The Western Bulldogs are a well-coached football team. That much should be evident in the fact they’ve made the preliminary final after the injury setbacks they’ve had this season.
It should be evident from them knocking out both of last year’s grand finalists.
It should be evident by the way they looked so much better with the ball and just seemed to have more space in the second half against the winners of the past three premierships.
But it would also seem Luke Beveridge’s influence goes beyond what’s immediately apparent.
Interviewed by Triple M on Saturday, Luke Dahlhaus didn’t miss an opportunity to praise Bevo and initiatives from the coaching staff.
He spoke about the ‘Handball Club’ at training that has led to the Dogs’ clean hands this season, about Beveridge pushing for players to be capable of multiple roles, about the techniques he uses the motivate or inspire the team.
It went some way to explaining why the Dogs are where they are.
Can they carry on winning? Of course they can, but the path ahead isn’t easy. Awaiting them is a GWS Giants side that could do anything. And whoever emerges winner from the Geelong-Sydney preliminary final will have well and truly earned their spot.
So who’s closest to the flag? Who’s farthest away? Let’s dive into the rankings:
Preliminary final vs Western Bulldogs (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 5:15pm AEST)
As impressive as the Dogs were, they’ll still have to beat the Giants to make the grand final. That’s going to be a tough ask.
The week off may not be such an advantage for the men in orange when the Dogs are the freshest they’ve been in some time, but we’ve seen the Giants harness time off brilliantly in the Sydney game. If they play to that level, they should win.
Preliminary final vs Sydney Swans (MCG, Friday 7:50pm AEST)
The Cats would definitely have taken some enjoyment out of sitting back while the injuries piled up during the Sydney-Adelaide game.
Jarrad McVeigh and Gary Rohan are both in doubt for the Swans, which could reduce the difficulty of beating the top side from the home-and-away season. At this stage, with the week off and home state advantage, not to mention the Swans having only a six-day break, the Cats have to be considered ahead.
Preliminary final vs Geelong (MCG, Friday 7:50pm AEST)
The Swans went back to some of their best footy and have reason for confidence this week. Four players topped the 30-disposal mark and Josh Kennedy had 42. It’s tough to counter a midfield with that output.
Nick Smith was superb in looking after Eddie Betts. Indeed, the list of Crows kept quieter than normal was lengthy. At a team level, there weren’t many stats the Swans weren’t ahead in.
Focus will turn to how the scans come up with McVeigh and Rohan, but then Kurt Tippett could be in line for a return, which would be an important inclusion against Geelong.
Preliminary final vs GWS Giants (MCG, Saturday 5.15pm)
The Dogs had 50 more contested possessions than the Hawks. Their top two ball winners (Jack Macrae with 39 disposals and Marcus Bontempelli with 27) both went at more than 80 per cent efficiency. The Bont also kicked two goals.
All round, a great finals performance – and despite those earlier setbacks, the team that’s out on the park is healthy.
Let’s be clear: the Dogs extending their run another week is entirely possible. But they’re bumped to fourth here because the Giants appear better placed this week and, if it comes to that, next week (given an impressive record against Geelong and Sydney this year).
Three questions for the week ahead
1. How quickly will we declare Hawthorn back on their feet again?
People like to throw around the phrase ‘end of an era’ at times like this, which is fine – so long as it’s not confused with ‘end of them winning’. Not so fast.
If the Hawks can indeed land Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell, it might not be all that long before we start talking about them as a premiership threat again.
2. What does the post-mortem at Adelaide reveal?
Adelaide in 2016 were a good side that didn’t come up in the big moments. They blew the double chance in Round 23 by losing to West Coast. They were off the pace in the semi-final against Sydney. Season over.
What was behind their nonperformance when it mattered? The coaching staff will have to chew on that over the off-season.
3. Seriously… Spotless Stadium?!?
The venue choice for Saturday’s preliminary final will continue to be debated. Western Bulldogs fans wouldn’t be the first people from Melbourne to find themselves locked out in Sydney, but there would be outrage if that’s what eventuates.
I’m happy to wait and see how it plays out. Maybe it won’t be a sellout, in which case the AFL look like geniuses. Embarrassed, relieved, very conflicted geniuses.
Or maybe the ticket sales will at least make it obvious that if the game was moved, the prospects of a crowd bigger than 30,000 were slim. You feel a crowd of 30,000 at ANZ Stadium wouldn’t have done the occasion justice either.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Then why weren't the Doggies allowed to play at their home ground at Etihad in the final against Adelaide last year, Joe? By the same AFL logic, this game should be played at the SCG. But I don't really care. We'll play wherever the AFL wants to shove us.
