AFL Grand Final 2021: Western Bulldogs news and previews ahead of the clash with Melbourne
Bulldogs star Tim English is out of contract at the end of 2022 and is unlikely to look at an extension anytime soon. And a recent development might make the club nervous.
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Western Bulldogs star Tim English may have a lure to return to his home in WA with his partner Rudi Ellis poised to sign a two-year deal at West Coast Fever.
Sources have confirmed Queensland Firebird Ellis is on the verge of agreeing a deal to play at the Fever until the end of 2023, just days before her partner plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final.
English is out of contract at the end of next season and is expected to command plenty of interest from both Fremantle and the Eagles, who are a major partner of the Fever.
The Pingelly-raised ruckman has told the Bulldogs he is unlikely to look at an extension before the start of next year.
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The pair has spent the past two seasons living in separate states with Ellis in Adelaide on Saturday at the Bulldogs’ preliminary final victory over Port Adelaide.
Ellis has spent the past two years at the Queensland Firebirds, playing 17 games as a defender in their rotation, with the Sydney-born athlete having previously been a training partner at the Melbourne Vixens and NSW Swifts, winning an Australian Netball League premiership with Victorian Fury in 2019.
It’s understood the 191cm goalkeeper had strong interest from the Vixens and Collingwood but was swayed to join the Fever after being impressed by a conversation with new coach Dan Ryan.
Should 41 Bulldogs get a medal if they win?
Western Bulldogs wingman Lachie Hunter believes any player who has taken part in a game in a premiership season should share in the spoils with a premiership medallion.
Amid debate about whether the league should change its policy, Hunter said the Dogs’ squad-based mentality had been a huge part of their success in 2021.
Josh Bruce played 20 games before tearing his ACL, with the Dogs players Zooming him from the change rooms after their three finals wins so far this month.
Hunter told the Herald Sun a change in policy would allow all players to be rewarded even if they missed the actual premiership match.
“Brucey is the clear example of someone who has had a massive say in where we finished the year so if I had a choice anyone who had played a game would get a medal,” he said.
“I think if you played a game in that season you contributed to the year. We have had 41 players play this year and that’s the most in the competition so definitely if you have played at some point you have contributed.”
Bruce said this week the AFL should change its policy, with the Dogs set to have at least one hardluck story at selection next week.
With Alex Keath set to be passed fit, Ryan Gardner or Zaine Cordy will miss out, and Cody Weightman’s return from concussion will force a player like Laitham Vandermeer out of the forward line.
The viral video giving Bevo headaches
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was “disappointed” footage that went viral of his team’s preliminary final celebrations was made public.
But the premiership winner was adamant the changeroom disco was more than worthy to recognise a “significant memory on our timeline” after his players advanced to the grand final.
The footy world reacted positively to video of the players enjoying their thrashing of Port Adelaide last weekend, dancing and singing in a room at Adelaide Oval, some with beers in hand.
Seen this video? Amazing! This incredible group â¤ï¸ðŸ¤ðŸ’™ pic.twitter.com/cXsG7spbmT
— Craig â¤ï¸ðŸ¤ðŸ’™ (@CraigPtyLtd) September 11, 2021
Beveridge said his players, having traversed the country with finals wins in Launceston, Brisbane and then Adelaide to get to the decider, were due a celebration.
He said the leadership at the club was mature enough to recognise how important it was.
“I feel like, led by Marcus (Bontempelli), multiple lieutenants and players displaying leadership in our club, we are in a mature-enough place to be able to do these sorts of things,” Beveridge said on Thursday.
“There’s a lot at stake for everyone, absolutely. But it’s fairly easy to condone that that’s going to be OK, let’s have a mid-strength beer I might add, it’s OK to do that and celebrate together.
“One or two beers after the game is not going to affect things too much.
“It’s where we’ve got to, not that we haven’t done it in the past, and it is an important part of our environment and make-up and an aspect of what we do that means our players enjoy playing for our footy club.”
A staff member from the Bulldogs was responsible for the video, shot on a phone, being released.
Beveridge said it hadn’t caused any “undue problems”, but he wouldn’t want it to happen again.
“I’m not upset, but we’re disappointed,” he said.
“Phones shouldn’t be used to record our player in the dressing room and definitely shouldn’t be sent to anyone. Has it caused any untold problems? No.
“I’m OK with people knowing that when we achieve a little milestone, when we create a significant memory on our timeline, that we celebrate it. The game can’t be too clinical, we’ve got make sure we enjoy the times together and that helps you for your next challenge.”
