Sharp Axes

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Sharp Axes

In all seriousness, did we have a real choice with this?

I mean, I feel like it's revisionist history (somewhat) because my recollection is that everyone was on board with this when it happened!

A lot weren't.

A lot actually hated it prior to the draft. I think landing Sanders softened it for some but it was under good faith the club seriously believed we'd challenge for a flag. The fact we've gone backwards is making it look like a poor choice.and going backwards is in line with what many thought might happen this year.

I'm struggling to understand where those in charge are seeing confidence in the coaching/players.

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

A lot weren't.

A lot actually hated it prior to the draft. I think landing Sanders softened it for some but it was under good faith the club seriously believed we'd challenge for a flag. The fact we've gone backwards is making it look like a poor choice.and going backwards is in line with what many thought might happen this year.

Sanders is the future. we had the opportunity to grab a talented mid in the top 5 or 6 and we got one. Great move.

I'm struggling to understand where those in charge are seeing confidence in the coaching/players.

We had a review of the whole Footy department. We made changes to the structure, reporting lines and got in some new assistants. We lose a few games, and everyone wants to throw that all away and sack, sack, sack after only 5 months.

Let's give it a go, wait till year end and decide then. There is ZERO to gain by changing again now.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Sharp Axes

Sanders is the future. we had the opportunity to grab a talented mid in the top 5 or 6 and we got one. Great move.



We had a review of the whole Footy department. We made changes to the structure, reporting lines and got in some new assistants. We lose a few games, and everyone wants to throw that all away and sack, sack, sack after only 5 months.

Let's give it a go, wait till year end and decide then. There is ZERO to gain by changing again now.

I mean the trade was a ballsy move so I can't really fault the club in giving it a crack. Our hands were somewhat tied with Croft. It's not looking great now but playing things safe can also hurt so I can at least see why the club did it.

I also don't think we stand to gain much by sacking bevo right now. Interim coach periods are never successful. I'm just of the opinion that his time as our coach is done by seasons end. I'd be astonished if we turned this around.

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

I mean the trade was a ballsy move so I can't really fault the club in giving it a crack. Our hands were somewhat tied with Croft. It's not looking great now but playing things safe can also hurt so I can at least see why the club did it.

I also don't think we stand to gain much by sacking bevo right now. Interim coach periods are never successful. I'm just of the opinion that his time as our coach is done by seasons end. I'd be astonished if we turned this around.

Hopefully Sanders and Croft work out - I am confident they will.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

On thin ice: Bulldogs' Bevo 'marriage' has run its course Rohan Connolly

Whenever Luke Beveridge's time as Western Bulldogs coach finishes, he will be a club legend, the man who took the Dogs in the space of just two seasons from 14th to their second-only premiership, and first for 62 years.

It's the happiest chapter in the Bulldogs' history. But increasingly, it also looks like the story is just about over, and that the parting of ways between coach and club is the only logical conclusion.

The Dogs' surprise seven-point defeat to Hawthorn on Sunday wasn't necessarily a definitive "coach killer". It was, however, more fuel to the flames of Bulldog discontent, more evidence that this is a team plodding along, going nowhere fast, and no longer heeding their coach's message.

Beveridge is contracted until the end of 2025. But if the Bulldogs accept now that this particular playing group isn't destined to again scale the heights, and that a major list overhaul is required, wouldn't logic dictate that it needs to be overseen by a coach who will be in the position for at least several more years?

And perhaps even Beveridge himself would concede now that the prospect of him still being in the position come, say 2027 or 2028, would be at long odds.

I wrote several weeks ago that this Bulldog group hadn't been nearly as good in practice as it looked on paper for several years. And that it no longer even looked that impressive on paper.

The once-feared midfield group is a shadow of its former self, too reliant on Marcus Bontempelli and the increasingly banged-up Tom Liberatore, and missing the likes of Josh Dunkley and even Lachie Hunter far more than had been anticipated. The absence of Bailey Smith has also robbed the Dogs not only of talent, but considerable spark and energy, too.

The defence is leaky and error-prone, 68 points conceded on turnover against Hawthorn on Sunday, and the Dogs again struggling to defend opposition ball movement. The forward set-up is prone to erratic performance from individuals, the bevy of talls seldom clicking as one.

But what has become perhaps more apparent even since a few weeks ago is the level of disconnect between the instruction and the delivery on the field.

It's apparent in the surrendering of winnable situations without enough resistance. It's apparent in the runs of opposition goals the Bulldogs routinely concede without seeming able to stem the flow, which happened again yesterday after the Dogs had kicked the first three goals within six minutes, then conceded seven of the next nine.

And it's apparent in that same inconsistency on a bigger scale from week to week. The Dogs' two most impressive victories this season, against Gold Coast and St Kilda, came after a week of intense criticism following terrible performances against Melbourne and Essendon.

That they haven't been able to sustain those emotionally-fuelled responses for any length of time afterwards, is telling. Good teams create their own motivation and momentum without the need for external stimulus.

But the energy generated internally at Whitten Oval these past 12 months or so has rarely seemed positive. I'm not necessarily a big one for footy scuttlebutt, but the reports of friction between coach and administration and coach and various players have been loud for a long time now.

Even the reaction to Essendon ruckman Sam Draper's podcast comments last week about senior Bulldogs wanting out should Beveridge stay was interesting, as though the sensitivity around his remarks from all parties concerned denoted a "where there's smoke, there's fire" vibe.

I've often been taken aback by the level of angst from Bulldog people about a coach who has delivered them a premiership, two grand finals, and six finals campaigns in nine years.

But their counter-argument would be that the Bulldogs under Beveridge in nine years have never finished a regular season higher than fifth or with more than 15 wins from 22 games, relying on two month-long bursts of form in 2016 and 2021 to take them to their greatest heights.

Beveridge's quirkiness when it came to matters like selection or positional placement worked well for him in those early seasons, keeping players on their toes.

These days it seems not only a source of frustration for fans, who believe he plays favourites with lesser-talented types, but dangerously, perhaps also for some players with considerable clout within the playing group.

At 3-5 in 11th spot on the ladder and already two games outside the top eight, the Bulldogs' season is in danger of imploding. And what's ahead certainly won't fill them with confidence, the Dogs' next four games against Greater Western Sydney and the Swans, third and first on the ladder respectively, then last year's grand finalists Collingwood and Brisbane.

Right now, you couldn't realistically tip them to win any of those clashes. And if the Dogs were out of finals contention by the end of Round 12, how bad could things get over the second half of the season?

I'm not advocating for an immediate sacking. And I'd understand if the Dogs opted to let Beveridge coach out his current deal to the end of next year. But this really does look like a classic example of what was a very successful marriage simply having run its course.

There's no shame in that for either party. But both need to acknowledge it sooner than later if unnecessary pain is to be avoided by a whole club and its support base.

[SonofScray]

Re: Sharp Axes

Its absolutely a matter of when, not if he is finished now.

I'd like to see him gone, press conferences held and office packed up by Wednesday next week.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

A very good piece from Rohan who nails pieces like this quite often which is becoming a rarer thing in the current footy media circus.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Sharp Axes

Pretty much it.

[mjp]

Re: Sharp Axes

A lot weren't.

A lot actually hated it prior to the draft.

OK - fair enough.

I thought it was pretty much agreed that we wanted to take Croft and therefore the price we had to pay was to trade...I will happily accept the counter argument but to me we didn't give UP a first round pick - we used an EXTRA first round pick this year...

So this year: Sanders and Croft.
Next year: Donuts.

I can live with that.

Falling down the ladder to turn the trade to the advantage of whoever it was? Well...you can't really blame the recruiting/list management team for that.

[GVGjr]

Re: Sharp Axes

A lot weren't.

A lot actually hated it prior to the draft. I think landing Sanders softened it for some but it was under good faith the club seriously believed we'd challenge for a flag. The fact we've gone backwards is making it look like a poor choice.and going backwards is in line with what many thought might happen this year.

I'm struggling to understand where those in charge are seeing confidence in the coaching/players.

The way I look at it in 2023 and 2024 we have landed two players rated as first rounders. Sanders at the pointy end of 2023 draft and Croft more at the back end of the first round in the same draft.
Then if Smith or English were to go we can strengthen our draft hand in 2024. If they stay we've got a pretty good list.
Bringing in Sanders and moving up the order to do so seems okay from my perspective. He will be 12 months ahead of any early draft pick we take later this year.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

Mark Robinson: Sunday’s loss an alarming reality check for Dogs, Beveridge

It’s precarious times at the Kennel, and it seems Luke Beveridge is fighting a bushfire with a garden hose and there is an inferno coming over the hill, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Luke Beveridge will know when it’s time.

He won’t be sacked by the Western Bulldogs, but he’ll know when the party is over.

It won’t be this week, despite the unexpected loss to Hawthorn on Sunday.

But it could be next week if the Bulldogs lose to lowly Richmond on Saturday night.

It’s that precarious at the kennel.

After that, they play the Giants (away), Sydney (home), Collingwood (Marvel Stadium) and then Brisbane (Marvel).

It feels like Beveridge is fighting a bushfire with a garden hose and the inferno is still yet to come over the hill.

Sunday’s loss to the Hawks was so disheartening and so much of an alarming reality check that even the staunchest Beveridge supporters would have lost faith.

