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  1. #1
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    Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    WESTERN Bulldogs want Tom Boyd to slim down, believing he was too bulky and lost some crucial mobility in his first season at the Giants.

    The Bulldogs initially wanted Boyd, 19, at the end of next season, but pulled the trigger on the bombshell move a year early when captain Ryan Griffen announced his shock trade request to GWS.



    The departure of Bulldogs senior playmakers Griffen and Adam Cooney threatens to expose the young midfielders at a key stage of the club’s rebuild next year.
    But list manger Jason McCartney said the signs already indicated clearance king Tom Liberatore and emerging pair Jackson Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli “would relish the responsibility” next season.


    Tom Boyd is a key addition to the Western Bulldogs line-up. Picture: Michael Klein


    McCartney said Boyd was “as well placed as any young player I have seen” to handle the “huge amount of pressure” that will inevitably accompany his estimated $1-million a season price tag.
    The No. 1 draft pick played nine games and averaged six possessions and three marks for the Giants last season.
    McCartney, who declared the pick-up “huge for our footy club”, said the 200cm powerhouse goalkicker would unveil a leaner body shape to help his movement next season.
    “He had an interesting season, he looked like he played a bit heavier than what we have seen him at in the past,” McCartney said.


    Tom Liberatore is already a leader in the Bulldogs midfield. Picture: Michael Klein


    “In the Carlton game and the Geelong game, when the Giants surged back late, he gave everyone a taste of what he will do at AFL level in time. So there were glimpses.
    “But he looked like he wasn’t playing with the same level of mobility that we have seen in the past, in the first year in.”
    The Dogs had a scout at every one of Boyd’s NEAFL and AFL games last season, confident he was the man to fill the gaping hole in the forward line.
    The club has already built impressively through the midfield, with Rising Star runner-up Bontempelli richly rewarding what some talent-spotters thought was a bold punt at pick No.4.


    The Western Bulldogs’ recent draft success.


    A natural leader, Boyd also been dubbed a future captain, adding to his appeal.
    “He fits the bill from a playing perspective but also when you consider the make-up and character of the kid and obviously his family is equally important.
    “We know there will be a huge amount of pressure on him, being a key forward at the Bulldogs, and he left one year into (his contract) and everyone is talking about what his contract may look like.
    “But Tom is of that character and that level of resilience that it just doesn’t seem to bother him at all.”


    Lachie Hunter will be called on to step up in the midfield. Picture: Michael Klein


    Boyd’s arrival will help alleviate the focus on forward Stewart Crameri and Jake Stringer and create greater ground level opportunities for the Dogs’ batch of clever small forwards, such as Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter and Luke Dahlhaus.
    “It will be very pleasing for those guys in the midfield to look up and have him there, because he has got such a presence about him,” he said.

    Key forward Liam Jones was traded to Carlton, leaving the Dogs with picks No. 26, 27, 38, 45 and 46 at Thursday’s national draft.

    The Dogs acquired former Swan Shane Biggs to replace departed free agent Shaun Higgins on a back flank, while Fletcher Roberts will be given increased opportunity in a key defensive post.

    see more here
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

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  3. #2
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    There's a nice little interactive section at the botom of the article showing stats breakdowns per player.

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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    WESTERN Bulldogs want Tom Boyd to slim down, believing he was too bulky and lost some crucial mobility in his first season at the Giants.
    This is something I noticed for a guy who is only 19 years old. Hopefully its only puppy fat and he will muscle up.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by bornadog View Post
    This is something I noticed for a guy who is only 19 years old. Hopefully its only puppy fat and he will muscle up.
    Or it could be that GWS' conditioning program was rubbish and we'll get him to where he should be.

  6. #5
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by westdog54 View Post
    Or it could be that GWS' conditioning program was rubbish and we'll get him to where he should be.
    Seems like they just tried to make him bigger on purpose.
    But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.

  7. #6
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by M.R.M View Post
    There's a nice little interactive section at the botom of the article showing stats breakdowns per player.
    Yes and I noticed Tutty averaged third in the tackles. A good effort.

  8. #7
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Nice article to counter the negativity of Caro

    The Boyd trade is unprecedented - the closest thing seen to it was maybe Bucks to Collingwood

    Its going to take time to evaluate but if your paid to sink the boots in then do so

  9. #8
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Discussion on this on SEN, now
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

  10. #9
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    I know it is only a minor issue but Fletcher Roberts was taken at # 11 in the PSD. Reading this you would think he was taken at #11 in the ND.

    Apart from that little error it really is a good article and showcases the emerging talent that we have. There is some serious talent on our list.

  11. #10
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by bornadog View Post
    This is something I noticed for a guy who is only 19 years old. Hopefully its only puppy fat and he will muscle up.

    I'm not that concerned. There was a lot of talk about Tom Hawkins being overweight when he first started too.


    At 105kg and 197cm, with footy smarts to burn, a leap that saw Hawkins clear 1.9m in a recent schoolboy high-jump competition and the strength to heave a shot put 13m -- it is a rare and compelling package

    Just don't try and fit him into a pair of running shorts, as Geelong officials found out after he kept ripping them and had to ask for replacements.

    "Yeah, I did go through a few pairs . . . I had a bit of trouble," he laughed yesterday.
    From:

    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/mo...-1111112958891
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

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  13. #11
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Little bit of positive news for once
    Not quite as bullish for next season as King is.

  14. #12
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Finally a Good positive article On Us Im feeling quite bullish about next season def think we will win 10 -12 games and be a sneaky chance for the 8.

  15. #13
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by M.R.M View Post
    There's a nice little interactive section at the botom of the article showing stats breakdowns per player.
    Great article.

    Really enjoyed looking thu the stats with the interactive part.

  16. #14
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by Pickenitup View Post
    Finally a Good positive article On Us Im feeling quite bullish about next season def think we will win 10 -12 games and be a sneaky chance for the 8.
    Not yet. We need another 2 in the bottom 4-6.

  17. #15
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    Re: Western Bulldogs believe young guns ready to replace Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney

    Quote Originally Posted by Bulldog4life View Post
    Yes and I noticed Tutty averaged third in the tackles. A good effort.
    I don't think so B4L. He had only 32 v Libba's 173!

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