The Bulldogs remain in quarantine in Perth, only able to exit their hotel for training. They will be released on Sunday, ahead of the grand final showdown with Melbourne.
GF prep: Dogs not sold on ‘fair dinkum’ scratch match
The grand final-bound Western Bulldogs won’t make a call until at least Thursday night on whether match simulation is part of their major Saturday training session.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin revealed after their Friday night demolition of Geelong that the Demons would schedule a scratch match on the weekend off.
But Bulldogs head of football Chris Grant told the Herald Sun his club was yet to make a decision, outside of them planning a “pretty heavy” training session.
They have played knockout finals the past three weeks, whereas the Demons had a weekend off in between the qualifying and preliminary finals.
The Dogs are in quarantine until Sunday morning and can leave their hotel for training purposes only until then, but Melbourne is already out.
Grant said a “fair dinkum match” was not part of the plans at this stage but there could be some match simulation.
“What that Saturday session ends up looking like probably won’t be decided upon until Thursday night or even Friday,” he said.
“It’s known it will be a pretty solid session, but it hasn’t been confirmed whether there will be any match sim involved.
“It’s helpful having the full group here, and Melbourne do as well. That does give you the opportunity if you want to, but we won’t decide until Thursday.”
The Bulldogs announced on Tuesday that Cody Weightman (concussion) would be available for the grand final, while Grant expects both Alex Keath and Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring tightness) to be fit as well.
Keath missed the preliminary final with that issue, while Vandermeer was subbed out of the Port Adelaide win but it’s since been diagnosed more as a corked buttocks with referred “hamstring fatigue”.
Keath’s return means one of Zaine Cordy or Ryan Gardner may miss out, with Jason Johannisen, Roarke Smith and Vandermeer also under the pump with Weightman coming back.
“Training form is always important and how they’re feeling physically after a game – those sorts of things do come into calculation,” Grant said.
“But ultimately game performance is a real driving factor in selection and it’s going to be hard.
“Melbourne will have their own difficulties with a fit squad and we’re the same, so it’s going to be a very difficult selection process at both clubs next week.”
Grant will present the premiership cup if the Bulldogs win, an honour he described as the greatest in his time in the game.
“This is the pinnacle for me, because it’s not an individual award,” he said.
“Yes, it’s an individual occasion as far as presenting the cup, but it’s representing your whole club, your current team, your colours and representing the people who follow your club.
“It’s such a special opportunity, so I’m really going to relish it, if I get the opportunity, of course.”
Injury and eggs cannot stop Dog’s crazy ride to grand final
After a major shoulder injury and then a two-week home quarantine period after needing his favourite eggs from his local cafe, it’s been nothing short of an “interesting” season for Western Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley.
But the 24-year-old feels like he’s finally getting back to his best footy after multiple spells on the sideline, and he’s doing it all alongside his best mate.
Dunkley underwent shoulder surgery in April after injuring himself twice in the Bulldogs’ win over the GWS Giants in round six, and was unsure whether he’d have a big role to play in the remainder of his team’s season.
But a strong recovery period allowed the star midfielder to return to action, before a trip to a local cafe set him back a further two weeks.
“For me, it’s been an interesting ride,” Dunkley said.
“I did my shoulder, came back in pretty quick time, 12 weeks or 11 and a half weeks, which I don’t know if it’s been done before.
“I felt really good in that Gold Coast game, then I copped the two weeks’ quarantine at home.
“I really feel like I’m starting to hit my straps again and play some good footy.”
Had Dunkley got his wish, he wouldn’t have been in Bulldogs colours at the start of the season, having requested a trade away from Whitten Oval to Essendon at the end of 2020.
But staying at the club has not only allowed him the opportunity to win his second premiership in five years, it’s given him a chance to win the big dance with best mate Adam Treloar.
“It’s always interesting when you look back,” Dunkley said. “I haven’t really thought about it too much, to be honest.
“Ever since it didn’t happen, I think I’ve just looked forward and tried to do as best as I can for the team. To be able to come back into the group and be embraced by everyone from day one of pre-season has been really important.”
Dunkley is revelling in the chance to play the biggest game of his life with Treloar, who came under fire as a result of a poor performance in the Bulldogs’ semi-final against the Brisbane Lions.
But he roared back to his best against Port Adelaide, having told Dunkley he knew he needed to be better.
“It’s always hard being in the spotlight,” Dunkley said.
