Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
The Western Bulldogs have some big issues up forward. Much has been made of Josh Bruce’s four-year deal, but Josh Schache is another who badly underachieved in 2020. Is he in the best 22 next year? See where every Dog is at.
Little Caleb Daniel is officially Top Dog, with the All-Australian halfback slowing Marcus Bontempelli’s charge towards Scott West’s record of seven best-and-fairests.
Daniel, 24, capped a sparkling season by securing the Charles Sutton Medal ahead of previous winners Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore.
Champion Data ranked Daniel’s kick rating No.1 in the AFL and he was also the No.1 interceptor at the Dogs.
Daniel had never previously finished higher than fifth, and coach Luke Beveridge admitted he was unsure what position the versatile ball magnet would settle in under his famous helmet few years ago.
“We didn’t know where to place him, he was very light. We knew he could run a little bit,” Beveridge said.
“We weren’t sure about where he was going to play in the future. He’s obviously got a big heart, and he drove us forward.
“He’s been one of the key figures in the last six years. He’s virtually played every position over the journey.
“His defensive stuff has been quite extreme. He’s obviously an iconic player in the game because of the unique gifts he has.”
Bailey Williams – one of the standouts in Saturday’s elimination final – powered into the top five, while Lachie Hunter stormed home after missing eight games before Round 12.
Daniel trained with Williams over the break, setting the defenders up for a boom 2020.
The Dogs held a meeting before the vote count, where they steeled their determination to rise up the ladder next year.
But they are in for significant list changes with high-priced free agent Jackson Trengove, veteran Matthew Suckling and youngsters Callum Porter, Brad Lynch, Fergus Greene, Buku Khamis and Will Hayes all unsigned. Tory Dickson has already retired.
It is understood that injured midfielder Lin Jong (ankle) as well as finals players Ryan Gardner and Roarke Smith are set to win fresh contracts.
Former captain Easton Wood is expected to sign on for another two years.
Richmond small forward Jack Higgins is assessing his options after managing just one game since Round 10.
The Dogs would love a pressure forward and Beveridge wanted to draft Higgins in 2017. Instead, the Bulldogs selected Ed Richards, with Higgins joining the Tigers at the next pick.
Bontempelli, a three-time best-and-fairest winner, has now finished in the top three for six consecutive winners.
Only the legendary Ted Whitten and Brownlow Medallist Gary Dempsey have previously secured six-straight top-three finishes.
Ruckman Tim English and leading goalkicker Mitch Wallis also placed in the top 10.
Bulldog players checked out of their Royal Pines hub on Tuesday morning and were free to enjoy Queensland, officially exiting the AFL’s strict COVID-19 protocols.
Charles Sutton Medal voting
Charles Sutton Medal – Caleb Daniel (205 votes)
Doug Hawkins Medal – Marcus Bontempelli (195)
Gary Dempsey Medal – Tom Liberatore (160)
4th – Jack Macrae (154)
5th – Bailey Williams (121)
6th – Alex Keath (118)
7th – Bailey Smith (105)
8th – Tim English (89)
9th – Lachie Hunter (84)
10th – Mitch Wallis (83)
LIST ANALYSIS: EVERY BULLDOG RATED
- Nick Smart
The Western Bulldogs have been urged to target Melbourne ruckman Braydon Preuss in the upcoming trade period to help support emerging big man Tim English.
English, 23, essentially rucked solo in his side’s elimination final loss up against St Kilda ruck duo Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder.
“He is going to be a really good player, Tim English, but just at the moment he is a boy ruckman playing against the men,” AFL legend Leigh Matthews said on 3AW.
Former Essendon star forward Matthew Lloyd said it was obvious English needed help in the ruck and said the Dogs should go after Preuss.
“They have to hunt a ruckman.,” Lloyd said on Channel 9.
“He has no idea how to defend.
“He’s young but he is being exposed.
“They were never going to go deep with Tim English as their ruckman (this year).
“They have to be just as aggressive targeting a ruck in the trade period as well.
“The problem is ready-made rucks don’t grow on trees.
“And more and more it appears clubs are waiting on other organisations to develop big men and then trying to poach them when they are ripe for the picking.”
Here’s our look at every player on the Western Bulldogs list.
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Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
1. Matthew Suckling
Age: 32 Games: 178 Out of contract
The experienced utility suffered a hamstring injury during the year and has not played since Round 9. The two-time premiership player, who signed a one-year extension to play on in 2020, is out of contract. “I still feel really refreshed and hopefully there’s a few more years left,” Suckling said in February.
