AFL Media
Not that we needed confirmation, but the Bulldogs are going to again be one of the teams to beat in season 2017. In fact, they might be better placed. Adding experienced forwards Travis Cloke and the returning Stewart Crameri gives the Dogs two dependable targets to kick the football to up forward. Bob Murphy's run from the back half is another fillip for Dogs fans eager for more success.
BEST (WB): Dahlhaus, Hunter, Liberatore, McLean, Cloke, Murphy
- Ben Guthrie
The Age
With Matthew Boyd a late withdrawal, the Bulldogs side featured 14 players that played against Sydney in the grand final.
Still there weren't many unfamiliar faces for the hosts, although second year rookie Brad Lynch showed promise. He kicked one of four Bulldogs goals in a nine-minute run late in the second quarter as the Dogs briefly regained the lead after falling 22 points behind earlier in the term.
BEST (WB): Dahlhaus, Liberatore, Cloke, Hunter, McLean, Johannisen
- Daniel Cherny
Herald Sun
Travis Cloke wasted no time showing exactly what he’s made of in his first outing as a Bulldog, snatching an overhead mark and booting a goal within the first three minutes of the game.
A statement in the first minutes of his fresh start. Some 15 teammates rallied to him.
Cloke, returning forward Stewart Crameri and premiership goalkickers Jake Stringer and Tom Boyd showed there could well be room for all of them in the tri-colours.
- Lauren Wood
