Geelong's Harry Taylor (L) and Joel Selwood put pressure on Adam Cooney of the Western Bulldogs
Jason Akermanis recently raised the issue of ‘Premiership Windows’ and the need to try and ensure success during that window. This appears paramount to the Western Bulldogs campaign in 2010.
“This is the window, we spoke about it last year as well. There’s not too many years when we can get that group in their late twenties,” one gets the feeling his view about this matter means it is a massive issue at the Whitten Oval.
Where are the Dogs placed in this window?
Aging stars in the form of Akermanis, Nathan Eagleton, Ben Hudson, Brad Johnson and Sydney discard Barry Hall would suggest that success this season rather than next is imperative.
The Dogs are filled with class, and the important type, which performs on the big stage.
Hall, a premiership winning captain and big key forward, will be an important figure throughout 2010, but more so in finals.
Former Bulldog Doug Hawkins was all for getting Hall to the club. “You look at our last two years, the preliminary finals from last year; St Kilda had [Nick] Riewoldt and Geelong had [Cameron] Mooney and [Tom] Hawkins to kick the ball long to. We haven’t been able to do that when we’ve been under pressure because Johnno’s only my size. Now when we get the ball out of the midfield and we’re undecided of where to go, we can kick it long to Barry.”
Rodney Eade though seems to provide a slightly different take on Hall’s role within the team structure. “I don’t know how many times I have to say this there’s no expectations, no pressure on him to kick goals. We can kick goals anyway.”
An extremely valid point with the Bulldogs, last season’s highest scoring side.
Add Hall into that side and worst he could struggle his way to forty or fifty goals. That still adds a lot to an already powerful unit.
One feels that Hall’s recruitment is more targeted to what Hawkins touched on, having a quality tall target like other top four sides in the big situations.
Johnson is a proven star and has now experienced four losing preliminary finals and his personal window is closing rapidly. He has the passion combined with the respect of the playing group to be able to drag players along with him and get them to perform.
He is the heart and soul of the club, not only the captain, but also the spiritual leader.
Hudson is a quality tap ruckman and the only one the Bulldogs possess.
Big Will Minson can bash and crash but Hudson has great technique and skill to feed the midfield. Eagleton’s left foot is deadly and his use in the forward half to feed Hall could be a great combination, along with his goal kicking potential.
For me though ‘Aker’ is the key man – Mr. September.
A three time premiership star with Brisbane, his performances in September could be the difference between ending the Bulldogs’ premiership drought and it continuing on. The 2002 Grand Final against Collingwood is an example of this man’s talent, courage and heroics.
In that game, in heavy, wet conditions and under an injury cloud, Akermanis came to the show when it counted. Love him or hate him, he is a star.
If the Dogs get close, but don’t win this year, they may get another season out of Akermanis and Johnson. But I would suggest it could be their last, regardless, and if so could shut the window.
Hopefully their teammates sense this and provide the two with the dream exit from the game.
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