AFL pre-season 2024: Key takeaways, highlights from Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

A young Bulldog locked himself in for a round 1 debut as the Bulldogs went on second-half blitz down in Launceston – but there was still reason for Hawks fans to get excited.

Fifteen goals to three in the second half tells the story about the different directions the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn are heading on the eve of the new season.

After a trainwreck last year, the Dogs certainly looked to have their mojo back with the second half blitz reminding the rest of the competition how dangerous they can be when on song.

Naturally, the impressive display does come with a grain of salt given how badly undermanned the Hawks were, particularly in defence, and the longer the game went, the more inexperienced and helpless they looked.

Remarkably, the Hawks led at half-time in Launceston by 17-points after a four-goal to nil second quarter.

Ryley Sanders had 30 disposals on Saturday night. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge has a few good selection dilemmas on his hand ahead of Round 1 but one which has been taken out of his hands concerns first-round draft pick Ryley Sanders who is now a lock.

The 19-year-old enjoyed playing just 500m from where he grew up, collecting 30 possessions in a display which should have his Rising Star odds wound in.

“Hometown hero turned it on,” was teammate Tom Liberatore’s assessment. “He’s great and he’s only going to go on from here.”

LAND OF GIANTS

Before the game, Beveridge raised the million dollar question himself – how are the Dogs going to fit all the talls?

They elected to play young gun Sam Darcy in the VFL back in Melbourne where he impressed kicking 4.3 goals, which meant Rory Lobb got the opportunity to consolidate his position alongside Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

We’re not sure the picture will be any clearer for Beveridge after his Tasmanian adventure given Lobb didn’t offer too much as back-up to No.1 ruckman Tim English. The former Docker kicked a goal in junk time late in the game and only had eight touches.

What is obvious is that the Dogs hierarchy needs to get the signature of Ugle-Hagan as quickly as possible.

The former No.1 draft pick is out of contract at the end of the year and he was extremely dangerous all night, kicking 4.2 goals from 15 possessions which included seven marks.

Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan celebrate a Bulldogs goal. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Image

His chemistry with Naughton is a thing of beauty with the headband wearing full-forward also kicking 4.2 goals from 13 touches.

At the other end of the ground, Beveridge would have been happy with the performance of Buku Khamis as a support act for Liam Jones.

He spent the night pitted against Hawks recruit Mabior Chol as the preferred second tall with Alex Keath in the reserves and injury niggles for Ryan Gardner and James O’Donnell.

BRING THE POPCORN

No matter what happens in what is expected to be another development season for the Hawks, their fans are going to enjoy the Ginni and Wizard Show.

Collingwood premiership player Jack Ginnivan and first-round draft pick Nick Watson showed they will be a dynamic force in Sam Mitchell’s mosquito fleet forward half.

The pair ignited the Hawks in the second quarter with Ginnivan kicking two goals and Watson zipping around all over the place.

There are many similarities; both work hard up and down the ground, they have a canny knack of finding space and are also as good as each other on the lip.

And to add to the obvious bonding, Watson appeared after half-time wearing long-sleeves which is Ginnivan’s trademark.

Jack Ginnivan booted two goals against the Bulldogs. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images

His new forward line sidekick Nick Watson showed why he’ll be a handful for opposition defenders. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images

LOCK THE KID IN

Any SuperCoaches wavering about Sanders’ price ($184.4k), those concerns were quickly put to bed with the long-sock wearing No.6 draft pick a certainty to be in every fantasy team after his first official hit-out as a Bulldog.

The Dogs actually have a few worthy fantasy options with ex-Saint Nick Coffield ($123.9k) a bargain price who looked the part across half-back with 14 touches, which included 13 kicks, while former Demon James Harmes certainly played his role in the midfield with his night including 17 possessions, five tackles and a goal.

For those who may have been scared off by Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli’s price tag ($724.6k), think again as he was brilliant with 32 possessions, eight tackles and a goal.

Hawthorn ball magnet Jai Newcombe ($549.2k) showed he once again deserves some SuperCoach love with a game-high 37 possessions.

Originally published as AFL pre-season 2024: Key takeaways, highlights from Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs