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Brian Lake will depart Western Bulldogs

28th July, 2011
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28th July, 2011
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Brian Lake, premier fullback, All-Australian and 2007 club Best and Fairest has, for mine, played his last match for the Western Bulldogs, and I look forward to those at Whitten Oval proving me wide of the mark.

I put this in writing to question Rodney Eade, who recently stated that he had no concerns that his key upholder of the back line will stay on at the club.

A knee injury has ruled Lake out for the rest of the year; an injury that never recovered from surgery pre-season.

Former Port Adelaide and Western Bulldog forward, and current Bulldogs assistant coach Brett Montgomery questioned Lake’s mental toughness to play with an injury.

Lake had called for time-out from the game and do an earlier pre-season with the undertaking to recuperate and come back fresh in 2012. In spite of this, that request was denied and he was made to play in the VFL.

This isn’t the first time Lake has collided with a coach at the club; rumours surfaced in relation to ever-increasing tension between Lake and ‘Rocket’ Eade last year and have developed further this year.

Using a select few of Rocket’s words, I have no doubt that Lake will be in different colours next year – not the red, white and blue.

It has been reported that Lake has plenty of interest from other clubs, and one thing that is worthy of note is that Collingwood have a big name in their sights. Could it be Lake?

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Lake does have two years outstanding on his contract but that hasn’t blocked clubs from trading players in the past.

The most up-to-date news declaring Lake out for the season I deem as the determining factor.

I wrote an article in late June that there would be change at Whitten Oval come off-season; one being a new coach but even if this doesn’t eventuate, Lake won’t continue on with the ‘Dogs.

Lake has received a substantial quantity of disparagement this year as a result of a perceived lack of interest and poor form. Can that be credited to injuries with his sideline?

Only one person knows.

Where will he line up next year?

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