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The Coon Dog
23-04-2008, 04:45 AM
Cautious Bulldogs spin out of control (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23584181-19742,00.html)

Damian Barratt - Herald Sun

THE Western Bulldogs aren't good at publicly managing the good times.

Like most clubs unfamiliar with success, they panic when they begin to feel they could be in line for some.

This week the Bulldogs, unbeaten after five rounds, have devoted much effort in attempting to manipulate the image in which the public views it.

Questionable strategy has seen the Brian Lake issue from Sunday afternoon become a saga, maybe even a charade.

Lake no doubt felt something "go" in his hamstring just after he took that sensational pack mark in the final seconds of the game against Richmond, and that he chose to vacate the field, leaving Will Minson to take the score-equalling kick, is now almost irrelevant.

What is of issue, though, is how the Bulldogs, clearly sensing people were about to ask questions about the legitimacy of Lake's departure, have gone way over the top in stage management and spin.

By first thing Monday morning, the word was put out that Lake would be having scans.

Even teammate Daniel Cross was made aware of the scan news, which he proudly passed on to SEN.

Then we had Lake refuse to talk to media about the injury, when a quick stand-up conference would have removed much of the football world's cynicism.

Hopefully, his silence wasn't club-ordered.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, a long-time media master, later said Lake's hamstring was "tight", that it might have been "cramp" or a "spasm", and that there was "no tear".

Then we were told by the club that Lake was offended by claims he dodged the pressure kick. Please.

Lake will play against West Coast at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

While the Lake matter has played out publicly, behind the scenes the club has applied a few more gags to the mouth of Jason Akermanis.

A scheduled video appearance on this newspaper's website was cancelled yesterday. It followed heavy club editing of recent columns he had prepared for the sports pages of the paper.

The club was annoyed Aker dared say on Herald Sun video last week that Geelong might be considering conspiring to rest some of its players from the Hall of Fame game.

Heavy stuff, as you can see. Heavy enough for the order to be given that yesterday's video would not be happening.

Aker also has had his trademark handstand banned.

Remember the pride of the Bulldogs when they recruited Aker?

"It's going to be unleashed . . . it's entertainment," said Bulldogs chief executive Campbell Rose last year of Akermanis and his handstand.

The Bulldogs regularly scream out for publicity. They are good at that.

But they're terrible at dealing with the news they can't control, and they'll need to improve drastically if they are to cash in on what is shaping as a pretty good year.

LostDoggy
23-04-2008, 08:43 AM
What a load of croc - must be bad news day

camwoof
23-04-2008, 08:48 AM
Page filler

aker39
23-04-2008, 08:50 AM
Aker's mouth piece not happy with his treatment, so decides to bag the club for defending the integrity of one of its players.

The Doctor
23-04-2008, 09:18 AM
That is the worst article I've read for many years.

Barrett should be ashamed to call himself a journalist if this is all he can muster.

LostDoggy
23-04-2008, 09:37 AM
Cautious Bulldogs spin out of control (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23584181-19742,00.html)

What is of issue, though, is how the Bulldogs, clearly sensing people were about to ask questions about the legitimacy of Lake's departure, have gone way over the top in stage management and spin.

By first thing Monday morning, the word was put out that Lake would be having scans.

Even teammate Daniel Cross was made aware of the scan news, which he proudly passed on to SEN.

Then we had Lake refuse to talk to media about the injury, when a quick stand-up conference would have removed much of the football world's cynicism.

Hopefully, his silence wasn't club-ordered.



I was told that the club sent out a media update on Monday morning that Brian would be having scans. They apparently also added that there would be no further comment from the club. I think the fact that Brian eluded the media when he left after the scan and the fact the club was quickly on the defensive has triggered a pay back.
As others have pointed out it is obviously a slow day for footy news but this does smack of pettyness.

Topdog
23-04-2008, 10:16 AM
Worst article I have read in years.

Reporters are told instantly if there will be further comment or not.

