Our 2020 bolter

[Mofra]

Every year we have a player that comes from nowhere that has a far greater impact than expected.
Nobody would have picked Gowers to win our goal-kicking in 2018, nor Naughton to become the no 1 contested marking forward in the competition over the H&A season last year.

So who gets the nod this year? Does Bailey Dale live up to the expectations he set over a month and a half at the end of last year? Does Lachie Young become a best 22 player? Bailey Williams finally 'click'?

[Axe Man]

Not that "flying" in pre-season necessarily transfers into the season proper, but one of the players (can't remember who) in a recent interview nominated Bailey Williams as a standout. It's getting to now or never stage for him.

[The Underdog]

Not that "flying" in pre-season necessarily transfers into the season proper, but one of the players (can't remember who) in a recent interview nominated Bailey Williams as a standout. It's getting to now or never stage for him.

He was my first thought too. Has the talent and physical tools, also someone most of us expected to leave but has stayed in the fold despite probably better opportunities elsewhere. If he can put it together he can be a serious player. Plus it’s his turn on the Bailey roster

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Dunkley was a bolter last year too with his elite consistency at getting the nut. If Scache bolts this year we're in for a good one. I think Johannisen with a good preseason will be a level above last year, ditto Bailey Smith.
Does a 'bolter' need to be a bit 'sight unseen' like where did that come from? Well Brad Lynch fits that bill.
I'm going for Bailey Dale to be the bolter to regularly set the forward line alight. He has the tools and has been in our system long enough to put it all together. He'll kick goals and set up plenty for Bruce, Naughton and co.

[Rocket Science]

Whether he meets the 'bolter' definition or not because improvement's expected of him, in terms of rapid growth from one year to the next, hopefully it's English.

While it'd be nice to see the likes of Williams, Dale, Schache or one of the Youngs grab a spot by the horns, can you think of a player whose ascent would have a more profound influence on our fortunes than Tim? I can't.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Not that "flying" in pre-season necessarily transfers into the season proper, but one of the players (can't remember who) in a recent interview nominated Bailey Williams as a standout. It's getting to now or never stage for him.

Like it - hes a bloke who could be an A grader but he also could just eek out an existence if he doesnt get fit enough to really make an impact

[bornadog]

Like it - hes a bloke who could be an A grader but he also could just eek out an existence if he doesnt get fit enough to really make an impact

I like Bailey Williams, and would love him to have a breakout season, but I am not confident he will.

[weltschmerz]

Would love to see Laitham Vandermeer make a debut and impress on the wing.

[Bullies]

Tim English will go to the next level

[comrade]

Hayes will prove me wrong.

[chef]

Weightman will debut round 1 and hold his spot all year.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Weightman will debut round 1 and hold his spot all year.

That would be the best bolt since Winx.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/372057/outside-dog-adds-dusty-power-to-toolkit-in-bid-to-explode-?fbclid=IwAR3kMBZdTfodrw8IhzPm7LTJn_3LGnkyjrbDvJ5nZgJyaQRHhM isjMXFLuE

Outside Dog adds Dusty power to toolkit in bid to 'explode'
The Bulldogs midfield already has plenty of bite, but is about to get some extra fangs?

By Jourdan Canil - 9 hrs
'BULLY-BALL' is already enough of a nightmare for opposing midfields when they face the Western Bulldogs, but it's about to get worse now that young gun Pat Lipinski looks to take the next step.

The midfielder averaged just a tick under 22 disposals per game in a breakout 2019 season, but he's not content with just being a skilled outside runner.



The one thing that the 21-year-old has added to his toolkit this year is something that separates Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield from the rest of the pack.

"I want to get the ball and explode," Lipinski said.

"I'm adding more power in my game and in my midfield craft."

We have 40 healthy players and we have really good depth. I really have to improve to make sure that spot is mine
- Patrick Lipinski

Decision making has been a strength of Lipinski's but having the option to take on would-be tacklers gives the Bulldogs an extra dimension in a midfield already stacked with star power.

"Often I'd get the ball and flick it off quickly, which was still the right decision to make sometimes, but adding that power and strength to my game will help as I play more inside midfield."



Bulldogs midfield coach Jordan Russell and veteran Mitch Wallis have been working closely with Lipinski, Ed Richards and Billy Gowers on taking their in-and-under games to the next level.

"We work inside on a craft floor where we do midfield work. You do some work with contested one on ones, but for me it's mainly winning the ball and taking those first few steps with a burst out of the pack," Lipinski said.

Whilst Lipinski looks like a walk-up best 22 player, he knows the competition is beating down the door behind him.

"We have 40 healthy players and we have really good depth. I really have to improve to make sure that spot is mine."

After 17 games as a half-forward flanker in 2018, the young gun started 2019 in the VFL and ended up with just 14 senior games last season.

That demotion actually worked wonders for his ability to find the ball, as he started to figure out running patterns.

"The start of the year I played VFL just completely midfield and got better there. That correlated a little bit to the AFL and finding the ball more.

"The good thing with VFL is we play with the exact same game plan."

Going the extra mile to achieve success is something that runs in the blood for the young midfielder.

The Lipinksi family are an international team of go-getters all living out their dreams on three different continents.

Lipinski went over to New York in December to catch up with his brother Julian, who has recently finished his college basketball career.

"He played college basketball for four years for St Rose in Albany, upstate New York. He did really well there and now he's working in New York City doing equity sales and working on Wall Street," Lipinski said of his brother.

Lipinski's sister Stephanie also joined her siblings on the trip.

"I've got a sister as well working in London. She works for Stella McCartney so she's doing her dream job."

Lipinski will get his first chance to impress in the Marsh Community Series game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Friday February 21.

[westdog54]

I'm with BIDS. LIPINSKI is primed for a ripping season.

[AshMac]

We have 40 healthy players and we have really good depth. I really have to improve to make sure that spot is mine

Love this!

IÂ’m hoping Ed Richards can settle himself and find the right role. All the attributes of an outstanding footballer - would love him to explode.

Plus I have an un-losable bet that he makes AA before Aaron Francis, so would prefer to cash in early.

[Mofra]

Wild prediction for a player that plays a role for which we have huge competition for spots. Lachie Young.

Excellent in the air, takes the game on, taller than our other mid-sized intercept marks, threw him into the seniors last year as a raw skinny rookie. When it clicks for him he will be outstanding.

[GVGjr]

Wild prediction for a player that plays a role for which we have huge competition for spots. Lachie Young.

Excellent in the air, takes the game on, taller than our other mid-sized intercept marks, threw him into the seniors last year as a raw skinny rookie. When it clicks for him he will be outstanding.

I like the suggestion. We probably won't play 3 tall defenders much and Lachie Young does provide that good balance of playing against taller and smaller opponents.

[Mofra]

I like the suggestion. We probably won't play 3 tall defenders much and Lachie Young does provide that good balance of playing against taller and smaller opponents.
The other issue is Wood missing games. Lachie seems the perfect replacement as someone who can be damaging in the air and play on taller or shorter opponents. The club clearly rate him as shown last year.

Reading between the lines of MC selection, the club rate anyone who takes the game on by either running the ball or by foot (hence Caleb finishing well in the B&F)

[Bulldog4life]

Would love to see Laitham Vandermeer make a debut and impress on the wing.

Yes this is the guy I am looking forward to see making his debut. Hoping I will see him in one of the practice matches too. Could be a dark horse bolter.

[Eastdog]

I'm going to go for Bailey Dale to have a great season kicking goals for us. Showed quite a bit in the latter stages of last season.

Tim English is another that has huge potential to bolt in 2020.