Marcus Bontempelli, the captain of the Western Bulldogs, caused considerable concern during Thursday night's practice match against Hawthorn when he left the field early due to what has been described as "low-level calf tightness." Bontempelli managed to play only 11 minutes before heading to the change rooms, sparking worries among fans and team officials. Fortunately, the star onballer reassured everyone shortly after: "Yeah, I’ll be all right," he told Fox Footy as he walked along the boundary.
Despite the captain's early exit, the Bulldogs emerged victorious, clinching the game with a final score of 11.11 (77) to 9.12 (66) at Launceston's UTAS Stadium. This practice match served not only as preparation for the upcoming season but also as a trial for many players battling for their positions, including young talents like Sam Davidson, who impressed with his performance.
The Bulldogs had been dominating the game even before Bontempelli's departure, leading by 22 points at halftime. Tom Liberatore particularly shone, racking up 31 disposals and nine clearances, leading his team through and demonstrating his value as they head toward the regular season.
While coach Luke Beveridge expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, he addressed the injury concerns with great seriousness. Bontempelli's calf injury adds to the lengthening list of injury woes for the Bulldogs, which already includes key players like Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman, and Liam Jones. The team's situation is precarious, especially with their season opener against North Melbourne just around the corner on March 15.
Aside from Bontempelli, Laitham Vandermeer also had to exit the game after sustaining a concussion from a knee to the back of the head. The club is closely monitoring his condition as he goes through concussion protocols, adding another layer of uncertainty for the Bulldogs.
On the bright side, the 16-day break before the season opener gives Bontempelli ample time to recover and prepare. The club's medical staff remain optimistic, indicating the injury is not as serious as it could have been.
Performance Highlights
While Bontempelli was sidelined, other players took charge. Sam Davidson, who was picked 51st in last year's draft, showcased his talents with 29 disposals and even managed to score. His strong showing has surely secured him a place in the upcoming round.
The forward line also looked lively, with Lachlan McNeil scoring four goals, and Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy each contributing three. The combination of these performances provides hope for the Bulldogs as they enter the competitive season.
Hawthorn, on the other hand, struggled against the Bulldogs' defense but managed to rally with impressive actions from players like James Worpel, who had 10 clearances—demonstrative of his pivotal role for the Hawks. Their performance, especially during the second half, suggests they could prove competitive against other teams as the season resumes.
Beveridge admitted the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them. He underscored the need for the team to avoid complacency and stay focused, especially with the significant injury challenges looming.
With the countdown to the Australian Football League (AFL) season kicking off, the Bulldogs will be leaning heavily on players like Liberatore, Davidson, and their returning captain to deliver on expectations. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how the team fills the gaps left by the absence of injured players but remain hopeful for another successful campaign.
Overall, this pre-season match served as both a preparation and pleasing showcase of talent within the squad, though the looming injury concerns continue to cast shadows over their preparedness for the season. The club remains focused on ensuring all players are ready for the opening game against North Melbourne and is putting plans in place to contend with the injuries appropriately.