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Sportal's views on our season this year and beyond....
Western Bulldogs Report Card
Sportal | Angus Norman | 28/09/2009
Western Bulldogs:
This year:
15 wins, 7 losses - Position: 3rd
This year's grade (A-F) B+
Positives from this year: On-field, there were plenty. Matthew Boyd and Brian Lake thoroughly deserved their All Australian honours while Ryan Hargrave's nomination for the 40-man squad was fair recognition for a fine season. Shaun Higgins, Callan Ward and Jarrod Harbrow showed glimpses of their huge potential, Jason Akermanis enjoyed the best of his three seasons with the Dogs and Liam Picken emerged from nowhere to announce himself as one of the competition's best taggers. Off the field, the club's administration forged a steady course, Rodney Eade coached as well as he ever has and, after a long period of disruption, the players must have appreciated the ongoing upgrade of their facilities as part of the Whitten Oval redevelopment.
Negatives from this year: The lack of a genuine key forward has been a recurring theme for several seasons, but the relentless ticking of the club's premiership clock elevated the problem to critical status in 2009. 'If only ...' was the lament heard over and over on the terraces at Bulldogs matches this year. Injury-wise, Daniel Giansiracusa, Robert Murphy and Tom Williams were all sidelined at crucial times this season. 'Aker' copped it from the coach for divulging the club's training secrets, though the biggest off-field scandal by far at Whitten Oval in 2009 involved the club's beloved 'Woofer' who sparked community outrage when he dry-humped the leg of the Collingwood mascot.
Likely departures: Scott Welsh has already announced his retirement, Nathan Eagleton may be close to following suit and Andrejs Everitt is on the market after falling out with coach Rodney Eade. After 45 games in nine years at Whitten Oval the jig is surely up for perennial standby Wayde Skipper. Same for Cameron Wight whose seven seasons on the senior list have yielded just 36 appearances. Dylan Addison's name has come up in discussions with the Swans over Barry Hall.
Next year:
Type of Players needed: The Bulldogs have identified former Sydney strongman Barry Hall as the solution to their key forward woes and a deal with the Swans would appear a fait accompli. Rising 33, Hall will lob at Whitten Oval with some unwanted baggage, but he may just provide the big, bad, bustling presence the Dogs have been crying out for up forward. Ahead of Hall on the club's wish-list, however, may just be Brendan Fevola. The Dogs will surely be keeping a close watch on Carlton's handling of its wayward forward who could prove to be the missing link at Whitten Oval should he become available.
Likely improvement (if any): The Bulldogs know they're close and they have the will and motivation to succeed - they're just a player or two short. It will be a bonus for the club if Jason Akermanis - assuming he's re-signed - and Brad Johnson can replicate their 2009 form. Supporters are entitled to expect the likes of Ayce Cordy and Jordan Roughead to create selection pressure and for Shaun Higgins, Callan Ward, Josh Hill and Jarrod Harbrow to add consistency to the excellence they've displayed in flashes so far.
Finals next year? Yes, top four.
Western Bulldogs Report Card
Sportal | Angus Norman | 28/09/2009
Western Bulldogs:
This year:
15 wins, 7 losses - Position: 3rd
This year's grade (A-F) B+
Positives from this year: On-field, there were plenty. Matthew Boyd and Brian Lake thoroughly deserved their All Australian honours while Ryan Hargrave's nomination for the 40-man squad was fair recognition for a fine season. Shaun Higgins, Callan Ward and Jarrod Harbrow showed glimpses of their huge potential, Jason Akermanis enjoyed the best of his three seasons with the Dogs and Liam Picken emerged from nowhere to announce himself as one of the competition's best taggers. Off the field, the club's administration forged a steady course, Rodney Eade coached as well as he ever has and, after a long period of disruption, the players must have appreciated the ongoing upgrade of their facilities as part of the Whitten Oval redevelopment.
Negatives from this year: The lack of a genuine key forward has been a recurring theme for several seasons, but the relentless ticking of the club's premiership clock elevated the problem to critical status in 2009. 'If only ...' was the lament heard over and over on the terraces at Bulldogs matches this year. Injury-wise, Daniel Giansiracusa, Robert Murphy and Tom Williams were all sidelined at crucial times this season. 'Aker' copped it from the coach for divulging the club's training secrets, though the biggest off-field scandal by far at Whitten Oval in 2009 involved the club's beloved 'Woofer' who sparked community outrage when he dry-humped the leg of the Collingwood mascot.
Likely departures: Scott Welsh has already announced his retirement, Nathan Eagleton may be close to following suit and Andrejs Everitt is on the market after falling out with coach Rodney Eade. After 45 games in nine years at Whitten Oval the jig is surely up for perennial standby Wayde Skipper. Same for Cameron Wight whose seven seasons on the senior list have yielded just 36 appearances. Dylan Addison's name has come up in discussions with the Swans over Barry Hall.
Next year:
Type of Players needed: The Bulldogs have identified former Sydney strongman Barry Hall as the solution to their key forward woes and a deal with the Swans would appear a fait accompli. Rising 33, Hall will lob at Whitten Oval with some unwanted baggage, but he may just provide the big, bad, bustling presence the Dogs have been crying out for up forward. Ahead of Hall on the club's wish-list, however, may just be Brendan Fevola. The Dogs will surely be keeping a close watch on Carlton's handling of its wayward forward who could prove to be the missing link at Whitten Oval should he become available.
Likely improvement (if any): The Bulldogs know they're close and they have the will and motivation to succeed - they're just a player or two short. It will be a bonus for the club if Jason Akermanis - assuming he's re-signed - and Brad Johnson can replicate their 2009 form. Supporters are entitled to expect the likes of Ayce Cordy and Jordan Roughead to create selection pressure and for Shaun Higgins, Callan Ward, Josh Hill and Jarrod Harbrow to add consistency to the excellence they've displayed in flashes so far.
Finals next year? Yes, top four.
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