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The Western Bulldogs were the fairytale story of the 2015 season, and head into the new season filled with expectations and under a larger microscope.
The reality for the Dogs is that they will no longer be the surprise packet of the football world, sneaking up on teams and shocking them. Teams will now be paying the Bulldogs extra attention, as they plan to counter Luke Beveridge’s fast-paced style.
But let’s stop and admire the Bulldogs’ 2015 work one last time.
After experiencing an off-season full of bad news, with a player exodus, a new head coach and a handful of key personnel changes, the Dogs looked like a dumpster fire heading into 2015. Many believed the younger talent wasn’t good enough to build a legitimate contender and that the veterans were losing their legs.
Well, didn’t they prove everyone wrong.
The free-flowing Dogs were a joy to watch, as the reinventions of Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd coincided with the emergence of the likes of intercept-machine Easton Wood, the package Jake Stringer, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Luke Dahlhaus and Jason Johannisen.
They enter 2016 already with issues, as Stewart Crameri will miss the entire season due to his involvement in the 2012 Essendon supplements saga.
Crameri was a key clog in the Bulldogs forward line last season, and was one of the reasons the Dogs were able to turn their fortunes, but the Bulldogs have Tom Boyd, the big-money signing from the Greater Western Sydney Giants, who can fill the void.
While Boyd didn’t have a huge impact last season, he showed glimpses of how dominant he can become as a key forward with a four-goal haul against the Brisbane Lions in Round 12.
Boyd kicked 16 goals in 14 games last season, a number that will improve with experience. He also has the body to be a force in the forward line, and he was third among rising stars in contested marks, despite playing just 14 games. As the new season kicks off, keep an eye on how Boyd continues his development.
Best 22
B: Matt Suckling, Jordan Roughead, Matthew Boyd
HB: Robert Murphy, Fletcher Roberts, Easton Wood
C: Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Jason Johannisen
HF: Koby Stevens, Tom Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
F: Liam Picken, Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson
Foll: Will Minson, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis
INT: Joel Hamling, Lachie Hunter, Caleb Daniel, Shane Biggs
MVP: Robert Murphy
The heart and soul of this Western Bulldogs group, Murphy turned in a stellar 2015 campaign, which led to him being named the captain of the All Australia team.
Murphy’s on-field production remains high, as he averaged 22.4 disposals, 15.4 kicks, 7.0 handballs and 4.6 marks per game last season. It goes beyond the numbers though. The tenacity, leadership and heart he displays when he pulls on a red, white and blue jumper are so important. He is the most valuable member of the Bulldogs.
Future star: Marcus Bontempelli
Now, let’s clear something up here: Bontempelli is already a superstar, one of the AFL’s most electric midfielders. But at just 20, Bontempelli is set to explode in the next few years and become one of the best players in the game.
The numbers Bontempelli put up last season were impressive, as he averaged 21.1 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 8.7 handballs, 5.5 tackles and 3.3 marks per game, combining his strength, 192-centimetre frame, and ability to break a pack with his speed and agility to create a match-up nightmare for opposing players.
Bontempelli has already proved his worth as the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft, and he is going to get better.
Make or break: Will Minson
Minson showed he can be a liability at times last season, as Beveridge dropped the 199-centimetre giant on multiple occasions in 2015, leading to him playing just ten games. Minson doesn’t really fit into the Bulldogs new fast-temp style, as his big body can’t run at the pace that is needed, as the Dogs played majority of the season without a recognised ruck.
Despite the 189-game veteran’s positive showing in the Bulldogs elimination final loss against Adelaide, where he had 12 disposals and 26 hit-outs, questions remain whether Minson can secure his spot.
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