Ryley Sanders stars as Pick N Mix Western Bulldogs swarm new-look Hawthorn midfield, forward line
A potential draft steal has emerged as the shining light from an injury-ravaged pre-season at Hawthorn and is poised to be part of the club’s first-choice midfield come round 1.
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It took less than 10 seconds of Ryley Sanders’ first match simulation against an opposition team to not only put the last down payment on a round 1 slot against Melbourne, but to also have him on the AFL Rising Star watchlist.
But Western Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade – who oversaw the 25-point win over Hawthorn at Whitten Oval on Friday – is confident the club’s pick six in last year’s draft has the composure, power and work ethic to handle the hype.
Sanders worked in tandem with new vice-captain Tom Liberatore, wrenching the first clearance out of the middle from the outset and slotting through one of his team’s six first-term goals.
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His coach Luke Beveridge was watching the game from home – due to sickness – but his mood would have been brightened by the Bulldogs’ overall performance, as well as Sanders’ contribution.
Asked if Sanders could handle the hype, Lade said: “He will be fine, he’s a pretty level-headed kid who takes everything in his stride.”
“The good thing about Ryley is that he works really hard on his game and if he continues to do that, the results will come.
“At the moment, he is playing really well, but it is through the guys around him – Libba really helped him today, Darce (Sam Darcy) and Caleb (Daniel) really helped him.
Just days after Kangaroos George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher shone in a clash with Collingwood, Sanders stamped his own claim with his poise standing out in the game.
Eagles’ No. 1 pick Harley Reid is the current $3 favourite with TAB for the Rising Star, while Wardlaw ($5.50) and McKercher ($7) are also high up in the betting. Sanders is $6 third favourite.
DOGS GIVE THEIR PUPS A CHANCE
Imagine being a VFL player lining up against a midfield consisting of Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman and Tim English?
That was the lot some of the Box Hill Hawks mids had to deal with at the Whitten Oval on Friday, as the Bulldogs used the main match simulation clash with the Hawks to give their young players and some new faces greater exposure.
Sanders was one of the main beneficiaries, as was third-year big man Sam Darcy, who was impressive in the ruck while kicking three goals after getting through a strong pre-season.
Former Demon James Harmes also had plenty of midfield time as he pressed to try and win selection to take on his old side Melbourne in round 1.
“(It was) just the opportunity (for players) to play long periods in one position (against good opposition),” Lade said of the decision to play some key players in the VFL clash.
“If Bont and Ads (Treloar) had played in the midfield, then potentially those young guys don’t get the opportunity to do it, so it is good to see them get a good chunk of time in the midfield to see what they can do.”
“He (Sanders) definitely showed some impressive signs, which is good, but it wasn’t only him. Harvey Gallagher had an opportunity to play in the midfield … Sam Darcy, Luke Cleary, also Lachie McNeil down forward (with four goals). It was good to see some of the young guys get an opportunity to show what they can do.”
HARDWICK’S FORWARD THINKING
More than a few eyebrows were raised when it was revealed Sam Mitchell intended to turn rock-solid defender Blake Hardwick into a forward this season, particularly with the recruitment of Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson.
But on the early evidence, it might yet prove a winner for the Hawks, judging by the three goals he kicked in the match simulation against the Bulldogs.
Hardwick played most of the game in attack before going down back later in the contest when James Sicily had a spell in the final term.
“He brings real leadership, but also versatility,” Hawks assistant coach Kade Simpson said. “He played forward for the first three quarters, and then helped out down.
“He is really good in a contest, he will make defenders quite nervous. He has had a great summer up forward, so we would like to keep him there if we can.”
The Hawks hadn’t kicked a goal in the first 35 minutes of the game, but it was Hardwick who helped to change the flow.
He gifted a handball to Mitch Lewis to end a run of six straight goals to the Dogs and then fronted up with the next two himself, after taking two strong forward half marks.
Jack Ginnivan kicked two goals in his first semi-serious game for the Hawks, including a trademark run around snap.
Mabior Chol threw a scare into the Hawks camp when he left the ground in the second term clutching his shoulder, but thankfully returned to the contest in the second half.
He played out the game, as Mitch Lewis was rested late in the game, and while he didn’t score a major he made a contest and was solid in the air.
DARCY OR LOBB?
By their own confession, the Bulldogs were too top heavy in the early stages of last season, which could make for an interesting Sam Darcy v Rory Lobb narrative throughout 2024.
Tim English is the All-Australian ruckman, and Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will be the two key forwards capable of causing plenty of headaches for opposition defences.
But if there is room for another tall/back-up ruck option, who gets the nod?
Is it the veteran Rory Lobb whose spot in the senior side was vulnerable at stages of 2023, or is it the slow-maturing but impressive youngster Sam Darcy?
The Bulldogs may ultimately have to make a choice between the two, depending on injuries and form, with Darcy being the most impressive in Friday’s hitout with the Hawks, though Lobb was still a solid contributor.
Darcy led the ruck brigade against Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek and also managed to sneak forward on a few occasions, finishing with three goals.
“We tried four or five (talls) last year and it didn’t work too well early,” Lade said.
“Reeves is a good tap ruckman for ‘Darc’ to be able to compete with him. He kicked three goals as well … It was good for him to push forward and do that.
“He has had a great preseason and hopefully it keeps transferring over to games.”
Key defender James O’Donnell rolled his ankle early in the game and was sent for scans, but the Bulldogs were confident it was not serious.
REGARDING HENRY
Hawthorn’s defensive stocks may have taken a hit in recent weeks with key injuries, but the midfield mix looks decidedly strong, even with best and fairest Will Day certain to miss the round 1 clash with Essendon next month.
Henry Hustwaite continues to put his hand up for inclusion against the Bombers off the back of two late season games last year and an impressive preseason campaign.
He kicked two goals and made an impact in the middle alongside the likes of Jai Newcombe and James Worpel on Friday, while Cam Mackenzie also performed well.
“Hustwaite and Mackenzie have been awesome all preseason, and now to see them do it against good opposition (is exciting),” Kade Simpson said.
“They have carried on what they have been doing all summer. (Hustwaite) is just really hungry and eager to learn … (he is) not afraid to match it with the big guys.
“All summer he has been going up against Jai Newcombe and ‘Worps’ (Worpel) and ‘Nashy’ (Conor Nash), so now stepping out against guys like Libba is not too much of a stretch.”
Simpson said he was impressed with Massimo D’Ambrosio’s efforts in the back half, gave a tick to new SSP selection Ethan Phillips - who played a mix of AFL and VFL time - and noted Jack Scrimshaw’s capacity to play various roles in defence the team needs him to.
The Hawks were out scored six goals to nil in the opening term but Simpson was happy with the way they were able to work their way back into the contest after quarter-time.
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