Western Bulldogs 2010

[hearts on fire]

Reckon the doggies will be a top 4 team this year and you would think if they don't make the grand final, they never will.

[Mr66]

Premiers

[nuggety goodness]

Premiers

i think i like you Mr66!!! this will be the year of the dogs, as HOF said, if not this year then never!

our best 22 could look something like this, our FF line is definately in its twilight years!!!

F: Johnson (34) Hall (33) Aker (33)
HF: Murphy (28) Hahn (29) Gia (28)
C: Cross (27) Boyd (28) Higgins (22)
HB: Gilbee (29) Hargreave (29) Griffin (24)
B: Morris (28) Lake (28) Harbrow (22)
R: Hudson (31) Cooney (25) Picken (24)
INT:Minson (25) Eagleton (32) Hill (21) Ward (20)
EMER: Williams (24) Everitt (21) Addison (23)

good enough for a flag?!? on paper yes, we'll see how they travel...

[Rik E Boy]

Hideously overrated. Will make top four again due to the fact they play the Saints and Cats once and get bundled out in September just like every other year.

regards,

REB

[Turbo]

Hideously overrated. Will make top four again due to the fact they play the Saints and Cats once and get bundled out in September just like every other year.

regards,

REB

I'm starting to get worried, i'm agreeing more with you than not these days REB

[hearts on fire]

how is big barry's pre season going?

[hearts on fire]

Good start for Barry Hall at his new club kicking a lazy 6 goals.

Wonder if he can keep it up? doubt it, very inconsistent.

[hearts on fire]

SNAPSHOT
Coach: Rodney Eade
Captain: Brad Johnson
Finished 2009: 3rd (16 wins, 9 losses)
Best and fairest: Matthew Boyd
Leading goal-kicker: Jason Akermanis (43 goals)
Leading possession winner: Matthew Boyd (722 possessions)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Barry Hall (exchange period), Christian Howard, Jason Tutt, Lukas Markovic, Shane Thorne (NAB AFL Draft), Brodie Moles, Andrew Hooper, Matthew Panos, Eddie Prato, Patrick Rose (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Peter German (assistant coach), Chris Maple (assistant coach)

BEST 22
B: Dale Morris, Brian Lake, Jarrod Harbrow
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Ryan Griffen, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy, Shaun Higgins
F: Brad Johnson, Barry Hall, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Liam Picken
I/C: Will Minson, Callan Ward, Nathan Eagleton, Daniel Giansiracusa

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
Brian Lake's value was a talking point last year when his contract negotiations extended until after the season. While Dale Morris and Ryan Hargrave can play above their size, the side relies upon at least one big solid general to take the league's power forwards. Lose him and the Dogs lose an integral cog.

UP AND COMER
Callan Ward and Liam Picken are in the best 22 after strong seasons last year, and now Jordan Roughead finds himself on the cusp after an impressive pre-season. Ahead of highly-touted ruckman Ayce Cordy body-wise, the youngster stood his ground early in the NAB Cup as Ben Hudson's - and later Will Minson's - deputy. Expect him to play seniors this year.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Supporters are sick of seeing Tom Williams, their No.6 draft pick from 2004, on the injury list. A return of 33 games from the big-bodied rugby covert has not been enough for either the frustrated player or his equally frustrated club. It's make or break time for Williams - he needs to show his body can overcome its past problems.

CHANGING TACK
Shaun Higgins will play more of a midfield role this year after a strong pre-season that saw him enter the NAB Cup semi final win over Port Adelaide at half-time and make an immediate impact. As a team, the Dogs have upped their off-the-ball work rate and incorporated an even bigger focus on tackling. Although they're keen on promoting Barry Hall as a mere part of their forward structure, his strong physique and sure hands have already seen them more willing to pump the ball into attack and force a marking contest - something they've been unable to guarantee in recent years.

INJURY LIST
Eddie Prato (hamstring) - one week
Brad Johnson (ankle) - two weeks
Sam Reid (groin) - seven weeks
Stephen Tiller (groin) - seven weeks
Christian Howard (hip) - 10 weeks

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"To finish like we did this year, the expectation, and certainly the internal expectation, is that we'll make the grand final at least. They were certainly stung by the [preliminary final] loss because they did work extremely hard. I've got no doubt it will strengthen their resolve again to take that next step." - coach Rodney Eade.

CRYSTAL BALL
Fixture-wise, supporters are in for an early treat. Four home games against Collingwood, Hawthorn, Adelaide and St Kilda occur before round six, which will allow them to see exactly where they're at. They'll want their top eight spot cemented early with three interstate trips across the final seven rounds. After last season however, there's no reason why they won't have a top four position - and possibly top two - sewn up by then.

SEASON OPENER
Sunday 28 March v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[The Dark Knight]

They gotta finish top 3 or it will feel like a failed season. They have the right ingredients; a solid defence, a hard working midfield and a flexible forward line. Lets hope they use the talent they have to good effect.

[Rik E Boy]

With the oldest list in the comp and not an impressive draft performance if they don't win the premiership it is a failed season. Ditto for the Saints and Cats. These teams are still the standouts but for how much longer than can stay at the top is another matter.

What I disagree with is the prevailing theory that Geelong ( and the Saints some are tipping) will slip but the Dogs will dominate. I say all three will dominate and the Cats (winning) experience will give us an edge in September.

regards,

REB

[Gozu]

Western Bulldogs season preview:

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/sports/2010/ ... -will-wag/

[the joker]

That Great Pre Season has meant nothing now. are they Imploding

[JK]

Interesting on "On The Couch" last night, they were talking about how Barry Hall conscious the Collingwood defence were on the weekend, and showed several clips of him being triple-teamed in aerial contests and gave kudo's to the Pies (and rightly so, as Halls influence was well minimised).

One thing they failed to mention, is that on each occasion he wasn't outmarked and the resulting spill of the ball always ended up in the hands of a Bulldog crumber within range of goal - Ultimately these weren't converted.

With the small forwards the Bulldogs possess, they should still be very dangerous around goal even if Baz isn't marking, just through the contest he provides.

[stan]

The bulldogs got beatin in round one, by a very serious contender. Collingwood are looking to be a very dangerous side with the additions of Ball and Jolly, so if you were a bulldogs fan, no need to panic as premierships arent won in March.

[nuggety goodness]

The bulldogs got beatin in round one, by a very serious contender. Collingwood are looking to be a very dangerous side with the additions of Ball and Jolly, so if you were a bulldogs fan, no need to panic as premierships arent won in March.

very true... i thought my boys were a look in part way through the third and i reckon if Gilbee had have kicked straight to give us a 3 point lead the game could have had a different outcome, instead he missed then the Pies rebounded and kicked a goal, instead of being up by 3, we were down by 8 and lost the momentum...

a lot of blokes had quiet nights too, we'll see some big stats this week against the Tiger cubs...

[Rik E Boy]

The bulldogs got beatin in round one, by a very serious contender. Collingwood are looking to be a very dangerous side with the additions of Ball and Jolly, so if you were a bulldogs fan, no need to panic as premierships arent won in March.

And with the Bulldogs, they aren't won in September either.

regards,

REB

[zipzap]

Why is Higgins named on the extended bench this week? Will he play?

[nuggety goodness]

Why is Higgins named on the extended bench this week? Will he play?

i know many a DT/SC coach is sweating on that decision!!!!!! including me!!!

[Rik E Boy]

Why is Higgins named on the extended bench this week? Will he play?

i know many a DT/SC coach is sweating on that decision!!!!!! including me!!!

Gray, Bower, Higgins. All those hours researching and out of the blue BADABING BADABOOM.

regards,

REB

[nuggety goodness]

with Brisbane looking in good form i'm wondering who is gonna go to the twin towers?

Fev is 191cm and 100Kgs
Brown is 195 and 102

we have in our defence

Lake, 195cm and 104kg
Williams, 196 and 101
Morris, 190 and 92
Hargrave, 190 and 85

Morris will go to Fev
Lake to Brown
Williams to Staker
Hargrave to Brennan

or would Williams go to brown so Lake could play closer to goal?