparkplug in a reminder that he only needs a moment or two to put his mark on a game.

“He has been the shining light for the Hawthorn footy club tonight. There’s no ceiling for Nick Watson,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said after Watson’s epic mark.

Now donning the No. 5 — a number previously worn by his coach Sam Mitchell — the 21-year old looks primed for a big 2026.

“He’s going to create all sorts of headaches this year,” Lyon said.

“He’s in ripping nick, he’s in absolutely cherry ripe nick.

“He’s going to fill out that No. 5 guernsey pretty well. There’s been some all-time greats at the Hawthorn footy club wear that number, it seems to me to be in pretty good hands.

“That one seems to be a perfect fit right now.”

The evergreen Jack Gunston also looks ready to back up his career-best 2026 by booting a team-high three goals, with the Hawks veteran and Watson their two most likely types on Friday night.

Former Port Adelaide coach Hinkley was also full of praise for Watson after he launched a long-range goal early in the third term.

“(Watson) is such a small man and he can kick that ball easily 55-60 metres without too many problems at all,” Hinkley said.

“He’s a very, very special player. He’s going to be a player everyone is going to love to watch over the next 10 years, me included.”