Western Bulldogs in defence

[bornadog]

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NOW more than ever, the adage that defence wins premierships rings true.

The modern day defender not only wins one-on-one contests, but explodes out of the backline to set up the counter-attack, making forwards more accountable and games more attractive.

Last year, it was West Coast who revolutionised team defence, with Adam Simpson’s spatial defence — dubbed the “web” — wreaking havoc on the competition. Without the twin towers of Eric MacKenzie and Mitch Brown, the Eagles went for plan B, igniting a game-wide trend that relied on guarding space, not players.

And now it appears another team is taking heed.
The Western Bulldogs’ back six are not dissimilar to that of the Eagles. Small, fast and elite kicks, they often concede height but dominate the game with their counter-attack.

Last season, the Dogs packed as much of a punch on the counter-attack as the Eagles, but were less prolific when it came to winning one-on-one contests.
But already, Beveridge’s boys have improved markedly in that respect.

While one game is but a small sample size to base this analogy, the evidence thus far is compelling.

“They’re the Eagles’ model of last year,” dual North Melbourne premiership player David King told Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“Undersized, good ball users, they may lose a couple of one-on-ones here and there defensively, but on the way out they just slice.”
Jason Johannisen (35 disposals), Shane Biggs (35) and Robert Murphy (31) were the most prolific ball winners for the Dogs in their 65-point belting of last year’s minor premiers, Fremantle.

All operated with a disposal efficiency of 80 per cent or higher, while veteran Matthew Boyd’s 26 disposals were carried out at a startling 96.2 per cent efficiency rate — he almost quite literally didn’t waste a possession.
And debutant Marcus Adams wasn’t far behind him, operating at an efficiency rate of 93.3 per cent, belying his lack of experience.
Easton Wood was the catalyst for much of the Dogs’ counter-attack in 2015, with his 75 intercept marks the most ever recorded since the statistic came to being in 1999.

Wood’s style, symptomatic of the Dogs’entire defensive unit, was again on display against Fremantle, as he surged through the centre to create turnovers higher up the ground.
Jason Johannisen had a game-high 35 possessions in the Dogs’ win over Fremantle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Source: News Corp Australia

THE EAGLES COMPARISON

The slight on the Bulldogs’ electrifying — and somewhat rejuvenated — defence last season was their inability to win one-on-one contests.
They ranked 15th in the competition for defensive one-on-one contests, losing out 32 per cent of the time.
The Eagles, by comparison, ranked No. 1 in this area. Their back six of Elliot Yeo, Brad Sheppard, Will Schoefield, Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn and Sharrod Wellingham lost a mere 24 per cent of their defensive one-on-one contests.

But Jason Dunstall said the Dogs had appeared to have bridged the gap between their offensive best and defensive worst.
“They smashed Freo when they had the ball and they smashed Freo when they didn’t have the ball,” he told On The Couch.
“And that was the difference. They assault the opposition, take away time and space, and the quality of their tackling? First rate.”
Champion Data’s numbers back up Dunstall’s theory. The Dogs bullied Fremantle into submission, losing only 25 per cent of their defensive one-on-one contests in what can only be described as Eagles football. Indeed, Fremantle only recorded nine marks inside 50 for the entire match.

And the delivery from defence was just as impressive, with the Dogs’ collective defence recording a kick rating of +2.7. Ostensibly, what this indicates is that per 100 kicks the Dogs hit targets 2.7 per cent more times than expected.

The Dogs’ overall rating for the game was +2, while Fremantle’s was a miserly -3.5. In other words, the Westerm Bulldogs were hitting 5.5 more targets than Fremantle per 100 kicks.
But it was the numbers from defence that were the most startling. For the round, the Dogs had the highest kick rating when rebounding from defensive 50 and the second highest rating from kick ins of any team.

“We ask them at times to be the creative heartbeat, and at times to do other things,” Luke Beveridge said after the match.
“But today they definitely defended well, but also generated a lot of scoring opportunities out of the middle of the ground.”


Robert Murphy continues to be the Dogs’ general in defence. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

OLD DOGS AND YOUNG PUPS

Murphy (33) and Boyd (33) had career-best seasons under the tutelage of Luke Beveridge in 2015, while Dale Morris (33) continued to be serviceable. Age hasn’t wearied any of them.
Even though Morris was the quietest of the defenders at the weekend, only collecting 10 disposals, he had a game-high nine one percenters. And unlike some of his counterparts, Morris is seldom beaten in one-on-one contests, recording the best winning percentage of any player in the competition in 2015.

