Best 22: The jam-packed Western Bulldogs and the selection issues facing coach Luke Beveridge

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/best...5ee1a4ca1639b9

THE drought is broken.

But don’t expect the Western Bulldogs to be going anywhere in season 2017.

Having dealt with copious injury issues last season, coach Luke Beveridge was forced to rely on the vast depth of his list to take the club to its first premiership in 62 years.

Now, with stars like captain Robert Murphy back — and with recruits like Collingwood premiership forward Travis Cloke — the Dogs will be ready to go again.

Such is the club’s depth, Cloke might battle to make the side’s best 22 in Round 1.

Tom Boyd’s coming-of-age performance almost secures his spot, while Stewart Crameri’s return from suspension gives the forward line a different dimension.

Add the likes of Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson, Liam Picken, Clay Smith, Luke Dahlhaus and Caleb Daniel into that mix — as well as big men Jack Redpath and Zaine Cordy — and it’s a tough ask making yourself a permanent fixture in that team.

Down back, a similar situation is unfolding.

Murphy’s return, combined with the outstanding form of fellow veterans Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd, means the likes of Matt Suckling and Marcus Adams will have a job on their hands to work their way into the team.

Fletcher Roberts, a premiership-winning defender who impressed on the big stage last year, is in a similar position, having played only 16 games before returning for the preliminary final.


Last season, the Dogs frightened opposition fans even with their extensive injury issues. Now, imagine them fully fit in 2017.

Over the next month, foxfooty.com.au will be previewing your team’s best 22.

As always, there will be some contentious decisions — and some unlucky omissions.

THE LOCK

Marcus Bontempelli — Arguably the game’s most exciting player, opposition sides are struggling to find a way to halt Bontempelli’s influence. A stunning season last year resulted in an average of 24.4 disposals and a goal per game, with his class and ability to turn a contest from the middle unrivalled in the competition. It’s staggering to think he is still just 21.


THE BUBBLE

Matt Suckling — The defender played 17 games last season, but lost his place in the side due to an Achilles injury suffered during the semis and didn’t make it back for the grand final. With veteran skipper Robert Murphy and the big-bodied Marcus Adams both returning from long-term injuries, he’ll have his work cut out to remain in the best 22 next season.


THE RISING STAR

Josh Dunkley — It’s hard to choose a rising star in a squad jam-packed with them, but Dunkley showed a lot of promise last season — particularly in the finals. The 20-year-old played 17 games last year, averaging 16.9 disposals and 5.8 tackles per match. He was an ever-present in the side throughout its finals campaign, racking up more than 20 touches in two do-or-die clashes. He was ultra composed in the grand final and looks a promising young talent.


IT’S A BIG YEAR ...

Travis Cloke — It’s the obvious one, isn’t it? Cloke arrives from Collingwood following one of the exchange period’s most high-profile trades. However, after doing so in order to play more senior footy, Cloke will have a tough task breaking into a Dogs side coming off premiership success. With a meagre goal return last season, the pressure will be on Cloke to produce straightaway if he is to establish himself as a regular in Luke Beveridge’s team.


BEST 22


B: Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris, Shane Biggs

HB: Jason Johannisen, Easton Wood, Robert Murphy

C: Lachie Hunter, Mitch Wallis, Jack Macrae

HF: Jake Stringer, Stewart Crameri, Liam Picken

F: Luke Dalhaus, Tom Boyd, Caleb Daniel

FOLL: Jordan Roughead, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore

I/C: Tory Dickson, Clay Smith, Matt Suckling, Josh Dunkley

EMG: Travis Cloke, Marcus Adams, Toby McLean

OTHERS: Tom Campbell, Jack Redpath, Fletcher Roberts, Lukas Webb, Mitch Honeychurch, Declan Hamilton, Patrick Lipinski, Fergus Greene, Bailey Dale, Kieran Collins, Lewis Young, Bailey Williams, Tim English, Lin Jong, Zaine Cordy

ROOKIES: Josh Prudden, Bradley Lynch, Roarke Smith, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Tristan Tweedie

3 premiership players not in the side and2 not even in the emergency.

I'm not arguing, because you could argue the case in a number of ways but this team is pretty close to what I would pick anyway, but its a good problem to have.

Rotations and injuries should see a lot of the "OTHERS" get a go at some stage.

My only issue with the side is that it needs another tall defender - so Roberts or Adams comes in to it - maybe at the expense of Suckling (or surely Wallis is a big question mark). Apart from that - its more or less spot on for me.

Hard side to get into.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ozza

My only issue with the side is that it needs another tall defender - so Roberts or Adams comes in to it - maybe at the expense of Suckling (or surely Wallis is a big question mark). Apart from that - its more or less spot on for me.

Hard side to get into.

---

That is the first thing I noticed too, Morris at Fullback doesn't work. He needs to be in a back pocket.

Needs another tall down back for me , although I think a lot of teams go with the hybrid tall forward now .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bornadog

That is the first thing I noticed too, Morris at Fullback doesn't work. He needs to be in a back pocket.

---

Cordy BAD?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by marcov

Cordy BAD?

---

Good point

Depending on match ups we might need more than one genuine tall back in the side - Adams playing shorter than his opponent I can handle but one genuine 196cm+ guy like Roberts or Cordy will be vital against some opposition forwardlines (Crows and Adelaide look damaging on paper).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mofra

(Crows and Adelaide look damaging on paper)

---

Both of them? ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by boydogs

Both of them? ;)

---

We should be able to destroy either out the middle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bulldog4life

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/best...5ee1a4ca1639b9

THE drought is broken.

But don’t expect the Western Bulldogs to be going anywhere in season 2017.

Having dealt with copious injury issues last season, coach Luke Beveridge was forced to rely on the vast depth of his list to take the club to its first premiership in 62 years.

Now, with stars like captain Robert Murphy back — and with recruits like Collingwood premiership forward Travis Cloke — the Dogs will be ready to go again.

Such is the club’s depth, Cloke might battle to make the side’s best 22 in Round 1.

Tom Boyd’s coming-of-age performance almost secures his spot, while Stewart Crameri’s return from suspension gives the forward line a different dimension.

Add the likes of Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson, Liam Picken, Clay Smith, Luke Dahlhaus and Caleb Daniel into that mix — as well as big men Jack Redpath and Zaine Cordy — and it’s a tough ask making yourself a permanent fixture in that team.

Down back, a similar situation is unfolding.

Murphy’s return, combined with the outstanding form of fellow veterans Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd, means the likes of Matt Suckling and Marcus Adams will have a job on their hands to work their way into the team.

Fletcher Roberts, a premiership-winning defender who impressed on the big stage last year, is in a similar position, having played only 16 games before returning for the preliminary final.


Last season, the Dogs frightened opposition fans even with their extensive injury issues. Now, imagine them fully fit in 2017.

Over the next month, foxfooty.com.au will be previewing your team’s best 22.

As always, there will be some contentious decisions — and some unlucky omissions.

THE LOCK

Marcus Bontempelli — Arguably the game’s most exciting player, opposition sides are struggling to find a way to halt Bontempelli’s influence. A stunning season last year resulted in an average of 24.4 disposals and a goal per game, with his class and ability to turn a contest from the middle unrivalled in the competition. It’s staggering to think he is still just 21.


THE BUBBLE

Matt Suckling — The defender played 17 games last season, but lost his place in the side due to an Achilles injury suffered during the semis and didn’t make it back for the grand final. With veteran skipper Robert Murphy and the big-bodied Marcus Adams both returning from long-term injuries, he’ll have his work cut out to remain in the best 22 next season.


THE RISING STAR

Josh Dunkley — It’s hard to choose a rising star in a squad jam-packed with them, but Dunkley showed a lot of promise last season — particularly in the finals. The 20-year-old played 17 games last year, averaging 16.9 disposals and 5.8 tackles per match. He was an ever-present in the side throughout its finals campaign, racking up more than 20 touches in two do-or-die clashes. He was ultra composed in the grand final and looks a promising young talent.


IT’S A BIG YEAR ...

Travis Cloke — It’s the obvious one, isn’t it? Cloke arrives from Collingwood following one of the exchange period’s most high-profile trades. However, after doing so in order to play more senior footy, Cloke will have a tough task breaking into a Dogs side coming off premiership success. With a meagre goal return last season, the pressure will be on Cloke to produce straightaway if he is to establish himself as a regular in Luke Beveridge’s team.


BEST 22


B: Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris, Shane Biggs

HB: Jason Johannisen, Easton Wood, Robert Murphy

C: Lachie Hunter, Mitch Wallis, Jack Macrae

HF: Jake Stringer, Stewart Crameri, Liam Picken

F: Luke Dalhaus, Tom Boyd, Caleb Daniel

FOLL: Jordan Roughead, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore

I/C: Tory Dickson, Clay Smith, Matt Suckling, Josh Dunkley

EMG: Travis Cloke, Marcus Adams, Toby McLean

OTHERS: Tom Campbell, Jack Redpath, Fletcher Roberts, Lukas Webb, Mitch Honeychurch, Declan Hamilton, Patrick Lipinski, Fergus Greene, Bailey Dale, Kieran Collins, Lewis Young, Bailey Williams, Tim English, Lin Jong, Zaine Cordy

ROOKIES: Josh Prudden, Bradley Lynch, Roarke Smith, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Tristan Tweedie

---

Would prefer two tall key defenders in Roberts and Cordy. Yet to be convinced that Suckling is good enough to be in our best 22. Dale Morris is now definitely better suited to play on small/ medium size players. Still believe Easton Wood does his best work as a flanker where his great rebound play is more effective. It would be hard not to see Cloke as a key forward in our opening team. You would hate to be a selector given the depth of talent available at the moment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bulldog4life

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/best...5ee1a4ca1639b9

THE drought is broken.

