Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

[Missing Dog]

Have a question ask Leigh Matthews. Starts in 30 mins

http://www.afl.com.au/offseason/westernbulldogs/westernbulldogsoffseasonlivechat/tabid/15047/default.aspx

[Desipura]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

I wonder what odds he gives us to win the flag in 2010

[Ozza]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

I observed a really pointless half an hour worth.

[Desipura]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

So did I, I noticed Bornadog tried to ask a question.
Leigh thinks we shoould not pay anym ore than a 3rd round for Hall
thinks Everitt should stay as he is a future kpp
also said we should pay whatver Lake wants to keep him at the dogs

[Scraggers]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

afl.com.au:
Hello everyone.

The Western Bulldogs had a fairly successful season, maintaining a position in the top four and just falling short of making the grand final. We’re here with AFL legend Leigh Matthews to discuss the Dogs' 2009 season.

Did the Dogs achieve their full potential this year? What do they need to do to take the next step? Which of the Bulldogs' veterans should play on next year?

Apologies in advance that we won’t be able to publish ALL of your comments. We’ll do our best. Lethal is here – let's start with the questions!

1:09 [Comment From Chris]
Do you think Brian lake will stay?

1:09 [Comment From Tommy with a T]
G'day Leigh, is it just me or are you finding the Andrejs Everitt interest a bit over the top?

1:09 [Comment From dim]
Leigh, why don’t you think Brian Lake doesn’t play more of a forward role against certain teams with few key forwards? As he is such a good mark (in particular contested mark), it will give them a key target to look for. They won’t be losing too much down back as they still have the likes of Morris, Hargrave etc and he can go back down back if it’s not working??

1:10 Leigh Matthews: Chris, I think it's only a matter of the salary. The Bulldogs can't afford to lose Brian and eventually they'll have to pay whatever it takes to get him to stay.

1:10 [Comment From Ben]
Is Barry a certainty?


1:10 [Comment From ZAC]
hey leigh do you think griifin is a good trade for tippet


1:10 [Comment From Michael Z]
You obviously know Jason Akermanis well, Lethal. How much longer does he have left in the AFL?


1:11 [Comment From alex]
lethal as fevola wont be traded most likely, and tippet most likely not going anywere but goldcoast. the dogs look set to get hall do you think it is a good idea to throw griffen on the trade table and try for a younger better power forward? do you think his midfeild impact is to hard to replace?


1:11 [Comment From Tom]
Leigh, I believe the dogs are in need of another tall back given Williams cannot seem to get injury free. Is Spangher of WCE worth looking at?


1:11 Leigh Matthews: Tommy, I am surprised that the Bulldogs would even consider trading Everitt, but it is a trade and they would only do it if they think they could get someone good in return because he is a very promising young player.

1:11 [Comment From Bobby]
Hi Leigh, would you keep Eagleton and Aker on the list


1:12 [Comment From Sean]
is lake being a bit petty? or does he not think the dogs are a premiership chance? its pretty known the cats boys take less money to stay together. but he isn't having a bar of it???


1:12 Leigh Matthews: Zac, I have a lot of time for Kurt Tippett, and trading him for Ryan Griffin would be a good result for the Bulldogs.

1:12 [Comment From Harry]
Hi Leigh, do you think Barry Hall or Fevola would be a better pick up for the dogs?


1:12 [Comment From joel]
If williams is fit do you think he is in the best 22


1:12 [Comment From Bobby]
Which players should we try to trade?


1:13 [Comment From MrReims]
Leigh, have loved all your live chats so far. How can you see the potential Hall acquisition benefiting the doggies? I see only downsides to his behaviour, age and style of play


1:13 [Comment From Scraggers]
All the talk of a tall forward ... we were two straight kicks away from making a grand final, do you think our structure really needs a tall forward ... if so, is Hall the best answer or the best available?


