Some context on our age

[Webby]

It struck me against Melbourne today that we fielded a bloody young team!
The side WBFC fielded was as young as I can remember. Can anyone remember a younger one?
For me, that's the most pleasing aspect of the win.

The side we fielded today contained:

11 players above the age of 23..
12 players under 23..
6 of whom are still under 21..

For some context, the side that GWS fielded against Brisbane last week contained just 14 players under 23 years of age.

I haven't got the figure in average age, but it must be an average of about 5 years below our 2010 side.
Add to that the fact that Bontempelli, Macrae, Libba, Stringer, Hunter, Roberts, Dahlhaus, Honeychurch, Hrovat, Darley, and Smith all look promising, and we're beginning to turn the corner.

In two years time we'll have a list with a core coming into maturity. That'll have a knock-on effect of free agents then being attracted to us. For that reason, it's almost worthwhile developing a list with such a strong core, yet with some clear, easily identifiable missing pieces - then filling them with 2-3 free agents when time is right.

Remember when Aker was a virtual free agent back in 2006? And he chose little old us over nearly a dozen other clubs? It was because he thought we were pretty close as an emerging contender. I really am beginning to see a future, now. I think that in a couple of years, an A-grade key forward and/or outside midfielder might be looking at us and thinking "You know what, I think I'd be perfect for that club!"

So the logic of building a team slowly from the inside out (although leaving us pushing shit up hill at times - as a result of clear deficiencies) doesn't seem such a bad idea. Results are modest, yet a core list IS developing. When it's ready, I think we can possibly shop for the final 2-3 pieces.

I'd be interested to know people's thoughts?

[GVGjr]

Re: Some context on our age

A good piece of analysis Webby.

After a loss there is typically a yell from the supporters to "play the Kids" but from my perspective we have been playing all year anyway. Today would have been one of the younger lists I would think but we are getting a good balance of young players racking up senior experience.

We have a lot of players coming through at this moment. With the 2012 crop of Stringer, Macrae, Hrovat and Hunter plus rookie promotions in Johannisen and Campbell all coming through it's given us a great base. Add the 2013 group of Bontempelli, Crameri and Honeychurch to that list as well.

Lets not forget Wallis, Liberatore from 2010, Smith, Talia and the promoted rookie in Dahlhaus from 2011 and you should get the feel that this group can all come through at the same time. I've left a few names off as well.

We need a key forward and a key defender plus a pacy midfielder or two but we do have a great mixture of players.

Exciting times.

[Webby]

Re: Some context on our age

The other positive for me that comes out of this weekend is that, despite the knock-on effect that Stringer, Honeychurch, Hunter and Roberts' elevation (for a glut of injuries & a suspension) naturally had on our reserves, they still beat a very strong, in-form contender (Nth Ballarat).

I really did expect a beating down at Geelong, so that's a great sign that we go very deep as a club.

That leads me to another point about the standard of player we're able to attract as a VFL club. Whereas Essendon and Richmond seem to have struggled, a good number of players seem to have been attracted to Footscray. Probably because they can see a clear career path. McCartney's grass-roots links and our history of rookie list promotions (ie. Boyd, Dahlhaus, Picken, Morris, Austin, JJ etc) demonstrates that they will be given opportunities if they perform... Maybe more so than at other clubs.

The other thing is that the club have a link to the Uni and some great facilities. That, for me is a massive tick for the club.

Finally, I don't know if betting agencies run odds in VFL, But, after this weekend, we'd have to be shortening towards favourites for the VFL flag..

It'd be our third in a row, too! A "three-peat" (1923, 1924, 2014!)

[Ozza]

Re: Some context on our age

What I'm finding most encouraging, is that really young players on our list are playing important roles - and so many of the under 23s look highly probable of being good long term players.

Liberatore, Dahlhaus, Stringer, Macrae, Bontempelli, Roughead - are our really high end talent.
Hrovat, Hunter, Johannisen, Wallis, Talia, Campbell, Smith - on that next tier, and;
Tutt, Prudden, Darley, Honeychurch, Roberts, Jong - amongst those we still need to find out a bit more about - but each (barring Prudden so far) have had some good moments at AFL level.

