End of an era

[Sedat]

It only feels like a short time ago that we were toasting a young midfield trio of Cooney, Griffen and Higgins as the building blocks of a future elite 10 year midfield rotation. Now all 3 are no longer at the club. The game changes so quickly.

Looking forward to the start of the next era

[F'scary]

It's the end of the world as we know it.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Time passes quickly.

To be honest, I am relieved and glad. The past era is riddled with players who failed to take advantage of big opportunities during big games. As much as I loved Griffen, and as well as he played in finals, his disposal efficiency was often woeful and I still recall him missing 3 or so shots for goal v St. Kilda in the 09 PF.

Higgins never delivered and Cooney struggled in finals too (unfortunate injury).

New era and the signs are good so far. When we've needed players to stand up, Bonti, Macrae, Stringer and Libba have done it a number of times already.

[bornadog]

We have lost 1027 games of experience with 10 players gone, it truly is a new era

[bulldogtragic]

Farren Ray, Tommy Williams and Jesse Wells the other top picks around them. Can't wait for something new.

[Scorlibo]

It feels like the end of Lord of the Rings. Gia is Bilbo, Griff is Frodo. Macca Elrond. Cooney has to be Gandalf, needs a walking stick. Higgins can be Galadriel. They're sailing off into the sunset.

[Sedat]

It's the end of the world as we know it.

...and I feel fine

[LostDoggy]

Recruit
Excellent
Magnificent

[LostDoggy]

Answer REM

[LostDoggy]

The new "Fab Four" are among us.
Stringer, Macrae, Bonts, and Boyd.

End of one era, start of another.

[comrade]

The new "Fab Four" are among us.
Stringer, Macrae, Bonts, and Boyd.

End of one era, start of another.

Can't squeeze in Libba?

[FrediKanoute]

It really is the end of an era. In many ways, on reflection if the Board/football department had been stronger these guys would have been traded out earlier, when their currency was higher. Hindsight is great, but the lesson we learn is that when the refresh becomes a rebuild you need to start thinning out the guys who wont be there for the next tilt. Not the way Melbourne did it, but giving up guys who have some value to accelerate the talent into the system (stockpiling low draft picks). You then use your older wiser heads who aren't going anywhere as role models.

Good luck to Griff, Coons and Higgo, they are quality players and Cooney and Griffin in their day were great, but the new litter of pups is a more evenly spread in terms of talent - we have talls, we have inside mids, we have freaks. A little bit of outside pace would compliment the group.

[hujsh]

Can't squeeze in Libba?

Not a top 10 pick

[BulldogBelle]

Very excited by the future that lays ahead. We will have a couple more lean years but we are heading in the right direction.

[always right]

Distinctly remember the Herald Sun pre-season footy magazine around 2008 if I recall correctly. Had the headline "attack dogs" with Cooney and Griff on the front cover. Seems a long time ago now.