Latest news with #SamDavidson
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Sam Davidson on the impact of Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge
Western Bulldogs rising star Sam Davidson has hailed coach Luke Beveridge 'a football genius'. Davidson, a mature-age draftee out of Richmond VFL, has been one of Beveridge's strongest performers after an injury-plagued start to the year. The 23-year-old has patrolled the wing with conviction, finding the footy at ease and kicking the equal-most goals in the competition from that position. The out-of-contract Beveridge has coached brilliantly this season under the duress of early injuries and the overarching topic of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's absence. But he has the backing of Davidson, who says Beveridge is a 'tactical genius' and 'really special' to play under. 'It's hard to know what he's really like unless you're in the inner sanctum,' he said. 'You can watch little clips from the outside as a Doggies fan but you can't tell until you're in the four walls. 'He's just a bit of a football genius, he lives and breathes it, he loves footy – you can just tell how smart he is and his tactical genius, it's really special to play under him. 'He's just instilled so much belief in me, after each game he will just tell me to back myself and allows me to do what I do best. I've been really grateful for that.' Davidson has coined the nickname 'Doc' for delaying his medical degree to pursue a football career. But he had more than one nickname after Beveridge compared 'Doc' to Norm Smith Medal winning Eagle Peter Matera following the Bulldogs' round 3 win over Carlton. Davidson had just collected 31 possessions in only his third game but said Beveridge got him at a time it was all still sinking in. 'He sort of stitched me up a little bit, I walked past him and was all blurry and he said 'you played like Peter Matera tonight',' Davidson recalls with a laugh. 'I was like 'yeah, thanks mate', I did know the Matera last name and thought he played for West Coast but I did have to look him up after the game. 'He was a fair player, so it's a pretty cool compliment from him … it's a pretty big compliment for a second or third-gamer but I really appreciated it.' Western Bulldogs have played at seven different venues already this year but have nine games at Marvel Stadium in the run home. Marvel Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Bulldogs, winning each of their past nine games under the roof. Davidson said the strong first half to the season despite heavy travel had the Dogs daring to dream. 'We've obviously travelled to a lot of different places early in the year,' he said. 'We've been able to come out of it OK, we would have liked to have a few more wins under the belt, but we've been competitive in all of our losses. 'It instils so much belief and confidence in us that for the rest of the year we can really do something special.'
Mercury
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
SuperCoach AFL 2025: Experts reveal round 8 trades
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. A rookie crisis is forcing SuperCoaches into some difficult decisions this week. Are they prepared to trade in a risky bubble boy or go early on another rookie – and to cut loose a high-scoring cash cow before they have maxed out in price? Is it worth it to get an extra top-liner in now for an instant hit – or will playing it safe pay off in the long run? Here's how our experts are answering those questions before round 8. AL PATON OUT: Sam Davidson, Levi Ashcroft IN: Henry Hustwaite, Lachie Neale The first trade is easy – Davidson has done his job while Hustwaite is in the Hawks midfield, faces Richmond on Sunday and has three more weeks until Conor Nash returns to show he deserves to stay in the team. And I don't like this week's bubble boys one bit. Go Henry. Part two is much more difficult. I would really like to keep Levi for a bit longer but at the end of the day we pick rookies to make enough money grab top-liners around this time of year, and he would likely be out in the next week or two anyway. Also, none of the bench rookies who I would be happy to wave goodbye are worth enough to even get to a bargain premo like Chad Warner. Neale for $562k is a gift I don't want to miss, especially ahead of games against the Suns, Roos and Demons. PATCH NO TRADES I don't really like the downgrades this week and I'm happy to wait a week on upgrade targets – to see if Chad Warner's role change is real and if Josh Dunkley's CBA numbers will stabilise. I've also used 15 trades already and really should rein it in a bit, hey? TIM MICHELL NO TRADES or IN: Chad Warner and Henry Hurstwaite OUT: Sam Davidson and Finn O'Sullivan I'm torn this week. Part of me thinks it's better to wait until after Chad Warner is tagged by Toby Bedford this week to bring him in. But another part of me knows I have been giving away 50-60 points a week in my forward line since regrettably trading Jason Horne-Francis. I'd probably field Hustwaite at M8 this week against Richmond, too. So I'm leaning towards trading, but ask me tomorrow and I might feel differently. Maybe holding two trades is the right play? TARQUIN OAKLEY IN: Christian Petracca, Henry Hustwaite OUT: Sam Davidson, Finn O'Sullivan One ton was enough to convince me Christian Petracca is back in town. Hustwaite should make at least $100k until Conor Nash returns – and even then there's still a fair chance he stays in the side if he's playing well enough. Davidson has done his job, and O'Sullivan has been disappointing but it's time I moved on. MATT FORREST IN: Tristan Xerri, Riley Hardeman, James Tunstill OUT: Murphy Reid, Sam Davidson, Archer Reid I heavily considered Chad Warner this week to finish off my forward line, but Xerri against Goldstein this week might equal 400 points as my vice-captain. Tunstill I'm nervous about, the same with Hardeman, but I liked both when they played full games and I'm hoping they get the chance to do that a few more times. The Reids and Davidson are just about tapped out of value, so I'm fine missing out on $10-15k over the next few weeks from them. Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Experts reveal their trades for round 8
