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  1. #1
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    Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season



    Josh Dunkley is an untouchable at the Bulldogs but the word is he’s keen on a trade to Essendon. He’s under contract and only two trade offers will even get the Bulldogs to listen. Gary Buckenara reveals those trades in his list analysis.

    The clock is ticking on the Bulldogs to win another premiership with this talented group.

    While the Bulldogs have a relatively young list, teams don’t stay in the premiership window forever. Injuries, form and other issues (including off-field and game style/plan problems) can pop up at any time and before you know it, it’s been another two, three or four years since you’ve made a Grand Final with a list good enough to win premierships.

    What do the players, coaches and the club want to see when they look back on this period – wasted opportunities or premiership memories? That’s one of the big questions this club must answer during the off-season.

    Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Caleb Daniel, Jason Johannisen, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis, Josh Dunkley, Easton Wood and Alex Keath are playing together in their prime with Aaron Naughton, Bailey Smith, Tim English, Ed Richards and Cody Weightman just some of the young players injecting more excitement and talent into an already star-studded group.

    The players need to make a statement as a team and become the ruthless force we saw during the 2016 finals series otherwise they’ll be haunted by the words “if only” in 15-20 years’ time – if only we’d trained harder, if only we we’d committed 100 per cent, if only we’d made the most of our opportunity. Talent alone doesn’t win premierships.

    The Bulldogs should have been a top four team this year, so to bow out in the first week of the finals was extremely disappointing. They underperformed, there’s no doubt about it. With 15 A and B-ranked players and six players aged 21 or under with the potential to be A or B-graders, it’s more than enough to be a serious premiership threat.

    The players and coaches must sit down and seriously analyse what went wrong. Was it the uncertainty of COVID-19 and hub life that affected us because we were far too inconsistent? Was it the early off-field indiscretions involving Hunter, Smith and Billy Gowers that upset the group and had a lasting impact? Are there problems with our game plan/style?

    What’s causing the inconsistency? That’s the other question that needs answering because consistency of performance is the missing link in the Bulldogs’ premiership chain.

    LIST NEEDS
    Overall the Bulldogs’ list is well balanced with good young talent coming through and the scope for some of the current C-grade players to develop into at least B-graders – such as Roarke Smith (injuries permitted), Ryan Gardner, Will Hayes and Brad Lynch. The Bulldogs should look at recruiting another experienced key defender to release Keath to play his more natural role as an interceptor/second or third defender. Bruce had a disappointing season and I think another experienced tall forward might help take some of the pressure off him, while there is a need for a forward-ruck to help English.

    TRADE TARGETS
    The Bulldogs should be aggressive in the trade and free agency market to fill immediate needs and target players who can top off the list to win a premiership.

    Adelaide’s Daniel Talia would be an ideal target as that key defender to take the opposition’s No.1 forward. With the Crows in a rebuild, the Bulldogs should chase him hard and sell the opportunity to win a premiership before he retires. For what he brings to a team in the window, I’d offer a second-round pick for him.

    Michael Hurley is another that would fit that bill and although contracted, he’s apparently not happy at the Bombers. In isolation, I’d offer a pick in the 25-40 range for Hurley but could he be involved in a trade for Dunkley?

    Ben Brown would be a perfect fit at the Bulldogs. They love to move the ball quickly, which suits his lead-up style, while he can also give English a chop out in the ruck. A forward line of Brown, Naughton and Bruce with Wallis as a marking small would be very dangerous and a nightmare for opposition teams.

    Levi Casboult is another player I’d look at. He can play as the forward-ruck and his biggest strength is his contested marking ability, so would provide huge value as a third serious aerial threat inside 50. He’s contracted at the Blues but I think they’d be willing to trade him given their key position depth. A second-round pick would be a smart deal because while he’s not a star, he’d provide good value.

    UNTOUCHABLES
    Bontempelli, Liberatore, Hunter, English, Dunkley, Daniel, Macrae, Richards, B. Smith, Johannisen, Weightman, Naughton, Wallis, Wood, Laitham Vandermeer, Rhylee West, Bailey Williams, Bailey Dale, Toby McLean and Patrick Lipinski.