1:13 Leigh Matthews: Tom, Tom Williams has looked a chance of being that tall running half-back. At the moment, he would be still a good chance of filling that role rather than looking elesewhere.

1:13 [Comment From Sam]
Hi Leigh, do you think there is any chance of us landing a deal with North Melbourne to get David Hale, maybe our 2nd round pick and a player, also do you think we can keep Lake?


1:14 [Comment From riley]
what do u think about trading a small backman like harbrow and a early draft pick for fev i think it would be a great move what do u think?


1:14 [Comment From Dogs Fan]
Lethal, enough of everyone putting up statements that will probably never eventuate, what do you think the dogs need to do realistically to be premiers in 2010?? They seemed very close in 2009, only stumbling in the last minutes of the game...


1:14 [Comment From Bobby]
Leigh, what's your thoughts on Fev? I think it would be a bad move by the dogs


1:15 [Comment From MrReims]
Leigh, with so many aging forwards is there not a better untried forward WB could also pick up cheap? Perhaps Michael Newton from Melbourne?


1:15 Leigh Matthews: Alex, the principle of trading a good midfielder - eg Griffen, etc - for a good quality tall forward would be worth doing, because you have plenty of good midfielders but no good big full-forward.

1:15 [Comment From Joseph]
do u think mat maguire from the saints would b good at the bullies he has proven he can ick goals for sandringham and he can be a solid defender too


1:15 [Comment From Elisabeth]
Leigh, what's the missing link for the Dogs and who out there is available to fill it? And what would it take to get him?


1:16 [Comment From Peter]
Leigh, you say that the Bulldogs will eventually have to pay Lake what he demands however dont you think that may cause pay negotiation problems for the cluyb in the future. I recall the Lions players all agreeing to a level of pay to ensure the group stayed together to enjoy further success.


1:16 [Comment From The tank]
Should Aker go again?


1:16 Leigh Matthews: Harry, I think Fevola would be a better option, if they both cost the same. The fact is, Hall will cost less in terms of salary and compensation to the Swans.

1:17 [Comment From Jake]
Leigh, Ashley Hansen, why don't the dogs go after him if they want a tall forward? If you watch the 2006 Grand Final he's much more effective than Barry Hall


1:17 [Comment From Sam]
any chance of the Dogs being able to trade Wayde Skipper and 3rd round pick maybe to the Hawks for Beau Dowler, he is a tall forward, they need a ruckman and we need the forward


1:17 [Comment From Dean]
Leigh, surely with Welsh retiring and the Dogs delisting Skipper & Wight, we now have to play Everitt more regularly and TOTALLY discount trading him?


1:17 [Comment From MrReims]
Honest opinion on big Will Minson? Originally I saw the benefit in the experiment, but lets face it, his skill levels are just not there. Or am I way off base?


1:18 Leigh Matthews: MrReims, the potential Hall acquisition adds a specific proven big forward to the Bulldogs list. How he would fit into the unity of the team is exactly what the coaches have to consider and make a judgment on.

1:18 [Comment From riley]
i think it is time for johnston to move on his been there for years and they still are yet to will a flag i no his good but i think it will free up there scellery cap and they might be able to pick up a young talent what do u think?


1:18 [Comment From westy]
hey Leigh, is Josh hill trade bait?? he seems out of favour down at the kennell at the moment


1:18 [Comment From Scraggers]
Why do you think we need a tall forward ... we were the highest scoring team in the AFL this year ... surely it's our defence that needs bolstering?


1:19 [Comment From tony]
with the bulldogs looking to delist Skipper (zero games 2009, emergency heaps) will that leave them exposed for ruckman if say hudson/minson get injured or lack of form ,together with the possibility of everitt being traded? would then have to rely on roughhead & cordy?


1:19 [Comment From phil]
what is going to happen with the draft of eoughhead and corby will hudson and minsen be tossed aside omce the youngssters bulk up?


1:19 [Comment From Bornadog]
Looking at the list overall, what do the Dogs need to take the next step?