Aker on the other hand was told by his players to stop the handstand, that had absolutely nothing to do with the club. His comments about Geelong would have been quite offensive to the Geelong players and now anyone from Geelong who misses the game is going to be scrutinized. It was a stupid thing to say and kind of ironic that we are now defending a player who has been accused of faking an injury.

Is there anything in the article that is factually correct?

camwoof
23-04-2008, 11:10 AM
It would be interesting to see the reaction from this article in house at the dogs

Bulldog Revolution
23-04-2008, 11:16 AM
He came across as a pathetic journalist on Footy confidential - just looked a goose

He's obviously got an issue with someone at the club

immortalmike
23-04-2008, 11:42 AM
How funny is it that we start the year undefeated and yet all we seem to get is ignored or bad press. This was one of the most self-serving, horrible article I have read in a while it makes Caroline Wilson look well-informed.

camwoof
23-04-2008, 11:46 AM
It certainly seems that the way you finish a season carries over for the following year with the media. Look at Hawthorn this year and when we had a strong finish at the end of 2005.

LostDoggy
23-04-2008, 04:08 PM
That was by far, the worst newspaper article that I have ever read. I cant believe that, that was even published.

LostDoggy
23-04-2008, 04:08 PM
Someone wrote a negative story about the dogs.....shock horror.....'Its rubbish' , 'he's a crap journo etc etc''... Come on guys, we have got no idea what goes on down at the club. The chap must have his reasons

The Doctor
23-04-2008, 04:52 PM
Someone wrote a negative story about the dogs.....shock horror.....'Its rubbish' , 'he's a crap journo etc etc''... Come on guys, we have got no idea what goes on down at the club. The chap must have his reasons

The chap must have his reasons? So that is good enough to slag us off is it? If you think that is ok then what kind of supporter are you.

Read the article for what it is, a crap piece of journalism.

1eyedog
23-04-2008, 05:22 PM
This is the worse, meaningless article I have ever read. Barrett you're an IDIOT!

Go_Dogs
23-04-2008, 06:58 PM
Agreed, it's seems more like a personal vendetta against the club rather than a piece of investigative journalism, although really what do you expect? Perhaps this bloke is annoyed that some other journalists are more welcome to info at the club.

LostDoggy
23-04-2008, 08:09 PM
How funny is it that we start the year undefeated and yet all we seem to get is ignored or bad press. This was one of the most self-serving, horrible article I have read in a while it makes Caroline Wilson look well-informed.


I agree, our press coverage is a bit strange. Its almost like we aren't playing according to the script, therefore we are being ignored.

ledge
23-04-2008, 09:16 PM
Did anyone read Barrets article on Brown last week?
He wrote about Collingwood chasing him with big dollars then he went on to say he had asked at both clubs about it and both said they didnt know what he was on about.
So my question is where did he pull the story from??
He makes them up in his head, worst journalist i have ever read.
Puts big headlines to make you look then makes it up and covers his arse by later saying nothing is confirmed by anyone.

camwoof
24-04-2008, 08:22 AM
He is on triple M pre game on a Saturday afternoon, people should ring him up and question him about it. I can't cause i am playing footy at that time.

aker39
24-04-2008, 09:16 AM
He is on triple M pre game on a Saturday afternoon, people should ring him up and question him about it. I can't cause i am playing footy at that time.

Or you can add your comments here - http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/afl/ourteam/index.php/heraldsun/comments/bulldogs_spin_out_of_control/

bornadog
24-04-2008, 12:05 PM
What a rubbish article, what the hell is he trying to say.

LostDoggy
24-04-2008, 03:35 PM
Or you can add your comments here - http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/afl/ourteam/index.php/heraldsun/comments/bulldogs_spin_out_of_control/
Thanks for pointing that out.

LostDoggy
27-04-2008, 01:22 PM
Great insight TCD - thanks for posting.

One of the benifits of such a forum - info various sources being made available.