It’s Thursday night and JLT Community Series footy is back. Join us live on The Roar from 7:40pm AEDT tonight as the Western Bulldogs take on the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
It’s the second game for both clubs, and they’ll both be looking for their first win. But only one will succeed.
As we all know, the Bulldogs climbed the AFL mountain last season, breaking a 62-year premiership drought.
But the time for resting on their laurels is over. To defend their title, they have massive expectations to overcome. Teams will be prepared for them. The hunters will now be the hunted.
The Bulldogs went down in their first JLT game, six points behind Melbourne. Club captain Bob Murphy, after injury forced him out of last year’s finals, made his return to footy in that game. But he won’t be playing tonight.
But new signing Travis Cloke will line up tonight, hoping to make a positive impression with his new club. Also returning to the forward line will be Stuart Crameri, after being sidelined last year with a ban from his time at Essendon.
The Bulldogs will give draft picks Tim English, Patrick Lipinski and Lewis Young a run tonight, giving them a chance to press their claims for senior selection.
And there’ll be no shortage of premiership stars, with the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Boyd and Easton Wood to take to the field.
It’s a road trip for the Brisbane Lions, and they’ll be looking to bounce back after a 24-point loss to Gold Coast in their first JLT game.
The Lions had a tough season last year, winning just three games and only avoiding the wooden spoon by a small percentage margin.
New coach Chris Fagan has plenty of work to do to turn the club’s fortunes around, and that work starts tonight.
Dayne Beams, in his third season at the Lions, has been appointed captain, and he’ll be leading from the front. Former skipper Tom Rockliff will also take his place in the team tonight.
The Lions will be looking to their draftees to make an immediate impact. Hugh McCluggage and Jacob Allison will be playing tonight – McCluggage in particular has high hopes around him after being taken at pick No.3.
Jack Frost joined the Lions from Collingwood, and will be running round in the backline tonight. And Jake Barrett, after just one game at GWS Giants in three years, will be pushing for selection at his new club.
And plenty of regular senior players will have a run tonight, including Dayne Zorko, Darcy Gardiner and Sam Mayes.
With the return of premiership stars and the home ground advantage, it’s hard to see any other result but a comfortable Bulldogs win.
For the Bulldogs, a win will get the momentum up and running for the title defence. But the Lions will want to put up a competitive performance, and give their supporters some hope for the season to come.
Join us live from 7:40pm AEDT tonight as the Bulldogs and Lions battle it out, getting a big weekend of footy under way.
Post your thoughts, observation and cyber-barracking in the comments section below, as we look forward to another game which will play an important role in preparations for the season to come.
Tom
Roar Rookie
So who cancels out Mitch Wallis, Matthew Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus, Lachie Hunter, Tom Campbell, Fletcher Roberts, Tom Liberatore, Jordan Roughead, Shane Biggs, Tory Dickson, Caleb Daniel and Jason Johanissen?
Joshua
Guest
Well...
mds1970
Roar Guru
So a morale-boosting win for the Lions. Sure there were no points on the line, but confirmation for the Queensland side that they're heading in the right direction Two losses in two JLT games for the Bulldogs isn't ideal. But they haven't got anywhere near their best side on the park yet this pre-season; and once the real stuff starts it's a whole new ball game. Hope you've enjoyed our coverage on The Roar tonight. There's plenty of footy to come this weekend, with five more JLT games and a full round of AFLW - and they'll all be blogged live here on The Roar. I'll be out at Blacktown tomorrow for the big double-header, as GWS Giants take on Melbourne in AFLW and the Swans in the JLT Series. Should be a big night of footy;although the forecast suggests it could be a wet one. Have a great weekend, and good luck for your team.
Don Freo
Guest
Bont and Murphy...yeah. But Marco Paparone didn't play so that cancels out Cloke. Equal quality.
mds1970
Roar Guru
My votes for tonight: 3. Dayne Zorko (Bris) 2. Josh Dunkley (WBul) 1. Dayne Beams (Bris)
mds1970
Roar Guru
Dayne Zorko picked up 34 touches, in an easily best-on-ground performance for the Lions. Harris Andrews and Dayne Beams each got 24, with Rohan Bewick and Tom Cutler picking up 23 apiece. Josh Dunkley was the Bulldogs' top possession-winner with 22 touches. Liam Picken and Toby McLean each got 21.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The Lions are a rebuilding side, and still a long way from where they would want to be. But they made up plenty of ground tonight with that good fighting effort. For the Bulldogs, the news for Roarke Smith doesn't look good. He's already done an ACL once, and may have done it again. Bulldog players who weren't playing tonight, and Smith's parents, have been to visit him in the rooms. We won't know tonight, but that's bad news. No other serious injuries tonight for either team.
mds1970
Roar Guru
In the overall scheme of things, an 8-point win in a trial game may not mean much. But in terms of confidence, self-belief and hope for the season ahead; this is an enormous result for the Lions. Backing themselves, throwing themselves into every contest, taking the fight up to the defending champions. Sure there were weaknesses, and some sloppy defending saw the Bulldogs get some goals they shouldn't. But when the margin got within a kick during that tense final quarter, the Lions were able to find the goal that gave them some breathing space and then hang on with some resolute defence to hold the Bulldogs out. The Bulldogs still have some quality players to come back in. The likes of Bob Murphy, Marcus Bontempelli and Travis Cloke didn't play tonight. They wouldn't be too worried; other than young Roarke Smith. His injury doesn't look good, and he didn't return from the rooms. An 8-point win for the Lions. Definately an upset, but well earned.
mds1970
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE Brisbane Lions 10.6 (66) def Western Bulldogs 1.6.13 (58)
mds1970
Roar Guru
Siren! Lions win by 8 points.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Lions get the ball forward. Bulldogs clear, but time is running out.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Into the last minute. Ball on centre wing. Bulldogs need a 9-pointer to win. And here's a chance to set one up, as Zorko is penalised for deliberately taking the ball out.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Lions under the pump,holding on for dear life. Playing possession football, with 1:30 left on the clock.
mds1970
Roar Guru
20 minutes final quarter Brisbane Lions 10.6 (66) Western Bulldogs 1.6.13 (58) Quick snap on the run by McLean, more in hope than expectation; and it's another Bulldog behind. Margin back to 8 points.
mds1970
Roar Guru
19 minutes final quarter Brisbane Lions 10.6 (66) Western Bulldogs 1.6.12 (57) Frost holding the ball, and the Bulldogs get possession. Matt Suckling finds Lewis Young in easy kicking range; but his inexperience counts against him as he kicks a shocker.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Toby McLean goes long to 20 out, a pack forms and Jack Frost courageously stands his ground to take an important saving mark for the Lions.
mds1970
Roar Guru
16 minutes final quarter Brisbane Lions 10.6 (66) Western Bulldogs 1.6.11 (56) Lions need something, and he's a chance for them. Close gathers 30 from home and spots Tom Bell running into an open goal. Quick pass over the top to Bell and the Lions have a 10-point advantage.
XI
Roar Guru
Even the fanboys on Fox Footy are saying the Dogs are getting away with too much!
mds1970
Roar Guru
Lions had the better of the umpiring in the first half; but it's definately swung the Bulldogs' way now.
mds1970
Roar Guru
13 minutes final quarter Brisbane Lions 9.6 (60) Western Bulldogs 1.6.11 (56) Quick snap on the run by Mitch Honeychurch, another point. Margin back to 4. Bulldogs full of running, how long can the Lions hang on?