Much like St Kilda in Tuesday’s preview, Western Bulldogs fans have long been starved of success.
The main difference is that while the Saints have played in a few grand finals over the last 20 years, it’s been more than 50 years since the Dogs have even reached the big dance. To put this in perspective, Richmond, the biggest finals-starved laughing stock of the last three decades, has won five premierships since then.
Historically, when the Dogs are very good, they find a couple better, and when they’re bad, they don’t often prop up the ladder. We might be about to see a season when they do.
» Read the rest of Cam’s AFL preview series
The Bulldogs actually rose one spot up the ladder last season, despite a decrease in wins and percentage from 2013. They were undergoing a rebuild that apparently wasn’t happening swiftly enough for the fans, or in the manner that the senior players liked.
The tail wagged the Dogs, and coach Brendan McCartney was sacked. Skipper Ryan Griffen wanted out. Adam Cooney and Shaun Higgins took up free agency. This was a club in disarray.
With his Geelong connections from 11 years and two premierships under Mark Thompson, McCartney had brought across Matthew Scarlett, Cam Mooney, Joel Corey and Steven King as assistant coaches.
Who would you place more stock in – the opinions of a generation of Bulldogs players cloaked in mediocrity and never ruthless enough to compete on the last Saturday in September, or a cavalcade of personnel from one of the greatest and most dominant teams of all time? I’ll let you decide.
Nevertheless, the new future is here for the Dogs. Let’s see what their season in 2015 holds.
Best squad
B: D.Morris, J.Roughead, L.Picken
HB: R.Murphy, J.Hamling, E.Wood
C: J.Macrae, T.Liberatore, M.Bontempelli
HF: L.Dahlhaus, S.Crameri, N.Hrovat
F: C.Daniel, T.Boyd, J.Stringer
Foll: W.Minson, M.Boyd, M.Wallis
Int: L.Jong, L.Hunter, S.Biggs, K.Stevens
Em: T.Dickson, J.Redpath, J.Johannisen
The first stand-out here is the big gaps at centre half-forward and centre half-back.
Joel Hamling, recruited from Geelong where he spent three years on the list and never played a senior game, is the nominal man for the key defensive post. Stewart Crameri, who should only ever be a third or fourth tall or medium forward, may be forced into the main lead-up role in a small forward-line, which can work well given quick, confident and skilful ball movement – something for which the Dogs are not renowned.
No doubt new coach Luke Beveridge will be hoping one of Jack Redpath, Ayce Cordy or Tom Campbell has taken their game to a new level to demand a key forward spot, and also allowing some ruck relief for Will Minson.
The Bulldogs have a lot of mid-size or in-between players like Crameri. Dale Morris is another, while Bob Murphy, the new captain, has displayed great skill playing a number of roles but has never really settled into any. Jake Stringer has presence, talent and football smarts, but is also an awkward size.
Also similar to the Saints, there is a huge gap of missing players in the prime 23 to 29 age group. This was exacerbated post 2014 when bona fide gun Griffen (28), Brownlow medallist Cooney (29) and classy utility Higgins (27) all departed.
Callan Ward (24), arguably a top 10 midfielder in the competition, was annexed by Greater Western Sydney for their start-up team. Likewise Jarrod Harbrow (26) to the Gold Coast Suns.
In addition to the names mentioned, there are up to another dozen top 40 draft picks over the last decade either no longer at the club, or struggling to command a senior game. It’s into this abyss that the Bulldogs list has fallen.
But, started by McCartney, the Dogs have been building up youthful depth through the midfield for a few years now, and there is plenty to like from what we’ve seen so far. The inside bodies are being complemented by some outside run and skill.
But, the Dogs are still too young for consistent football, still too limited down back, and will still find it difficult to kick winning scores this year. A sharp rise can be hoped for at some point in the coming seasons, but not 2015.