Cat
Roar Guru
Geelong has it's own home ground too ...
Mark
Guest
You're clearly not understanding the Sydney publics mindset. How many did the Swans get last week? Yet you think a team who is about to play their first final at their own home ground should switch to their rivals? It's not like MCG/Etihad with the Melbourne teams being con-tenants. Sydney have their own home ground, as do the Giants.
Mark
Guest
Teams have had way worse. Sorry, you can't rewrite history, no matter how hard you try.
anon
Guest
"What was behind their nonperformance when it mattered? The coaching staff will have to chew on that over the off-season." An average midfield as I have been saying all year.
Joe
Guest
I find this whole debate about the GWS home ground ridiculous. If the Gold Coast Suns were playing in a home final, we wouldn't be saying they should move to the Gabba so that more people can attend. Spotless is the Giants' home ground and they deserve to play there. Jake Niall on AFL Tonight also reported on Monday that any 'lockout' event was nonsense. Usually 5000-6000 of a travelling team's fans will attend the match, and that is looking like the case for this match.
Mark
Guest
So GWS get home finals at the SCG but Sydney don't? For all the AFL's shortcomings, they're a lot smarter than you blokes.
Asd
Guest
Can't see the Dogs in victory.Gws will be to good.
mattyb
Guest
Agree with IHP. As soon as Geelong defeated Hawthorn we were on the right side of the draw for us.
I hate pies
Guest
GWS don't have any supporters to buy their tickets, it's as simple as that.
I hate pies
Guest
I like the dogs chances against Sydney and GWS more than Geelong. Geelong is one of their bogey teams.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Well stuff 'em! They've had enough assistance. ?
Sydneygirl
Guest
Interested to hear Bulldogs have bought more tickets to date than Giants. That takes away some of the home advantage. Are the price of tickets too dear for those living in western Sydney, or what? Hard to figure as both teams are good to watch. Be interesting to see how it pans out. Should be close and yet I can't help but wonder if there will be a blowout. Probably leaning towards a GWS win and hopefully Sydney Friday night despite the injuries.up to the coaches to pick the right, fittest players.
TomC
Roar Guru
I think for the most part PD we just disagree on what the priority should be: for example I agree that a 24,000 capacity stadium is far from ideal for a preliminary final, I just think it'd be worse to play at a stadium that GWS' fan base and their target market don't identify with at all. But I think you're off the mark on that last point: the Giants organisation are much keener on playing the game at the Showgrounds. A bunch of Victorians telling them they have to play it at the SCG wouldn't be a decision for GWS at all. There's also the question of who those extra fans would be. Certainly there'd be more travelling Dogs fans, which is great, but any extra local demand for an SCG game is likely to come from nearer to the ground, most likely from existing Sydney fans attending as neutrals: not much chance for the Giants to get any long term benefit from their attendance.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Heehee
Cat
Roar Guru
Like having the first 7 weeks all at your home ground and not having to leave Melbourne until the 9th week?
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Good counter argument TomC, but I disagree with you. This decision seems designed to kowtow to GWS and assist them matchday, rather than be in the wider interests of the game. I have no issue with the AFL moving the Doggies game to the MCG last year, even though it may very well have been the difference in winning and losing for us. It was the right decision, to accommodate a bigger audience and to honour the code by holding it at the premier stadium in this country. I agree the circumstances are different with a fledgling home club. But 24,000 capacity is so 1960's. The AFL is better than that. The argument about GWS not wanting to play at their major competitor's venue is emotive but impractical - if they can't provide an adequate stadium to host an AFL final then they should forfeit the opportunity to a better stadium. Spotless and the SCG are only 20 klms apart. They still get the deserved home-state advantage of not having to travel. The members and fans of both clubs deserve better than Spotless. Surely neutral supporters living in Sydney would be attracted to this game if it was feasible to attend. If the AFL want to grow the code in NSW then they should be doing everything they can to expose more of the public to it - sell cheaper tickets, give them away, whatever. If they can't go close to filling the SCG for this game, the AFL are not trying hard enough. This is a decision for GWS, not for AFL.
Cat
Roar Guru
As I said it depends. It's all swings and roundabout's, for every 'easy' part of a schedule there is a 'hard' part too.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Good point Tim. For example, if you're lucky enough to play Essendon and Brisbane twice this year (as Geelong were) then you're virtually guaranteed to win those 4 games and be gifted an additional 8 points - in a very even, tight top 8 - regardless of injuries and who you put out the park.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Disagree Cat for if it had in H&A the comp is so weak that you can get by with injuries