Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

[mjp]

It's been an off-season of change.

We had a review, there is a new footy structure off the field and new assistant coaches, new S+C head with a revised approach, full-time at the Whitten Oval rather than flip-flopping between home and Braybrook...not to mention reports of an emphasis on speed of ball movement and team based defending from those attending training.

My question is simple:

- Are you IN? This means you are convinced the changes are all for the better and we are Top 4 bound.
- Are you OUT? This means you still think the 'big problem' remains (the coach) and there will most likely be a performance based coaching change either during this season itself or at the end of the 2024 season. Finals? LOL!
- Are you in 'Team Prove It'. You have been burnt before (specifically in 2022 and 2023) and whilst you are hopeful, you just can't get truly on board the train until you see proof of the changes on the field.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

Very much camp prove it but I'm agnostic.

[soupman]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I'm sceptical, but I'm in. What's the point of it all if you aren't prepared to go along for the ride?

[Bornadog]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I am always IN - the supreme optimist

Some great off field changes, new facilities, no excuses.

[Happy Days]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I’ve talked myself into far worse Bulldogs teams being in. I’ll never be out.

[Mantis]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I'm camp prove it... As much talent as we've ever had access to, but we've been ''smelly'' the last 2 seasons and I want to see performances to match the talent before I start spruiking us as a top 4 team.

[hujsh]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I like the changes in concept but it all means nothing until we see it translate to something on-field. We've had good vibes and talk of top 4 plenty in recent history so I'm not sold.

[Sedat]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

It's been an off-season of change.

We had a review, there is a new footy structure off the field and new assistant coaches, new S+C head with a revised approach, full-time at the Whitten Oval rather than flip-flopping between home and Braybrook...not to mention reports of an emphasis on speed of ball movement and team based defending from those attending training.

My question is simple:

- Are you IN? This means you are convinced the changes are all for the better and we are Top 4 bound.
- Are you OUT? This means you still think the 'big problem' remains (the coach) and there will most likely be a performance based coaching change either during this season itself or at the end of the 2024 season. Finals? LOL!
- Are you in 'Team Prove It'. You have been burnt before (specifically in 2022 and 2023) and whilst you are hopeful, you just can't get truly on board the train until you see proof of the changes on the field.

I'm in the IN camp with a bullet. We should be expecting silverware this year and contending for it for the next 3-5 years minimum.

If it all goes belly-up this year, at least we died on our feet this season instead of living on our knees like we have done the past 2 years.

There is no guarantee for success of course, but we must show absolute single-minded intent in our pursuit of it - I don't think the entire organisation from the president down to the boot-studder showed that unrelenting intent to get better after the self-destruction in the last 40 minutes of 2021 (when we were honestly on the cusp of football greatness - that lost premiership would have been the stuff of folklore after all the obstacles put in our path during that finals series). Credit to everyone involved, we have been extremely proactive in striving for excellence this off-season. As I said at the time, the deep shame of that West Coast loss left the club with nowhere to hide, and the call has been heeded.

Pendlebury just won a flag at 36yo. We have Bont for another 8-9 years at the same level - IMO we simply have to cash in, and no reason why it shouldn't start with 2024.

[chef]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I dont trust this group so im in the prove it camp.

[mighty_west]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I'm in, i believe what has happened with the review and changes is what had to happen to take the next step, things clearly weren't right with what was happening, Bevo is obviously a very good coach but just needed to be stripped back a bit with responsibilities and mindset freshened up, it kind of reminds me a bit of what was going on with Geelong mid 2000's with Bomber and a lot of supporters were frustrated with him and the direction they were heading before a big review of their club, the rest has been history, now i'm not saying we'll win 3 Premierships (although it would ne nice) but with all in place now with a clear view and mindset, fresh faces (Bubba, we all love ya but time was probably right for change) i reckon things will head north for us, as a team we finally have a real structure in place with a real spine and real key position players not having to punch above their weight or height, still development left with certain players and things just have to click into place, the seeds have been planted.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I'm reluctantly in the out camp, with the proviso that I think we've made some really good moves in the off season.
My concern, which hasn't changed for a long time, is that our defence just doesn't cut the mustard.

[EasternWest]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

we've been ''smelly'' the last 2 seasons.

I've not seen a more appropriate description of these last two years than this.

[lemmon]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

Prove it.

There's a positive feeling around pre-season, but there was last year too. We faced some adversity in 2023, but again, so does every club. We also had the best player in the game running through the middle, an All Australian ruck and our side looked great on paper for most of the season.

Time for this group and this coach to put up or shut up.

[Bornadog]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I'm reluctantly in the out camp, with the proviso that I think we've made some really good moves in the off season.
My concern, which hasn't changed for a long time, is that our defence just doesn't cut the mustard.

The one area I am worried about

[54Bulldog16]

Re: Are you in Camp "IN", Camp "OUT" or Camp "PROVE IT"

I get hooked every year. I?m all IN!
I think there is enough improvement naturally in the forwards to make us 2 goals better. Midfield is better than serviceable, with more focus on quick movement and bursting forward to aid the forwards. I think Pratt will work wonders with team defence, not just the back 6. Should save us 2 goals a game, I know that?s really quite a generalist statement. I?m coming into the season confident!