But don’t expect the Western Bulldogs to be going anywhere in season 2017.

Having dealt with copious injury issues last season, coach Luke Beveridge was forced to rely on the vast depth of his list to take the club to its first premiership in 62 years.

Now, with stars like captain Robert Murphy back — and with recruits like Collingwood premiership forward Travis Cloke — the Dogs will be ready to go again.

Such is the club’s depth, Cloke might battle to make the side’s best 22 in Round 1.

Tom Boyd’s coming-of-age performance almost secures his spot, while Stewart Crameri’s return from suspension gives the forward line a different dimension.

Add the likes of Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson, Liam Picken, Clay Smith, Luke Dahlhaus and Caleb Daniel into that mix — as well as big men Jack Redpath and Zaine Cordy — and it’s a tough ask making yourself a permanent fixture in that team.

Down back, a similar situation is unfolding.

Murphy’s return, combined with the outstanding form of fellow veterans Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd, means the likes of Matt Suckling and Marcus Adams will have a job on their hands to work their way into the team.

Fletcher Roberts, a premiership-winning defender who impressed on the big stage last year, is in a similar position, having played only 16 games before returning for the preliminary final.


Last season, the Dogs frightened opposition fans even with their extensive injury issues. Now, imagine them fully fit in 2017.

Over the next month, foxfooty.com.au will be previewing your team’s best 22.

As always, there will be some contentious decisions — and some unlucky omissions.

THE LOCK

Marcus Bontempelli — Arguably the game’s most exciting player, opposition sides are struggling to find a way to halt Bontempelli’s influence. A stunning season last year resulted in an average of 24.4 disposals and a goal per game, with his class and ability to turn a contest from the middle unrivalled in the competition. It’s staggering to think he is still just 21.


THE BUBBLE

Matt Suckling — The defender played 17 games last season, but lost his place in the side due to an Achilles injury suffered during the semis and didn’t make it back for the grand final. With veteran skipper Robert Murphy and the big-bodied Marcus Adams both returning from long-term injuries, he’ll have his work cut out to remain in the best 22 next season.


THE RISING STAR

Josh Dunkley — It’s hard to choose a rising star in a squad jam-packed with them, but Dunkley showed a lot of promise last season — particularly in the finals. The 20-year-old played 17 games last year, averaging 16.9 disposals and 5.8 tackles per match. He was an ever-present in the side throughout its finals campaign, racking up more than 20 touches in two do-or-die clashes. He was ultra composed in the grand final and looks a promising young talent.


IT’S A BIG YEAR ...

Travis Cloke — It’s the obvious one, isn’t it? Cloke arrives from Collingwood following one of the exchange period’s most high-profile trades. However, after doing so in order to play more senior footy, Cloke will have a tough task breaking into a Dogs side coming off premiership success. With a meagre goal return last season, the pressure will be on Cloke to produce straightaway if he is to establish himself as a regular in Luke Beveridge’s team.


BEST 22


B: Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris, Shane Biggs

HB: Jason Johannisen, Easton Wood, Robert Murphy

C: Lachie Hunter, Mitch Wallis, Jack Macrae

HF: Jake Stringer, Stewart Crameri, Liam Picken

F: Luke Dalhaus, Tom Boyd, Caleb Daniel

FOLL: Jordan Roughead, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore

I/C: Tory Dickson, Clay Smith, Matt Suckling, Josh Dunkley

EMG: Travis Cloke, Marcus Adams, Toby McLean

OTHERS: Tom Campbell, Jack Redpath, Fletcher Roberts, Lukas Webb, Mitch Honeychurch, Declan Hamilton, Patrick Lipinski, Fergus Greene, Bailey Dale, Kieran Collins, Lewis Young, Bailey Williams, Tim English, Lin Jong, Zaine Cordy

ROOKIES: Josh Prudden, Bradley Lynch, Roarke Smith, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Tristan Tweedie

---

Would prefer two tall key defenders in Roberts and Cordy. Yet to be convinced that Suckling is good enough to be in our best 22. Dale Morris is now definitely better suited to play on small/ medium size players. Still believe Easton Wood does his best work as a flanker where his great rebound play is more effective. It would be hard not to see Cloke as a key forward in our opening team. You would hate to be a selector given the depth of talent available at the moment.

Adams or Roberts to replace Suckling in defence. With Crameri a likely inclusion, I'd like to see Stringer spend more time up the field in space.