1:20 [Comment From Mr Stanbrook]
hey leigh dogs need a tall faward tippet, hall or fev witch one would suit our team better


1:20 Leigh Matthews: Joseph, I'm not sure about Matt maguire's physical capabilities these days, but he might be, for the Bulldogs, what Leigh Brown was for Collingwood this year - a valuable utility who can fill in a variety of spots.

1:21 Leigh Matthews: Peter, you're right that pay demands have to be kept within reason, the problem is that Lake is irreplaceable and must be kept at all costs.

1:21 [Comment From Chris]
what do you rekon we could get for lake or griffen or everitt?


1:22 [Comment From Elisabeth]
Leigh, there is no way the Dogs will put Griffen on the trade table. He, like Cross, Coo, Callan Ward, Boyd, is untouchable. What other mids from the Dogs might be worth hanging out?


1:22 Leigh Matthews: Sam, I would think that Hawthorn value Beau Dowler too highly to entertain a Wade Skipper and third round pick trade.

1:22 [Comment From riley]
they are very close to flag but they need to make a few changes to there list who do u think should get the flick?


1:23 [Comment From harry]
hey leigh im a big fan haha um just wondering who do you think the next captain will be Higgins?


1:23 [Comment From Johnny]
Leigh, has Eagleton done enough to go around again


1:23 Leigh Matthews: Riley, I think Brad Johnson has been a magnificent player for many years, and I see no reason why he shouldn't continue on. He is still one of the Bulldogs' very best players.

1:23 [Comment From Craig]
Hey. How did you handle salary cap issues at Brisbane and what effect did it have on team morale? Do you think Lake asking for me will have much effect on the relationship wth his team mates?


1:24 [Comment From nathan]
hi leigh, im not sure if you have heard this one but theres a rumour going around that daniel cross could be going to collingwood! your thoughts?


1:24 [Comment From Harry]
Leigh, based on how they are performing, do you think Akermanis or Eagleton could handle going around again?


1:24 [Comment From Robby]
What do u think the dogs will give up to get Barry Hall, Leigh?


1:25 [Comment From Robby]
Who are the key players the doggies are looking for in trade week?


1:25 [Comment From Johnny]
If the dogs get Hall how good are our chances at a flag


1:25 Leigh Matthews: Scraggers, the concept of moving a tall full forward is more about what seems to be necessary in high-pressure finals footy. The fact is, the Bulldogs were that close to beating St Kilda in the preliminary final and you are right, it will not necessarily give that much improvement.

1:25 [Comment From Peter]
OK Leigh, as you can see by the amount of questions being fired at you that we are desperate to see a premiership ... or even a GF appearance for the Doggies. Your true thoughts ... are we close and what would you do to secure this to end the drought?


1:25 [Comment From tony]
should jonno hand over the captancy eg tredrea? It has been magnicant for him


1:26 [Comment From mark]
leigh what do you think of a simon wiggons for andraes evrit a straight swap


1:26 [Comment From MrReims]
Is the constant talk of the reduced quality of the next 3-4 drafts being overstated? How heavily do you see it affecting the existing clubs Leigh?


1:27 [Comment From Dale]
Ryan Gamble's name has been thrown around, do you think he would be a good fit for the dogs, If Everitt is unhappy at the kennel, is that a fair trade..


1:27 Leigh Matthews: Nathan, I would be very surprised if Daniel Cross was not at the Bulldogs next year. He and Matthew Boyd are still the heart of your midfield grunt.

1:27 [Comment From Robby]
If Everitt does go to saints, who are saints going to give up to get him, LEigh?


1:27 Leigh Matthews: Robby, nothing more than a third-round draft choice for Hall.

1:28 [Comment From Scraggers]
Is Barry Hall the best solution for the Dogs ... or the best available? In his last three seasons he has kicked 44, 41, and 31 goals respectively


1:28 [Comment From paul]
are sydney going to be cheap and try and get somthing ridiculous for hall so the trade dosent even get done?


