Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English preparing for Round 1 clash with All-Australian Brodie Grundy
Western Bulldog Tim English will have an opportunity to stamp himself as the AFL’s future premier big man in Round 1 when he goes toe-to-toe with All-Australian Brodie Grundy.
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Beanpole Bulldogs ruckman Tim English is capable of challenging the game’s best big men Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn in the not-too-distant future, according to his teammate Sam Lloyd.
English, 22, is set to take on Grundy in the Round 1 clash with Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on March 20, with Lloyd saying the 205cm Bulldog has been one of the standout performers of the pre-season, along with skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
“He went all right, didn’t he?” Lloyd said of English’s standout performance in Sunday’s intraclub at Whitten Oval.
“He had had one of the best preseasons you would ever see. He is flying at the moment.”
Asked if English had the capabilities to measure up to Grundy and Gawn in the coming seasons, Lloyd said: “Personally, I think without a doubt.”
“If you look at him throughout this pre-season and the glimpses of last year, and with (yesterday’s) game, he has a really bright future.
“He is tall, he is quick … it’s a pretty high ceiling for him.”
English was a strong performer in Sunday’s scratch match, having missed last week’s Marsh Community Series clash with North Melbourne.
Tom Liberatore (knee) didn’t play, but did some training without contact earlier.
Easton Wood (hamstring) was left out, while Ed Richards (concussion) could not be considered after his incident with North Melbourne’s Marley Williams.
The Bulldogs have announced Lloyd has been locked away on a one-year contract extension which ties him to the club until the end of the 2021 season.
It’s a reward for the soon-to-be 30-year-old after he won the Bulldogs goalkicking award in his first year at the club, with 38 goals from his 23 games.
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“It’s something I have been working through with the manager and the club for a little while now,” the former Tiger said. “It’s really nice.”
Lloyd said his shift to the Whitten Oval last year reignited his passion for the game.
“I guess I am probably not as frustrated as I was in the last couple of years (at Richmond),” he said. “To come out and play every game last year and to get another full pre-season, I’m really excited and enjoying my footy down here.”
He said he was excited to work alongside Josh Bruce, who kicked a few goals in the intraclub, and said the squeeze for positions will be on ahead of the Round 1 clash.
Bulldogs general manager of list and recruiting Sam Power said Lloyd deserved his extension after proving a valuable player on and off the field last year.
“Sam has been a great fit for our Club and enjoyed an outstanding first season,” Power said.
“He had a significant on-field impact, playing every game and consistently hitting the scoreboard to be our leading goal-kicker in 2019.
“As an experienced player in a developing group, Sam’s leadership and ability to help guide his younger teammates has also been important.”
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Originally published as Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English preparing for Round 1 clash with All-Australian Brodie Grundy
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