All the key talking points ahead of Friday night’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
Friday night lights
It’s fair to say the Dogs are off Broadway in 2019 when it comes to the prime Friday night timeslot.
Tonight’s clash with the Magpies is the only time in the home and away season you’ll see the red, white and blue on the eve of the weekend.
We get it – the last two years haven’t gone to plan (we played nine Friday nights the year after the flag and four last year), and that’s the way the cookie crumbles when it comes to the marquee slots.
Thankfully, the Collingwood contest is a member replacement game, so there’s no excuse to not pack your thermos and get to the MCG.
And for those playing at home, there’s a massive carrot at the end of the match if we get over the line – Roaming Brian!
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The need for speed
Internal onlookers crossed their fingers and toes when Jason Johannisen went down at training in early February. It didn’t look great, and while nobody wishes for a syndesmosis injury, it ended up being the best of a bad situation.
Two months later, JJ is back fit and firing, and straight back into the seniors.
He goes well first up after a spell, and the Dogs will welcome his zip, smarts and experience.
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Swooping season
When you think about Collingwood, you think about their much-vaunted midfield brigade. And well you might, given the likes of Pendlebury, Beams, Treloar, Sidebottom and Adams, etcetera.
But up forward, they have genuine star power and match-winning ability. De Goey, Cox, Elliott, Thomas and Stephenson are all capable of kicking bags, and the Dogs’ defenders will need to be at their sharpest.
Despite their weapons, the Bulldogs will back themselves in to go head-to-head with last year’s grand finalists. And don’t forget, we have a few weapons of our own.
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Tory’s ton
It’s been a storied journey to triple figure games for Tory ‘dead-eye’ Dickson.
He’s another Bulldog who has fought tooth and nail for everything he has achieved, and has been humble, determined and patient every step of the way.
We love his goal nous and forward pressure, we remember his greatest deeds (what about that prelim final against the Giants!), and we’ve even learned about his table tennis prowess.
Clocking up 100 games is a mighty fine achievement for any league footballer, so raise your glass for Dicko. Here’s to many more.
