Western Bulldogs Development Coach Ashley Hansen reviews the performances of the Western Bulldogs listed players in action for VFL-affiliate Williamstown against the Northern Blues last week.

Michael Talia: Talia had a good day playing defence. He got plenty of the ball – around  27 disposals - through his hard working run out of the backline. He was good defensively and didn’t have too many kicked on him and will be pushing for senior selection.

Daniel Pearce: He had a really good day defensively, playing at half back. At times he was playing on the dangerous Jeff Garlett and acquitted himself really well. It wasn’t a huge possession game but he kept Garlett off the scoreboard, so it was a good day.

Liam Jones: Jonesy looked very dangerous up forward, he kicked six goals and looked very sharp. He set the game up for Williamstown early. Jones really worked hard and was clean with his use and his effectiveness in front of goals. It was a real confidence boosting day for him.

Nathan Hrovat: Hrovat was very good and would have been in the bests with Jones. Had a great balance between playing that high half forward role and getting into the middle and hit the scoreboard himself with two goals. He was polished with his disposal, some really great front and square work. We were impressed by his game too.

Patrick Veszpremi: Quite a day for Paddy, he’s been getting some really close attention over the past couple of weeks on the back of some really strong performances. He’s got to work through getting the best defender, which is a credit to him. Come finals we see him playing some really strong games and being a solid contributor in the side.

Fletcher Roberts: He kicked a nice goal getting creative off half back. He played mainly down back all day and was good without being outstanding. He defended stoutly and we would probably like to see him be a bit tighter with his positioning.

Lin Jong: Probably his best game for the year at senior level. He won some really crucial one-on-one contests on the wing. He threw himself into the contested ball courageously a few times and kicked a fantastic goal on the run from 50m out, which was also good to see.  On a couple of occasions he really took the game on.

Christian Howard: Howie hurt his hamstring in the last quarter. He won some really good footy on the outside and he set up some attacking inside 50s. It wasn’t his biggest possession winning game but it will be important if he can come back for the finals. 

Ayce Cordy: Cordy did some really good work in the ruck supporting Cam Wood. He worked really hard, probably the hardest he has worked in a few weeks which was pleasing to see. His disposal by hand and foot was a highlight. He really played a role off half forward, so he is slowly working his way into some good form.

Lukas Markovic: Marko was really solid down back – he didn’t get beaten on too many occasions. His desperation to spoil and tackling intensity was a highlight. He is a really important player going into the finals because he holds that back six together really well.

Development League

Alex Greenwood: He started the game really strongly in the first quarter and he was in for a big game but then he probably didn’t go on with it as well as the previous weeks. He played midfield all day and across the wing. Greeny had a good game and should be pressing for senior selection for the first final.