Predicted ladder spread: 15th-18th
Predicted finish: 17th
Paul W
Guest
Oh Cam "But from a Richmond perspective, I know the Dogs got us last year (when we were at our worst), but I’d love to be playing them twice this season to BANK eight points". "No side that sees themselves as a finals contender can afford to be dropping games to the Dogs". Every player but one (Tom Boyd) on Saturday was available to McCartney last year (and we've since lost Libba for the year). The man did not try to win games, played a boring style of game, expected everyone to be a mid fielder and "crack in" leaving no run or spread, had the worst team selections and structures that left Dog's supporters totally baffled, treated kids like Michael Talia shamefully and bored us weekly with his message to members rolling out the same cliche's ad nauseum. Beveridge is a breath of fresh air and selects a team with structure and to their strengths that wants to play for him, harasses, hunts and tackles in packs, runs, spreads and shows trust and faith in each other. I'll take this every day over someone who wanted to teach and develop everyone to be good citizens. Sure this is just two games in and it gets tough with the Hawks, Crows and Swans next on the agenda, but as long as we're competitive I'm happy to go with that. Gee,I bet Channel 7 would like a do over with their six Carlton Friday night matches, when the flavour of the minute get NO Fridays. Did I say SIX Carlton Friday nights, that's a whole lot of boring and TV channels being changed.
Daniel
Guest
Hello Cam, Any change of opinion yet on the Dogs after they embarrassed your Tigers :)
Mr.X
Guest
My bulldogs starting 22 is B: D.Morris, J.Roughead, E.Woods HB: R.Murphy, M.Talia, S. biggs C: J.Macrae, M Boyd, M.Bontempelli HF: L.Dahlhaus, T.Campbelli, N.Hrovat F: S.Crameril, T.Boyd, J.Stringer Foll: W.Minson, T.libretore, M.Wallis Int: J.Johannisen, J.Hamling, L.Picken, K.Stevens Em: T.Dickson, J.Redpath, L.Jong Talia gets the vote over hamling though joel gets put on the bench. Crameri I think would do well in a full foward position. He isnt tall enough for a HF/FF postion so put him in a pocket and i reckon he will do well. Libba on the ball is a match made in heaven. Big tom campbell did well in a HF/FF position last year and popped with a few goals every now and then so give him regular game time let him bulk up a bit and he could turn into a david hale/ patty ryder player. Now all the dogs have to do is to keep the talent they have give them the contracts they want( unless it isn't ludicrous) and in five years time they might have a side thats contending for the premiership.
Gecko
Guest
Dougie, players down there at Footscray certainly get a good, long hearing. Agreed Jared Grant has got talent and I hope he can be more than just patchy in 2015. If he finds it too hard to get a game in the seniors at Footscray this year, better give him a bus ticket home at the end of 2015.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Gecko, being a Dogs supporter requires lots of patience and loyalty. After all these years it feels as if we still don't know whether Jared Grant is any good or not. He teases then gets injured, teases then gets injured, teases ... Usually freakish, unusual injuries, rather than muscle injuries. This is the first pre-season he's completed - which is staggering. Fresh from a dominant display in last year's VFL finals series. He might find it too hard to get a game with the likes of Boyd, Crameri and Stringer providing marking targets already, but then again, it might make Grant more dangerous to be that 3rd or 4th tall, a luxury he has never experienced at Doggie land. I'd hate to trade him just when his body is cherry ripe and then see him make a big impact at a rival club. Beware 'Merlin' in 2015.
Gecko
Guest
Doggies certainly seem to have a better fleet of up-and-coming midfielders than other potential cellar dwellers like the Saints, Blues, WC and Bombers. On that basis (and banking on Boyd to become a gun and stay with them) I'd tip them to rise faster. Dougie how come they couldn't off-load your mate Jared Grant over the summer? Surely they've been trying to do that for the last four or five years.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Ha, ha Don Freo, you're just a stirrer. You'd argue the opposite jus to be contrary!
Sausages
Guest
Gee that's a weak back 6. Hambling at chb is a real worry. Expect them to leak goals against strong opposition.
Stewie
Guest
I've heard comparisons between Caleb Daniel and Gary Ablett in terms of skill level. Arguably the best in this year's draft group. Just a pity he's 20 cm too short. If he plays his cards right could be an absolute gun. Will be watching him closely, but don't be surprised to see him start in the VFL
Don Freo
Guest
When a kid is a star at 18 years old, I wonder why they are not accelerated like they are at the top teams. Perhaps McCartney as a 'development' coach developed a myth that it takes 5 years. Good development coaches can do it while their good kids are playing in the league side. Maybe he is just a poor development coach, thus it takes him longer.
