The Western Bulldogs were so close yet so far in their thrilling encounter with Essendon, a reflection of their season thus far.
While the results have not always gone the Dogs’ way, their supporters should be full of optimism with a talented young list showing great signs.
The Bulldogs have reaped the benefits of early draft picks in recent seasons.
Their first selection in last year’s draft, Marcus Bontempelli, looks set to be a beauty. The Rising Star favourite has all the makings of becoming a gun midfielder.
Despite his low disposal count, he was still able to have an impact against Essendon, which is a sign of a good player. His overhead ability is one of his many strengths and his five contested marks yesterday was only seven short of the club’s entire total for the match.
Speaking to a Bulldogs recruiter around draft time last year, they mentioned that they wanted Bontempelli to develop into a similar footballer to Fremantle’s David Mundy.
At 192cm, Bontempelli is a prototype big midfielder, the likes of which are in high demand come draft time, and he is not the only one who fits the bill at the Bulldogs.
Jack Macrae, who is only 19, has taken the AFL by storm in his second season. The 191cm ball magnet has hit the 30 disposal mark on seven occasions this season, including 43 possessions against Gold Coast a fortnight ago.
Jake Stringer is another big-bodied player the Bulldogs will hope can develop into a midfielder. Stringer, who has spent the majority of his AFL career to date up forward, is a unique player.
He lacks the height of most genuine key forwards but has enough brute strength and nous around goal to be effective. Stringer has proven at junior level that he can play through the midfield but injury issues, such as a devastating broken leg in 2011, have affected his start to the AFL.
They say a good midfield is the catalyst to a top side, so sit tight Bulldogs supporters, better days are coming.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
If the Doggies had got their first draft picks right between 2006-2009, they would be in much better shape. Christian Howard (pick 15 in 2009 ahead of Nat Fyfe and Jake Carlisle), Ayce Cordy (pick 14 in 2008 ahead of Zaharakis, Beams, Shuey and Ballantyne), Jared Grant (pick 5 in 2007 ahead of Dangerfield) and Andrejs Everitt (pick 11 in 2006 ahead of Tippet, Riewoldt, Frawley and Westhoff) look to be very costly errors now.
Franko
Guest
Great mids, any young KPP??? Would love to see them develop a Chris Grant type CHF that they have lacked for years. Even Big Barry wasn't enough to get their talented mids to the promise land. Good luck Doggies.
Aransan
Guest
Bontempelli is quite a big unit for a first year player and if he grows another cm or so on top of his 192 then I think he will develop more into a key forward than midfielder due to his bulk. I would prefer a centre half forward along the lines of Pavlich any day compared to a midfielder and that is the way I see him developing and he will be as good too.
Joel Clarke
Roar Pro
Don't forget Hrovat, Dahlhouse, Libba and Wallis are all under 21 years of age. Stringer is the one that will surprise. If you track him to Dangerfield, the similarities will be very close. He needs 1-2 bog off-seasons to work on fitness and will be a gun on-baller/forward. The broken leg set him back a couple of years. They should just recruit forwards/backs this year or look at trading for one. Bright future ahead no doubt
berrlins
Roar Pro
I love articles about the dogs future because it does look pretty good, watching Bonti take on older stronger players and beat them is a thrill, I hope Redpath can have the same effect in the forward line, hunter is another one, electric plays at times, great to watch.