AFL pre-season news: Luke Beveridge put the pressure on his midfield group, Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn trial game
The Western Bulldogs aren’t lacking for inside midfielders and coach Luke Beveridge has told them they can’t all play in their preferred position.
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Western Bulldogs’ coach Luke Beveridge has warned his superstar midfielders will be in danger of losing their spots if they cannot play multiple positions this season.
The Dogs face a considerable challenge squeezing star ballwinners Adam Treloar, Josh Dunkley, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith, Tom Liberatore and Lachie Hunter into the same packed engine room.
Dunkley failed in his attempt to move to Essendon last year and could renew his trade request if he is not content at season’s end.
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While Beveridge said the arrival of Stef Martin gives him some “peace of mind” they will be more competitive in the ruck this year, versatility will be key for his swath of onballers.
And with up-and-comers Laitham Vandermeer, Lachlan McNeil and Anthony Scott making a quick impression, Beveridge said selection each week will be tight.
“They are going to need to adapt, because they cannot all play inside mid,” Beveridge said.
“Some of them are going to have to play a little bit on the wing, and a little bit forward and maybe even half back at times if we are going to fit them in the team.
“And some of them might miss out from week to week.”
Beveridge said the arrival of Martin would allow the Bulldogs to change tactics.
“I won’t beat around the bush with the ruck situation, it has been disconcerting from a coaching point of view,” he told former captain Bob Murphy in a club interview.
“Our strategy has really revolved around the fact that we are going to get beaten in hit-outs and at the source and we have managed to stem the tide and get some momentum with numbers and different personnel.
“Now Stef hopefully gives us peace of mind in there.”
The Dogs want to play a tall forward line around English, Aaron Naughton and former St Kilda goal kicker Josh Bruce.
But Beveridge said the club may have to change tack if it doesn’t function well enough and leaves the team exposed on the rebound.
The Dogs took exciting goal kicker Jamarra Ugle-Hagan with the coveted No. 1 draft choice but Beveridge said the precocious teen has to improve his fitness before they will blood him in the senior side.
“His challenge as a key forward type is going to be when he is conditioned to play at the level,” he said.
Meanwhile, Beveridge said the AFL would lose players from the game if clubs are forced to play out of interstate hubs again.
Some players were forced to spend three months away from their families due to the COVID-19 crisis last year, increasing the mental strain on the game’s stars.
Beveridge said some players would rather sit the season out than go through the hub experience for a second-straight season in 2021.
“If it were to happen again, I think a lot more people would start to walk away (from the game) and branch off,” Beveridge said.
“As much as we are passionate about this (game) and it is our livelihood as well, family, friends and how long you have got on this earth is important too.
“I think it might break the camel’s back if we had to go through it again.”
Which Dogs, Hawks impressed in trial?
The AFL’s new man on the mark rule has passed its first test with flying colours with the first practice match of the pre-season delivering 44 scoring shots.
Despite widespread cynicism, there was not a single 50m penalty paid for moving on the mark or any significant confusion as Hawthorn pipped Western Bulldogs by 15 points at Whitten Oval on Wednesday.
Without some of the Hawks’ biggest names, onballer James Worpel and forward Luke Breust starred as wingman Connor Downie firmed for a Round 1 debut in the 15.7 (97) to 12.10 (82) win.
KEEP SCROLLING FOR DOGS-HAWKS PLAYER REVIEWS
Importantly, there were many occasions on Wednesday where both teams were able to bypass the man on the mark and move the ball quickly on with a short pass to a teammate on the inside.
The only 50m penalty came when young Dog Ewan McPherson encroached on the protected area from the far side as Marcus Bontempelli stood motionless on the mark, resulting in a late James Cousins goal.
It was feared there would be a spate of early 50m penalties throughout the pre-season, creating farcical scenes, but the adjustment was seamless on Wednesday as AFL football boss Steve Hocking watched on.
It is a confidence-boosting tick for the league which introduced the rule without any trials in the state leagues in a desperate bid to make the game more free-flowing and increase scoring.
Teams only averaged 76 points a game last season (increased to normalised playing time) amid significant concerns congestion was suffocating the game and turning off fans.
But the man on the mark is now anchored to one spot until the umpire calls play on, giving the player in possession more scope to attack the game through the corridor.
Hawthorn assistant coach Chris Newman said the new rule had the desired effect in its first proper hitout.
“You can see it promotes more free-flowing football, because what it does is it opens up an avenue or a lane to be able to execute your kicks,” Newman said.
“So if the AFL are after a faster brand of footy, then you could see a little bit of that today.
“It is really hard to get a grasp on how it exactly will impact the competition, but the biggest thing is shaking the habit of being on the mark and being able to move both ways.
