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1. West Coast Demolition
West Coast finished last in 2010. We played in a prelim final. To think that they could belt us by 123 points is still difficult to comprehend. I know we don’t have a great track record against them in Perth, but please, how the hell does that happen?
2. Lake plays more game for Williamstown than the Bulldogs
All Australian two years running. His ability to take big marks from opposition kicks in our defensive 50m was incredible last year. When the opposition kicked long into their forward line last year, we didn't need to panic, Brian would get it. That your most influential player would play more games at Willy than the Bulldogs is staggering. Will he ever recapture that 2010 form?
3. One win in eight games (R5 to R12)
I didn’t buy the pundits predicting Premiership glory for the Bulldogs in the pre-season. Yet I definitely did not see us as a side that would go through eight rounds of footy for a solitary win (and in that solitary win concede 18 goals!). I know we have had a perfect storm full of excuses but that form line is ordinary for any team let alone one that has played in three successive prelim finals.
4. Sherman’s brain fade
Hello Justin, wake up its 2011. Where the hell have you been living for your entire adult life? The stupidity and ignorance of his actions against the Gold Coast brought embarrassment to the entire club. What a nuff nuff. Didn’t think this was possible from anyone at the AFL let alone from the Bulldogs.
5. Tommy’s improvement
I was really starting to worry about Tommy. But he has surprised me this year. Have never seen him look so comfortable, like he finally belongs and he has really taken his marking to another level. His game against Carlton was superb. Most probably he has benefited from Brian’s absence and the additional responsibility. Great to see, I still think he has plenty of improvement left.
6. Adam’s Knee
We knew his knee was not 100% but I didn’t think it would restrict him so much in 2011. In 2008, in full flight (especially the first half of the season) he was unbelievable. He had it all. Toughness on the inside, blistering pace on the outside, the ability to run all day and use the footy. Hopefully one day we get that Adam back, the real Adam Cooney, but I don’t like our chances.
7. Liam Jones’ marking ability
To be fair we did see glimpses of this last year. But gee whiz, the boy has got a beautiful set of hands. Has taken some absolute ripper pack marks this year and his hands on the lead at full speed have been Dunstall like. Hopefully we see a similar improvement in his decision making and kicking (however unlikely that is).
8. Being level in the wet 5 mins into the last quarter and lose by 48 pts!
Yes, the Pies are a bloody good footy team. Yes, we were outplayed all night. But to think that you can be even stevens 5 minutes into the last quarter and allow 8 successive goals in 18 minutes in soaking rain (especially when they had only kicked 7 goals for the match to that point). Did not think that was possible.
9. The Doll House
Where did this kid come from? It still amazes me how year after year recruiters overlook small guys. How does Dahlhaus survive to pick 22 in the Rookie Draft? Good pace, great tackling and most importantly, fantastic tenacity. The kid can play and has been a revelation. Worth going to the footy just to watch him have a crack.
10. Hong Kong antics
We had such a clean record off field for so long; this probably should not have been a shock. But it is something we have just not had to concern ourselves about at the Bulldogs (i.e. player indiscretions off field). We have such a good line of responsible leaders (e.g. Grant, Johnson, Smith, Darcy, Boyd etc.). So when you see your best player riding an esky lid down a crowded Hong Kong street on YouTube, it does come as a bit surprise.
West Coast finished last in 2010. We played in a prelim final. To think that they could belt us by 123 points is still difficult to comprehend. I know we don’t have a great track record against them in Perth, but please, how the hell does that happen?
2. Lake plays more game for Williamstown than the Bulldogs
All Australian two years running. His ability to take big marks from opposition kicks in our defensive 50m was incredible last year. When the opposition kicked long into their forward line last year, we didn't need to panic, Brian would get it. That your most influential player would play more games at Willy than the Bulldogs is staggering. Will he ever recapture that 2010 form?
3. One win in eight games (R5 to R12)
I didn’t buy the pundits predicting Premiership glory for the Bulldogs in the pre-season. Yet I definitely did not see us as a side that would go through eight rounds of footy for a solitary win (and in that solitary win concede 18 goals!). I know we have had a perfect storm full of excuses but that form line is ordinary for any team let alone one that has played in three successive prelim finals.
4. Sherman’s brain fade
Hello Justin, wake up its 2011. Where the hell have you been living for your entire adult life? The stupidity and ignorance of his actions against the Gold Coast brought embarrassment to the entire club. What a nuff nuff. Didn’t think this was possible from anyone at the AFL let alone from the Bulldogs.
5. Tommy’s improvement
I was really starting to worry about Tommy. But he has surprised me this year. Have never seen him look so comfortable, like he finally belongs and he has really taken his marking to another level. His game against Carlton was superb. Most probably he has benefited from Brian’s absence and the additional responsibility. Great to see, I still think he has plenty of improvement left.
6. Adam’s Knee
We knew his knee was not 100% but I didn’t think it would restrict him so much in 2011. In 2008, in full flight (especially the first half of the season) he was unbelievable. He had it all. Toughness on the inside, blistering pace on the outside, the ability to run all day and use the footy. Hopefully one day we get that Adam back, the real Adam Cooney, but I don’t like our chances.
7. Liam Jones’ marking ability
To be fair we did see glimpses of this last year. But gee whiz, the boy has got a beautiful set of hands. Has taken some absolute ripper pack marks this year and his hands on the lead at full speed have been Dunstall like. Hopefully we see a similar improvement in his decision making and kicking (however unlikely that is).
8. Being level in the wet 5 mins into the last quarter and lose by 48 pts!
Yes, the Pies are a bloody good footy team. Yes, we were outplayed all night. But to think that you can be even stevens 5 minutes into the last quarter and allow 8 successive goals in 18 minutes in soaking rain (especially when they had only kicked 7 goals for the match to that point). Did not think that was possible.
9. The Doll House
Where did this kid come from? It still amazes me how year after year recruiters overlook small guys. How does Dahlhaus survive to pick 22 in the Rookie Draft? Good pace, great tackling and most importantly, fantastic tenacity. The kid can play and has been a revelation. Worth going to the footy just to watch him have a crack.
10. Hong Kong antics
We had such a clean record off field for so long; this probably should not have been a shock. But it is something we have just not had to concern ourselves about at the Bulldogs (i.e. player indiscretions off field). We have such a good line of responsible leaders (e.g. Grant, Johnson, Smith, Darcy, Boyd etc.). So when you see your best player riding an esky lid down a crowded Hong Kong street on YouTube, it does come as a bit surprise.
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