Dogs need review of their whole footy department

Missing out on finals should demand action at Western Bulldogs, writes MARK ROBINSON. But there's one "poppycock" excuse for the top-eight failure Robbo won't stomach.



The unwavering support for Luke Beveridge cannot stop a full-blown review of a season that ended with a whimper and disappointment.

The Bulldogs have problems and a review will determine the extent of them, however monumental or minuscule they are.

But problems they are.

On field, the Bulldogs don't even tease anymore. They are flash without substance. A team which had top four hopes and nothing to show for it. The list needs work.

The off-field component also needs examination and how deep that runs is up to the Bulldogs.

But the review has to look at all aspects of the footy department, including head of football and club icon Chris Grant, the coaching set up and recruiting.

The simple ? and likely ? solution is to have Grant review the footy and chief executive Ameet Bains to review Grant.

The other solution is to bring in an external person, say a Jason Dunstall or Geoff Walsh, to review Grant, talk to the players and staff, and then report to Bains.

It's not an emergency or crisis move, it's a move to help identify any problems with the environment, reporting practices and player concerns that otherwise remain subdued.

It's not about blowing up the club, it's about improving the club.

And there's no shame in employing fresh eyes.

The person could look and listen. Speak to the captain, speak to the experienced Liam Jones about his expectation versus reality and speak to outgoing assistants Rohan Smith and Marc Webb.

Even speak to those who previously wanted out of the club and about why.

If they'd care to share, have meetings with assistant coaches who departed in recent years, like Ash Hansen, Joel Corey, Stephen King and Jordan Russell.

It's not a witch hunt. It's an exploration. Why did they leave? Was it because of Beveridge or even Grant, or is it less sinister than that?

Also, learn why Lachie Hunter left, and Zaine Cordy and Josh Dunkley. Two of them are father-sons. It?s rare for sons of past players, who have barracked for the club all their lives, to want out. One maybe. But two?

Change has begun and will continue.

Smith, a long-time lieutenant of Beveridge?s is out the door. Beveridge didn?t like it, which prompted suggestions of conflict with Grant and Bains.

Those pedalling that conflict can't have it both ways. They accuse Beveridge of having too much power, and that no one at the club stands up to him, and then scream crisis when the club actually stands up to the coach.

And the other suggestion that Smith's sacking derailed the season surely is poppycock. If the players use that as an excuse, there?s more issues than we thought.

The Bulldogs on Monday indicated the review would be run internally.

"We?re aware we need to improve in the off-season to bridge the gap between where we are and where we need to be," Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said on Monday night.

"Our job now is to definitively identify where we can find that improvement and make the required changes.

"That process started earlier in the season, and will continue now as we work through the early stages of the post-season.

"With the strength of leadership we have within our club, and the intimate knowledge of our people and processes, we are confident we can make the adjustments that we require."

The list needs work. The top-end talent is there, but there?s too much bottom-end battlers. Like, there's six colonels and 16 soldiers.

The best list in the competition? That was a joke comment surely.

Former recruiter Simon Dalrymple was another to take off. He built the 2016 list and is doing a pretty good job with Sydney's list. Why did he leave? Was it about opportunity or would he no longer work with Grant or Beveridge? Go ask him?

This year, there were injuries, and they did lose five games by seven points or fewer, but questions remain on players such as Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith.

Macrae fell off a cliff this year and Smith might fall out of the club. What's their mindset?

The players have their exit meetings Tuesday, so grievances will be heard and questions will be asked.

Will Smith be totally honest? He had a great working and personal relationship with former club doctor, Jake Landsberger. Does he have the same comfortableness and honesty at present?

That's not an accusation, it's a question.

And if he wants out for another environment then why?


Who cares what the Bulldogs call their review, be it exploratory or semi-crisis, because that's not the point.

And it's not about circling wagons and soldiering on.

Fresh eyes can be a winner.