Current depth of the playing list

[Dry Rot]

I think we all concede that both Morris and Wood had to play tall at times last year but this year you don't think they should have to.
And yet we also had Adams and Trengove playing there at various times but now Adams is gone and because of Boyds back injury and with Rougheads departure Trengove will have to cover the ruckman/forward positions.

Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble remembering that Adams played for us?

So many games out injured.

I saw his name the other day in relation to the Lions and thought, shit, that's the bloke from WA who once played for the Dogs and was homesick so he went back to Perth or Brisbane or somewhere.....

[Go_Dogs]

I think our potential depth is as good as it's ever been. Potential is the key word.

We've got about 10 blokes who pick themselves for round 1:-

Bont
Macrae
Hunter
JJ
McLean
Liberatore
Dunkley
Naughton
Morris
Wood

After that, there's lots of players who you can argue for, based on 2018, based on scope to improve, based on historical performance, subject to returning from injury etc.

While it's great to have so many in the conversation, we need 15 blokes to step up and end the conversation. Not be boaderline, not be in the mix - but be consistent senior footballers who can be relied upon.

We can get there, but I'm not yet convinced we are deep.

[Mofra]

We've got about 10 blokes who pick themselves for round 1:-

Bont
Macrae
Hunter
JJ
McLean
Liberatore
Dunkley
Naughton
Morris
Wood

After that, there's lots of players who you can argue for, based on 2018, based on scope to improve, based on historical performance, subject to returning from injury etc.

While it's great to have so many in the conversation, we need 15 blokes to step up and end the conversation. Not be boaderline, not be in the mix - but be consistent senior footballers who can be relied upon.

Ed Richards without a doubt
Trengove (no 1 ruck)
Schache
Cordy

Tempted to put Wallis as a forward and/or Caleb Daniel but they're probably 90% there.

[jeemak]

I genuinely get that but he is clearly being given a free pass on any reasonable level of scrutiny of performance over a long period and while many will call out the limitations of others, Wood remains our club's version of teflon.
No doubt he is a good bloke and leader and that really isn't in question for me but the suggestions that he shouldn't play on the taller players I think really disadvantages our team because he just isn't good enough to provide run and carry like so many others we have on our list.
I think we need 3 smaller skillful guys and that comes from Crozier, JJ, Suckling and Duryea (if I conceded that we have to play Richard elsewhere) and 3 taller players to cover the opposition talls'. To me that means Wood has to be able to match-up on some of the opposition taller guys not always looking for specific match-ups that allow him to zone off.

I really like Easton Wood but I doubt there have been many others that escape the scrutiny like he does.

How well do you expect an intercept specialist to play when our midfield and forward pressure has been terrible, and opposition teams have been able to just run it out of their defence and score heavily against us over the past two years?

Intercept markers playing well and taking intercept marks represent a sign that things upfield are working well. Much like 2016 and 2015, if we can find it within ourselves to start being competitive forward of centre and actually making it difficult for the opposition to transition forward, Wood, if given the opportunity match-up wise will return to some form.

Now I'm not saying he's been great and doesn't deserve scrutiny, but if I could think of a defencive player who would really struggle to insert himself into a game when the ball is coming in quickly and accurately, it is the mid-sized defender who has to play on talls and usually plays an intercept game.

[Ghost Dog]

Highlighting the Western Bulldogs' stunning fall from grace after winning the flag in 2016, Pelchen has them in the bottom four lists in the AFL, ranked below the Lions and Fremantle.

Anyway, how's St Kilda going Pelican?

[GVGjr]

This is what Pelchen wrote about us

15. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Over the past two years, the Western Bulldogs have only shown glimpses of the team that won the 2016 premiership. Their slide has been both disappointing and dramatic – a reflection of how even the competition has become apart from two to three struggling teams. But the nucleus of a talented side remains. Their midfield and utility players are very good – represented by the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Jason Johannisen, Easton Wood and Lachie Hunter plus younger players, Toby McLean, Ed Richards and outstanding draftees Bailey Smith and Rhylee West. It is in the key positions that questions remain. While Aaron Naughton is going to develop into one of the AFL's leading defenders, the performance of Tom Boyd and Josh Schache in attack will likely determine whether the Bulldogs improve on 2018. If both have greater outputs then a higher ladder position can be expected but if they don't provide genuine scoring options then the Dogs are going to sit in a similar position to last year.

Like Plough, the concern he has is around the key position players.

[Ghost Dog]

Thanks for that GVGjr.