Macca
Guest
Paul - Given Young Libba was found wandering the streets with ecstasy in his pocket perhaps McCartney was right to get more invoved in the players lives outside of football, especially for a young group. Going from Cams reference of Malthouse - I read a story on Chris Yarran last year being invited around to Malthouses place for dinner and Yarran remarking how much he learnt baout life and relationships from that - it lead to close to a career best year for Yarran that hopefully will be built on this year. Cam - I'm looking forward to the blues preview but happy not to see it too soon!!
Cameron Rose
Expert
Much appreciated Daniel, I love hearing from people who really know their stuff. And at the end of the day, fans of any given team should know more than I do (although they'll often view it through the most positive prism). I think the experience in the Dee's midfield is what puts them ahead of you, and Roos as coach vs a first-yearer in Beveridge. You should finish on top of the Saints. It was good to see you bounce back against the Suns that second game, because your third quarter against them the first time around was horrible. I'm not sure there is much hype about Brisbane to be honest. Their midfield could well be at least the equal of any in the competition, and to me that will carry them a long way. Rarely if ever have we seen a team so strong in the middle, yet so weak at either end. We're going to find out just how far a gun midfield can carry a side.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Yep, all fair comments.
Cameron Rose
Expert
I agree Dougie, I was rapt with what the Dogs did. They needed to make a strong statement.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
cheers Cam.
Cameron Rose
Expert
All fair enough. But then you hear that someone like Mick Malthouse is beloved by his players because he goes that extra step, and knows everything about his players life and family. A fine line I suppose.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Great post Pumping Dougie! Bob Murphy - I think you and I are saying the same thing, just wording it differently. Fantastic rebounder, and always loved his work 50m-80m out from goal when playing in the forward half. The key posts are definitely a weakness right now, regardless of who is there. I'm just doing my version of a team, but everyone will their own versions, especially the fans. I don't disagree with your assessment of the forward line. There are a lot of players there who can be very awkward match-ups for the opposition. If Beveridge can get them to gel, then it can be dangerous. It's just as likely that it won't work and you'll have several players struggling for consistency in games. I threw Caleb Daniel in because I've been hearing a bit about him, and I always like to throw a new player into the 22 of bottom sides, because you generally figure one or two will be. I'm not sure Roughead is excellent yet, but worth continuing with. I'd like to see him back himself in the air a bit more. Love your comments about the backline. Nice 22 as well. Based on what Jones and Tutt provided, if they left as whingers, I'm not sure they have the steel to be AFL footballers. Oh, and Go Tiges!
Paul
Guest
I mean rumours of him going into areas of players' personal or family life that were none of his concern, overstepping the mark. I think when Gordon asked for feedback before his "resignation" some of this came to light. In the early days I thought we had a good one and then after his wonderful speech at the NAB Rising Star I was convinced we did, but then it was all down hill from their. I agree, I like Cam Mooney in the media too and that's where he put his priority when the things started to go pear shaped at the club. Happy for him to stay in the media.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Absolutely, GWS got a great deal - a top echelon midfielder with a few years left in the top bracket to teach the rest of the squad, payment for part of his salary and a number 5 draft pick. GWS did really well. But given the disaster the Bulldogs were confronted with, at least they got on the front foot and started swinging. Tom Boyd was an excellent acquisition from a state of mayhem. We could have just been left with pick 5 and got nothing for Griffen. But instead we got a bloke to build our forward line around and by all accounts is a great prospective leader.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
I agree Cam. Not sure he was the man to take us forward, but I think we will reap the benefit of his proven development skills down the track. Just because he was regarded highly in a successful environment like Geelong, doesn't mean he is an excellent senior coach - very different job scope. He is a proven excellent developer and the Bulldogs were lucky to have him for the start of our rebuild phase, in my eyes. Melbourne were shrewd to pick him up. Good luck to him.