    TRADE BAIT
    The Josh Dunkley link to Essendon is an interesting story given he was one of the Bulldogs’ leading midfielders in 2019, but this year he was used in different roles. It’s obviously frustrated him and might be why he’s looking for a club that will play him as an inside tall midfielder. The Bulldogs have said that they won’t trade him – he has two years to run on his contract – and to me, he’s an untouchable because he’s a ball magnet who kicks goals. Goal-kicking midfielders are worth their weight in gold. It’s hard to see how the Bombers can get a deal done unless they offered two first-round picks or pick 6, 41 and Hurley. The Dogs need a key defender, so Hurley would be an ideal fit. The question is: Will Essendon pay overs for Dunkley given he has a contract?

    The recruitment of Josh Schache hasn’t worked and while the Bulldogs could use another marking option inside 50, it seems he’s not in Luke Beveridge’s plans. A Schache and a draft pick for Brown trade with North Melbourne would be a win-win.

    RATING THE LIST
    A-grade: Bontempelli, English, Macrae

    B: Daniel, Dale, Dunkley, Hunter, Johannisen, Keath, Liberatore, McLean, Wallis, Williams, Wood

    C: Bruce, Cavarra, Cordy, Crozier, Duryea, Gardner, Gowers, Green, Hayes, Jong, Lipinski, Lloyd, Lynch, Schache, R. Smith, Suckling, Sweet, Trengove

    Developing (with A-B grade potential): Naughton, Richards, B. Smith, Vandermeer, Weightman, West

    Developing: Butler, Garcia, Khamis, Porter, Lachie Young, Lewis Young

    What the ratings mean:

    A-grade: Elite player on any AFL list

    B: Top 10-18 player on most lists

    C: An 18-30 player on a list

    Developing: Aged 21 or under

    CRYSTAL BALL

    The Bulldogs are in the premiership window and should be in contention to win at least one premiership, potentially even multiple, from 2021-24. The club must make good list decisions and target specific stars from rival clubs to fill holes down back and up forward to make them even better. Must win another premiership in the next four years or this era will be wasted.

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  3. #2
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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Interesting analysis by Bucks.
    No way we go after Talia. Hurley is cooked and Ben Brown would only be thought about if Naughton went back.
    Wood, McLean and Dale certainly shouldn’t be classed as B grade.
    I think Bucks is slightly overrating our list there.
    I will never see #16 the same!!

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Bucks has said nothing different than what a few of us have thought and discussed here. Agree with DG, if Brown came in, Naughton would have to go back.

    Overall the list is not a mess like some think, and just needs tinkering with a couple more key players.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Wonder how Crozier feels getting shoveled in amongst that lot. Caleb Daniel is elite. A grade all the way.

    And shhhhh on Dale as a B grader we might get something good for him.
    But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by 1eyedog View Post
    Wonder how Crozier feels getting shoveled in amongst that lot.
    He earned it this season I reckon.
    - I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by Happy Days View Post
    He earned it this season I reckon.
    B grade first half, C grade second half?

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    He's a mile off on a number of things, I don't think he's had a real close look at our list or our challenges
    Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

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  11. #8
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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Hard to take an article seriously when there are so many little errors.

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post

    Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Caleb Daniel, Jason Johannisen, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis, Josh Dunkley, Easton Wood and Alex Keath are playing together in their prime with Aaron Naughton, Bailey Smith, Tim English, Ed Richards and Cody Weightman just some of the young players injecting more excitement and talent into an already star-studded group.
    If this is Easton Wood's prime then what was his 2015-16 season? Double Prime?

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post

    Overall the Bulldogs’ list is well balanced with good young talent coming through and the scope for some of the current C-grade players to develop into at least B-graders – such as Roarke Smith (injuries permitted), Ryan Gardner, Will Hayes and Brad Lynch.
    Geez Buckenera has a lot more faith in Hayes and Lynch than anyone at our club has, Lynch hasn't even looked like getting a game for 4 of his 5 seasons at the club, but is going to be at least a B grader, maybe even an A.