2. Lewis Young
Age: 21 Games: 15 Signed to 2021
Was reinvented as a forward early in the season, after spending most of the pre-season down back. But he has made only one senior appearance this season, all the way back in Round 1 against Collingwood. “It’s with Bevo’s philosophy of playing in dual positions and having everyone on the field being able to switch around,” Young told the AFL website.
3. Mitch Wallis
Age: 27 Games: 151 Signed to 2021
Another who has found himself up forward in 2020, and with pleasing results. Led the Bulldogs’ goalkicking tally with 25 this year in what has been a successful move up the ground. Has one year remaining on the deal he signed after coming close to joining Brisbane at the end of 2018. “It’s always been in the back of our mind that he can be that influential forward,” coach Luke Beveridge said.
4. Marcus Bontempelli
Age: 24 Games: 145 Signed to 2021
Has been a stellar year for the new Bulldogs skipper. He already has three Charlie Sutton medals locked away at home and is every chance to add a fourth in 2020. “He has been very, very influential this year, Marcus. He has had to grow into his captaincy responsibilities and bones and juggle an inauspicious start to the year as a team to try to lead through action and words. He has come through that with flying colours,” Beveridge said.
5. Josh Dunkley
Age: 23 Games: 78 Signed to 2023
A frustrating season for the star midfielder, who didn’t play from Round 3 until early August after suffering ankle syndesmosis. On a long-term deal. “‘Dunks’ is a really consistent player who continues to apply himself and he’s a strong example within our four walls of what we’re after,” Beveridge said.
6. Bailey Smith
Age: 19 Games: 41 Signed to 2022
What a year he’s had. He’s only just finished his second season but it looks like he’s been in the top flight for a decade. Remarkably, Smith has played every AFL game – all 41 – since making his debut in Round 1 last year. And he’ll only continue to get better. “Bailey is a player who adds a different dimension to our midfield group. He has good foot skills, is strong around the ball and has elite running capacity,” said list boss Sam Power.
7. Lachie Hunter
Age: 25 Games: 138 Signed to 2024
Hunter had a horrible start to the year, being suspended for four games and has giving up the vice-captaincy following an alleged drink-driving crash in Albert Park. Returned to play in Round 6 and 7 before the club announced he’d be temporarily unavailable to play due to personal issues. Returned to the fold and the club has quashed a report linking him to a trade to Brisbane. “He’s red, white and blue through and through,” Beveridge said.
8. Jackson Trengove
Age: 29 Games: 89 Out of contact
The Bulldogs chased Trengove to cross over from Port Adelaide at the end of 2017. The utility has managed 33 games for the Bulldogs since joining the kennel and has made just one senior appearance in 2020, against Richmond in Round 9. Out of contract and hard to see him on the list next year.
9. Hayden Crozier
Age: 26 Games: 123 Signed to 2023
The hard-running defender signed a new deal with the Bulldogs just prior to the start of the season, which takes him through until 2023. It is good news for Dogs fans as Crozier again showed in 2020 why he is considered by many to be one of the most underrated players in the AFL. Will be a very solid player for years to come.
10. Easton Wood
Age: 31 Games: 173 Out of contract
Officially, the 2016 premiership captain remains out of contract. Although, Wood is said to have signed a new two-year deal which will take him through to the end of 2022. “It’s as good as done, which is really positive. I’ll be here for a little while yet,” Wood told the AFL website recently.
11. Jack Macrae
Age: 26 Games: 159 Signed to 2022
Macrae – who won All-Australian selection this year - has been a possession-gathering machine in 2020. He is averaging just over 27 disposals a game, and had 40 touches against Brisbane in Round 11 — hard to achieve at the best of times, let alone in 2020 with shortened quarters.
12. Zaine Cordy
Age: 23 Games: 85 Signed to 2021
It surprised many Bulldogs fans to see the 2016 premiership player playing a scratch match at the end of August. Missed a fair chunk of the season with a pectoral injury, but many expected him to come right back in. Key defensive pillar for the Dogs who finished the year with an ankle injury in the elimination final.
Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
13. Josh Schache
Age: 23 Games: 56 Signed to 2022
Has been a difficult year for the former No.2 draft pick, who has managed just two games. He was dropped after Round 6 against Carlton, when he went goalless and markless to finish with just two disposals. Has not been sighted since. What is his place going forward? Will face more competition for a spot with the arrival of draft prodigee Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. “He’s got to work off his opponent and be aggressive both in the air and when he needs to leverage his opponent and that’s what he needs to get going for him,” Bulldogs football boss Chris Grant told SEN.
