Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has hailed Stefan Martin’s immediate impact after the experienced recruit played an important role in the season-opening win over Collingwood.
Martin took the fight to Magpies ruck star Brodie Grundy and worked well in tandem with Tim English at the MCG on Friday night as the Bulldogs’ deep midfield unit controlled the contest.
Grundy had tormented the Dogs in their last four meetings – earning 11 of a possible 12 Brownlow Medal votes in the process – and dominated English in three of those.
But former Brisbane ruckman Martin, who was brought in to help nurture emerging tall English, was a crucial contributor as the Dogs turned the tables on the Collingwood star.
“Stefan was huge for us,” Beveridge said after his side’s 16-point win.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“Brodie has really given them the impetus the last few times we’ve played and it’s been difficult for our team to really recover from his work.
“Tim’s ruck work was pretty good too when it was his turn to go in there, so that’s a nice result for us.
“From a coaching point of view, it’s important that you’re at least able to neutralise those situations.”
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Grundy’s impact was nullified as the Magpies were soundly beaten around the contest.
“Their big boys tag-teamed him and we probably didn’t get Mason (Cox) in the ruck as much as we’d intended, definitely not in the centre bounce,” Buckley said.
“I thought Brodie was amongst a midfield that were beaten on the night.”
Beveridge has previously turned to midfielders Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley to assist English in the ruck, but those makeshift moves now appear to be a thing of the past.
Martin and English are set for another huge test in Round 2 when they take on West Coast star Nic Naitanui at Marvel Stadium.
“If we can keep Tim and Stef fit together and playing in tandem as they did tonight, it’s obviously really going to help,” Beveridge said.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Freo need that big gun forward as well. Tabenar is OK but doesn’t have footy smarts.
djdart
Roar Rookie
He’s not being utilised properly Johnno I don’t believe, I’d much prefer DeGoey and Mihocek stay down in the forward line and be focal points because Mason and Elliott in the forward line is not going to win us games I’m afraid. We need to sell the farm on a big hulking gun power forward, all the good teams have them, Hawkins, Kennedy, Lynch, Reiwoldt etc. I think with Pendles, Sidebottom and Taylor should be able to win it out of the middle to give good supply to the forwards. Our forward entries were either two low to give anyone a chance or just bombed in and hope someone marks it, I know it’s only early days but I was worried with what I saw of Bucks’ overall game plan, whatever it was ? I don’t care what shape we are in, it is non negotiable to beat the Blues, Go Pies !!!
John
What about Daicos and Elliot. Ruscoe VFL level as well. Not sure sbout Tyler Brown, needs to develop some speed.
John
So sick of Collingwood bombing it in to Jamie Elliot when he is clearly outmarked by two tall defenders. Wasted inside 50. Nothing changes, throw Howe or Moore up forward, your forward set up doesn't work Bucks.
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
I can’t recall a club building a premiership team around the ruck as a foundation. I just can’t comprehend Collingwood investing so much for so long into Grundie (give me Nank every single day - at least he looks like he wants to be there). There is going to be some sting in this tail. FIG JAM can look forward to lots of golf days with Eddie before too long. When he’s gone I’ll miss his press conferences after a loss - just a treat.
Courbet
Roar Rookie
Hi George. Collingwood's reliance on these players to pad out their week to week best 22 is a massive issue. As is often said, its not your best 11 that win Premierships, its your worst 11 and a Team like Richmond epitomises this. I see dark days ahead for the Pies especial once Pendles retires.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Ruscoe needs to go back to the twos and get some confidence. He was woeful.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
What’s De Goey like? Collingwood seem to be building a lot around him but he just doesn’t deliver in my opinion. He’s seems to get a lot of “he’s a superstar” comments but I just don’t see it. Not in the same street as Pendles, Fyfe, Dusty etc. Whilst I like the Bont & I see him as far better than De Goey, I don’t see him the same as those mentioned above as well.
djdart
Roar Rookie
I was at the ground with a great vantage point and didn’t like what I saw from us. We had no forward structure at all, no focal point for players coming down the ground to kick to. Brodie got beaten time and again and whatever tap in the middle he did was crumbed by the Doggies midfield. We went around the fat sides of the ground all night, very rarely took the middle on at all, I haven’t got a clue as to what Bucks’ game plan is because their didn’t seem to be any at all. Thank goodness for our defence with Darcy and Jeremy leading the way, it could have been a lot worse if they hadn’t been a wall at times. The booing of Treloar was the lowlight of the evening for me and an embarrassment for our Club, we had an opportunity to show some class to a bloke who did nothing wrong and we failed. Why would any future gun want to come to our club if we are treating players like that, poor form indeed. A week is a long time in footy and we only have 6 days to get ready for the old foe who are improving, I hope Steele can come back because he was sorely missed, Go Pies !!
George Apps
Roar Rookie
The players I noticed went missing were Madgen, Hoskin-Elliot and Thomas, with Henry not having much of an impact, which you wouldn't expect from a first game. I also noticed almost the same style of play as last season, but with a bit more run and carry. Hopefully, there will be some improvement as the weeks roll on.