The Western Bulldogs have dusted off the cobwebs with a comfortable 31-point win over GWS Giants in their NAB Challenge opener in Canberra on Thursday night.
For the most part, the Bulldogs were in control of the preseason match against an inexperienced Giants line-up, feasting on 76 more possessions and 21 more inside 50s.
The Dogs inaccuracy in front of goal – 17 of their 31 scoring shots were behinds – kept the margin a little more respectable for the Giants.
It was the first chance for Bulldogs fans to see their side in a competitive game since their heartbreaking elimination final loss to Adelaide last September.
On a hot day in the nation’s capital when the temperature hit 37 degrees, the Dogs were a little sloppy early on and it took a while to break the Giants resolve, but eventually they found their groove to run out convincing winners.
Koby Stevens, who missed the back end of last season with stress fractures in his foot, was incredibly consistent with his ball use on a day when others struggled.
Stevens racked up a game-high 29 possessions at a high 89% efficiency and capped off his outing with a goal.
Jake Stringer was back to his old tricks for the Bulldogs.
The star forward slipped the leash to kick three goals and posed a constant threat inside forward 50.
But, like many of his teammates, he was wasteful in front of goal, finishing with 3.4.
With Tom Boyd and Jack Redpath rested, Tom Campbell was used as a floating tall forward when resting from his ruck duties and hit the scoreboard for a three-goal return, including a nine-point super goal.
Campbell, Will Minson and Jordan Roughead all spent time in the ruck as Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge searches for a No. 1 ruckman for the season proper, but it was honours even across the board on that score.
Of the established players, there was a lot of Bulldogs accumulating big numbers in the midfield, including Jackson Macrae, Mitch Wallis, Lachie Hunter, Luke Dahlhaus and Caleb Daniel.
Jason Johannisen was cool under the high ball across half back and rebounded with the grace we have come to expect from him, while Toby McLean and Nathan Hrovat did some good things across half forward.
Easton Wood, Dale Morris and Shane Biggs took on extra work load while first gamers Kieran Collins and Marcus Adams found their feet at the level.
Both Collins and Adams showed little glimpses of what they can offer in key defensive roles, but were vertically challenged by Giants beanpoles Rory Lobb and James Stewart, who spent plenty of time forward.
What is for certain, Collins and Adams have ready-made bodies for league football and will be useful straight away, provided they have the right match ups.
New recruit Matt Suckling showed why the Bulldogs chased his signature in the summer.
The two-time Hawthorn premiership player had 17 possessions and six marks before topping off a solid debut with a goal.
His composure under pressure and precise left foot kick should be an asset across half back.
The Bulldogs next preseason game will be on March 6 when they face Melbourne at Highgate Recreation Reserve in Craigieburn.
NAB Challenge
GWS Giants 0.11.7 (73) lt Western Bulldogs 1.13.17 (104)
Goals
GWS Giants: Lobb 2, Stewart 2, Coniglio 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Scully, Tomlinson, Hopper.
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Campbell 3 (including 1 super goal), Stevens, Macrae, Hrovat, Suckling, Daniel, Picken, Wallis, Roughead.
Best
GWS Giants: Steele, Scully, Lobb, Coniglio, Wilson, Palmer.
Western Bulldogs: Stevens, Stringer, Johannisen, Macrae, Daniel, Campbell.
