How to revitalise your playing list

[GVGjr]

It's always amazing how quickly a quickly a team can turn things around.
For the last few years we've had a strong but somewhat limited midfield in terms of leg speed supported by serviceable forwards and defenders.

Fast forward to now and albeit with a very small sample size we have a midfield now that possess some electrifying players with Treloar and Smith added to the mix along with our blue chip midfielders of Bontempelli, Macrae, Dunkley, Hunter and Liberatore.
Our forward line has 3 taller players which was previously unheard of and we have unleashed a player with plenty of place and spirit in Vandermeer.
We added a ruckman and are playing two of them which is another unheard of option and after slinging Bailey Dale to the back line we have plenty of run from the back half.

Yes it's early days but there is distinct differences in the side now than in previous seasons. Adding a ruckman has helped, adding some pace around the flanks has helped and of course the 3 tall forwards seems to be working.

Looking at some of our other options we have Hannan waiting in the wings, the #1 draft pick from last years draft in Ugle-Hagan plus the exciting West close to earning his spot. We lso have rookies earning their keep in the senior side.

Even on the injury front we have many very good players likely to force their way into the selection mix soon enough with Crozier, Richards and Gardner plus McLean on the LT injury front.

It doesn't take much to revitalise a playing list so lets hope we can keep up with our work ethic and focus.

[The bulldog tragician]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

Good points G. Just having a bona fide ruckman has made an immense difference: it must have been dispiriting to our mids to see us being thrashed in that position each week let alone having to “help” by being battered around themselves. A fit Bruce is a completely new player for us and at last he has chemistry rather than collision courses with Naughton. With Bailey Smith maturing right around the same time we added Treloar, our midfield is ominous, providing all keep fit. Our lockdown defender area is still thin but maybe with such a strong half back line that doesn’t matter as much.

Our crushing win on Friday made me think of a terrible thrashing at North’s hands in round two in 96, by more than 100 points after we’d also been thrashed by Brisbane to week before. We were a team and a club in disarray, yet contended for a GF berth the year after. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems in footy, as you say, a new player or two, a nifty of what success can be like, a reasonable run with injury make a world of difference.

These last few years might have reminded those that remain from ‘16 just how precious those opportunities are, while the younger guys should be hungry to learn what it’s like.

[Bornadog]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

Whilst I agree with the OP there are also other factors such as a more mature and experienced team.
Friday's team was well balanced between youth and experience

Total Players By Games
	North Melbourne	Western Bulldogs
12	Less than 50	6
4	50 to 99	6
3	100 to 149	6
4	150 or more	5

If you look at our teams in 2018 and 2019 it is a different picture with 10 to 12 players in the 0-50 bracket in many weeks. This was caused by 12 premiership players departing for one reason or another and the heavy injuries in 2018.

We have also turned over many players in the last three years and have brought in some good additions to supplement the core

[GVGjr]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

Whilst I agree with the OP there are also other factors such as a more mature and experienced team.
Friday's team was well balanced between youth and experience

Total Players By Games
	North Melbourne	Western Bulldogs
12	Less than 50	6
4	50 to 99	6
3	100 to 149	6
4	150 or more	5

If you look at our teams in 2018 and 2019 it is a different picture with 10 to 12 players in the 0-50 bracket in many weeks. This was caused by 12 premiership players departing for one reason or another and the heavy injuries in 2018.

We have also turned over many players in the last three years and have brought in some good additions to supplement the core

Experience isn't the point of differences I'm trying to highlight.

We are playing two ruckman which many didn't believe we need another one let alone playing both of them in tandem.
Treloar, Smith and Vandermeer have added a lot of leg speed to the team which we were lacking and McNeil has also added a bit.
Dale and JJ add more run to the defence.
3 tall forward is something that we really didn't give much of a go with last year.
We have ventured out of our comfort zone on a few aspects and the early signs are encouraging. Some would say it's overdue, but I'm just happy we have done it.

[GVGjr]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

Good points G. Just having a bona fide ruckman has made an immense difference: it must have been dispiriting to our mids to see us being thrashed in that position each week let alone having to “help” by being battered around themselves. A fit Bruce is a completely new player for us and at last he has chemistry rather than collision courses with Naughton. With Bailey Smith maturing right around the same time we added Treloar, our midfield is ominous, providing all keep fit. Our lockdown defender area is still thin but maybe with such a strong half back line that doesn’t matter as much.

