BULLDOGS CAPTAIN RESPONDS TO LUKE BEVERIDGE'S DUNKLEY COMMENTS
and
DUNKLEY "WORKED HARD" TO EARN BACK BULLDOG RESPECT AFTER TRADE REQUEST
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I'm thinking TBB was talking about a small & lively defensive minded forward which for all of Weightman's strengths is one of his key traits.. which was pointed out by all ''draft experts & key indicators'' when drafted.
Cavarra is probably the type we need, but seems a bit off the pace and Wingard is a more of an attacking player too.
We do need some pace & pressure focus up forward which has been rightly pointed out by others.
Didnt have to be Einstein to realise what the headline was going to be today.
“Beveridge turns up heat on struggling dog”.... not sure how it helps tbh but maybe I’m missing some master plan here.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/...03-p577hh.html
I actually don't think it's a bad thing, and having heard the full interview Bevo was just as much pointing out how strong the relationship between he and Dunks was.
We should want the scrutiny and the honest feedback, especially our mids. Competition for those roles are fierce, and if they're off their game, especially more in intent rather than execution then the acid should be coming onto them.
I'd be more concerned if he was out of form, and the coach didn't directly respond to or brushed away media queries about it. I think most people here were disappointed with Bevo in that regard last year in addressing Josh Bruce's form.
Also, remember that Bevo was being interviewed by Tim Watson who on a daily basis even still talks down Josh Dunkley's relationships at the Dogs. The continued rubbish spread by the Essendon media which he leads suggesting that Dunks wanted to move for reasons other than the cash is wearing thin.
Bevo had to read the room and know any comments would be stretched to fit the narrative. He could have easily straight batted it and just said Dunks has settled back in and is set for a good year. He does that and any speculation would have been avoided. Now Dunks gets asked about it, Bont gets asked about it and it just drags on.
Aah well...sometimes you have to lose a coupla soldiers so that everyone knows it is 'serious'. Leaving out fringe players does nothing - if a Dunks or JJ or someone of similar 'regard' was left out, well, that has the potential to really change behaviours.
If the MC are prepared to leave out anyone but a peripheral player I would be shocked (they have never done so in the past) but if Dunks is out of form at training then he shouldn't be selected...is that the worst thing?
No agree with that sentiment definitely.
My interest in this is around the off season stuff with Dunks and how he has integrated back into the club.
The rhetoric has been that he's been embraced with open arms, and it's part of footy nowadays and he and Luke are close etc...
So this piqued my interest with that in mind. I get the spin machine has been in action so this is a first real measuring stick to gauge the relationship post attempted defection.
I wonder what the real state of play is. I assume it would be very difficult for him to resume normality, and question is there's some lingering animosity there from Bevo?
He could've singled out JJ as you say, Dunks was always going to get the most attention.
Maybe he's decided being Mr. Nice guy is no longer the approach, an approach which I would be in favour of.