The Western Bulldogs were the fairytale story of the 2015 season, and head into the new season filled with expectations and under a larger microscope.
The reality for the Dogs is that they will no longer be the surprise packet of the football world, sneaking up on teams and shocking them. Teams will now be paying the Bulldogs extra attention, as they plan to counter Luke Beveridge’s fast-paced style.
But let’s stop and admire the Bulldogs’ 2015 work one last time.
After experiencing an off-season full of bad news, with a player exodus, a new head coach and a handful of key personnel changes, the Dogs looked like a dumpster fire heading into 2015. Many believed the younger talent wasn’t good enough to build a legitimate contender and that the veterans were losing their legs.
Well, didn’t they prove everyone wrong.
The free-flowing Dogs were a joy to watch, as the reinventions of Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd coincided with the emergence of the likes of intercept-machine Easton Wood, the package Jake Stringer, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Luke Dahlhaus and Jason Johannisen.
They enter 2016 already with issues, as Stewart Crameri will miss the entire season due to his involvement in the 2012 Essendon supplements saga.
Crameri was a key clog in the Bulldogs forward line last season, and was one of the reasons the Dogs were able to turn their fortunes, but the Bulldogs have Tom Boyd, the big-money signing from the Greater Western Sydney Giants, who can fill the void.
While Boyd didn’t have a huge impact last season, he showed glimpses of how dominant he can become as a key forward with a four-goal haul against the Brisbane Lions in Round 12.
Boyd kicked 16 goals in 14 games last season, a number that will improve with experience. He also has the body to be a force in the forward line, and he was third among rising stars in contested marks, despite playing just 14 games. As the new season kicks off, keep an eye on how Boyd continues his development.
Best 22
B: Matt Suckling, Jordan Roughead, Matthew Boyd
HB: Robert Murphy, Fletcher Roberts, Easton Wood
C: Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Jason Johannisen
HF: Koby Stevens, Tom Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
F: Liam Picken, Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson
Foll: Will Minson, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis
INT: Joel Hamling, Lachie Hunter, Caleb Daniel, Shane Biggs
MVP: Robert Murphy
The heart and soul of this Western Bulldogs group, Murphy turned in a stellar 2015 campaign, which led to him being named the captain of the All Australia team.
Murphy’s on-field production remains high, as he averaged 22.4 disposals, 15.4 kicks, 7.0 handballs and 4.6 marks per game last season. It goes beyond the numbers though. The tenacity, leadership and heart he displays when he pulls on a red, white and blue jumper are so important. He is the most valuable member of the Bulldogs.
Future star: Marcus Bontempelli
Now, let’s clear something up here: Bontempelli is already a superstar, one of the AFL’s most electric midfielders. But at just 20, Bontempelli is set to explode in the next few years and become one of the best players in the game.
The numbers Bontempelli put up last season were impressive, as he averaged 21.1 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 8.7 handballs, 5.5 tackles and 3.3 marks per game, combining his strength, 192-centimetre frame, and ability to break a pack with his speed and agility to create a match-up nightmare for opposing players.
Bontempelli has already proved his worth as the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft, and he is going to get better.
Make or break: Will Minson
Minson showed he can be a liability at times last season, as Beveridge dropped the 199-centimetre giant on multiple occasions in 2015, leading to him playing just ten games. Minson doesn’t really fit into the Bulldogs new fast-temp style, as his big body can’t run at the pace that is needed, as the Dogs played majority of the season without a recognised ruck.
Despite the 189-game veteran’s positive showing in the Bulldogs elimination final loss against Adelaide, where he had 12 disposals and 26 hit-outs, questions remain whether Minson can secure his spot.
Jason
Guest
Our team has a more mature look about it this year
mattyb
Guest
I think Adcock has been upgraded to replace Clay Smith who is on the long term injury list so not sure who else we will elevate. As I said Morris will be in the starting 18,apart from that who knows. I think Hamling will start for sure also and I'm going with Roughead in the ruck. I'd like to see Daniels play but along with Adcock there will be numerous players fighting for the forward flank position. Gee wiz it's going to be a tough team to pick.
Jason
Guest
Mattyb do you know if adcock has been promoted for crameri if so I would swap adcock for daniels Morris for hamling redpath for biggs and campbell for big will
mattyb
Guest
Yes I did know about the jarman relation. Hamilton should be ok and hopefully can put on more weight over the pre season,very skilful. I'm happy to give him time and the 2014 draft picks all seem sensational. Lynch is a great rookie selection,hugely skilled. Might need to learn a bit more about getting the ball to use those skills at AFL level but plenty to work with,lots of upside. Guys like Lynch and Goetz also are exactly what the rookie draft is for,get them into your system and see if they can flourish.
