Congratulations to Luke Dahlhaus - 100 games this week.

[Go_Dogs]

Would Dahlhaus be regarded as an A grade player in the AFL? I think we all would but I wonder how he would be perceived by the AFL community?

In the eyes of opposition supporters and the AFL community, I would say he's not quite there yet. For whatever reason, he doesn't quite attract the media attention and gushing that others do - most likely due to him now being a very workman-like midfielder who is just as (or more) comfortable at the coalface doing the heavy lifting than he is doing the flashier stuff.

He'd be in our best 4 or 5 performed players to date in 2016.


Great to see him notch the 100 game mark after starting out as a rookie who didn't get picked up because (IIRC) his suspect field kicking - but boy, he's another shining example that if you are driven and tenacious, you give yourself every chance to succeed in whatever you do.

Well done Luke - here's to the next 100.

[chef]

Would Dahlhaus be regarded as an A grade player in the AFL? I think we all would but I wonder how he would be perceived by the AFL community?

I deal with a lot of neutrals on another forum and he's held in as high reguard as we hold him. Any one who knows their footy knows this kid is a gun.

[merantau]

First time I clapped eyes on him he was on TV playing for Willy. After watching for time minutes my reaction was : "This kid can play!" He was in everything and NEVER GAVE UP. He is definitely a prime mover for us. His courage and passion are team lifting. Well done Luke - you are a gun and supporters love you.

[1eyedog]

His ability to kick a goal when we need it is amazing. Absolute gun.

They were calling him one of the very best smalls in the comp on Saturday. I think quite a few people think of him as A grade outside the club.

[westbulldog]

Congratulations Luke, a great achievement, you exemplify all the good qualities of our club.

[Sedat]

Hardly a dud game in 100 so far - a real heart and soul player and absolutely elite in defensive pressure.

Looking forward to many more fantastic games from him over the next 8+ years.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Great thread full of terrific posts for a truly inspirational player

Looking forward to seeing Luke dominate the last game of the year!

[bornadog]

Would Dahlhaus be regarded as an A grade player in the AFL? I think we all would but I wonder how he would be perceived by the AFL community?

I think he is underrated by many

[GVGjr]

I think he is underrated by many

A guy at work was naming 5 of our best players and left out Dahlhaus. I kept reminding him that right at this moment Dahlhaus might be the best of a pretty good lot but he needed some convincing.

[Ghost Dog]

He is a small player. Shorter players are always overlooked, pardon the pun.
I can't think of a more consistent player on our list. Very highly regarded in Geelong!

[LostDoggy]

Gun.

100 games already, could go 300.

[Ghost Dog]

And Durable. One of very few players to play every home and away game in 2015.

Averaged 25 disposals and only twice got less than 20.

In future days people might laud the highlights reel of flashier players, but for us Dog-watchers it's that durability and repeated service over a long career that gains cult status.

[soupman]

A guy at work was naming 5 of our best players and left out Dahlhaus. I kept reminding him that right at this moment Dahlhaus might be the best of a pretty good lot but he needed some convincing.

Take it as a compliment.

Not too long ago Dahlhaus was the most exciting prospect on our list and on his way to being the face of the club. He still is somewhat, especially the kids programs, but the likes of Bontempelli, Stringer, Wallis, Hunter and Wood have all rose to prominence since. We have a very talented list when a 23 year old of the ilk of Dahlhaus isn't even in the first few names when asked to name your best young prospects.

[Twodogs]

Brad Johnson certainly picked the right player to pass his number to.

[NoseBleed]

At the 2011 season launch after the Jumper presso, I was stopped in the hallway by a short, slight, dreadlocked kid in a Bulldogs suit and tie who was proud as punch to be there even if he hadn't earned a jumper and a call up on stage yet.

He asked in a polite and shy voice if I'd take a photo of him and his other two rookie mates on his phone. One was blond and pasty, the other dark and curly haired. All were very shy, almost embarresed to ask if I'd take their photo. Eventually, I got one of the three of them on all of their phones.

Wish I'd asked them all to wait an extra 10 seconds and dug my own phone out for a selfie for posterity.