1:29 Leigh Matthews: Peter, everyone at every club is desperate to see a premiership. The fact is the Bulldogs proved themselves to be the third-best team this year, and I think that was closer to the top two in 2009 than it was in 2008.

1:29 [Comment From Sam]
Leigh, do you think we could go after Barry Hall and David Hale, i think we need two key forwards and that with them two in there we have a very dangerous forward like so you think North would give Hale up?


1:29 [Comment From nathan]
yes not good tallies but the dogs have great kicking ability and i think he will get 50+ goals next year

[Bornadog]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

So did I, I noticed Bornadog tried to ask a question.
Leigh thinks we shoould not pay anym ore than a 3rd round for Hall
thinks Everitt should stay as he is a future kpp
also said we should pay whatver Lake wants to keep him at the dogs

Yeah, wouldn't answer my question which was, What type of players do we need to take the next step.

I will answer my self, for 2010 we need, KPF, CHB and a running outside midfielder.

[Scraggers]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

(Continued)

1:30 Leigh Matthews: Mark, I can't see any reason why the Bulldogs would sway Everitt for Wiggins.

1:30 [Comment From Johnny]
Apart from a tall forward what other weaknesses do we need to sure up?


1:30 [Comment From Alex C]
leigh, id like to know what you think of Ryan Griffen and what you rate him as a player


1:31 Leigh Matthews: Scraggers, you have hit it on the head - Hall is the best available option, and we can dream big but ultimately this is the option that is probably the most doable.

1:31 [Comment From Craig]
Leigh, what do you think about our aging forwardline? What is a good way of avoiding the situation of them all retiring at once?


1:32 [Comment From MrReims]
Leigh, some great answers as always. Really love your blunt and to the point opinions. Honest opinion on big Will Minson? Does he bring enough to the team or should we start looking elsewhere with Hudson getting older. His skill level is just not good enough for mine


1:32 [Comment From Sam]
what do you think the dogs need to win it next year, if they are playing Everitt as a tall backman he needs to have a big preseason, but if they are de-listing Skipper, surely Everitt would be used as a ruckman, i think that he should be used as the 2nd ruckman and Minson dropped, at least Everitt can take a mark forward of the center


1:33 [Comment From Sean]
leigh, gilbee use to be recognised as the best kick in the afl, not as much so lately do you think he has dropped off or other players have bridged the gap with there kicking?


1:33 [Comment From Dale]
Do you think Will Minson needs to step up and start taking some contested marks, to relieve some pressure on our forward line.


1:33 [Comment From sebbb]
who do you think in the doggies team is most likely to be traded?


1:33 [Comment From Jim]
Leigh do u think the dogs best chance of a premership will be next year or do u think there still not quite there yet


1:33 Leigh Matthews: Dale, Ryan Gamble has played some good footy, I see him as a similar in style to Scott Welsh. not sure what is happening with the Everitt situation, but no, I don't think Gamble for Everitt would be a good trade.

1:34 [Comment From dog god]
hey leigh is aker more important now at the bulldogs then he was when at the lions??


1:34 [Comment From Sofee]
Hey Lethal! What place in the ladder do you think the Dogs will be in next year and why?'


1:35 [Comment From Smithy]
You rate everitt highy yet cant get a game why is that do u think?


1:35 Leigh Matthews: Sean, I think Lindsay Gilbee is stil one of the best kicks in the comp, when he or Nathan Eagleton are on the run towards the 50m line, they normally kick those difficult long goals.

1:35 [Comment From riley]
i think cooney had a ok season do u think he should hav a massive pre season and mabee thay should all hav a huge pre season it might make a huge difference and might win them the flag next year


1:36 [Comment From Sam]
what do you think about Eagletons future, i think its time they got rid of him, they need to give some young kids some game time otherwise we are gonna look like fools when Aker Johnno Huddo go


1:36 Leigh Matthews: Sam, Everitt is not a ruckman, he is a tall key-position player. I think you are a bit hard on Will Minson - the Minson-Hudosn ruck pair has bene pretty good.

