Whoa, an unexpected dose of optimism from the Herald Sun:
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...b10d65?login=1

It’s been downhill for the Western Bulldogs since the 2016 premiership but there were enough signs late last season pointing to a climb up the ladder in 2019.

CHRIS CAVANAGH takes a look at where the Bulldogs will improve this year.

EIGHT REASONS WHY THE BULLDOGS CAN GET EXCITED
1. THERE WERE SIGNS

The Bulldogs’ start to the 2018 season was horrid, kickstarted by an 82-point defeat at the hands of Greater Western Sydney. However, most of the back half of the season was a little better as the young side began to grow. From Round 6 onwards, the Bulldogs went 7-10, after a 1-4 start to their campaign. They won three of their last four matches, the sole loss in August coming against 2017 premier Richmond by three points in the final round. While inconsistency week-to-week and within games still hurt on occasion, there were enough positive signs shown later in the season that gives the side something to build on.

2. PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS

We are entering the third season since the Bulldogs’ breakthrough premiership in 2016, and there has been some change from that side. The likes of Jake Stringer (Essendon) and Luke Dahlhaus (Geelong) have moved on, but 15 of those premiership players still remain. That is a lot more premiership experience than many clubs have and should hold the Bulldogs in good stead after a couple of down years. There is talent there that knows what it takes to climb to the competition’s pinnacle — it just has to action that once again.

3. JOSH SCHACHE

There was a reason this young forward was taken at pick 2 in the 2015 national draft and we finally started to see that in patches last season. After struggling through his second year at Brisbane in 2017, Schache rediscovered some form after getting a fresh start back home in Victoria with the Bulldogs. The 21-year-old played 13 games, averaging 4.1 marks and kicking 17 goals. Schache revealed in mid-November he had already added 4.7kg in the gym to help fill out his 199cm frame, knowing he needed to be stronger in marking contests. Key position players take time, but entering his fourth season it is time for Schache to shine.

4. SAM LLOYD

He was far from the biggest name to move clubs during the AFL’s free agency and trade period, but former Richmond utility Sam Lloyd could prove a very handy pick up. At 28 years old, he provides a mature body in a young side and has grown into a versatile player after starting his AFL career as a mid-size marking forward. Lloyd has spent the majority of the past two seasons starring for Richmond’s VFL side as a goalkicking midfielder, averaging 25 disposals and six tackles while kicking 14 goals from 11 games last season. He might have found it hard to earn a regular spot in a dominant Richmond side the past two years — playing just 15 AFL games — but expect Lloyd to play plenty of senior football with the Bulldogs next year.

5. FRIENDLY FIXTURE

Finishing 13th on the ladder does have some perks, namely receiving a very kind fixture the following year as the Bulldogs have for 2019. Champion Data ranks the Bulldogs draw as the fifth-easiest of any side next season with double-up games against Carlton, Brisbane, Fremantle, Geelong and Collingwood. On paper, that stacks up a lot better than the 2018 double-up opponents of West Coast, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, North Melbourne and Carlton, against whom Luke Beveridge’s side went 3-7.

6. SUCKLING RETURN

In 2017, Matthew Suckling ranked second at the Bulldogs for kicks, rebound-50s, inside-50s and marks. The side loves to get the ball in Suckling’s hands — and on his booming left foot — but didn’t have that option as much last season as the defender missed the last 11 rounds with an achilles injury. The good news is the two-time Hawthorn premiership player is back running and building nicely towards a strong finish to the pre-season, confident the injury will not give him any further problems. While Suckling is now 30 years old, he and the Bulldogs will be hoping there is plenty of good footy left in him.


7. LIAM PICKEN

A second big concussion in 12 months during a pre-season match in March put premiership forward Liam Picken on the sidelines for the entire 2018 season. Immediately ruled out indefinitely, there was hope of a mid-season return but that never eventuated as headaches and other side effects lingered. However, Picken has been back in training and is determined to make a return to the field next season. The 32-year-old played all 22 games in 2017, averaging 18.6 disposals, 6.2 score involvements and kicking 24 goals. The 198-game veteran also brings plenty of experience and leadership to a young forward line, his return certain to make a difference.

8. RISING STARS

The Western Bulldogs’ two first-round picks from the 2017 national draft certainly made an impact in their debut seasons. Key defender Aaron Naughton debuted in Round 1 and went on to play 18 games, averaging 11.6 disposals and 4.3 marks to earn a Rising Star nomination in the final round. Fellow defender Ed Richards, the grand-nephew of Collingwood great Lou, also showed plenty, playing 21 games and averaging 13.6 disposals to also earn a Rising Star nomination in Round 10. Along with the likes of Tim English, Patrick Lipinski and Josh Dunkley — fellow high draft picks from the previous two drafts — there is plenty of emerging young talent in the wings to get excited about.

TAB ODDS

Premiership: $51

Top-8: $4

Most losses: $15

TRAJECTORY

2014: 14th (7-15)

2015: 6th (14-8, elimination final)

2016: 7th (15-7, premier)

2017: 10th (11-11)

2018: 13th (8-14)

THE NUMBER: 7

The Bulldogs strength is their midfield, rated seventh in the competition. The concern is over the forward half, which is ranked 15th for quality, with only four permanent forwards who have played 10 matches over the last two years.

Source: CHAMPION DATA