The key talking points ahead of the Round 6 encounter between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
1. The thing about Perth
Records are meant to be broken. Or so the saying goes.
The travelling Bulldogs contingent will be buying into that mantra as they cross the Nullarbor again this weekend to take on the Dockers.
The Dogs have lost 11 of their last 12 games in Perth – two of those at Optus Stadium and nine at Subiaco (their victory was a pretty important one in 2016).
But as this column has proclaimed a few times before, history means nothing!
PRESS CONFERENCE: LUKE BEVERIDGE PREVIEWS ROUND 6
2. The beard is back
Jackson Trengove has overcome a slight hiccup with an ankle injury a few weeks ago, put in a ripping performance in the VFL two weeks ago, and he and his fearsome beard have forced their way back into the senior line-up.
JT was a massive influence for Footscray in Round 2 (they had the bye last weekend), collecting 26 disposals, winning 26 hitouts and kicking two goals.
The Bulldogs will welcome his physicality and aggressiveness, in whichever line he is deployed.
MATCH PREVIEW: BOB MURPHY AND STEVEN KING
3. Hayden’s homecoming
He admits he was a little flat he didn’t get to suit up against his old mob last year, but on Saturday night Hayden Crozier will get the chance to face (most of) his former team-mates for the first time.
Crozier was a staple in WA for six years, and crossed to VU Whitten Oval at the end of 2017, but was unfortunately recovering from a knee injury when the Dogs and Dockers did battle in Round 5 last year.
Despite the gap year, Crozier is expecting the customary back-chat and friendly banter reserved for those returning their former mob’s patch of turf.
ANZAC ROUND: EASTON WOOD’S CONNECTION TO THE ARMY
4a. Second up
Will Hayes will know a thing or two about athletes backing up after a first run.
Bulldogs track watchers would have seen plenty in the first-up performance of Hayes and fellow debutant Lachie Young last week against the Blues.
Hayes found plenty of the footy while patrolling his wing impressively, and Young showed confidence and composure beyond his years in the backline.
Now, they jump on the plane for their first interstate trip. It’s a steep learning curve, but don’t worry, these two are made of the right stuff.
PODCAST: LISTEN TO FREEDOM IN A CAGE WITH BOB MURPHY AND CHRIS ANSTEY
4b. Spare a thought for Jongy
Whoever put the ladder in front of Lin Jong for him to walk under, shame on you!
What a retched run of luck ‘Jongy’ has been forced to endure over the last few years. The broken collarbone late in 2016, the ACL which ruined his 2017 season, another broken collarbone last year, followed by a badly torn hamstring in the most recent pre-season. And now, of all things, a ruptured appendix.
Time to lay off, footy gods. Let the man have a decent crack at it.
