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They’re doing it again.
In the Western Bulldogs’ breakthrough premiership year of 2016, they burst out of the blocks, sitting second after five rounds - behind a North Melbourne side who would soon collapse to eighth - with a percentage in the low 170s.
After five rounds in 2021, they’ve been even better. Luke Beveridge’s side won its first five games - for the first time since 1946 - with a percentage in the high 170s. They’re almost three games and percentage clear inside the top eight, and they’re contenders once again.
Those aren’t the only similarities between the two sides, and the Dogs will be hoping mirror mode lasts until September; but there’s one key way that this team is even better.
The Bulldogs were a revelation in 2016, with their ability to move the ball at speed and yet control it stunning the footy world.
They did it by controlling the ball both inside and outside of the contest - just like they’re doing in 2021.
The Bulldogs midfield is back at its 2016-level best. (NOTE: The 2016 contested differential and 2021 disposal differential numbers should be swapped.)Source: FOX SPORTSOf course, the fact the Bulldogs have played some likely non-finalists contributes to their impressive statistics, but the above stats compare teams in the opening five rounds only; many of those great teams would’ve had easy runs to start the year, too.
So what is that midfield dominance turning into?Just like 2016, the Bulldogs are the top of the charts in those key midfield stats, but they’ve added a crucial string to their bow: scoring power, thanks to excellent forward line efficiency.
In their premiership year the Dogs created plenty of entries, but were bottom four for converting them into scores. This year, they’re top of the mountain.
The
Bulldogs are dominating in all of these key categories - and unlike in 2016, they're putting up big scores, too.Source: FOX SPORTSSo what is the major difference that is driving this scoring boost?
They had to work hard to kick their goals in 2016 because they didn’t have the tall targets. They kicked just 47 goals from their key forwards and rucks for the entire home and away season - Jack Redpath (20), Tom Boyd (10), Jordan Roughead (6), Tom Campbell (5), Zaine Cordy (5) and Will Minson (1).
The Dogs ranked 18th in the AFL for goals from that position in 2016, matching that ranking in 2017 and 2018. There was some growth over the last two seasons, as Josh Bruce joined the club and Aaron Naughton arrived as a potential superstar; but this year there has been an explosion.
The Bulldogs are finally getting their goals from key forwards and rucks, rather than relying on medium and small players.Source: FOX SPORTS
Through five rounds, the Bulldogs rank second for goals per game from key forwards and rucks, behind only West Coast and their terrifying trio of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Oscar Allen.
With Josh Bruce on 17 goals thanks to his Good Friday haul of 10, followed by Aaron Naughton (11), Tim English (9) and Stefan Martin (1), the Bulldogs have already kicked 38 goals from their talls. At this rate, they’ll beat the 2016 side’s total by Round 7.
The inclusion of Martin looms as one of the best value acquisitions of the season, since it allows English to rest forward, which in turn helps Bruce and Naughton - who don’t have to be the only talls inside 50.
Bruce struggled for form and fitness last year, partially because of hub life, and Luke Beveridge had to rely on Mitch Wallis reinventing himself as a medium forward target. He led the team in goalkicking with 25, so it kind of worked - though it’s worth noting Naughton only played 12 games.
But when you don’t need to rely on a midfielder as your second tall, it can only be good news. And it means Beveridge doesn’t have to be clever spinning the magnets to make the most of what he’s got; he can just put players in their best positions and watch them work.
They’re doing it again.
In the Western Bulldogs’ breakthrough premiership year of 2016, they burst out of the blocks, sitting second after five rounds - behind a North Melbourne side who would soon collapse to eighth - with a percentage in the low 170s.
After five rounds in 2021, they’ve been even better. Luke Beveridge’s side won its first five games - for the first time since 1946 - with a percentage in the high 170s. They’re almost three games and percentage clear inside the top eight, and they’re contenders once again.
Those aren’t the only similarities between the two sides, and the Dogs will be hoping mirror mode lasts until September; but there’s one key way that this team is even better.
The Bulldogs were a revelation in 2016, with their ability to move the ball at speed and yet control it stunning the footy world.
They did it by controlling the ball both inside and outside of the contest - just like they’re doing in 2021.
The Bulldogs midfield is back at its 2016-level best. (NOTE: The 2016 contested differential and 2021 disposal differential numbers should be swapped.)Source: FOX SPORTSOf course, the fact the Bulldogs have played some likely non-finalists contributes to their impressive statistics, but the above stats compare teams in the opening five rounds only; many of those great teams would’ve had easy runs to start the year, too.
So what is that midfield dominance turning into?Just like 2016, the Bulldogs are the top of the charts in those key midfield stats, but they’ve added a crucial string to their bow: scoring power, thanks to excellent forward line efficiency.
In their premiership year the Dogs created plenty of entries, but were bottom four for converting them into scores. This year, they’re top of the mountain.
The Bulldogs are dominating in all of these key categories - and unlike in 2016, they're putting up big scores, too.Source: FOX SPORTSSo what is the major difference that is driving this scoring boost?
They had to work hard to kick their goals in 2016 because they didn’t have the tall targets. They kicked just 47 goals from their key forwards and rucks for the entire home and away season - Jack Redpath (20), Tom Boyd (10), Jordan Roughead (6), Tom Campbell (5), Zaine Cordy (5) and Will Minson (1).
The Dogs ranked 18th in the AFL for goals from that position in 2016, matching that ranking in 2017 and 2018. There was some growth over the last two seasons, as Josh Bruce joined the club and Aaron Naughton arrived as a potential superstar; but this year there has been an explosion.
The Bulldogs are finally getting their goals from key forwards and rucks, rather than relying on medium and small players.Source: FOX SPORTS
Through five rounds, the Bulldogs rank second for goals per game from key forwards and rucks, behind only West Coast and their terrifying trio of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Oscar Allen.
With Josh Bruce on 17 goals thanks to his Good Friday haul of 10, followed by Aaron Naughton (11), Tim English (9) and Stefan Martin (1), the Bulldogs have already kicked 38 goals from their talls. At this rate, they’ll beat the 2016 side’s total by Round 7.
The inclusion of Martin looms as one of the best value acquisitions of the season, since it allows English to rest forward, which in turn helps Bruce and Naughton - who don’t have to be the only talls inside 50.
Bruce struggled for form and fitness last year, partially because of hub life, and Luke Beveridge had to rely on Mitch Wallis reinventing himself as a medium forward target. He led the team in goalkicking with 25, so it kind of worked - though it’s worth noting Naughton only played 12 games.
But when you don’t need to rely on a midfielder as your second tall, it can only be good news. And it means Beveridge doesn’t have to be clever spinning the magnets to make the most of what he’s got; he can just put players in their best positions and watch them work.
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