List Analysis - August 2018

[SquirrelGrip]

It is good that we are going to rookie young 'Will Hayes'. At the very least he will be a good a reserve midfielder, a lot better than Honeychurch.

Have I missed this? How can we do this before the rookie draft?

[GVGjr]

Have I missed this? How can we do this before the rookie draft?

At this stage it's possibly more about our intention to rookie list him.

[SquirrelGrip]

At this stage it's possibly more about our intention to rookie list him.

But have we come out and announced this? Sure, it makes sense and follows on from Billy Gowers being under our eyes the previous year.

[Mantis]

I am expecting Bailey Dale to improve next year.

Why? Has shown no improvement in the past few years, is still a skinny runt, gets pushed off the ball far too easily and only gets a kick against poor opposition.

* This may or may not be based on personal opinion or perhaps I'm just following your lead

[hujsh]

Why? Has shown no improvement in the past few years, is still a skinny runt, gets pushed off the ball far too easily and only gets a kick against poor opposition.

* This may or may not be based on personal opinion or perhaps I'm just following your lead

I think he improved in 2017. Probably regressed some this year though

[bornadog]

I think he improved in 2017. Probably regressed some this year though

Do you think we just overrated him because he kicked a couple of goals? He is the same age as The Bont, ie 22 and will be 23 mid next year.

[The Doctor]

Why? Has shown no improvement in the past few years, is still a skinny runt, gets pushed off the ball far too easily and only gets a kick against poor opposition.

* This may or may not be based on personal opinion or perhaps I'm just following your lead

doesn't tackle and often seems to conveniently slip over when it's his turn to crack in or chase.

He would want to improve or he is a certainty to be delisted

[GVGjr]

But have we come out and announced this? Sure, it makes sense and follows on from Billy Gowers being under our eyes the previous year.

If we have given a commitment to Hayes (I'm not sure if we have or haven't) we could make it known we are going to rookie him on the proviso that he won't do medical testings with other sides. I don't think clubs would take the chance of selecting a player without him doing a medical.

That's all speculation though.

[Go_Dogs]

I think he improved in 2017. Probably regressed some this year though

He was one of the shining lights in 2017, but certainly regressed before his injury in 2018.

It's about getting him in the right role and I see that as ether a medium marking player who can play high, a wing or a running defender. He's never going to be a contested beast but if he can improve a little there he has enough tools with his kicking, nous and running to make the grade.

[Ozza]

If we have given a commitment to Hayes (I'm not sure if we have or haven't) we could make it known we are going to rookie him on the proviso that he won't do medical testings with other sides. I don't think clubs would take the chance of selecting a player without him doing a medical.

That's all speculation though.

Be crazy for a player to knock back medical testing elsewhere.
History is littered with players who thought a club was committed to taking them, where the club suddenly goes cold on them within days of the draft - for whatever reason.

[jeemak]

Be crazy for a player to knock back medical testing elsewhere.
History is littered with players who thought a club was committed to taking them, where the club suddenly goes cold on them within days of the draft - for whatever reason.

I'd certainly be advising him to get testing done with as many clubs as he can (providing he's healthy!), even more so if the Bulldogs are only offering up a rookie spot.

A club or two might have him pegged for a late main draft selection, after all.

[Mofra]

If we have given a commitment to Hayes (I'm not sure if we have or haven't) we could make it known we are going to rookie him on the proviso that he won't do medical testings with other sides. I don't think clubs would take the chance of selecting a player without him doing a medical.

That's all speculation though.

We wouldn't have been able to man Tory Dickson or BTC if VFL players regularly do that. Arguably, we would have missed out on Dahl as well (supposedly Geelong promised him a rookie spot).

[bulldogtragic]

from AFEL.com.au

Western Bulldogs (list analysis)

List changes: Premiership forward Luke Dahlhaus has already walked out on the club and is expected to take up a free-agency offer from Geelong, while third-year key defender Kieran Collins and rookie tall Nathan Mullenger-McHugh have been delisted. Flag stars Clay Smith and Shane Biggs have retired.

SEASON REVIEW Western Bulldogs

DEFENDERS
Key defenders: Marcus Adams, Zaine Cordy, Aaron Naughton, Fletcher Roberts, Jackson Trengove, Lewis Young
General defenders: Hayden Crozier, Jason Johannisen, Brad Lynch, Dale Morris, Ed Richards, Roarke Smith, Matt Suckling, Bailey Williams, Easton Wood

Summary: The Dogs have plenty of depth in key defenders and have a young and developing core of smaller backmen lead by skipper Wood and Dale Morris.

MIDFIELDERS
Midfielders: Marcus Bontempelli, Caleb Daniel, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter, Lin Jong, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae, Toby McLean, Callum Porter, Mitch Wallis, Lukas Webb
Ruckmen: Tom Boyd, Tom Campbell, Tim English, Jordan Roughead

Summary: Father-son recruits Liberatore and Wallis remain unsigned but are likely to stay. Premiership star Roughead is likely to leave via free agency, while fellow ruckman Campbell will be traded or delisted.

FORWARDS
Midfielder/forwards: Mitch Honeychurch, Bailey Dale, Liam Picken
General forwards: Tory Dickson, Billy Gowers, Fergus Greene, Patrick Lipinski
Key forwards: Jack Redpath, Josh Schache

Summary: Redpath's knee problems are likely to see him retire, while Honeychurch is expected to seek a trade to Gold Coast. Picken has vowed to play on after his concussion issues over the past 18 months.

CONCLUSION

The Dogs have a young and well-balanced list but will look to inject some class into their midfield and forward line through the draft. Father-son prospect Rhylee West is a likely addition and he will complement the club's inside midfielders. Clever Richmond forward Sam Lloyd has been linked to the club to help their ongoing conversion woes. - Ryan Davidson

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Updated OP based on Redpath retirement

So far we are making good decisions

[bornadog]

Updated OP based on Redpath retirement

So far we are making good decisions

Dickson signed a new contract, so he is not finished yet.