Five Players to Watch Out for Today v Essendon

After a summer of waiting, the footy is back…sort of.

Today, the Western Bulldogs return to action in the form of a practice match against Essendon. The match itself acts as part of the club’s celebrations of 100 years since its admission into the V/AFL, with the State Championship victory against the Bombers in 1924 being a key factor in its inclusion into the elite level.

But while there will be ample time to reflect on the club’s past, today also presents an opportunity for Bulldogs fans to look to the future, with a host of new faces set to represent the club for the first time today. With that in mind, The Salty Bulldog crew has put together a list of five names to keep a particularly close eye on in today’s game.

Brayden Crossley (No.41)

The hulking ruckman has catapulted himself up the ranks in recent weeks, as the Western Bulldogs edge closer to making a call on its final list spot. 

Having recently impressed to the point where he was invited to the club’s summer training camp on the Sunshine Coast, Crossley has been named in today’s squad, and a strong showing could all but lock away his future on the club’s list.

The Bulldogs are currently short on options in the ruck, particularly while Tim English continues to ease back into matters following an abdominal injury, and the reluctance for the club to compromise their key defensive and forward stocks by using Rory Lobb and Sam Darcy respectively has also aided Crossley’s cause.

Crossley - who played 10 games for the Suns back in 2018 - will grace his presence in the No.41 at stoppages around the ground today, with his hulking frame and distinctive ‘stache will be virtually unmistakable among the Bulldogs faithful.

Brayden Crossley has previously played against the Western Bulldogs - today, he plays for them. Source: Getty Images

Dom Brew (No.37)

Another player who is vying for the final spot on the club’s list, Dom Brew had been shaping up as the feel-good story for most of the summer prior to Crossley’s trial.

Brew could not have enjoyed a better 2024. The Werribee captained led his side to an epic Grand Final victory over Southport on the final day at the season, which served as the perfect ending to a stellar season. Earlier that week, Brew claimed the J.J. Liston trophy - the VFL’s equivalent to the Brownlow Medal - with 31 votes, finishing nine clear of second place, after polling in 14 games out of 18.

His heroics were achieved off the back of a season average of 28.8 disposals, 9.9 clearances, 9.4 tackles and 5.5 inside 50s. His efforts also culminated in being named captain of the VFL’s team of the year. 

At the age of 27, Brew admitted to writing to every single club during the off-season, virtually begging for an opportunity to prove himself. Ultimately, the Western Bulldogs were prepared to give him such a chance, but an untimely quad injury halted his progress over the summer, and upon his return found himself in competition for a spot on the list.

Over his career, Brew has proven himself to be a fighter when the going gets tough, so expect him to leave nothing in the tank as the No.37 fights for his career today.

Except Dom Brew to give his all today. Source: Andrew Henshaw

Cooper Hynes (No.6)

The prized pick in any club’s draft haul is always an interesting watch, and Bulldogs fans will today get the opportunity to see its first selection in last year’s draft in action for the first time.

Taken at Pick 20, Hynes has the ability to play both up forward and through the midfield, although he admitted leading into the draft last year that he sees himself more as a former as this point in his career.

Blessed with immense power, Hynes averaged 23.7 disposals and kicked 23 goals in 15 matches for the Dandenong Stingrays last season, ending up in the Talent League’s Team of the Year while also finishing runner-up in the Morrish Medal.

With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan absent for an indefinite period of time, there is an opening in the Bulldogs forward line, and at 190cm, Hynes has an opportunity to state his case for an early-season debut with a strong showing today.

Bulldogs fans will get to see prized recruit Cooper Hynes for the first time today. Source: Michael Klein

Sam Davidson (No.42)

Without a doubt among the most eye-catching stories of the summer, there won’t be too many people who haven’t become enamoured Sam Davidson. Whether it’s the blonde-bombshell looks, the medical degree he’s pursuing, becoming the 18th consecutive winner of the Fothergill-Mitchell-Round Medal to graduate onto an AFL list, being draft by club he supporter growing up, or his performances in the intraclub matches, there really has been something for everyone in the Davidson story thus far.

Taken at Pick 51 in last year’s draft, it was just reward for Davidson after a strong year in Richmond’s VFL side. Although the team itself struggled throughout the campaign, Davidson was a shining light, averaging 14 disposals and booting 26 goals across 17 games. The performances were enough to see him take out the club’s leading goalkicking award, while also being named joint-winner in the club’s best and fairest.

Davidson has also carried that form across to the Bulldogs, recently kicking three goals in the intraclub match on the Sunshine Coast, as he rotated between wing and half-forward. As the days go by, his case for a Round 1 debut continues to grow stronger, and a good showing against the Bombers today will only enhance that. A combination of the peroxide hair and the No.42 will make for a unmistakable sight for Bulldogs fans.

Sam Davidson has already tried on his new Bulldogs colours. Source: AFL Photos

Jordan Croft (No.16)

The first question that needs to be answered for Croft is where - where is he going to play today?

Drafted as a key forward in 2023, the Bulldogs initially believed they could convert Croft into a full-back, but was eventually used all over the place in the 10 games he played for Footscray last season, playing up forward, down back, and even occasionally being required for stints in the ruck, as the Bulldogs were forced to shuffle the pack while dealing with injuries to a host of its key talls.

Croft impressed mostly as a forward when he did play, booting 10 goals in his last five games of the season before missing out on most of the second half of the year due to injury. Upon his return, however, his time trial numbers have been particularly impressive, with some track watchers even noting that he has been used on the wing at times during the summer.

For many Bulldogs fans, this will be the first time that they get to see Croft in the flesh, and it feels like Luke Beveridge has inherited a dream player - an athletic tall with the ability to play in several positions on the ground. How the Bulldogs use him today will be most intriguing, and it may give us a greater insight into where we can expect to see Croft play on a more permanent basis.

Jordan Croft played all over the place for Footscray last year - where will he play today? Source: Getty Images