While Murphy, Boyd and Morris continue to get better with age, the need for a succession plan still seems some way off. But already the Dogs are looking to the future, with the drafting of mature age recruit Adams and young gun Kieran Collins.
Collins — affectionately known as “dad” for his build and looks — was outstanding in the NAB Challenge. While he played second fiddle to No. 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering in the Dandenong Stingrays last year, he was far from an understudy.
In fact, throughout the Under 18 Championships, Collins maintained a perfect one-on-one contest record. While he can’t be expected to curb the Dogs’ one-on-one woes, he will add another dimension to a defence already brimming with talent.

And after one game, Adams already looks the part. Having spent two seasons in the WAFL, his body is seasoned to playing against men, rating elite for contested possessions and tackles per game by Champion Data. His ability to also attack — he was rated No. 1 for average intercept marks in the WAFL — makes him an appealing all-round package.
The Eagles backline may have set the bar in 2015, but the Dogs are certainly nipping at their heels.

[bornadog]

What David King and Dunstall fail to point out is that Bevo was the Hawks defence coach and Adam Simpson was also at the Hawks. Adam inherited a more mature squad than Bevo and was able to implement Bevo's coaching ideas in defence to more effect in 2015. Yes we leaked more goals in 2015 tan WC, but the defensive pressure from an inexperienced midfield didnot help the backline.

I am firmly in the belief that many teams in 2016 are copying our game plan, and Bevo is revolutionising football.

[Bulldog4life]

And some, including me, thought Boydy had an iffy game. Figures don't lie 26 disposals at 96.2 effectiveness...terrific.

[Mantis]

And some, including me, thought Boydy had an iffy game. Figures don't lie 26 disposals at 96.2 effectiveness...terrific.

Yep, but I guess the sticking point was that a couple of his errors cost us goals.. And when the opposition only kick 5 you sort of remember them.

[bornadog]

Yep, but I guess the sticking point was that a couple of his errors cost us goals.. And when the opposition only kick 5 you sort of remember them.

Every player makes a mistake, but when Matty Boyd does, supporters are quick to point it out.

[Maddog37]

This is why I love Dale Morris. Best one on one defender in the league. Must be fantastic having him as a teammate.

[Before I Die]

Yep, but I guess the sticking point was that a couple of his errors cost us goals.. And when the opposition only kick 5 you sort of remember them.

96.2% effectiveness from 26 disposals says he only made one mistake.

[Greystache]

96.2% effectiveness from 26 disposals says he only made one mistake.

Do you really believe that a disposal error is the only error a player can make?

He's been caught holding the ball a couple of times in his past 2 games that cost goals by taking too dispose of it just as an example.

[strebla]

I think quite a few of us berated Matts game I know I am guilty but watching the replay he played a great game.

[Ghost Dog]

Matt Boyd, one of the most improved on our list. What are the odds he will beat Bob Murphy for kicking efficiency by the end of the year? And who would have thought!.

JJ looks pretty hilarious in that photo.

[SlimPickens]

Every player makes a mistake, but when Matty Boyd does, supporters are quick to point it out.

Midfield Boyd definitely. Defence Boyd not so much. I think he has been terrific since going back, and was very critical of how he was playing under Eade and McCartney whilst in the midfield.

[Ghost Dog]

One thing I will say is, how likeable our defence is. Likeable? Well, yes. Bob Murphy, Easton Wood, Marcus Adams. Watching the videos on Bulldogs TV, you could not find a better bunch of guys. All gentle and quite humble, yet amazing athletes.

Enjoyed this article about Adams from 2015. Has played a lot at CHF, and kicked bags too.

According to Champ Data, we have a pretty healthy defence profile.

[bornadog]

Good analysts of how our back six works in this article.

[Ghost Dog]

Watched the Crows game again.
https://youtu.be/SX6yhXRJObI

Regards Fletch. He made a few errors over the game but no more than Adams. In the second half he made some big plays.
The spoil on Walker which basically stopped a goal. His fist at 1:50:45 to spoil the long ball to Jenkis that was looking like a mark.
Looking closely I don't think he is as bad as some people make him out to be.
As a defender some spills and blocks and scrambles are not pretty but they stop goals and he seems to be competing ok.
As soon as today's game is uploaded I want to watch him more closely.