1st half of season 2017 - How are we tracking?

[Topdog]

Yeah maybe. We are an errant Lindsay Thomas shot at goal and a lucky DOOB against Richmond away from being 4-6 and 13th and that would be shite.

Why do Richmond get a win for that deliberate OOB.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Why do Richmond get a win for that deliberate OOB.

Not forgetting the blatant throw leading to the goal that got them to within a goal.

But i take 1eyedogs point. We could be 4-6. But we also had some close losses meaning we could be 8-2. So i think 6-4 is fair.

And i also think 6-4 is bloody good considering the football we've been playing.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

6-4 considering our form is flattering.

We can turn it around, but we need to do it quickly. Libba will be a key.

[bornadog]

6-4 considering our form is flattering.

We can turn it around, but we need to do it quickly. Libba will be a key.

The Saints game was our first 4 quarter effort - I think we are on the way.

[always right]

I don't think we played that well on Saturday but we did an excellent job in stopping the saint's running game.....plenty to build on.

Our loss to GWS was IMO our best four quarter performance. Would love to have won that one.

[Eastdog]

I don't think we played that well on Saturday but we did an excellent job in stopping the saint's running game.....plenty to build on.

Our loss to GWS was IMO our best four quarter performance. Would love to have won that one.

Sucked losing the GWS game. I felt we played better and deserved to win. Very unlucky in that one. The Eagles is another I would ha e loved to have won. We didn't take advantage when they were missing the Eagles and didn't get the points.

[Topdog]

1 more thing I will say is our team are going to be well prepped for finals this season.

We are playing tough, bruising encounters every week (except for the Saints who were soft as butter) and that is great preparation.

Other teams aren't having this effort put into them and most are absolutely struggling the following week.

Geelong needed 130 tackles against us, a record for them, they limped over the line the next week against Port at home with some nice home cooking from the umpires.

[LostDoggy]

1 more thing I will say is our team are going to be well prepped for finals this season.

We are playing tough, bruising encounters every week (except for the Saints who were soft as butter) and that is great preparation.

Other teams aren't having this effort put into them and most are absolutely struggling the following week.

Geelong needed 130 tackles against us, a record for them, they limped over the line the next week against Port at home with some nice home cooking from the umpires.

True. I read somewhere last week that teams who have played us this year are 1-8 the following week, including some horror performances.

[LostDoggy]

Going through all our games to date you could just about argue that every team has played there best footy of the season against us.

Certainly Collingwood, Sydney, Freo, Brisbane, GWS, West Coast & Geelong fall into that category.

Even the Saints threw everything at us early only to be still trailing at quarter time.

We are building. Competition for spots will be extremely hot post bye. Can only be a good thing for us.

[bornadog]

In numbers: 2017 so far

With the Bulldogs off this weekend with a bye, westernbulldogs.com.au has taken the opportunity to reflect on the first 10 rounds – breaking down the statistical leaders and how things sit midway through the 2017 season.

Disposals

1. Luke Dahlhaus: 273
2. Jack Macrae: 259
3. Jason Johannisen: 253
4. Marcus Bontempelli: 238
5. Lachie Hunter: 217

After a sixth-placed finish in last year’s Charles Sutton Medal, Luke Dahlhaus has elevated his game to another level, averaging a career-high 27.3 disposals in 2017 - including eight games over 25 possessions. Jack Macrae’s numbers are up on last season, as are Jason Johannisen’s at 25.3 disposals a game.

Goals

1. Jake Stringer: 19
2. Marcus Bontempelli: 12
3. Lachie Hunter: 8
4. Liam Picken: 7
5. Clay Smith: 7

With a forward-line taking multiple shapes, Jake Stringer has become the side’s most dangerous target inside 50, with four games of 3+ goals to start the season. Marcus Bontempelli’s role closer to goal has been fruitful, while Lachie Hunter is already just two goals shy of his 2016 mark of 10.

Tackles

1. Tom Liberatore: 68
2. Marcus Bontempelli: 66
3. Jack Macrae: 59
4. Lin Jong: 49
5. Luke Dahlhaus: 47

Although out of the side in recent weeks, Tom Liberatore’s tackling prowess is still evident – sitting inside the league’s top 10 and second to only Rory Sloane in averages (excluding Scott Selwood who’s played just the two games). A career-high 14 tackles in round 1 from Lin Jong has elevated him inside the top five.

Marks

1. Easton Wood: 60
2. Marcus Adams: 58
3. Robert Murphy: 52
4. Matthew Suckling: 47
5. Lachie Hunter: 45

High leaping Easton Wood has showed his value in defence in the first 10 round with his intercept marking capabilities, often cutting off any opposition attack and beginning the rebound himself. Bob Murphy has slotted straight back in, while Hunter’s move forward of centre has him in the Club’s top five for marks inside 50.

Score involvements

1. Luke Dahlhaus: 81
2. Marcus Bontempelli: 77
3. Liam Picken: 72
4. Jack Macrae: 67
5. Jake Stringer: 62

Not only is Dahlhaus getting plenty of the ball, but he is damaging with it – involved in nearly a third of all Bulldogs scores this season. Liam Picken has also shown his potency, averaging 8.7 score involvements in our wins.
Turnovers forced

1. Jack Macrae: 41
2. Tom Liberatore: 40
3. Jason Johannisen: 29
4. Marcus Bontempelli: 28
5. Caleb Daniel: 26

The Bulldogs have always prided themselves on their pressure, and Jack Macrae is at the forefront of that – averaging 4.1 turnovers per games. Johannisen is bringing the heat off half-back, while 40.7% of Bontempelli’s turnovers result in scores.

Inside 50s

1. Marcus Bontempelli: 44
2. Matthew Suckling: 40
3. Luke Dahlhaus: 39
4. Robert Murphy: 36
5. Jason Johannisen: 33

Matthew Suckling has been instrumental in attack, pumping the ball inside 50 on 40 occasions this season. 39 inside 50s highlights Luke Dahlhaus’ value with ball in hand, while Bob has been dangerous both back and forward of centre.

[1eyedog]

Dahl having his best year, would be on track for a top 2 finish in the CSM. Libba's pressure acts are right up there.

[bornadog]

Suckling with 40 inside 50s is something we don't notice, but I bet the coaching staff do.

[bulldogtragic]

Suckling with 40 inside 50s is something we don't notice, but I bet the coaching staff do.

Quite surprised by that.

[Mantis]

Suckling with 40 inside 50s is something we don't notice, but I bet the coaching staff do.

Be interested in seeing how many have lead to scores.. As he is pretty much in as a designated kicker it should be a high %.

[bornadog]

Be interested in seeing how many have lead to scores.. As he is pretty much in as a designated kicker it should be a high %.

He is down for 6 goal assists, and 5 goals, but of course that doesn't tell us how many of the 40 inside 50s went on to be a goal.