14. Rhylee West
Age: 20 Games: 7 Signed to 2022
Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney recently labelled West as “Libba 2.0” and predicted he would have a “huge career.” Hard to argue with that. The son of Scott managed four games this year before the latter part of his season was affected by groin issues. Player of the future.
15. Taylor Duryea
Age: 29 Games: 134 Out of contract
Better late than never for the former two-time premiership Hawk. A combination of an off-season groin injury and more recently, a persistent quad injury, meant the 29-year-old didn’t play a senior game in 2020 until the side’s Round 17 clash against his former club. It was his first senior game in over 12 months and he showed a bit. Played in the elimination final.
16. Toby McLean
Age: 24 Games: 91 Signed to 2022
Started the year out of the team, was assigned a tagging role on Lachie Whitfield in Round 3 and in his last full game he polled nine coaches’ votes before doing his ACL late in the season. “He’s a resilient character, Toby. He’s been through a lot in his life, not just his footy career .We’ll get him through. We’ll support him. If it is as serious as what it might be, he’s still got many years ahead of him,” Beveridge said.
17. Josh Bruce
Age: 28 Games: 130 Signed to 2023
It has been a hard year for the former Saint, who is on a long-term deal. He kicked six goals against North Melbourne in Round 5, but did little outside that. It appears his marking and ball handling deserted him this season. Beveridge has repeatedly defended his prized recruit, and insisted in July he was copping a raw deal from the umpires.
18. Louis Butler
Age: 19 Games: 2 Signed to 2021
Managed two games in his first year in the big time, and showed enough to suggest the Bulldogs have something to work with. The rebounding defender had 16 disposals on debut against Carlton and 14 possessions against Sydney. One to watch.
19. Cody Weightman
Age: 19 Games: 3 Signed to 2021
Another who showed enough in his debut season to excite supporters. The crafty small forward and 2019 first round pick played three games, which included an eye-catching debut in which he kicked a brilliant goal from the boundary with his first kick. “It was an encouraging and an impressive first outing for him. He’s worked hard, and he’s earned it. “Hopefully there’s many more influential games ahead for Cody for the Bulldogs,” Beveridge said.
20. Ed Richards
Age: 21 Games: 58 Signed to 2021
Probably hasn’t reached the lofty heights of his first year in 2018, but time is still well and truly on his side. Has still enjoyed a solid season, playing 17 games floating between the forward line and the middle of the field. Was quiet in the elimination final, but should be the kennel for a long time.
21. Tom Liberatore
Age: 28 Games: 148 Signed to 2021
Libba missed the first two games of the season, but did not put a foot wrong after that. Averaged just over 20 disposals and 4.5 clearances a game in 2020. Great to see him injury free once again after overcoming persistent knee issues. “I must admit for a long period of time, even up until probably a month ago I had my doubts that he’d ever play AFL footy again,” Beveridge said earlier this year.
22. Sam Lloyd
Age: 30 Games: 88 Signed to 2021
The former Tiger suffered a shoulder injury early in the season, but the dangerous forward healed up faster than expected. It was always going to be difficult to reach the heights of 2019, when Lloyd topped the Bulldogs’ goalkicking tally with 38 majors, but he managed nine games in an interrupted year. Prior to the start of the season, Lloyd signed a new one-year deal to the end of 2021.
23. Laitham Vandermeer
Age: 21 Games: 12 Signed to 2021
The exciting speedster’s 2020 season ended courtesy of a hamstring injury in late August. Before that, Vandermeer had enjoyed a promising start to his AFL career. He made his debut in Round 2 against St Kilda, and played 12 games in 2020 after failing to break through in his first season in 2019.
24. Buku Khamis
Age: 20 Games: 0 Out of contract
The 20-year-old is yet to break through to make his top flight debut, but the defender is said to have taken some big strides in the twos in 2020. “Buku Khamis has been working really hard and has taken so many strides in his game, both defensively and offensively. He’s running up the ground now and trying to help out on offence,” Bulldogs development manager Jamie Maddocks said.
25. Ben Cavarra
Age: 24 Games: 3 Out of contract
Cavarra sat through five AFL national drafts waiting to hear his name read out, before the Dogs took him in 2018. Missed most of 2019 due to injury and made his long-awaited debut in Round 1 against the Pies. Added only two more games for the year. The emergence of Vandermeer and Weightman is not ideal for Cavarra’s prospects of earning another contract.
