Dogs eager for forward support

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has identified a pair of players in particular who he believes can help elevate his team in 2022.

For last season’s runners-up to again contend this campaign, a lot will depend on the form of explosive key forward Aaron Naughton.

Beveridge is acutely aware that Naughton will be doing everything he can to impact every possible contest around him, but who will be there to help out?

The 2016 premiership coach believes midfielder Josh Dunkley, who will spend some time forward, is only “scratching the surface” in what he can do for the side.

“Our taller mids will spend some periods forward,” he said on SEN Breakfast. “Obviously Marcus [Bontempelli] can compete in the air.

“‘Dunks’ is only really scratching the surface with his capabilities, but he’s really important to us in that midfield area.

“So we’ve got to strike a balance.”

Another player whose form will allow the Dogs to have a say this season is Mitch Hannan.

The former Demon was below his best in a recent narrow pre-season loss to Brisbane, but Beveridge is holding hope that he can deliver after a fairly promising debut season with his second club.

“Mitch Hannan is one of those,” Beveridge said. “He didn’t have his best game the other night, but he’s a very capable ground and air player.

“He can play like a key forward. He’s one who’s got some experience now. He’s lightning quick and by and large he’s a good finisher.

“So we’re hoping that Mitch can take his game to the next level.”

The attacking options don’t end there.

Top draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is eagerly waiting in the wings and will provide a viable alternative down the track while ruckman Tim English can also be of assistance.

“This is the reason why Jamarra is emerging and the next aspect for him is to be totally ready to run four quarters of an AFL game and compete more often than not,” Beveridge said.

“He’s got a huge appetite for it, it’s just being in the right spots at the right times. So hopefully as the season evolves, Jamarra can come to the fore and play some important minutes down there.

“We want Tim to play in the ruck, but Tim will be forward here and there as well.”

Beveridge said he was “not necessarily” satisfied with his side’s pre-season performances against Essendon and the Lions, but feels things will soon click after a shorter pre-season than usual.

“We’ll get there and we’ll be pretty healthy, but we won’t have established the chemistry we would have liked,” he said.

“But I don’t think anyone will have anyway so we’re not any different to any other team.

“I’m feeling like we’re in a pretty good position, that we’re ok. We’re not as healthy as we have been in other years from an injury point of view.

“I’m really content with the amount of opportunities we’re creating for ourselves. We had over 130 forward 50 entries on our behalf in the two games.

“There’s some quality that was lacking and hopefully that chemistry can emerge pretty quickly as we start the season proper.”

 

– BY ANDREW SLEVISON/ SEN