Hawthorn legend Jordan Lewis dropped mail on Fox Footy\u2019s On the Couch that he\u2019d be \u201csurprised\u201d if English was still at the Dogs in 2027<\/a> and suggested rival clubs were circling.<\/p>\nBulldogs coach Luke Beveridge hit back at \u201chalf scoop Lewis\u201d and said English was \u201csecure\u201d at Whitten Oval, where the ruckman is contracted until 2029.<\/p>\n
While English still attended the equal-most centre ball ups against St Killda, he spent more time forward in general play as Marcus Bontempelli and Matt Kennedy chopped out in the ruck. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a move that caught the attention of Tigers champion Jack Riewoldt.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen (Lewis) dropped that bombshell last Monday, I think a lot of people\u2019s ears, including mine, pricked up… and you put a real focus and spotlight on (English),\u201d Riewoldt said on Fox Footy\u2019s On the Couch.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018He\u2019s coming up against arguably the best ruck duo in the competition (Tom De Koning and Rowan Marshall). <\/p>\n
\u201cHe must be licking his lips to put in one of the all-time ruck performances right around the ground to solidify his coaches\u2019 comments that he\u2019s their No. 1 ruck.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I go to the game on the weekend, and he only rucks centre bounce. It makes me think why was this the circumstance off the back of what was a really interesting week?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an interesting decision to just ruck him at centre bounce, then roll him ahead of the ball and have Marcus Bontempelli play in the ruck \u2014 a player you could not afford to lose in a contest like that. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure, if I was a number ruck, I\u2019d be wanting to roll ahead of the ball and play 20m away (from the contest).\u201d<\/p>\n
Schofield: We need professional umpires | 01:51<\/p>\n
Lewis admitted English \u201cdidn\u2019t look natural\u201d in the role, but actually liked seeing the Dogs try something different. <\/p>\n
\u201cI must be honest, I actually don\u2019t mind the role,\u201d the Hawks great said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s one aspect of the centre bounce that needs to be a ruckman, but around the grounds?<\/p>\n
\u201cI absolutely think our comments last week wouldn\u2019t have deterred, that would\u2019ve been in the plan, I imagine, for two or three weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re trying new things. It still doesn\u2019t take away from what we said, but I still think they need to try new things and evolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take my that off to them for doing that.\u201d <\/p>\n
Five-time All-Australian forward Tom Hawkins observed that English \u201cdidn\u2019t look like he knew where he was going\u201d and noticed Aaron Naughton \u201cput him in the right position.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubting English\u2019s importance to the 9-6 Bulldogs and their midfield is clear; they have an 8-2 record with the ruckman in the side.<\/p>\n
But Beveridge is also clearly trying to find ways to support Aaron Naughton up forward with Sam Darcy sidelined.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s clearly a direction to support Naughton in front of the ball,\u201d Hawkins continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo Darcy, he\u2019s a star player and we saw them earlier in the year and how well they worked together. But Naughton has carried a big load.\u201d <\/p>\n
Triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown thinks there\u2019s \u201cno doubt\u201d the heavy workload on Naughton is the reason English and others are playing more forward.<\/p>\n
As well as a need to manage English after injuries have hampered him this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cTheir win-loss and performances have shown that when English hasn\u2019t been out there, they\u2019ve really struggled,\u201d Brown said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think \u2018Bevo\u2019 has gone to work and tried to tinker with a few things, more so than reacting to Jordy\u2019s comments. <\/p>\n
\u201cEven though it was a nice bit of entertainment!\u201d<\/p>\n
Merrett hits back at ‘obsessive’ critics | 01:31<\/p>\n
\u2018WHAT\u2019S YOUR SIGNATURE\u2019: BIG QUESTION ON TIGERS COACH<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the \u201csignature? of Adem Yze\u2019s Tigers?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s what an AFL is great is wondering after a third-straight loss against North Melbourne as worrying numbers emerge.<\/p>\n
Yze post-match lamented his side giving up 46 uncontested marks to the Kangaroos in the first quarter alone, which he thinks set the tone for the game. <\/p>\n
The 17th-placed Tigers now have a 9-51 record under Yze since 2024 in a period the club has been rebuilding.<\/p>\n
And while dual premiership Kangaroo David King sympathises for Richmond\u2019s brutal injury run, he says it doesn\u2019t excuse the lack of an identifiable system. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to know what Adem Yze is doing,\u201d King said on Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack: Preview.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve watched closely, I\u2019ve been watching these young kids to see if they get some opportunity. They haven\u2019t been available, so it\u2019s a difficult one for him with availability.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m not necessarily watching what they are doing with their talent, I\u2019m watching what they are doing with their coaching and strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the talk is Josh Fraser and what he\u2019s been able to do with Carlton when just being thrown the keys, and they look a different team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Steven King has done with Melbourne, I can see exactly how they\u2019re playing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not seeing it with Richmond. And I\u2019m looking at his record… and no one is looking to get him sacked.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when you\u2019ve won nine of 60 odd and three of those are against the West Coast Eagles, I think you\u2019ve got to start looking a bit closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is your signature? What is your stamp on this group?\u201d<\/p>\n
BIG NAMES coming off contract in 2027 | 06:52<\/p>\n
King was particularly critical of the Tigers\u2019 lack of pressure and ability to quell North from chipping the ball around in the first quarter of last Sunday\u2019s MCG match.<\/p>\n
It continued an unwanted theme for the Richmond, who\u2019s given up the most five and four mark chains in the AFL, the fourth-most two and three mark chains. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking at this thinking: \u2018What are you doing?\u2019,\u201d King added.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the mark chains that really concern me. If you\u2019re going to be difficult to play against, you\u2019ve got to take the uncontested marks away.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just too easy. If that doesn\u2019t change, then nothing will change.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tigers also rank bottom two in pressure, allowing opposition marks, disposals, average points for and average points against since Round 8.<\/p>\n
The main thing King wants to see is one part of Richmond\u2019s game begin to shine through. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re going to talk about pressure and preach pressure, you can\u2019t be 18th over the last seven weeks,\u201d King continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just can\u2019t be, otherwise you\u2019re talking in riddles and confusing your own.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opposition are basically having 50 more disposals a game than them, it\u2019s like having two extra players out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThings are really hard for them at the moment, I get that. And I\u2019m not here to worry too much about the points for and points against.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think they have to grab hold of one of the components that are important. Whether it\u2019s being difficult to play against, or being a bit more aggressive with the footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething has to change … no one is calling for change, put that on the table. But I want to see a signature.\u201d <\/p>\n
Is Solomon the right guy for Bombers? | 01:38<\/p>\n
PIES MO \u2018NOT SUSTAINABLE\u2019… BUT STAR PRODUCING \u2018BEST FOOTBALL OF HIS LIFE\u2019<\/p>\n
The Magpies are \u201cdefending their way to victory\u201d in a blueprint keeping the 11th-placed club in this season.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s \u201cnot a sustainable model\u201d and won\u2019t \u201ctake them to the promise land.\u201d<\/p>\n
The usually stingy Collingwood has again been among the hardest teams to score against in its defensive zone.<\/p>\n
The Pies are ranked No. 3 in scores against per inside 50, despite skipper Darcy Moore missing most of the season through injury. <\/p>\n
Plus fellow defensive ace Brayden Maynard didn\u2019t play last week as Collingwood held Port Adelaide to 52 points. <\/p>\n
\u201cMore than often than not this season, for them to win, they\u2019re going to have to defend their way to victory,\u201d Saints great Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy\u2019s The First Crack.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause they have their issues offensively and in the forward 50. But that\u2019s exactly what they did against Port Adelaide. Really they just suffocated Port Adelaide all night long.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust reading the cues, working together, coming across and supporting one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was a masterclass with them, they\u2019ve done it all year long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Razor responds to ‘L Platers’ umpiring | 02:35<\/p>\n
Numbers from the last six weeks illustrate how well Collingwood has been defending. <\/p>\n
During that period, Craig McRae\u2019s side has ranked No. 18 in inside 50 against, yet ranked No. 1 in scores against per inside 50.<\/p>\n
In other words, they\u2019re giving up the most inside 50s but fewest scores. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey are rolling back. It\u2019s not really a sustainable model, it\u2019s going to help them win a lot of games. It\u2019s not really going to take them to the promise land,\u201d Montagna added.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the time being, it\u2019s how they\u2019re winning games of footy. The fold back, win the ball back or stop teams from scoring and then try and get some offence going the other way.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Collingwood\u2019s forward line is an issue, Jordan De Goey\u2019s epic run of form has provided Nick Daicos a running partner through the midfield in another area of the ground there\u2019s been concerns.<\/p>\n
De Goey has produced arguably in career-best form since Round 9. He\u2019s averaged 26.3 disposals, 454 metres gained, 2.3 score assists and 10 score involvements during that stretch.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a period De Goey has spent 73 per cent time in the midfield, compared to 48 per cent from rounds 0 to 8, in a clear role shift with his injury woes from the last couple of years behind him. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s flown under the radar, some of his form. It\u2019s been the best football of his life,\u201d chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark said of De Goey.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know his talent, game-breaking ability and match-winning performances. But he\u2019s never put it together consistently in his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is A-grade football, this elevates him. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe knock on Collingwood has been that it\u2019s a one-man band in the midfield, that it\u2019s Nick Daicos or bust.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, what De Goey has been putting up over the past six weeks is on par with Nick, really. And he was better than him on the weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cDe Goey is getting the scoreboard and getting involved. He\u2019s got the motor, he\u2019s got the fitness, he\u2019s shrugged the groin issues and he\u2019s becoming that largely midfield player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Butters debate heats up on AFL 360 | 06:02<\/p>\n
FOX FOOTY COMMENTATORS FOR ROUND 16 FIXTURE (All times AEST)<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS vs. SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
Thursday June 25, 7:30pm at the Gabba<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, Leigh Montagna and Michael Voss, with commentary from Matt Hill, Mark Howard, David King, Jack Riewoldt, Alastair Lynch, Jonathan Brown and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN vs. GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n
Friday June 26, 7:40pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Garry Lyon, Tom Hawkins and Jordan Lewis, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Cameron Mooney and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
CARLTON vs. WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
Saturday June 27, 1:15pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Mark Howard, Nick Dal Santo, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon and Eddie Betts.<\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD vs. RICHMOND<\/p>\n
Saturday June 27, 4:35pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon, Ruby Schleicher and Jay Clark.<\/p>\n
PORT ADELAIDE vs. ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n
Saturday June 27, 7:35pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:15pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Mark Ricciuto, Ken Hinkley, Shaun Burgoyne, Kath Loughnan, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Clark.<\/p>\n
NORTH MELBOURNE vs. ESSENDON<\/p>\n
Sunday June 28, 3:15pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 2:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Matt Hill, Jordan Lewis, Adam Simpson, Sarah Jones and David Zita.<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE vs. GOLD COAST<\/p>\n
Sunday June 28, 5:10pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 5pm on Channel 503 (and 6pm on 504), with commentary from Adam Papalia, Kelli Underwood, Gerard Healy, Nick Dal Santo, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan and David Zita.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A spotlight on a Dogs star after trade chatter. Plus a burning question on Richmond\u2019s coach, and more.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":757914,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-757913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=757913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757913\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/757914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=757913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=757913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=757913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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