What did the media pundits think of the youthful Dogs’ performance against Melbourne in Sunday’s NAB Challenge? westernbulldogs.com.au has compiled their take, on how they saw the game.
The Age
"The Bulldogs fielded a very youthful lineup after kicking off their pre-season campaign with a win against GWS, with skipper Bob Murphy, Easton Wood, Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer and Dale Morris among the host of first-team regulars absent.
"Lin Jong (22 possessions and a goal) and Nathan Hrovat (16 disposals and a goal) were among the younger Bulldogs to impress, while Tom Liberatore continued to make promising strides in his return from a serious knee injury."
- Matt Murnane
Herald Sun
"Luke Beveridge’s biggest challenge this year might be juggling the 35 players on his list who want game time.
"He had 15 first-choice players out yet the likes of Nathan Hrovat, Lin Jong, Josh Dunkley, Marcus Adams and Jed Adcock all showed plenty."
- Jon Ralph
AFL Media
"The day was a positive one for the Bulldogs, with star midfielder Tom Liberatore making a successful comeback from a knee reconstruction that forced him to miss last season.
"They also gave seven of the eight players that joined the club in the off-season a taste of senior action, with free agent Matt Suckling the only new player to miss.
"Josh Dunkley was impressive and Bailey Williams kicked a nice, long goal in his first game."
- Peter Ryan
Foxfooty.com.au
"Libba picks up where he left off - Despite not playing a senior game for 12 months, Tom Liberatore was as fierce as ever on Sunday against Melbourne.
"The midfielder laid a match-high 10 tackles and collected 16 disposals in his return to football, up on his 2014 season average of eight tackles per outing."
