important player has seriousThe Western Bulldogs gave fans at Whitten Oval plenty to smile about in a strong practice match win over Hawthorn on Friday, 16.12 (108) to 12.11 (83). Pick No.6 Ryley Sanders starred early for the Dogs, while the forward firepower was considerable despite a number of key names absent from the side. While the Hawks rallied in the second quarter to cut a 40-point margin back to single digits,
the Dogs proved far too classy for the rest of the match. Hawthorn lost the match but will be relieved a potential injury blow to Mabior Chol looks to have been averted, with the recruit returning to the field for the second half after the blow in the second quarter.
iAdam Treloar, Cody Weightman, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Alex Keath, Tim English, and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan were among those who did not attend the AFL part of the practice match.
Dogs coach Luke Beveridge will stay at home and let Brendon Lade lead the team in place of Beveridge, who missed the game due to sickness.
Ryley Sanders led the Dogs to an outstanding start, gaining the opening clearing and scoring a goal from the 50-meter line while on the move.
Commentator Ben Waterworth praised last year’s sixth-round selection Ryley Sanders, saying, “That is a glimpse of his talent!”
The AFLW’s Bonnie Toogood concurred, saying, “He is incredibly impressive.” He has amassed a lot of disposals in the first quarter and has good footwork.
Late in the first period, Tom Liberatore gave the Dogs five goals in a row, and it appeared that the Hawks’ inexperience would have a big effect on how much they produced.
James Harmes’ goal shortly before the half gave them a 40-point advantage.
The Hawks scored two more goals in spite of the loss, bringing the score to nine points at the break.
Chol returned to the field to begin the second half, which was fantastic news for the Hawks. He shook his right wrist but took his spot on the ground.
Although encouraging, it was about the only bright spot for the quarter as the Dogs led by 41 points at the end of regulation after hitting seven straight goals at one point.
The Hawks attempted to force a battle by stringing together multiple majors, but the Dogs were once again too powerful.
Ryley Sanders quickly established himself as a rising talent in the making.
The sixth choice from the previous season secured the first clearing of the game and then shown maturity beyond his years with a shot on the run from the 50-meter line.
In his analysis of the sixth-round selection from the previous year, pundit Ben Waterworth cried, “That is a glimpse of the talent of Ryley Sanders!”
The AFLW’s Bonnie Toogood concurred, saying, “He is incredibly impressive.” In this first quarter, he has amassed a lot of disposals and moves like a natural football player.
Due to the absence of a few prominent players from the starting lineup, Sanders received plenty of opportunity to interact with the engine room. He attended a team-high 82.8% of center bounces, matching new vice captain Tom
1. Mitch Lewis, 2. Harry Morrison 3. Jarman Impey, 4. Jai Newcombe, 5. James Worpel 6. James Sicilian 7. Ned Reeves, 8. Sam Frost 11. Conor Nash 14. Jack Scrimshaw 15. Massimo D’Ambrosio, 16. Blake Hardwick 17. Lloyd Meek 18. Mabior Chol 19. Jack Gunston 23. Josh Weddle, 25. Josh Ward Bodie Ryan, 26 28. Cam Mackenzie, 29. Connor Macdonald, 30. Sam Butler, 31. Jai Serong, 32. Finn Maginness, 34. Nick Watson, 33. Jack Ginnivan, 35. Calsher, Please 37. Ethan Phillips 38. Josh Bennetts, 41. Max Ramsden Henry Hustwaite (44), Clay Tucker (45),
Luke Breust, Chad Wingard, Dylan Moore, Karl Amon, Will Day, Changkuoth Jiath, Denver Grainger-Barras, James Blanck, and Will McCabe are among the notable absences.
