New coach sparks Talia's second coming

[bornadog]

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It has been commonly held for years that the Western Bulldogs weren't going to add to their lone premiership cup if they didn't recruit a gun key forward.


While they went a long way to addressing that need by snaring teenage prodigy Tom Boyd from GWS, a backline that has leaked plenty of goals over the past few seasons had largely gone unnoticed by most onlookers.


The key posts have been a particular problem. Veteran Dale Morris has been punching above his weight for more than a decade, while the jury is still out on whether Jordan Roughead is better suited to the ruck-forward role or combating the AFL's monster forwards.


So, one man the Dogs will be desperately hoping makes the grade is young key defender Michael Talia.


With the acquisition of Boyd, and the Dogs assembling one of league's best young midfields, Talia is well aware how important he can be to the Bulldogs' hopes of giving their 1954 premiership cup some long-awaited company.


"The midfield is pretty settled and the forward line is really coming together, but we really need to get the backline sorted," Talia told AFL.com.au


But the 22-year-old is coming off a year in the footballing wilderness, playing just three senior games after finishing the 2013 season as a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee and one of the league's brightest young key defensive talents.


"There was just a few things I needed to work on with my game and Brendan McCartney, our coach at the time, felt I needed to work on my defensive efforts off the ball, making it harder for my opponent," said Talia


"I played some pretty good footy in the VFL, but couldn't work my way back in."


But with the arrival of new coach Luke Beveridge and his more attacking game plan, Talia's slate seems to have been wiped clean. The 194cm stopper has featured in all three of the Dogs' NAB Challenge hit-outs.


Another reason for his improved form is the inspiration he gets from older brother Daniel Talia, who has enjoyed a rapid rise to become one of the best key defenders in the competition.


"To see him named an All Australian last year and also in the (Adelaide) leadership group, I'm extremely proud of him," Talia said


"I always use Daniel for tips on an upcoming opponent and feedback on my own game, so it's great to have someone so close to you that you can feed off."


But with the opening round less than a week away, big brother won't be much help if Talia gets a game and he's given the task of manning Eagles star Josh Kennedy at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.


"I'll be pretty disappointed if I don't play much this year to be honest because I know I have the ability to," said Talia


"I want to be a pillar of our defence for many years, not just this year."

[F'scary]

Form has been ok in NAB Cup barring the first quarter of the Dees game.

[bornadog]

Needs to cement himself in the backline.

[bulldogtragic]

Hope he is a long term KPD at the dogs.

[LostDoggy]

"I'll be pretty disappointed if I don't play much this year to be honest because I know I have the ability to," said Talia.

Aimed squarely at list management.

[Maddog37]

He looks taller to me this year. Maybe I am shrinking in my old age.....

[Remi Moses]

Needs a big one . Wonder if he could talk Daniel around to play for the Dogs?

[bulldogtragic]

Needs a big one . Wonder if he could talk Daniel around to play for the Dogs?

I think Dan signed a big contract. If Geelong land Dangerfield, he might get some more coin too.

[Webby]

I banged on quite a bit about Talia and Roberts being our two most important "step up" players at the start of this pre-season. We really, really need those two to make the grade if we are to win a flag with our current group.

Roberts' shoulder reco has set him back a bit, so the focus shifts squarly onto Talia. He needs a solid year. A big bonus for me is what Hamling has shown in the nab Cup. He will perform a role for us for a few years. He's very athletic and times his approach to the ball well. Early doors, but he could be one trade we look back on with great satisfaction in years to come.

Back to Talia. From what I saw of him in all the nab games and the intraclub, he's playing a good, straight bat. Keeping it simple, doing the basics, searching for the boundary, rushing behinds etc. He's playing conservative "defence 101" football. Mistake free stuff that he can build on as he develops.

As he gets a run of games under his belt, he'll broaden his game, gain confidence and grow as a player. I'm looking forward to seeing him develop this year. Hopefully after a month or two, his mate, Roberts will join him. However Roberts will face competition from Hamling - which can't be a bad thing.

[always right]

What I've liked about Talia in the pre-season has been his defensive positioning. Not only has it allowed him to often lead his opponent to the ball and make intercepts.....but it has helped to minimize his weakness i.e. lack of pace.

What he now needs to do is eliminate the simple ball handling errors that are still in his game. I think this is a confidence thing which will hopefully be addressed by the coach showing faith in him and giving him plenty of gametime in the seniors.