1:36 [Comment From Sofee]
Leigh, a lot of the key Bulldogs players are over 30+ (Eagleton, Aker, Johnson etc), what do you say about this?


1:36 [Comment From Johnny]
Leigh where do you see our improvement coming from?


1:37 [Comment From Will]
Hi Leigh, do you think there is any chance of us landing a deal with North Melbourne to get David Hale, maybe our 2nd round pick and a player, also do you think we can keep Lake?


1:37 [Comment From MrReims]
I still think fitness is an issue at the Kennel. You always promoted a very high fitness level at the lions, where can they look to improve that?


1:38 Leigh Matthews: Riley, it appeared that Adam Cooney had some injury issues and had a soft pre-season after last year. He did not have quite the impact this year as he had in 2008, and to go further, getting him to his optimum performance more often would help make that happen.

1:39 [Comment From Ben]
any chance of making a simple trade of Skipper for Richmonds Jay Shultz?


1:39 [Comment From Matt]
how important will hall be


1:39 [Comment From Ron]
Leigh, I admired Jason Akermanis during his time with the Lions as he created opportunities for his team mates by gaining tough possessions and taking intelligent options using his skills to the utmost. At the Bulldogs, he appears to remain outside packs hoping to receive an uncontested possession and either score himself or pass to a teammate. Is he acting according to his coach's instructions or is he trying to preserve his body for one or two more years at AFL level. Thank you Leigh


1:39 Leigh Matthews: Sofee, it is a problem that a number of the Bulldogs medium-sizers are in the veteran category. Someone said to me once that you can age overnight and that is why it is difficult to judge the future prospects of players in their later years.

1:39 [Comment From Sofee]
Leigh, who do you think will be the star youngster next year for the dogs?


1:40 afl.com.au:
That’s all we have time for folks. Thanks for all your comments – and apologies once again that we couldn’t publish all of them. Tomorrow Wayne Schwass will be on board to discuss St Kilda (3pm-4pm) and Geelong (4.15-5.15pm).


1:40 [Comment From MrReims]
Cheers Leigh!


1:40 [Comment From Pete]
thanks lethal


1:40 [Comment From Sofee]
Thanks for your time Leigh!


1:40 [Comment From mark]
thanks leigh


1:40 [Comment From bob]
cheers leigh mate you legend


1:41 [Comment From nathan]
thanks for your time lethal cheers


1:41 [Comment From Scraggers]
Thanks for your insight Leigh, much appreciated !!


1:41 [Comment From riley]
thanks lethal

[Scraggers]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

Did you notice that he avoided every question about Akermanis ???

[Ozza]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

1:28 [Comment From Scraggers]
Is Barry Hall the best solution for the Dogs ... or the best available? In his last three seasons he has kicked 44, 41, and 31 goals respectively

Probably worth noting that Hall's;
31 goals in 2009 were from 11 games
41 goals in 2008 were from 15 games
and
44 goals in 2007 were from 20 games

Meaning he has averaged 2.52 goals per game in that period.

[Scraggers]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

1:28 [Comment From Scraggers]
Is Barry Hall the best solution for the Dogs ... or the best available? In his last three seasons he has kicked 44, 41, and 31 goals respectively

Probably worth noting that Hall's;
31 goals in 2009 were from 11 games
41 goals in 2008 were from 15 games
and
44 goals in 2007 were from 20 games

Meaning he has averaged 2.52 goals per game in that period.

Why did he only play 15 games in 2008 and 11 games in 2009 ?? ... suspension and forced retirement both from uncontrolled agression

WE don't need someone to kick goals for us !!!

