bornadog
18-01-2018, 12:55 PM
link (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-18/talls-the-key-to-bulldogs-flying-high?uuid=327348f0-6283-4a11-9c88-95a905e2283a)
http://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/Samples/528032-tlslargelandscape.jpg
FLYING in the face of the past two premiership formulas, the Western Bulldogs are open to playing three tall forwards in the same side this season.
The Bulldogs in 2016 and Richmond last year lifted the cup on the back of small and unpredictable attacks, but with recruit Josh Schache joining Tom Boyd and Jack Redpath as key forwards at Whitten Oval, the Dogs are considering a similar set-up to 2017 runner-up Adelaide.
Forwards Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch all stand over 191cm and were key planks in the Crows finishing on top of the ladder after the home and away season.
With all three Bulldogs also able to play in the ruck, forwards coach Ashley Hansen told AFL.com.au the Dogs are open-minded on the selection of Boyd, Redpath and Schache.
"There's no reason why they all can't play in the same forward line," Hansen said.
"It's a great headache to have if they're all marking the ball. If they're all converting on goal and providing defensive pressure, they'll all play.
"Being opened minded is really important in our game because it depends on the opposition and who you've got available for selection.
"You certainly reflect on who went well last year, and it's really important that we learn from who won the flag, but we took a lot away from what Adelaide did as well.
"(Small forward lines) have been in vogue over the past two years, and it worked for us and Richmond, but we've seen the power of Adelaide's attack with their height, and that won them the most games last season, so clearly that works as well.
"I think (our height) is a strength of ours going into the season."
Another interesting subplot in the Bulldogs' 2018 campaign is how they go about fixing the inefficiency and accuracy problems that plagued them in attack last year.
Hansen is hoping another pre-season of building chemistry between all areas of the ground will go a long way to improving the vitally important elements of the game.
The Dogs finished 2017 last in goal kicking accuracy with a dismal 43.1 per cent.
"We're making sure all our areas (of the ground) are covered but certainly focusing on refining (our ball use inside 50) to get maximum return for the good work we do in the midfield and backline," Hansen said.
"It's knowing how each player likes the ball to be delivered, so hopefully our list can continue to get training hours into them."
The Dogs are considering taking a similar approach to JLT Community Series as in previous years by using one game to field their best side and the other to give some exposure to younger players.
The Dogs will host Hawthorn at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on March 3 before travelling to Moe to face Collingwood on March 10.
"I'd like to think with one less game (this year), we'd pick our best side (for both games)," Hansen said.
"But the then again, we have to meet as a match committee and might decide to invest and have a look at our youth in one of those games.
"I think two games is a good preparation."
http://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/Samples/528032-tlslargelandscape.jpg
FLYING in the face of the past two premiership formulas, the Western Bulldogs are open to playing three tall forwards in the same side this season.
The Bulldogs in 2016 and Richmond last year lifted the cup on the back of small and unpredictable attacks, but with recruit Josh Schache joining Tom Boyd and Jack Redpath as key forwards at Whitten Oval, the Dogs are considering a similar set-up to 2017 runner-up Adelaide.
Forwards Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch all stand over 191cm and were key planks in the Crows finishing on top of the ladder after the home and away season.
With all three Bulldogs also able to play in the ruck, forwards coach Ashley Hansen told AFL.com.au the Dogs are open-minded on the selection of Boyd, Redpath and Schache.
"There's no reason why they all can't play in the same forward line," Hansen said.
"It's a great headache to have if they're all marking the ball. If they're all converting on goal and providing defensive pressure, they'll all play.
"Being opened minded is really important in our game because it depends on the opposition and who you've got available for selection.
"You certainly reflect on who went well last year, and it's really important that we learn from who won the flag, but we took a lot away from what Adelaide did as well.
"(Small forward lines) have been in vogue over the past two years, and it worked for us and Richmond, but we've seen the power of Adelaide's attack with their height, and that won them the most games last season, so clearly that works as well.
"I think (our height) is a strength of ours going into the season."
Another interesting subplot in the Bulldogs' 2018 campaign is how they go about fixing the inefficiency and accuracy problems that plagued them in attack last year.
Hansen is hoping another pre-season of building chemistry between all areas of the ground will go a long way to improving the vitally important elements of the game.
The Dogs finished 2017 last in goal kicking accuracy with a dismal 43.1 per cent.
"We're making sure all our areas (of the ground) are covered but certainly focusing on refining (our ball use inside 50) to get maximum return for the good work we do in the midfield and backline," Hansen said.
"It's knowing how each player likes the ball to be delivered, so hopefully our list can continue to get training hours into them."
The Dogs are considering taking a similar approach to JLT Community Series as in previous years by using one game to field their best side and the other to give some exposure to younger players.
The Dogs will host Hawthorn at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on March 3 before travelling to Moe to face Collingwood on March 10.
"I'd like to think with one less game (this year), we'd pick our best side (for both games)," Hansen said.
"But the then again, we have to meet as a match committee and might decide to invest and have a look at our youth in one of those games.
"I think two games is a good preparation."