Since the AFL went to an eight-team finals system in 2000, only once has the reigning premiers missed the finals the next season. In 2017, it will occur for the second time.
The first time was the Hawks in ’09, after shocking the football world the year prior by knocking off a vintage Geelong team.
The Western Bulldogs pulled off a fairytale win last year, after finishing seventh in the regular season, then they got white hot through September and broke the club’s 62-year flag drought.
In 2016 they were the hunters. In 2017 they become the hunted.
Factors against them this year include:
Draw
The first eight rounds include games against Collingwood, Sydney, Greater Western Sydney and West Coast, as well as two trips to Perth. I have them 3-5. They could be as bad as 2-6.
Along with Hawthorn, Geelong and Melbourne they have eight 6-day breaks, the most in the competition.
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Depth
The midfield depth will be tested with Koby Stevens and Nathan Hrovat traded, Mitch Wallis not expected back to mid-season, and young bull Roarke Smith doing an ACL in the pre-season. Losing Joel Hamling to the Dockers will also test an already thin back line.
The ruck stocks are depleted with the influential Jordan Roughead to miss the first month and his backup Tom Campbell out for at least the opening fortnight, leaving Tom Boyd as their starting ruckman.
The Dogs’ depth is a myth and will be shown up this season.
Rule changes
The AFL’s banning of third-man-up at stoppages will have an adverse affect on the Dogs’ gameplan, as Marcus Bontempelli was a great exponent of it, ranked third in the league last season at 63 (per Champion Data).
As a team, the Dogs had 24.8 per cent of their hitouts come from third-man-up, ranking fourth.
berrlins
Roar Pro
this doesn't really have much substance to it, Tom Campbell will replace Roughhead in the ruck, if he goes down they have Tim English as a handy replacement. looking at the fixture its possible they could reach the bye 8 from 10 with GWS and Geelong their biggest threats (they also play Sydney but in Melbourne I like their chances) , of course they might lose in Perth as well but that's more 50/50. Koby stevens is a depth midfielder who lacked real decent disposal considering the amount of midfielders the dogs have of his ilk its no great loss, Hamling will be missed but with Adams and Murphy returning from injury the defence will be just as strong. really this season depends on the dogs attitude, will they coast thinking that another finals appearance is already theirs or will play the pressure game from round one and pick up from where they left off.
I hate pies
Guest
This article seems to confirm the authors lack of knowledge about the bulldogs, so by extension I can only assume that the premise is driven by spite. For example: - Koby Stevens and Nathan Hrovat hardly played in the seniors last year, so their departures won't affect depth. - Tom Campbell has been given the all clear for round one. - The dogs backline is a strength, and it drives much of their forward movement. Joel Hamling is a fringe player who only played 8 regular season games last year, and that was due to injury to others higher up the pecking order. Hardly a great loss. - The mid season form was affected severely by injuries (as has been pointed out ad nauseam); the dogs form at the start of the year when they had their full team was scintillating. The depth is not a miss, as confirmed by the wins out of adversity throughout the year. Only Freo had worse injuries. They were a finals team with injuries, and a premiership team without injuries.
mattyb
Guest
Second article in a week saying the dogs will miss the eight. The first one was an excellent piece even though I didn't agree,this one is just a bit short and doesn't really contain anything. There certainly is a chance the dogs could finish anywhere between 1-12. This article though doesn't really address anything like last weeks corresponding article did.
Darren
Guest
Gee you really have no idea, depth players you mentioned didn't even figure in last years finals campaign, Tom Campbell right to go, we beat Sydney home and away 3 times over last 2 years, gws away, west coast home and away. Looks like your one of the sooks who didn't like the doggies winning the gf on guts and emotion. With predictions like yours and dud articles like this you'll be lucky to have a job by the end of the year No fkn idea
Nic
Guest
It's good to see someone who doesn't state the obvious and looks beyond the media hype! Can't wait to read more from Gamblor!!!