Only one game into the season and already questions are being asked of Luke Beveridge and the Western Bulldogs. This follows an abysmal performance against the Greater Western Sydney Giants in Canberra going down 133 to 51.
After a second straight preliminary final exit, the Giants came out with a point to prove and looked to be in cruise control from the opening bounce.
Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto and Josh Kelly were ball magnets all day. Then, superstars Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene kicked six and four goals respectively to help bury the Dogs.
Two debutants for the Dogs were Billy Gowers and prized draft pick Aaron Naughton which raised some questions on selection, especially with players such as Tom Boyd, Josh Schache, Caleb Daniel, Mitch Wallis and Lin Jong were in the Bulldogs’ VFL side this weekend.
Other selection issues showed Beveridge going into the game with three players Jordan Roughead, Jackson Trengove and Tim English who could all play in the ruck.
English was the most questioned selection with such a light frame, just in his second season – only playing his third game.
Off-season recruit Trengove was a disappointment managing just four handballs and 14 hit-outs.
Roughead kicked two goals and had 20 hit-outs, while English showed some promising signs. The ruckman took some good grabs ending with 13 disposals, six marks and 11 hit-outs.
All preseason, Bulldogs’ captain Easton Wood played in the forward line attempting to add some more scoring to the Dogs’ forward line.
He was found out in this game, providing no real target. The normal defender ended with only seven disposals. More alarming, however, was not hitting the scoreboard at all and logging zero tackles. He’s an All Australian defender that’s where he should stay.
The Dogs are not just struggling up forward, but down back guys like Zaine Cordy and Fletcher Roberts, along with Naughton and Trengove, couldn’t contain the Giants forward line.
Cameron had 18 disposals, nine marks and kicking six goals. Greene had 25 disposals, ten marks and four goals. Jon Patton, Coniglio and Kelly were also multiple goal kickers.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
To dampen the Dogs’ season even more, midfielder Tom Liberatore went down with a torn ACL, ruling him out for the season
This week, Beveridge needs to show he means business at the selection table and make some tough calls.
The Dogs have great midfield depth but are struggling at both the attacking and defensive ends. Beveridge needs to be bold with his selections; play guys in their position, don’t use them where they are not used to or comfortable with playing.
The selection table for the game against the Eagles this week should be interesting. Firstly, Liberatore is out with his knee meaning Wallis should come straight in.
Trengove was a disappointment – so Boyd should hopefully come in as a key forward who can also play as a back-up ruckman.
As good as he was, English might need to make way for Schache who is more of a forward than he is and can hit the scoreboard.
New recruit Hayden Crozier from Fremantle struggled and may have picked up an ankle injury meaning Caleb Daniel should come in.
Even after a promising debut, Billy Gowers should make way up forward for the more experienced Lin Jong.
Beveridge would be feeling the most pressure out of all the coaches in the league.
Are they in rebuild mode or are they trying to get back to playing September after a disappointing premiership defence in 2017?
The Dogs have all the pieces to the puzzle, but can Beveridge get all of them together to push his team into finals contention?
This will be his biggest coaching challenge and could make or break his job with the Bulldogs.
User
Roar Rookie
Won't be online for the game, gone away for Easter and no country pubs has fox unfortunately
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
3 hour delays are beyond stupid. Must be real annoying for you guys!
User
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting, wce and wb have been quite close in etihad games of late so looking forward to it even on a three hour delay coming into wa
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I can understand why you don't enjoy scrutiny for your "constructive criticism", but can I remind you that here you targeted me specifically with some stuff you pretty much made up. The immediately preceding comment was mostly asking whether you were accusing me of making a complaint and, as you so often do, you choose to shift(y) things along to in what seems like a pretty blatant attempt at avoiding addressing anything you've blurted out there and instead go on making unsubstantiated allegations.
johnboy
Guest
Why is it whichever article i comment on you and Don arrive with bitterness,apart from being a constructive critic of Freo what is your problem, No problem with me,but it seems a little childish.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Who made a complaint? Are you accusing me in your rounded indirect generalistic kind of avoidant way? Please be assured I made no complaint, why would I when it was as amusing as it was?
johnboy
Guest
Bit weak making a complaint !
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Your own special version of the "truth". Some quotes showing exactly what was said might offer a bit more accuracy.
johnboy
Guest
Shame the rules do not apply to the Veterans on this site as it does for the relative newcomers it was only the truth !
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
#pout #passiveaggressive
I ate pies
Guest
I agree Anon. He needs to go at it 100% or give it up.
johnboy
Guest
i said months ago i hope Freo do not take Naughton, I felt sorry for him he had a shocker ,hopefully he comes good and he is only 18 and it is early days.
Cat
Roar Guru
The drafting and recruiting since the premiership has been odd. I have little doubt that Aaron Naughton will be a very good player, but for mine he was a strange selection by the Dogs considering the list had much bigger needs (and still does).
johnboy
Guest
i agree Dingo to many big men.
johnboy
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Mattyb
Guest
Dingo,I'd say it's Redpath who will come in. Either Trengove goes back with either Naughton or Cordy coming out or one of Trengove,Roughead or English can't play. Looking through the list it's amazing how unbalanced it's become. No pace,no outside run,no small forwards,no medium forwards,a distinct lack of skill by foot,excessive height including a ridiculous amount of ruckman. And we still have Campbell and Boyd as backup ruckman,even after picking three in the same senior side.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
With the current push of "Small ball" and the Doggies own recent success the three big man of English, Roughhead & Trengove was a bit of mystery for me. I would imagine they'll probably look at a bit more of Flexible line up next couple of weeks. Bring Boyd and Schahce in the picture.
anon
Roar Pro
Boyd needs to make a decision whether he wants to play footy or not. He's turning into another Kurt Tippett. If he doesn't have the mental fortitude for AFL then fine. Not everyone is strong enough mentally. But stop taking the money. The contract was signed in good faith by Western.
anon
Roar Pro
Western were poor up forward in 2016. They finished the regular season about 12th for attack (off the top of my head) and finished 7th on the ladder. In the finals they got the right teams at the right time, got two away finals in Melbourne (including home Grand Final against interstate team), and had an incredible run with the umpires since they were the fairytale Victorian team.
Marty Gleason
Roar Guru
Check Bulldogs vs. Melbourne last year to see how you need at least some semblance of forward targets. Bulldogs were winning all the stats at half-time: possessions, inside 50s, all that stuff... and were down 3 goals to 10! Watching the Dogs' bluntness in attack last year was incredibly frustrating. We started 2017 with 5 forwards! 3 failed, 2 injured. Brendan McCartney (coach 2012-14) didn't care about structures either, he just thought you just have to win the ball and rest takes care of itself. Dogs didn't win so much. Even Richmond has Riewoldt to aim at, it's not 100% small ball and tackling.