It was a disappointing end to what can only be described as a mediocre 2019 campaign.
Coming off three convincing wins to complete the home-and-away season, the Western Bulldogs were left licking their wounds after watching GWS slam home ten goals to three in the second half of their elimination final to hand the Dogs a 58-point loss.
Since their premiership in 2016, the Bulldogs have failed to make the eight twice and barely managed a step better this season with their first-week exit from September action. So where is it that the Dogs have failed since their triumph in 2016?
In 2019, the Bulldogs conceded the fifth most goals of any team this season, giving up 280 goals at an average of almost 13 per game. This stat is enhanced by the fact that the Bulldogs were one of the better teams for inside 50s conceded, ranking sixth in that category, showing that they have an inability to stop opposition forwards’ efficiency around goal.
The absence of an elite key defender has been a problem that has plagued the Bulldogs over the past few seasons, allowing bags of five-plus goals to four different players all season while conceding 100 points on eight occasions.
This is where the AFL trade period has changed the landscape of the AFL, giving Bulldogs fans a new sense of optimism for the 2020 season.
Addressing their defensive concerns, 27-year-old Adelaide defender Alex Keath requested a trade to the Bulldogs a week ago. Keath averaged over eight intercept possessions and almost three intercept marks per game for the Crows, enjoying a breakout season in 2019.
Adding this defensive pillar to their back 50 is a massive inclusion for the Bulldogs, who can now have a marquee name manning oppositions number one key forward. Mixing Keath in with the pacey half back line of Jason Johannisen, Easton Wood and Caleb Daniel will provide an exciting new look to their back six for the 2020 season.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Scanning down the opposite end of the ground, the Bulldogs enjoyed breakout years from some more of their young stars.
Aaron Naughton was a revelation at full forward, clunking 53 contested marks for the season, which ranked second in the league, just behind Richmond star Tom Lynch.
Fresh trade recruit Sam Lloyd booted 38 goals for the season to lead the team, Bailey Dale booted 21 from just ten games and Josh Schache showed signs that he is ready to take the step into a consistent centre half forward role.
Schache (22), Naughton (19) and Dale (23), are all still incredibly young and still moving into the prime of their career, so watch for these three to take another step and stamp the trio as one of the best forward combinations in the league.
Rumours have it that Josh Bruce has also requested a trade to the Bulldogs, potentially adding the sixth best contested mark from the 2019 season and a 36-goal kicker to the already dangerous forward line. If the trade gets completed over the off-season, watch for Bruce and Naughton to be the best contested marking forward duo in the AFL in 2020.
The final thing for the Bulldogs fans to get excited about is their potent midfield group, that was one of the best in 2019 and the highlight of the Dogs’ 2019 campaign.
The group is led by their three stars: Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley, who between them averaged 89 disposals per game (26.3, 33.3 and 28.3 respectively), which also resulted in all three players finishing in the top 20 on Brownlow night.
The scariest thing for the rest of the AFL about these three stars is that Macrae is the oldest of the group, and he’s only 25. All three players are still yet to hit their prime age, meaning they can only get better as a group.
They are supported by other talented young players – including Lachie Hunter, Ed Richards and Patrick Lipinski – plus a blossoming young ruckman Tim English, who is starting to show signs that he is developing into a permanent number one ruck.
Number seven draft pick Bailey Smith also came on in leaps and bounds in his debut season, playing all 23 games while averaging a handy 18 disposals and four tackles. This midfield group looks poised to play a major role in wreaking havoc throughout the competition in 2020, helped by a strengthening back line and a developing young forward line.
The Bulldogs had 17 of their starting 22 from their elimination final either 25 years old or younger, with an average age of 23.2 on their 2019 list (including Dale Morris, Tom Boyd and Liam Picken).
This group is primed to make the leap back into premiership contention and with their premiership window wide open, the Dogs need to be aggressive and get Alex Keath and Josh Bruce to the club.
Get excited Bulldogs fans, there’s a lot to like about the 2020 Western Bulldogs.
Powa
Roar Rookie
the bulldogs are a bit like port, good team that constantly underachieves, they do have better key forwards, and they are important though
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
I feel like the Bulldogs will have a great season next year, they really picked it up after the bye and as much as I would hate to see it, Josh Bruce would be a nice pick up for them
IAP
Guest
They played alright in the first half, but there was just some dumb decision making in the second half - Macrae handballed to a team-mate, ran onto his right (wrong side) for the one-two, got rushed and shanked the kick off his right (no need to do that); Cordy took them on when he had options up the ground, missed a handball on the left, turn over, goal. They were outworked in the clearances too; GWS seemed to set up better and won it out the back every time. I agree they are terrible when the players give up. Hopefully that's an age thing and they'll learn to scrap when they need to - Jack Macrae is about the only player who puts in no matter what situation they're in.
anon
Roar Pro
It was a shock loss in that QF against GWS. They put together a solid month and then believe their hype. When they click they can beat anyone. When they drop their lip they are awful.
IAP
Guest
That's the most important thing for them Anon - they had players giving up through that patch of the year when they were beaten by poor teams. Hopefully a good hard preseason will get the young players fitness up, and they now know what level they need to play at every week. They're a fun side to watch when they're on song with a lot of talent on their books, so they should be thereabouts for a while once some of the young players develop (English in particular).
IAP
Guest
He's 198cm so he should be able to handle most forwards. I think they max out at about 2m height wise.
anon
Roar Pro
I thought they showed some great signs in the second half of the year. There just aren't that many good sides at the moment. Brisbane are in reality a midtable side that benefited from a soft draw, Collingwood only fell into the 4, GWS won 13 games which is about where they are at, Geelong are finals chokers. West Coast will be a threat next year and I think Western if they can actually try for 22 games together.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Dogs have been a great side to watch the last few years. Hard to think of any side apart from Brisbane I'd more want to see playing finals in 2020.
Geelong Tiger
Roar Rookie
Good analysis, I think the Doggies will do well over the next few years. They match up well against the Tigers and play an exciting style of football. The Doggies and West Coast were the two teams I thought had the best chance of beating Richmond in the finals.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I thought the Bullies had a great year. Keath is not a KPP though, more like a third tall.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Now this is an exciting young team. If they can get their tall key positions sorted watch out !
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Great article, As I watched the Bulldogs this year I thought they were bullied and appeared lazy at times in 2019, but picked up in the second half of the season and if they can address their weakness they will be a major player for finals in 2020, but the one thing they will need is to be injury free to their key position players. Top 4 not out of the question.
berrlins
Roar Pro
As bad as their exit was, considering where they were before the bye, it was a solid achievment to get to 7th and put Essendon and GWS to the sword along the way. You're right the defence is their biggest weakness, and getting Keath will help, I could see the dogs making top 4 next year but just as easily bottom 6, the midfield is as good as any but the forward line is not mature enough yet to be consistent.
Scragger
Roar Rookie
Add Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis to that midfield group. It's pretty exciting.