26. Billy Gowers
Age 24 Games 33 Out of contract
The Bulldogs’ leading goalkicker in his first year in 2018 with 26 goals. In 2019 he started the year solidly before an ankle injury sidelined him and he finished the year out of the best 22. This year he played only three senior games with none since Round 9. There’s a lot of players vying for spots in what is a jam-packed Bulldogs forward line. Does he still have some credits in the bank?
Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
27. Patrick Lipinski
Age: 22 Games: 43 Signed to 2021
The midfielder was dropped after Round 13 and wasn’t able to force his way back into the senior side until the final round. Played in the elimination final and was quiet. A year remaining on his current deal. “I want to get the ball and explode. I’m adding more power in my game and in my midfield craft,” Lipinski told the AFL website in February.
28. Callum Porter
Age: 21 Games: 1 Out of contract
Porter was recruited late in the 2017 draft and was finally able to make his AFL debut this year against Gold Coast in Round 8. The next week he was ruled out with what was described as a minor shoulder injury and he hasn’t been sighted at senior level since. Battled a groin injury late in the year.
29.Tory Dickson
Age: 33 Games: 114 Retired
He’s been a warrior, but time is up for the 2016 premiership player. The veteran forward signed a one-year extension to play on in 2020, but managed just one senior game this year and recently pulled the pin. Will always be remembered as a premiership hero for Dogs fans. “The opportunity the Western Bulldogs have given me is something I will always be grateful for,” Dickson said. “Making the decision to retire has been incredibly difficult, but I believe it is the right one.”
30. Fergus Greene
Age: 22 Games: 5 Out of contract
Showed some promising form in 2018, but his 2019 season was a wipeout due to injury. This year he has failed to play a single game. He kicked a few bags in recent scratch matches, but there’s plenty of competition for spots in the Dogs’ forward half. “I really want to hang around and be part of the club for a long time, so I’ve got a drive there to do well,” Greene told the Bendigo Advertiser in May.
31. Bailey Dale
Age: 24 Games: 59 Signed to 2022
In his sixth year with the Dogs, the Bulldogs forward struggled for goals in 2020. He wasn’t alone given the low-scoring nature of the season, although in his nine games this season he failed to kick multiple goals. He kicked a goal in seven of those games, but never more than one. Dale, who did not play after Round 12, has two years remaining on his current deal.
32. Will Hayes
Age: 25 Games: 11 Out of contract
Beveridge rated Hayes enough to play him in a final last year, although the hard-running, mature-aged midfielder managed to play only two senior games this year. Still has plenty of admirers for his work ethic, but he remains without a contract for 2021.
33. Aaron Naughton
Age: 20 Games: 53 Signed to 2024
Other than a six-goal haul against Adelaide in Round 12, it has been a fairly lean year on the goals front for the rising star. Beveridge has defended Naughton and fellow tall Josh Bruce more than once this season. “We are happy with how hard our key forwards are working and the opportunities they’re providing for others,” Beveridge said.
34. Bailey Williams
Age: 22 Games: 59 Signed to 2021
A career-best year for the defender, who flew under the radar but became an important fixture in the Dogs’ backline in 2020. Was in and out a lot in 2019, but was able to cement a spot this season. Was the AFL’s most improved player this year, according to Champion Data.
35. Caleb Daniel
Age: 24 Games: 109 Signed to 2022
Daniel’s silky ball use was so elite in 2020 there was even a Twitter account dedicated to it. A brilliant season for the little Bulldog, who earned his first All-Australian jumper and almost won an elimination final off his own boot. “My ball use is a bit of a feature of my game I guess. Being able to read the game is something I’ve always prided myself on,” Daniel said.
36. Brad Lynch
Age: 23 Games: 9 Out of contract
Lynch failed to play a senior game in 2020, which was the second successive year he was unable to pull on the red, white and blue. He last played in Round 23, 2018. Remains out of contract and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be retained for 2021.
37. Roarke Smith
Age: 23 Games: 23 Out of contract
Smith played his first final in the elimination final loss to St Kilda. Was serviceable across the year on the wing and half-back line, but remains without a contract for 2021.
38. Riley Garcia
Age: 19 Games: 0 Signed to 2021
The West Australian product joined the Western Bulldogs with pick 62 in last year’s AFL draft, just months after having an ACL reconstruction. Was able to get back and play a scratch match in August after 12 months out. One to watch in 2021.
39. Jason Johannisen
Age: 27 Games: 143 Signed to 2022
The 2016 Norm Smith Medallist spent a lot of 2020 playing on a wing and drifting forward, sometimes with great effect. Struggled to have an impact in the elimination final, finishing with 13 disposals.
