Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Contracted to the end of 2025 isn't he? Have we delisted a player in recent years with a year to run on their contract?

Wishful thinking on my part about his contract length apparently. Delisted in two years time.

All speculation given there's no reference anywhere to his contract length.

[Prince Imperial]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

All speculation given there's no reference anywhere to his contract length.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1352415/vandermeer-remains-at-the-kennel

The youngster was thrilled to remain at the Bulldogs for a further two seasons.

[Can Bar]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

My question is, does he go just as hard when his teammates ignore another player in the open, or is it only when HE doesn't get the ball that it's a problem?

The answer to that (which I suspect I know) is what indicates the motive behind it - and I think it is all about making HIM better, not about the team.

Agree this is the issue that needs to be resolved, is he yelling for the betterment of the team or his own selfish desire. Successful teams have 22 players who are prepared to sacrifice own personal glory for the team.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Or traded for a fourth rounder

On current form it would be traded with a 4th rounder.

[Bigdog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

VDM’s improvement is as important as anyone next season imo. Outside of Naughton his the only player that chases with intent in the forward half. He has defensive attributes that our other forwards do not (and we need if we role if we role with the 3 tall forwards).

Also thought he was reasonable as a lockdown defender considering he came back from a significant injury and was learning a new role at afl level.

He’d be my first choice lockdown defender if we played him that end and my second choice small forward. And it’s line ball first forward as I think Weightman still plays a selfish brand and isn’t great defensively.

[The Underdog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

VDM’s improvement is as important as anyone next season imo. Outside of Naughton his the only player that chases with intent in the forward half. He has defensive attributes that our other forwards do not (and we need if we role if we role with the 3 tall forwards).

Also thought he was reasonable as a lockdown defender considering he came back from a significant injury and was learning a new role at afl level.

He’d be my first choice lockdown defender if we played him that end and my second choice small forward. And it’s line ball first forward as I think Weightman still plays a selfish brand and isn’t great defensively.

We might have to form a Laitham support group. While in no way do I think he’s going to be a top 15-20 player for us, his pace is a skill we don’t have in spades on this list. I also thought he showed a bit as a HBF depth fill in, but if he can maintain his fitness and be available, his speed in the forward 50 and aggression can be a point of difference. There was a 5 minute period I think early in the 3rd quarter against Geelong, in the last game of 2023, where he showed some real impact as a small forward. If he can provide that level of performance more regularly, he’ll definitely start off next year ahead of Jones, Clarke and McNeil.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

VDM frustrates the hell out of me at times like he does others, but he has an opportunity to mature. People carry on as if he has no AFL attributes, and that's rubbish.

A fair bit is being made of a couple of sprays at training when he was ignored. And who knows, the instruction may have been to reward the short/ open at all costs. Probably not something to worry about unless it is shown to be habitual, which I don't thing anyone has seen evidence of.

[kruder]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

I must say I'm a little surprised that he is back training with the forward group, I just don't see it. I'm still happy to say if he becomes a best 22 player in time then it will be in the back half, his set of attributes are better utilised when a set of blinkers are applied.

[jazzadogs]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

VDM frustrates the hell out of me at times like he does others, but he has an opportunity to mature. People carry on as if he has no AFL attributes, and that's rubbish.

A fair bit is being made of a couple of sprays at training when he was ignored. And who knows, the instruction may have been to reward the short/ open at all costs. Probably not something to worry about unless it is shown to be habitual, which I don't thing anyone has seen evidence of.

Fwiw, I agree that he has AFL attributes and think he is no worse of a player than someone like Beau McReery who just played an important role in a premiership forward line. I think he is a victim of not having a consistent and clear role, and frequent injuries.

His combination of speed and tenacity should be a point of difference for our starting side. He still has to prove that he can actually do it though.

And these reports of yelling at teammates at training may seem minor, but if they're still happening on game day then it's bad for culture, and if he can't rein it in when talking to umpires then it's more undisciplined 50m penalties. It's not that he may mature, it's that he MUST mature to be a regular AFL player.

[hujsh]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Fwiw, I agree that he has AFL attributes and think he is no worse of a player than someone like Beau McReery who just played an important role in a premiership forward line. I think he is a victim of not having a consistent and clear role, and frequent injuries.

His combination of speed and tenacity should be a point of difference for our starting side. He still has to prove that he can actually do it though.

And these reports of yelling at teammates at training may seem minor, but if they're still happening on game day then it's bad for culture, and if he can't rein it in when talking to umpires then it's more undisciplined 50m penalties. It's not that he may mature, it's that he MUST mature to be a regular AFL player.

Man is also 24 years old. To many of us I'm sure that still seems immature but in the football world he passed the point of being a kid and learning the ropes a while back.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Man is also 24 years old. To many of us I'm sure that still seems immature but in the football world he passed the point of being a kid and learning the ropes a while back.

Everyone matures at different rates though, and perhaps this is actually something the club acknowledges in giving him more time on the list. He was drafted as a mature U18 which tells me for his age he's likely to have been pretty raw - which is something we'd all agree his games to date (which seem to come every time he's fit which is a massive endorsement from the MC) have demonstrated.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

Fwiw, I agree that he has AFL attributes and think he is no worse of a player than someone like Beau McReery who just played an important role in a premiership forward line. I think he is a victim of not having a consistent and clear role, and frequent injuries.

His combination of speed and tenacity should be a point of difference for our starting side. He still has to prove that he can actually do it though.

And these reports of yelling at teammates at training may seem minor, but if they're still happening on game day then it's bad for culture, and if he can't rein it in when talking to umpires then it's more undisciplined 50m penalties. It's not that he may mature, it's that he MUST mature to be a regular AFL player.

I've flipped my lid many times to date over his exploits on the field, he slotted in perfectly to replace Hunter as my most frustrating Bulldogs player these past twelve months!

Agree that he HAS to mature and ensure those things don't become a part of his game on top of the lazy, unthinking and ill-disciplined things he is capable of at times. But I just can't get too worried about it at this time of year after some training reports, albeit consistent and reliable ones.

These types of issues and bits and pieces of other things you hear about players not quite hitting the requirements or being frustrated at this time of year seem like opportunities for improvement to me. If the leadership from the MC and the playing group is there they'll be sorted. If not then it's on everyone, not just the individuals involved.

[Can Bar]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

He has the speed and intensity we need, playing on the edge of right and wrong is also needed, which is easier said than done. Think this guy could be very important to us, he just needs to get through a season without tweaking a string.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

He has the speed and intensity we need, playing on the edge of right and wrong is also needed, which is easier said than done. Think this guy could be very important to us, he just needs to get through a season without tweaking a string.

Agree cb. He's got some real talent just needs confidence and consistency.

[westbulldog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer

His 44 games to date don't see him as best 22 imo. I hope he improves, he needs to.