“Once you are in that position to stand you are basically a sitting duck so that’s the other thing is trying to explore ways you can defend as well as exploiting that rule.”
This video from an Essendon training session showcases the new man on the mark rule.
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) February 23, 2021
It's caused outrage but AFL operations boss Steve Hocking says it’s on the players: https://t.co/7bbFtV4FaH
(🎥: @NotRodd) pic.twitter.com/7D5ZybX7zE
There was strong criticism of the rule on Tuesday after Essendon forward Kyle Langford was shown conceding a 50m penalty when he took two steps to the right in an intra-club game.
Port Adelaide great and commentator Kane Cornes said “It is unbelievable how bad this rule is. It is absolutely horrible viewing”.
But the league is confident hundreds of club visits and umpire consultations will ensure the players and whistleblowers are up to speed for the season-opener on March 18.
Bulldogs assistant coach Rohan Smith said it would be tricky for the umpires but ultimately positive for the game.
“We have been practising that rule a little bit and it is hard for the umpires too,” Smith said.
“Are they keeping their eye on the ball — the guy with the ball? Or the man on the mark, which is really hard.
“I’m a defensive coach, so I don’t really want to see that many scoring shots but it was good for the game.”
Smith said the players on the mark had to fight their natural instincts to move and cut down angles for the person in possession.
“They are certainly getting used to standing still, which is probably ingrained in their nature,” Smith said.
“The first thing (you want to do) is to move on the mark, so standing still it is going to take a little bit of time, but the boys are getting used to it.”
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MATCH?
The young Hawks overcame a slow start to run over the top of the Bulldogs in an impressive start to the pre-season for the brown and gold.
Ultimately, Luke Breust and James Worpel were the two who dragged the Hawks back into the contest, but Alastair Clarkson would be happy with the signs from his youngsters including Oliver Hanrahan (three goals), midfielder James Cousins and first-year wingman Connor Downie.
Mitch Lewis nailed two majors and Tim O’Brien took some strong grabs in the absence of Jon Patton (personal).
It was a flat finish from the Dogs who had a stronger side on paper even without Jack Macrae and Aaron Naughton.
Tim English was excellent as a key forward, showing his mobility to reel in some high and low-down marks. Stef Martin competed hard in the ruck.
Marcus Bontempelli was one of the Dogs’ best but again struggled with his set shot kicking, missing one straightforward attempt from 20m out in front.
Caleb Daniel excelled in the back half.
Selection puzzle
First-year Hawk Connor Downie could step straight into a wing position following the departures of Tom Scully and Isaac Smith.
Downie had a big impact in the second term and showed he already has one of the most penetrating kicks on the team.
An exciting prospect who already has the physical strength to hold his own.
Former Crow Kyle Hartigan will also start at full back and was among the best players on Wednesday.
Changkuoth Jiath was busy rebounding from half back and is set for an early guernsey.
The Dogs have a healthy list at the moment but first-year forward-midfielder Lachie McNeil had some eye-catching moments and isn’t out of the running, while Anthony Scott is vying for a vacant list spot.
Adam Treloar (calf) and Jack Macrae (personal) sat out on Wednesday but are expected to be fit for Round 1.
In their absence Josh Dunkley was prominent in the engine room after his failed Essendon trade request, while Bailey Smith got going after a slow start. Naughton (corkie) should play next week.
Ones to watch
Ben McEvoy
Will return to the No. 1 ruck role after spending the year in a key defensive spot. As captain, that’s where the Hawks believe McEvoy can have the greatest impact, especially with Hartigan helping bolster the defence. Jon Ceglar had an average 2020 season and will float between ruck-forward. Hawks need to find another ruckman in the trade period or draft.
Tom Phillips
The former Collingwood wingman rolled up his sleeves in an onball role to help the fight in the engine room without Tom Mitchell. The busy Phillips certainly showcased his running power and looks set to win plenty of the ball in his hybrid role, after falling out of favour with the Magpies. Expect him to play 20 games.
Tim English
The Dogs are going for a big forward line in 2021. English was really encouraging on Wednesday snagging two goals playing predominantly forward. Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce will join him in the forward set-up for Round 1 meaning the Dogs will have plenty of tall marking options. Bruce took a strong contested mark but was in and out of the game.
Sidelined
Hawks
Chad Wingard (calf), Jack Gunston (back) and Tom Mitchell (shoulder) are all in doubt for Round 1. James Sicily (knee) will return later in the year as he recovers from a knee reconstruction.
Dogs
Aaron Naughton (corked leg) sat out as a precaution, while Adam Treloar (calf) is confident he will play in Round 1. Jack Macrae (personal) was absent on Wednesday. Toby Mclean (knee) and Easton Wood (hamstring) also missed. No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan played in the reserves game in a sign he is not in the best 22 at this stage.
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