When I was a diehard five-year old Bulldogs fan, logic told me that I would play for the Footscray Bulldogs if I played for the local Bulldogs team.
Not long after I signed up to my local Bulldogs club, my family injected me with the Richmond bug, a yellow and black fever which will stick with me forever. Sorry Doggies, but you are still my No. 2 team!
Unless you’re an Essendon fan, we all cheered for the now Western Bulldogs in Round 21 of the year 2000, when Chris Grant snapped Essendon’s unbeaten season with a left foot goal from the pocket.
We also felt the despair as they came so close in the preliminary finals of 2008, ’09 and ’10.
Chances are the Western Bulldogs feature high on your list of sympathies too, whether it’s because the premiership drought has been so damn long or the smallish membership base doesn’t worry you.
In year three of the Brendan McCartney era, the sons of the west will look to be a threat again.
Can the Bulldogs take advantage of a favourable draw in which they play 14 home games and only meet the top six sides from 2013 once?
The dogs must continue on the path they were on last season. Though only winning eight games, they managed to battle against sides who were well above their weight division and hold their own.
For the Doggies, it all starts again from their exciting midfield.
In 2013 they were ranked seventh in disposals, second in clearances and contested possessions – or a side that finished 15th on the ladder, these boys sure can get their hands on the football!
Not only did Will Minson win the most ruck hit-outs for the season but he also had the most hit-outs to advantage, regularly giving his midfielders first use and earning himself an All-Australian along the way.
The depth in the midfield looks impressive. Barring injury, skipper Ryan Griffen and Matthew Boyd will (like 2013) average above 25 possessions a game.
With no Daniel Cross, it will be an exciting opportunity for Mitch Wallis to step up to the plate. Speaking of exciting, let’s hope No.4 draft pick Marcus Bontempelli can break his way into the senior side at some point through the season.
Tom Liberatore led the league in clearances last year (averaging eight per game) and will be looking to do so agai, while Kobe Stevens looks at home after playing 19 games last season.
Adam Cooney’s pre-season form says he may find his way back to near Brownlow Medal form – or are the knee issues too much to cope with for a full season?
Former Bomber Stewart Crameri is a nice addition to a forward-line in need of structure, and Jake Stringer is putting some good footy together. For all the Bulldogs’ hard work in the midfield throughout 2013, they ranked only third last in contested marks.
Liam Jones and Jarrad Grant (when he returns from injury) will benefit from having another versatile forward running next to them, and both need consistent years after stagnating in 2013.
At their feet, Lachie Hunter and Luke Dahlhaus could blow games apart if they get enough ball.
A coaching masterstroke by McCartney has found a position where Jordan Roughead will leave his legacy and the ever-reliable Dale Morris will hold the fort in the Doggies’ back half.
Can Tom Williams’ body hold up to the rigours of a full AFL season?
Williams is talented and has size – any footy club would love at him as a key defender – but he has only played 78 games since being drafted in 2004. And the sooner Robert Murphy returns the better.
The Bulldogs have a ton of growth in their list. The midfield is verging on elite, the forward line will get there and the backline needs to stay injury free. With good management, they could finish as high as 12th.
When I thought about my ladder, I realised how as a five-year old I’d betrayed the Bulldogs once before.
By placing them 14th I have may have done it again, but they’re still my second favourite team.
Lad-View Prediction: 14th
Individual Predictions
Best and Fairest: Tom Liberatore
Goal Kicking Award: Stewart Crameri
Most Improved: Lachie Hunter
Thing Most Looking Forward to Seeing: List development
In the Hot Seat for 2014: Jarrad Grant, Liam Jones
Novelty Blog Award: The team that is the most barracked for against your own.
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