As we come to the pointy end of the season there are some teams that have just not had the luck this season for one reason or another.
The Bombers losing 12 of their players before the season started, the Suns with injuries, Fremantle with injuries and failed game plan. As for the Lions and Tigers, I just have no idea what went wrong there, and the Dogs have a list of injuries that seems to get worse as the weeks go on.
But the Dogs have pushed on and are still in the eight. Over this season their ability to be able to find a way to keep going and win where other clubs would have curled up and cried itself to sleep due to their injury list.
Part of this is something could be due to Luke Beveridge’s first season as coach. Over the 2015 season he played over 40 different players during the season. With this he was able to give AFL level experience to those players, meaning those players experienced less shock when they came in to replace their injured colleague.
This in part has been a saving grace for the Dogs. The loss of experience in, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Boyd and Matthew Suckling, along with the loss Robert Murphy, has hurt at times during the season. Not being able to get there best 22 on the field at the same time will definitely begin to take its toll during the final series.
But now think of the Dogs if they are at full strength, with their best 22 on the field. We saw it in the first part of the season with how destructive that can be. It’s a sign of what we can expect to see from them next year. With the addition of some players during the trade and draft period, they will have very few holes in their list.
Talking about the hole in the line up, this is where I make the suggestion that the Dogs may well benefit from, and that would be going after Majak Daw.
Their ruck play is ordinary – has been all season. Daw gives them that stable ruckman they need, along with Roughead as the secondary. It could well be a very dangerous combo and help push them into that top four next season.
They have also been needing an extra goal scorer. Majak’s ability to mark, and improvement each year in front of goal could be what the dogs need,and it also means that Thomas Boyd would be staying more in the forward line and giving that extra tall target.
The Dogs have shown last season and this year that they have teeth and are not afraid to use them. But injuries have stopped their push for that second Cup this year. But with the best 22 on the field next year, there’s plenty to look forward to for Doggies’ fans.
Jake
Guest
No mention of Port's bad luck in 2016 with 2 WADA suspensions not replaced plus every single KPP injured.
Wilson
Roar Guru
can see what you are say about selection talented players until they learn to adhere to the team structures and roles he assigns. and that is a great rule. but as seen at the hawks you sometimes see those with good talent get restless and move on. example for the Hawks Luke Lowden, Mitch Hallahan, Jed Anderson left for that type of reason. With Daw i think the slow learning come back to that Tall take longer to develop and I think you will see him in the next year or so do like we have seen with Max Gawn.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I think Beveridge's selections (e.g. not selecting Minson when Campbell became injured, not selecting Webb or Honeychurch despite constantly being in the best players in our VFL side, dropping Macrae last year) demonstrate he is unwilling to select talented players until they learn to adhere to the team structures and roles he assigns. Our successful defence is highly reliant on all 18 players on the field playing their team role. Minson doesn't have the stamina and can't adapt to the defensive team gameplan. Webb is still a kid and hasn't caught-on as quickly as newbies (e.g. Dunkley, Williams) - although surely he's smarter than Lin Jong! But for this reason, I can't see us going after Daw. Daw has shown some good signs this year, yet still isn't being selected by fellow finals aspirant, North. He has been in the system for quite a while now and appears to be a slow learner. He is very erratic with his performance within a game. If he came cheaply, then he might be worth recruiting as insurance, but Campbell will come into the side to form a dual ruck attack (with Roughy) once he returns from injury. (Note, Hawks have won about 10 flags in the last 35 years without a high-quality ruck in their lineup.) The development and full season of Tom Boyd (bear in mind he's only played 7 games this year) and return of Stewart Crameri and Toby McLean in 2017, will release significant pressure off Stringer and Dickson in our forward line and make them a potent group. If our full backline compliment of Murphy, Adams, Morris, M.Boyd, Suckling, Wood and JJ play most of 2017, then our backline will be the most dangerous, counter-attacking defence in the league. (If we can snag Hurley as well, then even better.) Our midfield talent bats very deep already - assuming a fairer run with injuries in 2017. I think we already have a list capable of winning a flag. Like most premiership teams, we just need a better than normal run with injuries.
