Hannan’s homecoming
Off-season recruit Mitch Hannan will make his Western Bulldogs debut at the MCG on Friday night.
The 27-year-old is no stranger to the red, white and blue, having been initially drafted as a mature-aged player to Melbourne via Footscray’s VFL program.
He spent two seasons with the ‘Scray between 2015-16, playing a key role in the 2016 flag under now forwards-coach Ash Hansen.
Hannan is also one of four Bulldogs currently on the senior list to have come through the VFL pathway, alongside Ryan Gardner, Will Hayes and Anthony Scott.
Friday night fortunes
The Bulldogs have had relatively good fortune in recent times when it comes to Friday night blockbusters, winning four of their past six matches under prime-time Friday night lights.
Just last week, they stormed home over GWS in Canberra to emerge 39-point victors, after kicking off their 2021 campaign in style with a 16-point win over Collingwood in round one.
Prior to this season, the Bulldogs overcame Essendon on a Friday night in round seven last year, and the Giants in round three for their first win of 2020.
The Bulldogs played four Friday night games during the COVID-affected season, and by round eleven this year, will have equalled that tally.
Friday night footy – there’s nothing better.
Depth test
Injury has wreaked havoc for both the Bulldogs and Tigers in recent weeks, forcing the two sides to test their depth.
The undefeated Bulldogs will enter the round seven clash without star midfielder Josh Dunkley, Tim English, Lin Jong and Laith Vandermeer, who all featured in last week’s win.
And it’s a similar story for the Tigers, who will be without superstar Dustin Martin, and key players Kane Lambert, Dion Prestia and Nick Vlaustin.
Despite the injury headaches, the Bulldogs have been blessed with an abundance of strong VFL performers this season, who now get their chance to step on the big stage.
AstroNaught takes lift-off
It’d be rude not to look back on round seven, 2019.
The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, thumping Richmond by 47 points at Marvel Stadium.
But there was one name on everyone’s lips: Aaron Naughton.
The then 19-year-old was a shining light in the Bulldogs’ forward-line that night, clunking nine contested marks – one behind the all-time record – while slotting five goals in a starring individual performance.
Can the AstroNaught do it again to lead the Bulldogs to victory? Only time will tell.
