Can Roy Laird get the dogs to the Grand Final"again"

[bulldogproud]

Strangely enough, I am one Doggies supporter who is not so confident of us making it this year. We have some ageing legs in our squad (legs which, don't get me wrong, I am glad are still there) and have not been successful in our recruiting campaign this year. We also have lost a lot of guys who were fringe players in previous seasons but could not break into the league so went elsewhere. Unfortunately this is the downside of being successful - your fringe players seek more opportunities elsewhere. I can see the pack definitely catching up to us this year - just how far they catch up, and whether they pass us, remains to be seen.
Cheers

[Jimmy]

i cant see why not. he has managed to adapt his plan to get them there the last few years, yes, the players are great but they still need a coach.

im hoping and praying that 'its someone elses turn' this year but there is no reason why he cant.

******* dogs

[bickle]

the doggies introduced 12 juniors to the seniors ranks last year so even though it is a slow process to build a team, the doggies are just turning over players to keep everything fresh.
i beleive Centrals are about 4-5 years ahead of most SANFL sides but if we are not on our toes that could quickly shorten.
The dogs will be around the mark again this year with complacency our biggest threat.
In saying that all clubs have recruited well which is good for the comp.

[LBT]

i cant see why not. he has managed to adapt his plan to get them there the last few years, yes, the players are great but they still need a coach.

im hoping and praying that 'its someone elses turn' this year but there is no reason why he cant.

******* dogs

Lol, ditto

[smac]

I recall you were pessimistic last year BDP, is that correct?

[bulldogproud]

I think it was 2006 that I was pessimistic, Smac. We recruited very well in 2007.

[bulldogproud]

I must admit though that I am not one to 'talk my team up' and appear arrogant, even if there is cause. It gives the opposition too much ammunition!

[smac]

Anyone who needs clowns like us for ammunition can't be considered real opposition BDP...

[bulldogproud]

True, smac, true!!
Believe it or not though, at least one club has used postings from here as ammunition in the past.

[Dan The Man]

Even Darel Hart, Wayne Weidemann,Trevor Hill, Robert Pyman would be able to take Centrals to another Grand Final with the off field set up that Centrals have.
The question should be how would Roy Laird go at a club that is not as well resourced as Centrals?

[panthers 2008]

You can say what you like,but i have no doubt Roy Laird is a top class coach.I doubt very much a coach of a lesser standard than Roy could do as well!
He is definately a coach who could take the next step into the afl( imho).
If Jack wasn't the coach at the panthers i wouldn't mind having Roy Laird there!!

[bulldogproud]

You need to remember that Roy has managed to achieve these flags despite a large turnaround in playing stocks. I also agree that he is a great coach and there are not many around who could manage the results which he has achieved.
Cheers

[calzy]

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/166/

[Dogwatcher]

That article provides plenty of comfort for me.
Cold comfort for the opposition though.

[Rushby Hinds]

Looking at the photo, did the photographer have the same problem as Wedgie with Central's light?

[Hazbeen]

Hope not!!

All credit to Centrals for a outstanding successful period but can't they give someone else a go

[smac]

A bit rich coming from a Port supporter. We've got 100 years left before you lot get another turn.

[Dogwatcher]

Highly appropriate that the name Laird is Scottish for 'leader'.

[NO-MERCY]

Even Darel Hart, Wayne Weidemann,Trevor Hill, Robert Pyman would be able to take Centrals to another Grand Final with the off field set up that Centrals have.
The question should be how would Roy Laird go at a club that is not as well resourced as Centrals?

I think Dan your not showing Laird any respect at all.
Stewart, was the man that got the wheels turning in the right direction, even though he didn't coach them to a flag, he had alot to do with the success along with Jonas & Clarkson.
The expectation would of been huge at DOGLAND following those first couple of flags, so Laird i believe handled the pressure very well, yeah he had a great side but you have to keep all players physically fit & mentally sound & together as one unit.
Its easy to get ahead of yourself when success is so frequent, then all of a sudden your brought back to earth with a big thud, like the grand final loss to Sturt.
That woke alot of players up & maybe the coach aswell, yet Laird after falling off his bike climbed back on as did the players & have continued their legacy in fine fashion.
Getting a taste of what its like to lose one, after winning a few would leave a bitter taste in your mouth that would only make you more determined for success.
AS IT HAS.
So Dan take back that stupid quote.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

While the dogs have lost a few players, i dont think the losses from 07-08 are as bad as previous years, 05-06 was quite a bad one from memory, and still recovered to make the GF after that, so i cant see why the Dogs wouldn't be right up the top again, even though its very early days, Im as most Centrals supporters right now going into 2008, and thats that anything less than a premiership in 2008 is not good enough.