40. Lachie Young
Age: 21 Games: 8 Out of contract
Having spent most of his AFL career as a defender, Young moved forward at the start of 2020. Luke Beveridge likes his players to be able to play dual position and it seems Young is no exception. Despite the switch, he managed only two senior games this year, to go with just six games in 2019.
41. Jordon Sweet
Age: 22 Games: 0 Out of contract
The young ruckman’s only crack at the senior level in 2020 came during the pre-season competition. He held his own taking on North Melbourne big man Todd Goldstein, but his closest look at an AFL debut during the home-and-away season was as emergency cover for Tim English.
42. Alex Keath
Age: 28 Games 44 Signed to 2022
It was an up and down first year for Keath at the Dogs after crossing from Adelaide at the ends of 2019. Recruited to help shore up the backline, he was often used as the Dogs’ main key defender from week to week. That is not really his bag, and the club should be looking for another key backman in the trade period to free him up in an intercepting role.
43. Ryan Gardner
Age: 23 Games: 8 Out of contract
The man known as ‘Plugger’ has been plugging the Bulldogs backline in 2020. Has unfairly copped it from Dogs fans on social media at times this year, but continues to improve and is set to win a new deal for 2021. “I think I’ve done enough to tick off getting a new contract. It’s probably going to be one of those years where everything happens quite late,” he said.
44. Tim English
Age: 23 Games: 47 Signed to 2022
English needs some help. He essentially rucked solo against St Kilda’s two man mountains in Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder in the elimination final. Ryder said earlier this year he believes Marshall plays better when they’re both in the team. English would kill for some assistance of his own.
46. Lin Jong
Age: 27 Games: 64 Out of contract
Where to now for Jong? Has suffered a wretched season with injury and is out of contract. He left the Bulldogs’ hub last month to head home for ankle surgery. Before that he managed just three senior games this year. Good player but his future is under a cloud.
Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
It's nice to see a summary which lets us know when contracts end. Great idea for a thread.
It seems incredible that we gave a 30 year old Sam Lloyd a contract extension at the start of the year - he would be on my delistings pile otherwise.
It's hard to argue with much else in the article.
Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jazzadogs
It's nice to see a summary which lets us know when contracts end. Great idea for a thread.
It seems incredible that we gave a 30 year old Sam Lloyd a contract extension at the start of the year - he would be on my delistings pile otherwise.
It's hard to argue with much else in the article.
I think with Dickson going keeping him isn't a bad thing. If he gets super fit and slim he's very good depth and can kick goals if called in. He won't lose his ability overnight, and I think with a bit of a shake and some incentive to play with hopefully some good VFL or preseason form he can add much needed specialist forward depth to the list.
Understand why some might be sceptical of that, however, he plays the toughest position on the ground to have an impact and has proven he can be more than competent at doing so.
Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jeemak
I think with Dickson going keeping him isn't a bad thing. If he gets super fit and slim he's very good depth and can kick goals if called in. He won't lose his ability overnight, and I think with a bit of a shake and some incentive to play with hopefully some good VFL or preseason form he can add much needed specialist forward depth to the list.
Understand why some might be sceptical of that, however, he plays the toughest position on the ground to have an impact and has proven he can be more than competent at doing so.
He has definitely been AFL quality, but didn't set the world on fire this year and will be 31 before next season starts. If he is fit and maintains some pace, then he definitely has a role and would probably play a fair bit. If, as I suspect, he continues to lose his speed and pressure, then his position becomes a lot more shaky.
I wonder if he would have got his extension at the end of the year, if they had waited.
(as a 30 year old, it feels very strange talking about a fellow 30 year old as over the hill - I've reached a tipping point in my AFL analysis where I'm now getting older than most players. There are only three listed Bulldog players older than me, and that assumes Suckling goes again)
Re: Where is the 2020 list at moving forward?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jeemak
I think with Dickson going keeping him isn't a bad thing. If he gets super fit and slim he's very good depth and can kick goals if called in. He won't lose his ability overnight, and I think with a bit of a shake and some incentive to play with hopefully some good VFL or preseason form he can add much needed specialist forward depth to the list.
Understand why some might be sceptical of that, however, he plays the toughest position on the ground to have an impact and has proven he can be more than competent at doing so.
Can't really argue with that. Lloyd as depth for one more season makes sense.
Counter argument to that - and pure hypothetical - if you had to choose between Dale and Lloyd, who do you pick? I know Lloyd is more proven but I'd probably select Dale if it came down to a list spot. It's irrelevant I know, but we probably went earlier than we needed to on Lloyd.