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post

    Ben Brown would be a perfect fit at the Bulldogs. They love to move the ball quickly, which suits his lead-up style, while he can also give English a chop out in the ruck. A forward line of Brown, Naughton and Bruce with Wallis as a marking small would be very dangerous and a nightmare for opposition teams.
    Yes our dump kick to the forward style perfectly suits long leading Brown. And a forwardline of Brown, Naughton, Bruce and Wallis is a rebounding defenders wettest dream.


    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post

    UNTOUCHABLES
    Bontempelli, Liberatore, Hunter, English, Dunkley, Daniel, Macrae, Richards, B. Smith, Johannisen, Weightman, Naughton, Wallis, Wood, Laitham Vandermeer, Rhylee West, Bailey Williams, Bailey Dale, Toby McLean and Patrick Lipinski.
    Ah yes untouchable star *checks notes*....Bailey Dale.

    Also Rhylee West and Patrick Lipinski are odd choices, and Alex Keath (and to a lesser extent Hayden Crozier) can probably feel hard done by to not make this list ahead of others.


    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post
    It’s hard to see how the Bombers can get a deal done unless they offered two first-round picks or pick 6, 41 and Hurley.
    These two things are not the same.


    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post

    RATING THE LIST
    A-grade: Bontempelli, English, Macrae

    B: Daniel, Dale, Dunkley, Hunter, Johannisen, Keath, Liberatore, McLean, Wallis, Williams, Wood

    C: Bruce, Cavarra, Cordy, Crozier, Duryea, Gardner, Gowers, Green, Hayes, Jong, Lipinski, Lloyd, Lynch, Schache, R. Smith, Suckling, Sweet, Trengove

    Developing (with A-B grade potential): Naughton, Richards, B. Smith, Vandermeer, Weightman, West

    Developing: Butler, Garcia, Khamis, Porter, Lachie Young, Lewis Young

    What the ratings mean:

    A-grade: Elite player on any AFL list

    B: Top 10-18 player on most lists

    C: An 18-30 player on a list

    Developing: Aged 21 or under
    This is a complete shambles.

    English is not an elite player on any AFL list yet, Daniel however who was literally selected in the team of the year as being in the best 3 players in his position in the league is clearly elite (much like Steele and Butler who were both ranked as B graders for the Saints).

    This guy loves Dale (and to a lesser extent Mclean), neither are in the best 18 players on our list let alone most lists.

    Meanwhile Crozier gets lumped in with guys like Billy Gowers and Fergus Greene as the shitty depth guys because Buckenera hasn't provided himself with another category where he can shovel the shit.

    I mean points for trying but it really sours an article when every second example they provide is dumb. Surely if he ran it past like a single Bulldogs supporter half of these errors would be fixed.
    I should leave it alone but you're not right

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  13. #9
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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    UNTOUCHABLES
    Bontempelli, Liberatore, Hunter, English, Dunkley, Daniel, Macrae, Richards, B. Smith, Johannisen, Weightman, Naughton, Wallis, Wood, Laitham Vandermeer, Rhylee West, Bailey Williams, Bailey Dale, Toby McLean and Patrick Lipinski.
    I'd happily consider offers on every bolded player. None are untouchable, IMO.
    Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by comrade View Post
    I'd happily consider offers on every bolded player. None are untouchable, IMO.
    "Bucks, You keep using this word. I do not think it means what you think it means".
    I should leave it alone but you're not right

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  16. #11
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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    I think he got English and Daniel mixed up.
    "I'll give him a hug before the first bounce and then I'll run into my pack and give them orders to rip him apart."

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by comrade View Post
    I'd happily consider offers on every bolded player. None are untouchable, IMO.
    You'd consider an offer on Bailey Smith?
    Last edited by hujsh; 29-10-2020 at 11:37 AM.

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by hujsh View Post
    You'd consider an offer on Baily Smith?
    Yep, but it'd have to be very, very good.
    Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by comrade View Post
    I'd happily consider offers on every bolded player. None are untouchable, IMO.
    I nearly choked on my spit.
    But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.

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    Re: Gary Buckenara analyses Western Bulldogs’ list after the 2020 season

    Quote Originally Posted by 1eyedog View Post
    I nearly choked on my spit.
    Which one/s is unreasonable?
    Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.

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