“To have the microscope on your team specifically, there’s always going to be things that come up and as players, you know Adsy knew that.
“He’s a very mature player, he’s been in this situation before. He said to me straight away post-game that he’s going to put his head down and work really hard to get back to where he wants to be.
“He did do that; the proof was in the pudding and he went out there on Saturday night and played well for us.”
Dunkley could be one of nine players from the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership team set to chase more flag glory in this year’s historic decider in Perth.
“We‘ve just got to put our heads down and work really hard — the job’s not done yet,” Dunkley said.
“We‘ve got to train really well, get together and enjoy the moment a little bit and when it comes to game day, we’ll work really hard together and hopefully we get that (premiership).”
‘Cheat code’: Is there a Demon who can stop Dogs’ mullet king?
Charlie Sutton told his players to “shop early and avoid the rush” on Grand Final day in 1954.
On Saturday night Luke Beveridge’s ball hunters went on the most lavish spending spree in club history.
Port Adelaide had to foot the bill and suffer the loss.
It will go on Afterpay for some players, who ponder their poor performance for some time.
The Dogs led contested ball by 23 at quarter-time in what Champion Data declared an all-time record.
That bodes for a brutal Grand Final against pit bulls Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw and Jack Viney.
Saturday night was the spirit of 54 blended with tactical brilliance from Beveridge that unpicked Port Adelaide.
Josh Schache’s disarming job on All-Australian Aliir Aliir summed up the influence from the box.
It was a masterstroke move which served as payday for many months spent investing in the shy whipping boy when those Whitten Oval assumed he was on the scrap heap.
Schache sprung back to life in Round 19 as a defender and his preliminary final performance was a pleasant surprise similar to Tom Boyd stepping up in the ruck against Shane Mumford in 2016.
Boy, did Boyd go on with it in the big one.
Last week six former Port Adelaide players invited cashed-up fans to join their charter flight to Perth for the big one.
Alipate Carlisle declared: “WE ARE GONNA MAKE IT!” on his Instagram post.
It was seen by the Bulldogs, who are approaching the finish line of an us-against-the-world mission that is like 2016 on steroids.
The AFL signed them up to what sounds like The Amazing Race: Quarantine Special.
But there are no TV cameras and the reality is elite athletes deserve to be treated with greater respect.
“The Bulldogs have had to endure something that no team should ever endure again in an AFL finals series,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
But they have finally caught a break. This week’s bye means the Demons will enter the September 25 Grand Final having played just one game for the calendar month.
Results for clubs presented that finals schedule — playing one game in three weeks — provide evidence that it is a hindrance, whereas the Bulldogs should be both fresh and battle hardened.
Last week Beveridge personally guaranteed Cody Weightman (concussion) he would be selected for the Grand Final should the Dogs progress and Alex Keath (hamstring) is also on track to return.
Keath has only really been beaten twice this season – by his left and right hamstrings.
The Dogs downed Melbourne in Round 19 largely without their defensive rock, with Keath lasting just 13 minutes.
Much like Liam Ryan, Weightman is a worry in the air and on the grass.
The Dogs would’ve preferred Kysaiah Pickett at pick 15 (2019) but as it panned out the decision was a win-win.
Pickett’s 31 pressure points pips Weightman’s 25 but it was the bubbly Bulldog who brought panic to the Bombers before booting four goals in the elimination final.
It has been cheerleading Cody for the past six quarters – only the pompoms have been missing as he boisterously barracked from a corporate box at Adelaide Oval and the interchange bench at the Gabba.
Taylor Duryea had the pleasure of closely observing Cyril Rioli’s greatness as dual premiership teammates at Hawthorn.
Next up for Duryea is a duel with Pickett, who is already delivering moments of magic much like Cyril.
Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring) and Zaine Cordy loom as the unlucky outs.
Vandermeer, 22, has now suffered five hamstring injuries since he was drafted in 2018 and that wretched run will almost certainly see the speedster ruled out.
Cordy clamped Charlie Dixon for 123 minutes but that role had been reserved for Keath and Ryan Gardner is understood to be on sturdy selection ground.
Gardner – nicknamed ‘Plugger’ at Geelong after kicking six goals in a VFL game – ran 14.3km plugging holes in the preliminary final and Beveridge banks on his attention to detail.
A contested mark in front of Dixon in the first quarter and a fingernail touch on the goal line in the third quarter were two examples of Gardner getting it done.