Our crushing win on Friday made me think of a terrible thrashing at North’s hands in round two in 96, by more than 100 points after we’d also been thrashed by Brisbane to week before. We were a team and a club in disarray, yet contended for a GF berth the year after. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems in footy, as you say, a new player or two, a nifty of what success can be like, a reasonable run with injury make a world of difference.

These last few years might have reminded those that remain from ‘16 just how precious those opportunities are, while the younger guys should be hungry to learn what it’s like.

The big win on Friday sets us up and gives us a lot to play for. We can't afford any fade outs as it will quickly erode the advantage we currently have. It's all in front of us now and we need to ensure a top 4 finish at the end of the home and away season is achieved.

[1eyedog]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

The second biggest coup after Bont has been the rise of our late picks from 2014-2015. We nailed those picks. Bailey Dale (45) in 2014, Bailey Williams (48 lol) and Caleb Daniel (46) was a fantastic parting gift from Dal and may just edge us towards another flag.

[comrade]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

The second biggest coup after Bont has been the rise of our late picks from 2014-2015. We nailed those picks. Bailey Dale (45) in 2014, Bailey Williams (48 lol) and Caleb Daniel (46) was a fantastic parting gift from Dal and may just edge us towards another flag.

I miss Dalrymple.

[jeemak]

Re: How to revitalise your playing list

GvGjnr, is the thread heading a typo and you meant to say rebuild?

[jazzadogs]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

Experience isn't the point of differences I'm trying to highlight.

We have ventured out of our comfort zone on a few aspects and the early signs are encouraging. Some would say it's overdue, but I'm just happy we have done it.

I actually think adding experience has been a huge part of revitalising the playing list. Martin, Bruce and Treloar are all experienced additions, and Keath is an old head. We frequently played squads that were too young to be consistently competitive, and that was reflected in our frustrating yo-yo performances.

There is definitely an element of structural change, but I think the added experience is also important to note. If we had added Sweet and a raw tall forward to the 22, I don't think we would be so happy about the structure.

[Vred]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

I actually think adding experience has been a huge part of revitalising the playing list. Martin, Bruce and Treloar are all experienced additions, and Keath is an old head. We frequently played squads that were too young to be consistently competitive, and that was reflected in our frustrating yo-yo performances.

There is definitely an element of structural change, but I think the added experience is also important to note. If we had added Sweet and a raw tall forward to the 22, I don't think we would be so happy about the structure.

Agreed with this. I want us to pick up a mature backman over the offseson and then go for a dynasty of 3 flags, don't see why we can't do it with the list that is being built.

[SonofScray]

Re: How to revitalise your playing list

GvGjnr, is the thread heading a typo and you meant to say rebuild?

Perhaps it was “refresh”

[Go_Dogs]

Re: How to revitalise you playing list

The second biggest coup after Bont has been the rise of our late picks from 2014-2015. We nailed those picks. Bailey Dale (45) in 2014, Bailey Williams (48 lol) and Caleb Daniel (46) was a fantastic parting gift from Dal and may just edge us towards another flag.

We got plenty of value late. Do McNeil and Scott count under the current regime?

[Go_Dogs]

Re: How to revitalise your playing list

As far as list balance, and selection, we seem to be getting it right so far. A stronger and healthier list certainly helps, but we have added points of difference to complement not more of the same. We’ve got quicker and our pressure has improved significantly which is often the fuel of a good side.

Having the depth we do has meant no JJ to start the season, Wally dropped after 2 poor games etc. we wouldn’t have been able to do that in prior years particularly JJ without Crozier and Wood to start the year.

BADs point on experience is also relevant. Our younger/early to mid 20s players are becoming consistent contributors or elite contributors. The gap in their best and worst has shrunk. We are better for it.

[GVGjr]

Re: How to revitalise your playing list

GvGjnr, is the thread heading a typo and you meant to say rebuild?

There hasn't been a rebuild just added players with skill sets we haven't had in the past.
A ruck man where we previously seemed to overlook and then two fleet footed midfielders had really added to our midfield group has made a huge difference.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: How to revitalise your playing list

Ever since we got Bont, Macrae, Dunkley, Libba Wallis, and Hunter we had the core of a great team which against all the odds won one when these guys were young.
All these guys entering their peak productive years so if ever it was always going to happen about now that we start to peak.
As GVGjr astutly points out, recruiting for needs and best available has us primed with this core of essential players.