Suddenly for fans, the hopelessness of playing finals was laid bare.

There’s always one game that becomes unacceptable.

The Beveridge detractors would argue it came in Round 23 last year when the Bulldogs lost to West Coast at Marvel Stadium. It was the Eagles’ third win of the season and the immediate punishment for the Bulldogs was they missed finals.

All was forgiven. Back-to-back reviews of the footy department ensued, personnel changes were made and the new season loomed with internal confidence and external optimism.

Of their first eight games, six were against teams that didn’t play finals in 2023.

They are 3-5 in that stretch.

If the Hawks game wasn’t THE game, then the Tigers game will be.

If it is a loss – and unless Beveridge is as stubborn as his critics say – it’s impossible to believe the coach would put his head on his pillow that night and not ask himself: Am I the right person to coach this footy club?

Maybe the powers that be – especially Ameet Bains, the chief executive that said Beveridge had a top-four list to coach – might ask him to ask himself the question.

Mind you, the Bulldogs might find confidence, they might find more midfielders, they might correct their handball game, they might stop turning the ball over and they might stop bombing the ball into the forward 50m, hoping one of their big blokes will mark it. In doing so, they might resurrect their season.

This doom commentary would pass, but there’s too many “mights” there.

I would argue the Bulldogs’ top, top-end is elite – and that’s Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore.

The rest of the big names – Aaron Naughton, Tim English, Adam Treloar, Liam Jones, Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Cody Weightman – stagger between outstanding, serviceable and average.

Caleb Daniel is done at the Dogs, the career of Jack Macrae, a club champion, is coming to an end faster than what he’s moving, Bailey Smith is who knows where in his mind, and all of that makes Josh Dunkley’s departure to Brisbane even more devastating.

Now that Libba is out indefinitely, with what is understood to be his third concussion in 10 games in his past nine AFL games. That’s frightening in itself.

Very quickly, you could argue the list has been exposed.

Either that, or argue that Beveridge’s messaging, or style of coaching, has lost its lustre.

That’s the burning question the Bulldogs must now grapple with. Is it the list, self-belief in the players, or is it Beveridge?

Change often works.

Giants coach Leon Cameron stood down eight rounds into the 2022 season. The Giants played finals in 2021 and in Cameron’s ninth year, they were 2-6 before he departed.

The new coach, Adam Kingsley, had the same list but a new fast-moving game plan and got the Giants to the preliminary final in 2023.

This is Beveridge’s 10th season as coach. He is a fighter. Always has been. He was never the most talented as a player, but he had grit and a tremendous work ethic.

But if this season continues to go pear-shaped, he will need to park that instinct to fight and fix the problems and accept that what he’s demanding from his players is not being delivered.

That means a change is needed.

And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a premiership coach or not, the party always ends for everyone.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Sharp Axes

I feel Bevo was poignant in his press conference, strangely balanced in his reconciliation to the l9ss, citing uncharatic turnovers, syaing he is thixk skinned so criticism he accepts.
Going down with the ship, bravo Bevo.
Let's turn it around.
Hopefully the players are spurred by the defeat.
Hope springs eternallly.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

I feel Bevo was poignant in his press conference, strangely balanced in his reconciliation to the l9ss, citing uncharatic turnovers, syaing he is thixk skinned so criticism he accepts.
Going down with the ship, bravo Bevo.
Let's turn it around.
Hopefully the players are spurred by the defeat.
Hope springs eternallly.

Why is the ship going down though? Many of us would argue we've had far less talented lists playing better footy.
It's bloody confusing.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

OK - fair enough.

I thought it was pretty much agreed that we wanted to take Croft and therefore the price we had to pay was to trade...I will happily accept the counter argument but to me we didn't give UP a first round pick - we used an EXTRA first round pick this year...

So this year: Sanders and Croft.
Next year: Donuts.

I can live with that.

Falling down the ladder to turn the trade to the advantage of whoever it was? Well...you can't really blame the recruiting/list management team for that.

Re blame, i think you definitely can. They build / rate the list and gambled we'd be higher than GC did. A gamble they lost.
You have to live by that decision if you are them.

The difference bw a top 5 pick which we appear to be be heading towards and a pick in the mid teens is massive.
Croft a top 5 pick?

I hate trading your future. I was reluctant with Croft as i wanted more mids at the time. List is so unbalanced.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

Sanders is the future. we had the opportunity to grab a talented mid in the top 5 or 6 and we got one. Great move.



We had a review of the whole Footy department. We made changes to the structure, reporting lines and got in some new assistants. We lose a few games, and everyone wants to throw that all away and sack, sack, sack after only 5 months.

Let's give it a go, wait till year end and decide then. There is ZERO to gain by changing again now.

What if Baz stays?