Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

[1eyedog]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

You have a bit more faith in Wood than I do. His best is good but he is far from consistent. He just doesn't get enough of the ball for me to consider him in a midfield role especially with his kicking skills.

I used to think his leap might find him a role up forward but I now don't him in our best 22.

It's true I do.

While in many ways he is a poor mans Koby Stevens (if played there) I think he needs to be released from the purely defensive role as he struggles to understand the balance between attack and defence. While this balance also obviously applies to the midfield I think an attacking role in the midfield will suit his capabilities more than a defending one down back. You are right though, he is on the outer of the best 22 and I would like to see an attempt to salvage him in a midfield role. I would ultimately like him to play an Andrew Embley type role off a wing with a midfield rotation. It would be a shame to get to the end of the year and move him on with zero currency. I think we need to try a few things first. If he can't play back and he can't play forward then there is no other option. To me Macca likes Wood as much as he likes anyone and he will be tried in a few spots before being delisted / traded for instance.

[1eyedog]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

...it's funny that two years ago many of us were sweating on Wood going to GWS and now (through no fault of his own) he is not in a lot of supporters best 22. For mine it is still no clearer who should be played in the back half out of Young, Goodes or Wood.

[GVGjr]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

I'm staggered that Brereton was able to express his opinion is just 21 words.

Ha, that is what editors/sub editors are for.

Re Woody, I have never been convinced defence is his spot. As 1eye suggested we need more pace to add to our midfield variety, which is why I am keen to see Wood given some time running off the wings.
I think Tom Young offers more down back than Wood does, he may not be as quick, but he gets hold of the ball more often, and is a better kick.
We might lose some of the backline pace Wood provides, and we still need to find someone to fill that [ and I hate this Americanism but] running quarter-back role that Bubba Smith, then Murph have provided over recent years. Sadly Murph won't be around for ever.
The worrying aspect here is that this seems to be best suited to an experienced player , rather than a kid. I know they are trying Missy down there, but he is not exactly lightning quick. In fact ...

[LostDoggy]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

If you read all the predictions in the article both Jon Ralph and Sam Landsberger Brownlow MEDAL: Tom Liberatore (WB)

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

If you read all the predictions in the article both JON RALPH and SAM LANDSBERGER BROWNLOW MEDAL: Tom Liberatore (WB)

I don't generally gamble nowadays, but if the odds are halfway decent I will seriously consider a flutter on Tom.

[GVGjr]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

I think this sort of speculation on the quality of our midfield to be premature at best.
It's a good midfield and one that should get better but so much hinges on Griffen backing up an outstanding season and Cooney getting back to somewhere near his best.
On top of that we need Liberatore and Wallis to have great seasons as well plus Dahlhaus, Boyd and Stevens to be right on their game.
All possible I suppose but in a team that still looking to develop younger players something normally has to give.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

Our midfield will need to kick more than their share of goals if we are to make up for our lack of forward firepower.

[boydogs]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

It's a big call with Fremantle, Sydney, GWS & GC around. I think we can match the top end talent with Griffen & Libba but not sure we bat as deep just yet.

[Greystache]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

It's a big call with Fremantle, Sydney, GWS & GC around. I think we can match the top end talent with Griffen & Libba but not sure we bat as deep just yet.

If Cooney gets back to near his best, which looks a decent chance, that will help. But he must be counting on McCrae having a break out year, Hunter being able to take over from Dahlhaus, and then Dahlhaus being just as effective through the midfield, Boyd playing consistently well, Stevens coming on etc. It's not out of the realms of possibility, but he'll need a lot to go right.

His prediction btw was he expects by round 12 to see signs the Bulldogs midfield will be the next powerhouse of the AFL. Not quite what the headline of the thread says.

[boydogs]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

If Cooney gets back to near his best, which looks a decent chance, that will help. But he must be counting on McCrae having a break out year, Hunter being able to take over from Dahlhaus, and then Dahlhaus being just as effective through the midfield, Boyd playing consistently well, Stevens coming on etc. It's not out of the realms of possibility, but he'll need a lot to go right.

I think it would take me more than 12 weeks of exposed form to say Macrae is the next Hill, Wallis is the next Crowley and Dahlhaus is the next Pearce, assuming Griff, Libba and Cooney are Mundy, Fyfe and Barlow

[Remi Moses]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

Big call from Dermie.
I'd say 18 months time our midfield will be very strong.
Needs more games and a few more summers in the gym.
Think he's written hawthorn off to get them going.
Reverse physcology if ever I've heard

[westdog54]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

Ok, we're all getting a bit excited here, but Dermie has been paraphrased slightly.

The exact line is:

You will see the first signs that the young Bulldogs midfield brigade will be the next powerhouse midfield of the competition

Bit different to 'having the most powerful midfield in the comp', but still a fairly big call nonetheless.

Dahlhaus is the one who needs to start spending more and more time in the midfield.

Its interesting you say that, I seem to recall very early on in his tenure, Macca addressed a members function and compared Dahlhaus' statistical output to Gary Ablett Jrs at the same stage in his career.

I also seem to recall that GAJr was at about the same stage in his career as Dahlhaus is now when he got his kick up the pants speech from teammates during a 'Leading Teams' session, telling him that he needed to spend more time in the midfield.

We all know where it ended with Gaz, I wonder what may become of young Luke if he gets the same sort of speech from the coach?

[Maddog37]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

Dal is a great kid but GAJ is possibly the best ever. Chalk and cheese.

Cooney, Boyd, Griff, Libba are all guns. Hunter, Stevens, Dal, Macrae, Wallis could all be guns. Then there is Stringer, Jong, Prudden and Bonts that are still unknowns. That's 13 mids. Good numbers and differing qualities in player type. Lots to like.


Edit. Clay Smith and The Rat are handy too!!

[westdog54]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

Dal is a great kid but GAJ is possibly the best ever. Chalk and cheese.

Cooney, Boyd, Griff, Libba are all guns. Hunter, Stevens, Dal, Macrae, Wallis could all be guns. Then there is Stringer, Jong, Prudden and Bonts that are still unknowns. That's 13 mids. Good numbers and differing qualities in player type. Lots to like.


Edit. Clay Smith and The Rat are handy too!!

I should qualify that I'm not suggesting Luke will be as good as GAJr but there is so much upside to him that he's capable of just about anything.

[Maddog37]

Re: Dermot says by round 12 Bulldogs will have the most powerful midfield in comp

I think he lacks foot skills and that will limit his midfield impact. I also acknowledge that he has proven people wrong time and again.