If Cordy misses selection there will be eight Bulldogs pushing to become the club’s first batch of dual premiership players.
But as hearts go out to Nathan Jones, Melbourne’s overlooked ex-captain, Marcus Bontempelli’s vice is set for the same selection pain.
Mitch Wallis was a regular for nine seasons and topped last year’s goalkicking after being tipped out of the midfield.
But after Round 2 the Dogs decided their forward line would function best with 207cm target Tim English taking over as the third banana.
Wallis also watched on in 2016 after snapping his leg in Round 18 and he is likely to leave the club as a free agent next month.
James Jordon will be Melbourne’s substitute for the fourth consecutive game while, in order of likelihood, Anthony Scott, Ed Richards and Wallis are in Bulldogs’ frame.
Scott’s skills across each line suit a substitute and he was selected on Saturday.
The AFL will strike a premiership medallion for the medical substitute, which will be presented even if they don’t enter the match.
Jason Johannisen started both the home-and-away season and the finals series as an emergency.
But when Weightman went down in the semi-final it was JJ who came on and found some of his old spark.
Johannisen made his name as an outside rocket launcher who burst from the backline.
This time he is contributing by cracking in.
Johannisen took two contested marks against Port Adelaide having entered with none for the season.
You have to rewind to Round 4, 2013 for Johannisen’s last pair of contested grabs.
He scrapped and clawed in the frantic finish at the Gabba and latched on to several ground balls in the preliminary final.
You can rule out the 2016 Norm Smith Medallist starting as the substitute.
If you want an All-Australian jacket just ask Beveridge to move your magnet to halfback.
It was Matthew Boyd in 2016, Caleb Daniel in 2020 and now Bailey Dale in 2021.
Three premium reinventions even the late Steve Jobs would’ve tipped his hat at.
Daniel and Dale’s delightful delivery is what this defence is known for.
The chutzpah they carry borders on what most would regard as insanity.
But they go bullseye, much like Dale’s All-Australian understudy in Christian Salem.
Interestingly, Tom Liberatore saddled up next to Salem in Round 19.
James Harmes tamed Libba earlier in the season, which created a tagging trend.
But Harmes is now hamming it up as a wing slash half-forward and has declared he will remain there for the Grand Final.
That should set up the most explosive match-up – Libba versus Jack Viney.
Viney is the cleanskin former captain whereas Libba is the game’s most loveable larrikin.
But on the field there is a lot of overlap.
They are the sons of guns who could win clearances blindfolded. Soul and spirit are two words attached to both.
They will pounce at the feet of Max Gawn and Stefan Martin, two warriors who will pretend they are enemies as they stare each other in the eye at the opening bounce.
Really, they are mates. They spent three years at Melbourne together as Martin the 104kg monster helped Gawn grow into a giant.
“Stef is purely one of the strongest players I’ve ever played,” Gawn once told the Herald Sun.
“He’s an amazingly strong person and you get caught anywhere on a bad angle with him and he’ll just put you on your ass.”
The outside threat of Bailey Smith has been established. Easton Wood joked that Smith’s running power was so strong it was like he had activated cheat codes in a video game.
And that is why Smith has seven goals from his past two finals … nobody can keep up with him.
Beveridge has barked back at the Adam Treloar trolls and anyone dissing Josh Dunkley should also expect a spray.
Dogs bosses have wondered whether anyone was watching in week one.
Just as Treloar’s 18 disposals in the second half of the elimination final were seemingly missed, so too was Dunkley’s job on Darcy Parish.
Parish was on world record pace at halftime — he had 23 disposals and the most in a final before this year was Dane Swan (43 in 2011).
He had 12 in the second half as the Bulldogs began to beat up the Bombers in the rain.
DP3 (Parish) was slam dunked. Could stopping CP5 (Christian Petracca) be Dunkley’s next quest?
Treloar was terrific against Port Adelaide. He looked every bit of a $900,000 midfielder, making him a salary cap steal after Collingwood’s $300,000 contribution.
Treloar’s 13 score involvements in a final came close to snagging the club record.
Farren Ray (15 in 2006 elimination final) tops the chart and Treloar joined Dunkley (13 in 2016 preliminary final) in second.
The Dunkley-Treloar bromance seems to grow on the road and the besties now share a slice of history.
But it’s not the one they want. The Grand Final is still two weeks away, on the same date (September 25) as 1954.
Which team will shop early?
Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2021: Western Bulldogs news and previews ahead of the clash with Melbourne
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