Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda: JLT Review

Scores: St Kilda 14.9.93 defeated Western Bulldogs 12.7.79

That’s it! I said it on the podcast and I’m writing it here, the Bulldogs stink!

Everyone’s second-favourite fell to St Kilda in Ballarat in a scrappy contest on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints are pushing a slower moving, precision based game plan for 2019 and there are some clear beneficiaries…sadly those beneficiaries are confusing and tempting me. Billings, Roberton and Steele all look like value picks and it hurts my soul.

The Dog’s have 76 midfield-forward hybrids and some really good pure midfielders…pick the non-confusing ones like Macrae and Libba.

Notable absentees

St Kilda: Jake Carlisle, Jack Steven, Dan Hannebery, Blake Acres, Max King, Billy Longer

Western Bulldogs: Liam Picken, Lin Jong, Roarke Smith

Injuries:

Paddy McCartin (head knock)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Jack Macrae – MID – $689,700

He was physically in Ballarat but I’m not sure his mind was. Just rolling the legs over today but still got his 29 disposals and 14 contested possessions. An absolute lock.

Marcus Bontempelli – MID – $564,600

Took on the Saints in second gear and still looked like he had time and space with ball in hand. He’s going to have another good year but I think you can get better value in a Jack Steele/Angus Brayshaw/Crouch brother.

Lachie Hunter – MID – $555,500

Did exactly what you expect from him, got 23 possessions and 7 marks but you’re not going to pick him over any of the other Doggies are you? Fantastic mid-round draft option.

Josh Dunkley – FWD/MID – $516,800

This is the game I want to see from Dunkley. Had no issues finding the ball and tackled his butt off! My concern with the Doggies in 2019 is the sheer amount of midfielders they have and the limited amount of midfield minutes there are to go around. Will this be the Dunkley we see every week or will he swap around with McLean in the forwardline? Had 29 disposals, 13 contested possessions and 8 tackles. Really tempting me.

Toby McLean – FWD – $514,000

See above; played mostly midfield but found himself as a forward target a number of times. Seemed to be rotating with Dunkley and Wallis…not sure I can trust the people’s champion to be a consistent scorer. Just 18 disposals and 15 by hand…will have games where he scores 120.

Mitch Wallis – MID/FWD – $498,800

Yet another bloody Bulldog’s midfielder. Wallis was good today and got his fair share of the ball with 26 touches. He’s a cheap forward option who will average around 95-100 but he’ll give you plenty of 80’s along the journey. It’s a no from me.

Hayden Crozier – DEF – $428,900

Plays a nice role for the Dog’s and showed some dash today with 17 kicks alone but let’s not forget JJ has to come back into that defensive unit in the first few rounds. Better value in defence than Crozier.

Tom ‘Greasy’ Liberatore – MID – $300,400

Hasn’t put a foot wrong this preseason and has the best tattoo in AFL. Managed 21 disposals from 70% game time. He is the definition of value but what is your reason for picking him? Is it to flip him for a fallen premo later on? Is it to keep him? I’m so confused.

Bailey Smith – MID – $180,300

Managed to get 12 possessions in just 46% game time which is a reasonable return. Played outside of the contest but couldn’t hit the side of a barn…if he’s named round 1 he’s an option but not my first choice.

Lachlan Young – DEF – $120,400

Played about six seconds of the match, not going to play early…potential downgrade option.

Will Hayes – MID – $117,300

Played some midfield minutes but spent a lot of the match on the pine. The kid can tackle and that’s pretty good for Supercoach…cheap enough to slap on the bench if named round 1. Once again, not my first choice, but beggars can’t be choosers!

ST KILDA

Jack Steele – MID – $512,600

Will be the main man in the Saints midfield this year. Think he’s a really good pick who will outscore his price point. I want him but can’t drop a Cripps/Neale/Gonigliog to him. 25 disposals and ten tackles!

Jack Billings – FWD – $437,600

Pros – Played really well on the wing today, was used as an outlet for switching at times and got a hell of a lot of marks. Patch has him in is team. Patch was good at Supercoach last year. He is cheap. Has had a good JLT series. Had a good end to 2018. Had 25 touches and 9 marks today.

Cons – Patch has him in his team. He is Jack Billings.

Jade Gresham – FWD – $429,600

He’s a very talented forward for the Saints but I don’t think this is the year it translates to consistent Supercoach scoring. Played as a key forward option at times today and got a couple goals for his hard work…not the St Kilda forward I’d be looking at.

Jack Newnes – MID – $356,100

Didn’t this guy break out in defence one year? Today he was on fire in the midfield! Unfortunately he’s a midpriced midfielder without a history of high scores. Nope.

Rowan Marshall – FWD – $341,100

I’m not a Saints man but boy I hope they put Longer out to pasture because this kid has something. I mean sure he was playing against the Bulldog’s “ruckmen” all day but he really showed a more complete game than I’ve seen him play before. If you knew you’d get today’s performance from him every week, 18 possessions and 37 hitouts, you’d consider him as a POD. Draft gold.

Dylan Roberton – DEF – $297,500

Started the match on fire but finished it looking like a burnman…I’m so confused…please read my thoughts below.

Man I really don’t want to pick him but he’s done everything we need him to…HE’S EVERYWHERE IN THE FIRST TERM!

Second term – mhmm, yep, still dominating, time to open Supercoach.

Third term – Alright, he’s in my side…wait where’d he go?

Fourth term – KICK IT TO HIM YA DOGS!

Now – Out of my team again…WHAT DO YOU DO ROBERTON!?!?!?

Had 24 disposals and 7 marks. Has keeper potential as much as he has burnman potential…think I need to restructure my defence…again.

Nick Hind – MID – $117,300

He played today, I’m not sure he’ll play in the Saints next game. Wasn’t good but wasn’t bad…we have better midfield rookies to select from.

Matthew Parker – FWD – $117,300

Took an awesome mark to start the match. Found the ball at high half forward a few times and was pumping it into the attacking 50. Should play Round 1, slap him on your bench because I don’t think we’ll have many other options.

Callum Wilkie – DEF – $124,900

Wasn’t on the ground very much and probably hasn’t done enough to lock in a round 1 selection. Could be a good downgrade option at some stage in 2019.

Darragh Joyce – DEF – $123,900

Showed some courage going with the flight a couple of times, kid will likely become a very serviceable defender. Unfortunately he’s a key defender and I don’t like selecting those…Carlisle and Brown are out for the Saints so he could play round 1…are you picking him? 12 touches and 8 marks today.