First things first, it’s time for the name ‘Western’ to go. We’ve got Greater Western, Western and West Coast – and only one of those three clubs has ever been known as anything else. The Dogs are the Sons of the ‘Scray, not the sons of the west.
Does anyone really think people in the non-Footscray western suburbs of Melbourne will be less likely to support the Dogs if they revert to their true name? Teams named after suburbs have nation-wide following, for goodness’ sake.
North Melbourne saw the folly of their ways after experimenting with being called ‘Kangaroos’, and I live in hope the Dogs will do the same.
Here is Part 1 of The Contenders series, on the Geelong Cats.
Now for the second thing. Aren’t the Dogs just a joy to watch? The Dogs take the game on at every opportunity, and have a fleet of players with leg speed and quick hands to match.
Relentless pressure must be applied to the Dogs to keep them in check. A little bit of space and they shred their opposition.
More AFL:
» Eleven rounds in, here’s my mid-year All-Australian team
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» The Roar’s AFL MVP: Round 11 votes, leaderboard
The downside is high-risk football is exactly that. There’s a reason the free-wheeling Geelong team that boasted so much firepower in the 1989-1995 holds the record for the most goals kicked in a game by a losing side. Against West Coast, on multiple occasions a Bulldogs player to the mark and played on immediately to a teammate either about to run into a tackle, or with an opponent within an arm’s length. The latter can make for heart-in-the-mouth stuff, the former is more like head-in-the-hands stuff.
The Dogs like to run and carry, ripping the ball up the guts with chains of handballs. When it works, it’s magnificent. More often than not they’ve delivered the goods this season. However, averaging 438 possessions per game while being a relatively low-scoring side – (10th for points for in the league) – reflects a style that could come unstuck in a high-pressure finals. No other team averages more than 394 possessions per game. North (362), Hawthorn (370), and Geelong (378) are way behind.
While the Bulldogs midfield is prepared to take a lot of risks, the defence doesn’t muck around. They pour pressure on their opponents, and teams rarely get an easy shot on goal against the Dogs. The Eagles forward line is undeniably potent, but was five goals down on their season average on Sunday. Still, they fared a slightly better than most teams have, as the Dogs have conceded a miserly 69 points per game. Statistically, this makes their allegedly ‘short’ defence the best in the business.
This is particularly remarkable given their backline has been hampered this season by injuries to Easton Wood and boom recruit Matt Suckling. Hard running defender Josh Prudden showed a lot of promise in a handful of games last year, and is out for the season with a knee injury.
The Dogs defence is reminiscent of the remarkable West Coast backline of 1990-1994, despite the vast differences in the style of the game played in that era. That backline was the foundation of two premierships.
Elsewhere on the park the Dogs have had a rough run with injuries, worst of all Robert Murphy gone for the season. Clay Smith’s knee has kept him on the sidelines. Jason Johannisen has been missed, as has Tom Boyd. However, the Dogs have shown plenty of depth in personnel and in character. With those qualities – they can go deep into September.
Scott bona
Guest
Its the best time now too bring back the Footscray name thats our name that members want.
Rickmayer
Guest
Yes terry you are so right, we been waiting for a long time too see Footscray back, they did it with the VFL side so its just a matter of time we think.
Sally
Guest
Yes we all hate the name western it should be Footscray, keep pushing the club or we have too vote the board out.
terry parker
Guest
Every game we go too we all call them Footscray, no 1 says western, yes lots want Footscray back even people that follow other clubs say too us get your name back.
Nick
Guest
Dont be silly the AFL said its up too the club what they want too be called
Nick
Guest
Yes we been waiting for the club too bring back the name Footscray, come on Peter Gordon you know what the members want, put it too a poll
me too
Guest
Seanus is wrong. Port beat the bulldogs at Adelaide Oval last year. Sydney was the only away game they won interstate. they won a home interstate game against gold coast - but everyone was thumping them. And yet to win this year interstate so the question remains. They need to beat adelaide to be real contenders.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Just heard that Bob Murphy has decided to play on next season.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Me too, it's good you're venturing your own opinion ? ... but ... it might be a good idea to check your facts before making factual like statements that are outlandishly wrong.
mattyb
Guest
Yeah,what is he talking about? The last 2 1/2 seasons lol,a season and a half ago we were a bottom four side,we weren't really winning anywhere and we had a different coach,those figures aren't pointing to the real story at all even if they were accurate. Our turnaround has been brilliant,we are a huge danger against any opposition on any ground nowadays.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Interesting - the Doggies currently 4th, 1 game clear of 6th. 2 game plus 20+% clear of 9th. So - firstly - with 8 wins they aren't too far off securing finals as a certainty. 11 games to go - let's pencil in Gold Coast (Home-Rnd17), St Kilda (H-R18) and Ess (H-R22). Noting that Collingwood without injuries may well have held them off the previous week - but that was at the MCG - so, we'll pencil in for the Doggies v Coll (H-R21). That's 4 wins. So, a minimum 12 and they are in the finals. They should get past Richmond (H-R16), so, up to 13. Outside of that. Rnd 23 should beat Fremantle even though it's over there - but, might be a good indicator of their game style. So that should take them to 14. The 50/50 games. v Port (A-R12) (this is tougher than might have appeared 3 weeks ago); v Geel (H-R13) and v Geel (A-R19), v Syd (A-R15) and v North (H-Rn20). Win 2 or 3 of these and the Doggies might be up to 16-17 wins. If allowing 1 upset loss, then 15-16 wins for the year. So a top 4 finish surely beckons. The Doggies have had some cards fall their way. The teams they were scheduled to meet twice this year being Fremantle (top of the ladder last year, now bottom); North; Geelong (10th last year, have improved); Coll and StKilda. The bonus here being that Freo haven't sustained 2015 form in the way other top 4 side Haw, Syd and West Coast have. StKilda look like they might start to fall away in the 2nd half due to injuries - they will continue to be exposed for a lack of tall backs and even the Doggies with Redpath, Stringer and Campbell/Roughead pushing forward will be able to expose them I suspect.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Matty, I agree all those talks might make us top-heavy. Then again, North play three talks in their forward line every week (Petrie, Brown and Waite) and they're sitting on top of the ladder. Once Boyd develops more, he will be a very handy back-up ruck. Roughead is super versatile and could be swung into Full Back.
Seanus
Guest
What are you talking about? Last year we won games at the SCG against Sydney, Adelaide Oval against Port and Cazalys Stadium against Gold Coast.
Gecko
Guest
I'd agree with Dougie re MacRae. He's a poor man's Sidebottom.
Western Rodney
Guest
Two out of three games the Dogs have lost have been at Etihad. Agree the next 2 games are important but only need to win one of them really but both would be great.
me too
Guest
Very ugly in how they play for high frees all the time, but apart from that a very attractive side to watch.
me too
Guest
The true flat track bullies need to start winning interstate if they want to make top four. Been interstate just 11 times in the last two and a half seasons, for just 2 wins. (in comparison the lowly saints have travelled 17 times).
andyl12
Guest
Or by Westies under the age of 35, barring those who live in Footscray.
D Fitz
Roar Rookie
Bringing back Footescray Bulldogs will not be permitted by the AFL.
Paul W
Guest
Seconded