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Are we forgetting Busslinger in this ? Obviously he will play games this year and if Liam gets injured he will probably back up with Lobb . Also Gardiner has heaps of experience if needed down back.
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Bring back the biff -
So Mick rates the list but I wonder if its stats based or just from vision from last year or has he seen some things this summer that gives him some confidence?
With a run of injuries in recent weeks the depth of our list will be tested and as importantly our ability to fast track the development of players.Comment
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Brayden Crossley could become second Southport player added to an AFL list in historic off-season
Southport ruckman Brayden Crossley is out to follow in the footsteps of teammate Ben Jepson and earn an AFL list spot. What it means to the club and why he’s ready.
Brayden Crossley of the Sharks in action during the 2024 VFL First Semi Final match between the Geelong Cats and Southport Sharks. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) AFL
Premier VFL ruckman Brayden Crossley is out to follow in the footsteps of Southport teammate Ben Jepson and earn an AFL list spot in the coming weeks.
Crossley has been offered the opportunity to feature in the Western Bulldogs intraclub match at Maroochydore on Sunday, an opportunity which could lead to a list spot via the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).
The news came just 24 hours after Jepson was added to the Gold Coast Suns list via the SSP, and is a testament to the Sharks VFL program which reached the grand final for the second time in three years in 2024.
“His finals series was outstanding, I’m not surprised the Bulldogs are having a look because in the preliminary final against the Bulldogs he had 71 hit outs that day,” said Southport general manager of football operations Jarrod Field.
“(The preliminary final) was probably his best performance of the year, it’s a great opportunity for him and I’m sure he’ll acquit himself well on Sunday.”
Crossley has been one of the VFL’s top ruckman for a number of years now, and represented the league against the SANFL in last year’s representative match.
Brayden Crossley from Victoria reacts after scoring a goal during the AAMI State game between South Australia and Victoria at Glenelg Stadium in Adelaide. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)
He previously played 10 AFL games for the Gold Coast Suns but fell out of the AFL system in 2019 after receiving a 12-month anti-doping suspension.
Field lauded Crossley for his VFL finals series as a whole in 2024, with a number of standout performances spearheading the Sharks grand final charge.
“To finish the year in the biggest games with great performances like that was a huge tick,” Field said.
“He’s in the top couple (of ruckmen) in the VFL, he’s ready for another crack at it and hopefully the Bulldogs see fit to give him another opportunity.”
Werribee vs. Southport at Ikon Park, VFL grand final. Southport ruckman Brayden Crossley wins the ruck hit out over Sam Conway. Pic: Michael Klein.
If Crossley were to earn an AFL list spot this season, it would leave Southport with a considerable hole to fill but Field maintained the Sharks were well-placed to cover for the loss of the 25-year-old should an AFL opportunity eventuate.
“Our ruck stocks are pretty good, we’ve got another couple of guys on the list that can do the job,” he said.
Premier QAFL ruckman Riley Bowman, who has represented Queensland against Tasmania is waiting in the wings, while the Sharks also added Marcus Khoo, who spent last season in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley league.
“He’s a very good QAFL player looking to take next step into VFL,” Field said of Bowman.
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Mick McGaune has gone through every clubs back line, midfield and forward structures and given them all a ranking
This is the final part where he rated the strength of the overall list.
Many will disagree preferring a more average overall rating but he does rate our list highly
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Defence: 3 | Midfield: 4 | Forwards: 6 | Total: 44 points
The Bulldogs haven’t finished top-four since 2009, but Mick again rates them as a top-four list. The forward line lost points given the uncertainty surrounding Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s immediate future, which Mick describes as a “massive concern”. Defensively, the Bulldogs ranked No. 1 for points against last season, with Liam Jones remaining reliable and Rory Lobb’s move to the backline an “overwhelming success”. The midfield group is led by Marcus Bontempelli, who “might be the best player in the competition”.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Crossley's trial being extended is bad news for Brew. If I was a betting man I'd say Crossley will be a bulldog on 20 February.Western Bulldogs: 2016 PremiersComment
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Dogs extend trial of gun VFL ruckman
THE WESTERN Bulldogs have extended the trial of Southport co-captain Brayden Crossley until the end of the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) following a positive performance in Sunday's intraclub in Maroochydore.
When the club reached out last week, Crossley was initially invited for just the captain's run and internal practice match after clearing a medical last Wednesday.
Crossley didn't remain on the camp but will fly to Melbourne next week to train at Mission Whitten Oval ahead of the SSP deadline on February 19.
The Dogs have a four-day break following the camp and don't return to the club until next Wednesday, providing Crossley with only a handful of sessions to press his claims for the final spot on the rookie list.
Crossley will get the opportunity to lock in a second chance when the Bulldogs host Essendon at Mission Whitten Oval on February 15. That fixture is nearing a sell-out on the eve of the club's 100th year in the VFL/AFL.
After losing Jordon Sweet to Port Adelaide at the end of 2023, the Western Bulldogs have been in the market for a readymade back-up ruck behind Tim English. Lachie Smith is only 19 and still developing. Reigning Magarey medallist Harry Boyd was considered before the SANFL star was signed by St Kilda last month.
English is sidelined with an abdominal injury but is expected to be available for the pre-season matches against Essendon and Hawthorn. The West Australian has only missed one game in the past two seasons, but if he misses games in 2025 the Dogs could be exposed, boosting Crossley's case.
The club is understood to be determined to keep Rory Lobb in defence and Sam Darcy in attack this year, following positive seasons in those positions last year.
Crossley has established himself as one of the best ruckmen in the state leagues over the past few seasons in the VFL. He led Southport to a Grand Final last year after being named in the VFL Team of the Year squad, along with Ben Jepson who was signed by Gold Coast last week after moving to the Sharks in 2024.
The 25-year-old played 10 games for the Suns but was delisted at the end of 2019 after being handed a 12-month anti-doping suspension.
Crossley is competing with VFL rep teammate and Werribee captain Dom Brew for the final spot at the kennel.
Brew has been training with the Bulldogs since the SSP window opened in late November, but the midfielder strained his quad in December and missed a block of training.
Since returning to full fitness after the Christmas break, Brew has worked his way into the pre-season and impressed in the first half of Sunday's intraclub.
The 27-year-old produced the best season of his state league career in 2024, winning the J.J. Liston Trophy, the Coaches MVP and Team of the Year honours as captain, before leading Werribee to its first premiership in 31 years.
The Dogs' midfield depth is set to be tested early in the season with Adam Treloar sidelined with a calf strain, following the departures of Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith on the final day of last year's Trade Period.Comment
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Any concerns around Crossley extra curricular activities?More of an In Bruges guy?Comment
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No evidence that he's participated in that since his AFL career ended. Plenty of young guys in that scene as an early 20s lad but have grown past it by their mid-late 20s. I'm not concerned.Comment
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Brew will be so very unlucky to miss a spot on our list , im a big rap for him as a footballer who never gives in , but looking at our list Crossley is more of a need then Brew , but id love the club to give him some assurance that they will pick him up if we get a long term injury this year , if Libba goes down i think we will be sitting back and saying wish Brew was on our list .Comment
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