With the Dogs missing key players there will be more opportunities for a few youngsters to show they belong at AFL level.
It will always be tough for a team to lose their captain before round 1, but when that captain is arguably a top three player in the competition, the hole left is even larger.
To go along with that, missing an All-Australian quality midfield in Adam Treloar, and an electric small forward who has kicked 25+ goals over the last three years in Cody Weightman, a Norm Smith Medal winner in Jason Johannisen and one of the most improved key defenders in the league, Liam Jones.
Things begin to look testing for a Dogs side that struggled at times last year with a healthy list.
While these injuries are to key players, they are also lengthy injuries, with all being at least six weeks and ranging up to at least three months, which could be devastating for a team that has a list built to compete.
There will be a strong reliance on internal growth for the Dogs this year, needing younger players to step up and become important contributors. Joel Freijah is one who will be giving a huge opportunity in the backline this year, as he will be used as a distributor.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
He had a strong season in 2024, playing 13 games in his rookie year, averaging almost 16 touches and five marks. His ability to break the game open with his speed and run is something that the Dogs will be missing in Johannisen, and he should be given the chance to essentially run the backline.
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Another player along these lines is Ryley Sanders who is due a massive year after being drafted at pick 6 in the 2023 draft. Sanders is a massive ball winner, accumulating with ease, but couldn’t make a massive impact in his first year.
He played 14 games but had five games where he was either subbed on or off.
This year, however, with Bontempelli and Treloar out to begin the season, hopefully Sanders can break out and lock down a best 22 spot even when the stars return around the midpoint of the season.
While Sanders and Freijah are both due a huge season after a year in the system, Sam Davidson is a mature aged first year player who could be a massive steal at pick 51 in the 2024 draft.
The 23-year-old was super impressive in his preseason games, finishing against the Hawks with 29 touches and a goal in an outing that should all but lock in his round 1 debut.
His ability to play anywhere is a huge advantage for the Dogs as he can play as a tall forward, as shown last year by his ability to kick goals for Richmond VFL, but can also push up the ground with an elite tank.
He will most likely start on a wing in the AFL and will be one to watch to start the season.
If the Dogs can get solid production from these three players, it will hopefully keep them afloat until their big guns return and they can make a massive finals tilt to end the season.