We kicked more goals than any other team this year (link)
It's not as if we are short of goal kickers ... the problem is there was only six teams that had more goals kicked against them (Richmond, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, Port, and Carlton ... in that order)

We can kick winning scores ... we can't defend them

[AndrewP6]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

WE don't need someone to kick goals for us !!!

We kicked more goals than any other team this year (link)
It's not as if we are short of goal kickers ... the problem is there was only six teams that had more goals kicked against them (Richmond, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, Port, and Carlton ... in that order)

We can kick winning scores ... we can't defend them

We couldn't when it counted most... in September...

[Ozza]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

Why did he only play 15 games in 2008 and 11 games in 2009 ?? ... suspension and forced retirement both from uncontrolled agression

WE don't need someone to kick goals for us !!!

We kicked more goals than any other team this year (link)
It's not as if we are short of goal kickers ... the problem is there was only six teams that had more goals kicked against them (Richmond, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, Port, and Carlton ... in that order)

We can kick winning scores ... we can't defend them

Yes he was suspended in 08 - but he also had a broken wrist anyways.

We have kicked 14 goals combined in the last 2 prelim's. We clearly need a big target - and it was never more obvious than in the Prelim this year. If we had a big target to compete - our smaller guys would have had more opporunities.

We are great at kicking 20 goals in a game against sh1t sides - no doubts there.

We have a good defence - but our game style lends itself to both teams kicking alot of goals. In finals - teams are able to clamp down on our run - meaning the game is far more defensive and more often than usual - we will/have been forced to go long.

How did we go kicking long to Johnson, Aker, Hahn and Gia against St.Kilda??

[hujsh]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

Why did he only play 15 games in 2008 and 11 games in 2009 ?? ... suspension and forced retirement both from uncontrolled agression

WE don't need someone to kick goals for us !!!

We kicked more goals than any other team this year (link)
It's not as if we are short of goal kickers ... the problem is there was only six teams that had more goals kicked against them (Richmond, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, Port, and Carlton ... in that order)

We can kick winning scores ... we can't defend them

Our defence is better than our forward line. We just play a way that leads to high scores both for and against us. In finals our defence has probably been our strongest area (except for for maybe the Hawthorne game where Buddy destroyed us)

[mighty_west]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

One thing is for sure, Leathal certaintly rates Everitt.

[Scraggers]

Re: Discuss our teams list live with Lethal from 1.10pm

We couldn't when it counted most... in September...

We had more scoring shots than the Saints ... we just couldn't kick straight ... if we had kicked 9.9 instead of 7.11, we would have won

Yes he was suspended in 08 - but he also had a broken wrist anyways.

That's a nothing statement ... you and I both know he broke his wrist two quarters after he clocked Staker ... he would have got six weeks regardless of the wrist. The fact of the matter is, he was unable to keep his cool.

We have kicked 14 goals combined in the last 2 prelim's. We clearly need a big target - and it was never more obvious than in the Prelim this year. If we had a big target to compete - our smaller guys would have had more opportunities.

We had our opportunities in both games ... we kicked 7.11 against the Saints in '09 ... we kicked 7.12 against the Cats in '08 ... We kick straighter in both those games and we win

A tall forward does not help you kick straighter ... look at Fevola this year ... he kicked 89 goals 57 points ... or Franklin in '08; he kicked 113 goals 88 points.

We have a good defence - but our game style lends itself to both teams kicking alot of goals.

Our defence is better than our forward line. We just play a way that leads to high scores both for and against us.

Clearly this is the problem ... a power forward is not going to change how many goals we have kicked against us; and seeing how we are already kicking more goals than any other side in the AFL, the discussion about the need for a power forward is moot.


I'm not saying don't go after Hall ... I think he is a good footballer (definitely trading up from Welsh who just retired) and I hope he plays extremely well for us ... what I am saying is that our forward structure has obviously worked when we have kicked the most goals for any AFL side this year ... BUT ... we need to look at how many goals are kicked against us and change that