mattyb
Guest
Wilson,I do believe the Dogs will look to trade a few players,some fringe some slightly better than that. I'm reluctant to put a price on players as people tend to over value players on their own list,some even ridiculously so. I think the Dogs may try to trade for players or picks the following...Hrovat,Honeychurch,Stevens,Jong,Webb,Hamling,Prudden (if someone wants to take a risk with a player in ACL rehab) and even Campbell. Campbell will be interesting as we already need a Ruckman so if he leaves we will possibly need two but he is yet to be re signed and that would then give weight to bringing Daw in. I also think Minson will more than likely be delisted but I think he has zero trade value. That's a pretty long list and a few teams could be interested in some of those players. Personally I'm not a fan of recruiting bargains or fringe players from other teams as I think it only helps you move up the ladder slightly,the draft is where you get players to contend. Having said that the Dogs do have the building blocks and someone like Daw could be a good inclusion for the right price.
Wilson
Roar Guru
Could he be looking at them as Trade bait? Making them looks else where for games with other teams in turn making sure that when he makes the trade that they are happy to go?
mattyb
Guest
Wilson your observations are very good and your strange at the time comment has triggered some of my memories of last year. I agree Beveridge was looking to get some experience into the young players and I also thought as a first year coach who came into the season rather late he wanted to have a really good look at the list. I remember thinking and posting last year that he gave this a higher priority than making the finals. We need to remember that last year amongst the players that Beveridge gave extended senior games to were Ayce Cordy and Grant and then they were delisted at the seasons end. I think he had a good look,gave the players every chance and decided who he didn't like. This year has been a little different even with injuries. Beveridge seems to not want to play Honeychurch or Webb very much despite excellent reserve form,Minson can't get a game and even though Hrovat has spent chunks of the season injured when in form seems out of favour. Hamling played last week yet the coach also seems reluctant to play him.
Wilson
Roar Guru
I think with playing more players last year was strange at the time but it in a way has helped as you say hold on but. it still give them experance for next year and help there depth aswell agree with you that boyd need to stay in the forward line and out of the Ruck and that is why I think Daw is a good fit. but the other that I forgot about for the dogs forward line is Crameri back next year as well.
mattyb
Guest
Very good article Wilson and fair. I thought the dogs could give this year a shake but now I'm not so sure. The injuries are not just costing us players but also any type of continuity that a side needs. I thought our depth could help to rotate players and put pressure on those in the side but unfortunately it has just allowed us to hang in there. We have even been suffering injuries at reserve level which has made the task even harder I don't think our rucks have been to bad but we need another,Daw is one to think about. Minson is getting on and the MC don't seem keen to play him anyway and I'd rather see Boyd played more predominantly up forward. Boyd is starting to look good which is a positive to take out of the season. Campbell is still pretty young and will become a good Ruckman but we need back up for him and Roughhead and I wouldn't be surprised if we use Campbell or some of the other uncontracted players to try and help recruit or get better draft picks.
Wilson
Roar Guru
It seems to be the two thinks you always hear in the media and others saying as well is that the Ruck and ability to kick goals is the area the dogs are there weakest. As you said as well if Redpath and Stringer are struggling there are in a little trouble. Dew will fill the gaps minimal fuss and I think he would see it as a chance to play finals and maybe win a grand final.
berrlins
Roar Pro
nice article Wilson, the prospect of Daw playing at the Doggies is an exciting one. even at full strength this year the Dogs have struggled to kick a big score, mainly because with Crameri out and Dickson struggled to find form in the first part of the year the bulk of the goal kicking fell on Redpath and Stringer who also struggled at times. Clay Smith getting a decent run at it and Boyd playing another year will be a big advantage.