Welcome to the Western Bulldogs - Arthur Jones

I actually think Arty is really suffering from his debilitating shoulder injuries which hasn't allowed him to strengthen that upper body that small forwards need to stick tackles. I feel that if his body was able to mature and strengthen, we could really focus on him being that pressure forward with 5-6 tackles and 10 touches a game. We're trialling him as a HF / wing in the VFL to try and get the footy in his hands more, but I think he'd be best suited at that small crumbing / pressure role long term.

It's just yet to be seen if he can actually put that size on or not. I'm of the belief we'll probably let him go end of year, but I could easily see him being picked back up in 2 or 3 years time and be great for whoever does. The question is just whether we want to keep him around and try to put that development into him ourselves. He's always looked better at AFL level anyway.

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Originally Posted by Countrydog5

I actually think Arty is really suffering from his debilitating shoulder injuries which hasn't allowed him to strengthen that upper body that small forwards need to stick tackles. I feel that if his body was able to mature and strengthen, we could really focus on him being that pressure forward with 5-6 tackles and 10 touches a game. We're trialling him as a HF / wing in the VFL to try and get the footy in his hands more, but I think he'd be best suited at that small crumbing / pressure role long term.

It's just yet to be seen if he can actually put that size on or not. I'm of the belief we'll probably let him go end of year, but I could easily see him being picked back up in 2 or 3 years time and be great for whoever does. The question is just whether we want to keep him around and try to put that development into him ourselves. He's always looked better at AFL level anyway.

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He's safe for next season as he's contracted until the end of 2025. Don't ask me how I know.

Just a thought around Artie's VFL form in 2024 - he is playing in a team with Croft as the only tall generally then followed by Bedendo.

I wonder how much better he would be crumbing to Naughton, Darcy, JUH?

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Originally Posted by Smads57

Just a thought around Artie's VFL form in 2024 - he is playing in a team with Croft as the only tall generally then followed by Bedendo.

I wonder how much better he would be crumbing to Naughton, Darcy, JUH?

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What position has he been playing in the VFL?

Pre-season interruptions haven’t helped his cause.

Hope he gets a game soon. He’s definitely the type of player who’ll “do better” in an AFL side, but whether he’ll “do enough” remains to be seen. He probably can’t do any less than some others who’ve had opportunities.

I'm biased because I love what he brings, speed, tricks and that indefinable X factor. Clarke deserves to be rewarded for his form in the VFL with an AFL game but two small pressure forwards going out might make room for both Arty and Charlie.

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Originally Posted by Still digging

I'm biased because I love what he brings, speed, tricks and that indefinable X factor. Clarke deserves to be rewarded for his form in the VFL with an AFL game but two small pressure forwards going out might make room for both Arty and Charlie.

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Would you play both this week?

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Originally Posted by bornadog

What position has he been playing in the VFL?

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Half fwd and sometimes wing. I’m sure I seen him in a couple of centre bounces vs Academy, but think this was just experimental.

TBH he's more VDM than West/Flea right now. Covers a fair bit of ground and does a lot of selfless stuff.

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Originally Posted by Smads57

Half fwd and sometimes wing. I’m sure I seen him in a couple of centre bounces vs Academy, but think this was just experimental.

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Therefore he should be playing that role if he gets promoted

Losing West and Weightman he should be a chance along with Clarke.

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Originally Posted by azabob

Would you play both this week?

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Why not play both. They have speed to burn and both have a good football nous. Both would be better at AFL than VFL. They would be hard to match up on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyLJ...esternBulldogs