[chef]

Re: Some context on our age

The great thing is these kids are already influencing games. Imagine what they are going to be like with 100plus games under their belts.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Some context on our age

Finally, I don't know if betting agencies run odds in VFL, But, after this weekend, we'd have to be shortening towards favourites for the VFL flag..

It'd be our third in a row, too! A "three-peat" (1923, 1924, 2014!)

Don't forget that the VFL finals will be played in September, and unless the Western Bulldogs go undefeated for the remainder of the season, and north and GC crash horribly, our senior side will be on vacation.

We saw last year with Williamstown, a small handful of Bulldogs listed players remained available at finals time. So I would assume a large majority of the list will be unavailable. You wouldn't think they would risk playing Bonti in a VFL game.

[jeemak]

Re: Some context on our age

Don't forget that the VFL finals will be played in September, and unless the Western Bulldogs go undefeated for the remainder of the season, and north and GC crash horribly, our senior side will be on vacation.

We saw last year with Williamstown, a small handful of Bulldogs listed players remained available at finals time. So I would assume a large majority of the list will be unavailable. You wouldn't think they would risk playing Bonti in a VFL game.

If Bonts was eligible to play VFL finals I'd be extremely pissed if he didn't play, assuming he was physically OK to do so.

It would be an excellent experience for any of our young players who qualified to play.

[Webby]

Re: Some context on our age

You wouldn't think they would risk playing Bonti in a VFL game.

On the contrary, I think that some finals experience (albeit at VFL level) would be invaluable to a lot of our younger blokes. I think guys like Dane Swan and Bick Maxwell took a lot out if Willy's 2003 flag. A player can injure himself just as easily in the AFL or even a practice match as in VFL finals. The pros way outweigh the cons, IMO.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Some context on our age

Geelong's 02 VFL flag contained the likes of Ablett and Bartel, so I'd be in the side of play all our eligible kids in the VFL finals.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: Some context on our age

If Bonts was eligible to play VFL finals I'd be extremely pissed if he didn't play, assuming he was physically OK to do so.

It would be an excellent experience for any of our young players who qualified to play.

Also to add to the above, if players like Bonts, Smith, Wallis etc are avaibilbe I feel they would want to play. The board would want the best team out too to ensure it favours the sponsors and dicission to venture down this road.

Should we start working on a WOOF tee shirt for the finals?

[Webby]

Re: Some context on our age

Also to add to the above, if players like Bonts, Smith, Wallis etc are avaibilbe I feel they would want to play. The board would want the best team out too to ensure it favours the sponsors and dicission to venture down this road.

Should we start working on a WOOF tee shirt for the finals?

I think that we, more than any other AFL club, would get a real kick out of a VFL Grand Final. Firstly, we've been success starved and secondly, a VFL finals run is a real opportunity for us to connect with our grass roots support for a few weeks. The local area of Footscray has changed a lot over the last 15-20 years and will continue to do so. So the Footscray side going deep is a real opportunity. Can't harm our 2015 membership numbers, either.

[Bornadog]

Re: Some context on our age

I think that we, more than any other AFL club, would get a real kick out of a VFL Grand Final. Firstly, we've been success starved and secondly, a VFL finals run is a real opportunity for us to connect with our grass roots support for a few weeks. The local area of Footscray has changed a lot over the last 15-20 years and will continue to do so. So the Footscray side going deep is a real opportunity. Can't harm our 2015 membership numbers, either.

A final at WO would be the cream.

[jeemak]

Re: Some context on our age

Don't they play all finals at Port Melbourne's home ground?

[Webby]

Re: Some context on our age

Don't they play all finals at Port Melbourne's home ground?

Prelims, I'm pretty sure, yes. However earlier finals, I think, are played at some home grounds. I'd think that, without fencing, we'd be struggling to get the nod to host. It'd be nice, though!

[Bornadog]

Re: Some context on our age

Don't they play all finals at Port Melbourne's home ground?

Yeah I know, just wishful thinking