Jason
Guest
Mattyb did youknow declan hamilton was darren jarmans nephew and also have you watched brad lynch's review video hehis very rangey even reminds me a bit like bontempelli when the ball is on the ground
mattyb
Guest
I did see that,that's an old post though man. Collingwood are miles behind us and to even put us in the same breath as Melbourne as well was ridiculous
mattyb
Guest
There going on about the Carlton Cripps being better than Stringer. Apparently Stringer only plays for 10 mins a game according to one bloke,another just thinks Carlton are going to make the 8 so all the players are great,especially Cripps. You should go check it out. To the authors credit he did pick Bontempelli and Stringer as top five under 21. Pretty easy call though,I would have added Macrae,
Jason
Guest
Can you believe theyre comparing collingwoods list to ours they pump them up every year to they serious talk about seeing everything in black and white even or own supporters where pumping their tyres as Rex hunt would say I'll have a pound of what theyre smoking
Jason
Guest
Did you mean collingwood I think Carlton has a cripps as well to early inthe morning
Jason
Guest
Oh yeah woops as far as Carlton tell them theyre dreaming much harder to kick fifty plus goals than run through midfield
mattyb
Guest
Jason my man,great pick up on the father sons (I know you were referring to Billy's boy but typos interfered) and I also feel our wait is over. We deserve this mate and it's coming. Geelong had a lot of father sons which will be a good starting point but a poor comparison. What we are about to witness will make Geelongs achievements all but a tiny speck in the largest of any oceans,and personally I'm pumped. I've been over on the best players under 20 thread on this site. A couple of Carlton supporters saying they would take Cripps before Stringer in a heartbeat. cripps better than Stringer lol
Jason
Guest
Matty bigdog have you ran out of things to say about the scraggers blasphemy can't believe we got dunkley so late if he is a modern version of the old man we have alot to look forward to we have drafted so well the last four years we haven't put a foot wrong by the way have you ever known a team with so many father son players cordy Hunter liberatore wallis pickering and dunkley all potential sons of guns not bad hey our time is near 62 years waiting but good come to those who are patient lol did i miss anyone GO DOGS
mattyb
Guest
It does appear that being of decent character is non negotiable if you you want to be be drafted into this club that is going to take the footballing world by storm. Collins size for 18 is phenomenal. Can easily see him being strong enough to match it with the big forward from the get go. Bring it on is right and these players are going to bring it right on indeed. They are going to take all that's before them,and good luck to anyone who tries to get in the way of the destiny of greatness that lays ahead.
Paul W
Guest
I can hardly sleep waiting to see what they can offer, hopefully they get a run very early. Exactly what we wanted in the draft. Like you I didn't expect Collins to still be there at our selection, I stood next to him at the Social Club Christmas party and he is a man mountain, couldn't possibly be only 18yo :-) And Adams excites me as a more mature type who besisdes being able to play has shown great character through his family's adversity. Bring it on.
mattyb
Guest
Paul,while on Suckling,what are your thoughts on the players we have added this year? Especially Collins and Adams but the others also.
Paul W
Guest
Injured players always come back at a reduced price, that's why theyre such good value. It's not a reflection of Libba compared to Suckers. Libba will be in almost every SC team.
mattyb
Guest
I don't footycoach but I will say stuff.If Libba is cheaper than Suckling you have every right to be outraged.Hopefully bounces straight back into it,like his dad would have or like Lenny Hayes. Suckling sounds like good value.He will have been added to our list with a specific role in mind.I'd expect him to get a lot of uncontested possessions but more importantly plenty of goal assists and a couple of goals per game.Dahl will have a great year,such a fast exciting footballer.If Libba and Bont electrify through the midfield,Dahl,Macrae,Hunter etc will benefit a great deal.Any of these three would be good supercoach picks.If Hunter is a good price I'd be onto that.I wonder how much Macrae is to,very underrated footballer.Campbell could be a good pick but there is a risk he want play all games and we really have no idea Bevs pecking order in the ruck.I have a feeling Roughead will be first cab off the rank but you would expect Campbell to play at some point.Adams seems a steel and I do have a good feeling about him.Reads the game well and as a more mature recruit I'd be expecting him to play a few games this year and doing rather well.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
matty just to change tack a bit - are you into supercoach? I was gonna run my bulldog players past you (currently in my squad): Matt Suckling, $396,500, (D/F) - if he can average 90 pts, seems reasonable value Tom Liberatore, $357,300 (mid) - outrageous value Tom Campbell, $297,100. (R/F) - looking for value in the ruck stocks, hoping for a break out year Luke Dahlhaus, $563,600 (F/M) - a bit pricey, hoping for above average return for a forward Marcus Adams, $117,300 (F/D) - rookie selection, will see if he gets a run closer to season start any thoughts?
mattyb
Guest
Your right about macpherson actually,that's bad luck but we should have faith that Dal and Jmac have made the right call.I did see Adams highlights and I was very impressed.He is also a mature age and could be ready to go immediately.After Talia taddle tailed his way out the door another keyback was pretty vital. I think with Hamling,Fletch,Zaine,Adams and Collins with Roughy as a swing man we have that area pretty covered now.Like I said,son of super could have been unlucky not to find himself on our list,but we really have done well this draft and got some players that we required.A+ drafting and recruiting is one of the key ingredients to the ongoing success we are now faced with witnessing.I really can't wait to witness the season and era of footballing perfection that the mighty bulldogs are about to embark upon.
Jason
Guest
Darcy macpherson was picked up by goldcoast in the rookie draft kicks well both left and right can't help but feel slightly disappointed but what can you do