[Ghost Dog]

This article appeared in the December 2016 issue of SEN Inside Football. Pelchan is quoted as saying our lack of key position players is ok as long as we have depth.

link




“Many would argue that the team that won the premiership this year actually wasn’t their best 22. I admit it is rare to have the best 22 players on Grand Final day because of injuries, you normally have one or two exceptions, but you have 22 of your best 24 or 26 players.”

The Bulldogs overcame significant injuries in the last eight weeks and it could be debated that they didn’t actually have their best 17 or 18 players on Grand Final day.

“Look at players like Robert Murphy, Mitch Wallis, Tom Campbell, Lin Jong, Matt Suckling, Marcus Adams who got the team into the top eight in the first half of the season,” said Pelchen.

“I would say there were 30 players who could have been in the first 22.”

Pelchen said the Bulldogs weren’t loaded with superstars either. “While they may not have reached the heights of previous premiership sides in statistical terms of elite players, the fact is they bat very deep and have such an even group.

“That should work in their favour for the next three or four years.”

He admires the work of the Bulldog recruiters.

“I always say it’s like building a chain. One link doesn’t win you a premiership. It’s a matter of building links together to give you a chain of talent.

“You won’t win it based on one good draft.” ( GD# Or one good key position player!)

We are going to bat a lot higher than Pelchan or Plough thinks. All eyes on Liberatore, Josh, Tom Boyd, to see what they can bring us.

[AshMac]

Reading through the fixture again just now, I honestly think there is a real possibility we only win 5 games this year. I'm pumped with our developing list, and i can see a huge upside in the middle of the ground with Libba back and Bont, Dunkley, Mcrae, Mclean all having strong preseasons - Wally in there for a pinch - but I still see big gaps in our defense and honestly dont know where our goals will come from this year.

Not a doom and gloom prediction, just saying I wouldnt be suprised w 5 wins and reckon 15th is about right.

[Ghost Dog]

Reading through the fixture again just now, I honestly think there is a real possibility we only win 5 games this year. I'm pumped with our developing list, and i can see a huge upside in the middle of the ground with Libba back and Bont, Dunkley, Mcrae, Mclean all having strong preseasons - Wally in there for a pinch - but I still see big gaps in our defense and honestly dont know where our goals will come from this year.

Not a doom and gloom prediction, just saying I wouldnt be suprised w 5 wins and reckon 15th is about right.

Fair enough. Well, we had Richmond by the earlobes at the sharp end of the year. I think we will win a lot more than 5 and surprise many. Bont may indeed be a key forward for a year, and we all know he can do it. Marks strongly, kicks straight, and lifts the team.
I just think so many of our new players look dangerous. Ed Richards, Billy Gower - lively!

[Go_Dogs]

5 wins would be a very disappointing result.

It’s such an even competition that anything could happen, and while I don’t agree that our depth is the best it’s ever been (if potential turns into performance maybe it becomes that) we should be a competitive side each week. We have a strong midfield and improved running stock. Our key posts are a little light on, but I’m not too concerned about that as long as we have a better run with injuries.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think a lot has to go right for us to have a good year, whilst only a little needs to go wrong for us to have a rotten season.

[mjp]

Reading through the fixture again just now....

....Not a doom and gloom prediction, just saying I wouldnt be suprised w 5 wins and reckon 15th is about right.

Well, if that isn’t doom and gloom I would hate to catch you in a dark moment!

What about the fixture has you thinking 5 wins? I look at it and seen double digit wins...I like our fixture (a lot).

[GVGjr]

I think a lot has to go right for us to have a good year, whilst only a little needs to go wrong for us to have a rotten season.

Last year it was a frustrating one that often focused on the injury list as the almost primary reason for each loss.
While I agree that a few untimely injuries for the key position players could derail us I do think we have an improved level of depth (and desire) that we probably didn't have last season.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

I think our potential depth is as good as it's ever been. Potential is the key word.

We've got about 10 blokes who pick themselves for round 1:-

Bont
Macrae
Hunter
JJ
McLean
Liberatore
Dunkley
Naughton
Morris
Wood

After that, there's lots of players who you can argue for, based on 2018, based on scope to improve, based on historical performance, subject to returning from injury etc.

While it's great to have so many in the conversation, we need 15 blokes to step up and end the conversation. Not be boaderline, not be in the mix - but be consistent senior footballers who can be relied upon.

We can get there, but I'm not yet convinced we are deep.

Trengrove Richards Crozier and Cordy should also be lock ins. Our biggest problem still remains and that is to have an attack that can outscore the opposition.