A few players might be sore , but assuming everyone comes up as seems to be the clubs position the players it seems to me under pressure to keep their spots this week are Fantasia Cottrell Kemp and O Hollands. Possible ins (assuming Martin comes back via the 2s as he should) Binns, Carroll. Cunningham, S Durdin, Hewett, Lord, Marchbank, Motlop, Pittonet, Wilson & Young. .I can't see anyone else. Hewett I think has to come back. Of the other possible ins I would say no to Durdin and Marchbank on their performances in the 2s both this week and overall, likewise Motlop though he was much better this week. Lord and Wilson impressive but want to see more of them. I think Wilson not ready for firsts yet and Lord I just need to see more of. Not a lot of hurt factor I suspect but a goer and works hard defensively which would help in the firsts. Not quick though. Binns and Carroll I don't think are much of an upgrade, good seconds players and deserve a look at at some stage, not this week for mine. Pittonet I don't think against the dogs despite their height they don't have the crash and bash ruckman. That leaves Cuningham and Young, both of whom have traits we need but issues that worry me. Both were good against the Giants after being ordinary previously. Both have shown they have the talent but not produced consistently. But this week I would take the chance on both. Cunners body holds up and he is an upgrade on most of our smalls. Maybe as sub if concerned about his ability to run out a full game. I think we need a second tall defender and we simply haven't been playing one. It bit us badly against the Giants when Weiters was hampered and Kemp outsized as you would expect. Perhaps should have tried McGovern or Weiters (despite the corkie) on Hogan but really showed up the risk of going into a game with only 1 genuine key defender. Problem is of course lack of a quality second option. Marchbank more of a third tall again and looking a mile off it at the moment, Durdin has been a good seconds player but not looking in particularly good form at the minute and Young unrecognizable from his 2022 self, but did have a much better game this week. I say seize the moment and give him a shot. He also is a relief option in the ruck if we don't want to have Harry out of the forward line too long. Not expecting much but I would throw him the chance and say there's a spot for you if you perform. So if Hewett Cuningham and Young are the 3 ins, who of the 4 possible outs keeps his spot. That is a tough one. Hollands was busiest but too often ineffective. Fantasia ineffective again and has really only the one good performance. Cottrell was poor but first up after a long break probably should have come back via the 2s, Question is having had the run do you back him to step up or do you send him back to the 2s to get miles in the legs. Kemp slaughtered but shouldn't have been asked to stand Hogan, so I give him a Mulligan and he is the one who survives - besides which we probably need the extra height especially for the doggies so even though the changes aren't like for like I think that is actually a good thing.
Without looking at the Bulldogs lineup to contemplate specific matchups something like:
Newman McGovern Young
Saad Weitering Kemp
Acres Cripps E Hollands
Cincotta McKay Williams
Kennedy Curnow Owies
TDK Hewett Walsh
Boyd Cerra Cowan Fogarty Cuningham
If Weiters injury bad enough to rest him I'd bring in Durdin (been in better form than Marchbank and more genuine key position) and let him and Young compete for the 2nd KD spot. If both fall flat the incentive is there for Marchbank or we just live with the single KD structure for want of anyone putting their hand up.
Without looking at the Bulldogs lineup to contemplate specific matchups something like:
Newman McGovern Young
Saad Weitering Kemp
Acres Cripps E Hollands
Cincotta McKay Williams
Kennedy Curnow Owies
TDK Hewett Walsh
Boyd Cerra Cowan Fogarty Cuningham
If Weiters injury bad enough to rest him I'd bring in Durdin (been in better form than Marchbank and more genuine key position) and let him and Young compete for the 2nd KD spot. If both fall flat the incentive is there for Marchbank or we just live with the single KD structure for want of anyone putting their hand up.