The Western Bulldogs finished seventh in the 2020 season but after an eventful trade period, they may be looking to achieve a lot more.
The Bulldogs were able to become the beneficiaries of drama in Collingwood acquiring their most notable player in Adam Treloar.
Adam Treloar right now is in his prime years and has been one of the higher quality midfielders in our game currently.
The amazing aspect of his arrival is that he is joining an elite midfield pack already.
Western Bulldogs currently have Marcus Bontempelli, Jack MacRae, Josh Dunkley, Bailey Smith, Lachie Hunter and Tom Liberatore in an absolutely stacked midfield.
There are just so many skillsets that complement each other with those group of players. The Bulldogs have always implemented chaos around the ball applying pressure with their tackling.
Adding Treloar into the squad gives the Bulldogs another player who is able to capitalise on the pressure and provide the Bulldogs with five clearances a game.
Inconsistency plagued the Bulldogs in 2020. One of their downfalls were their ruck and players in key positions underperforming.
Tim English was holding down the fort in the ruck with Dunkley at times playing part time ruck. The Bulldogs ranked dead last in hitouts which disadvantages their midfield and their struggles impacted them defensively.
While the Bulldogs look to strengthen that area with Stefan Martin, who was a prolific ruckman with Brisbane, he joins the team at age 34.
Additionally, Alex Keath and Josh Bruce in defence and up forward had down years.
Keath’s numbers and impact were down across the board having a below average season in disposals, spoils, tackles and intercept marks. Meanwhile, Bruce had troubles with his goal accuracy of only 45 per cent and his marks and goal scoring overall was down.
Bulldogs fans will be hoping those two can bounce back in 2021.
Can the Western Bulldogs replicate the form they had back in 2016? In their championship year, they were a team that would pressure the ball while their midfielders also made plenty of breaks and clearances.
There is so much potential for the Western Bulldogs in 2021 as there is a lot of upside with wildcards in the team.
Firstly, if they can find their ideal midfield line-up, they will definitely have one of the best midfields in the competition.
Now there’s certainly a debate that having too many midfielders could actually be detrimental. They don’t necessarily have midfielders who can play towards the front similar to Dustin Martin or Patrick Dangerfield.
Coach Luke Beveridge is going to have some headaches sorting out his line-up. Nonetheless, with the depth of their squad, it will be a good problem to have ultimately.
Secondly, can Josh Bruce regain his goal scoring form his St Kilda days? Mitch Wallis stepped up huge in 2020 with Aaron Naughton also playing up front helping to fill the void of Bruce’s poor season.
The Bulldogs were weak defensively out of all finals’ teams. One of the wildcards is Naughton whose versatility could help strengthen the team at the back. He’s had two strong seasons in the forwards and has had a strong goal accuracy of 68 per cent.
However, he started his career as a defender and with his ability to read the ball well, he could play as an intercepting defender. The Bulldogs averaged the lowest amount of intercept marks on average and he could help solidify that department.
Finally, if the Bulldogs secure Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, he is only going to be another asset in the forwards which will give Beveridge plenty of options to move around with.
Overall, Western Bulldogs should be excited about the prospect of what they could achieve in 2021. Their stacked midfield to go with versatility across the park should make them a dangerous team.
If they can work things out early, there’s no reason why this team can’t be in the top four and prove that they are a contender to look out for.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
lol,think I saw a post from Doran about wingard ''can even play back flank''...Imagine Wingard and Treloar on your back flanks,would get 200 points kicked against every week..lol
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Well Peter I see it like this you guys got nothing from Stephenson, Tom Phillips, Howe, Sidebottom, Atu Bosenavulagi and a couple others through injuries and what not, so to get into the top 8 was a great effort (more worried about WCE than your mob), I think your list is still very good the only player I would have wanted to keep after this season if I had to pick one, Treloar, would be it, why because its all about the here and now, but his wage will kill the side over the next 4 years, why and how that happen, who cares now its history people have to move on from that mistake from the Pies admin. Plus I think growth from a couple of younger players like Josh Daicos, Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, Will Kelly and Isaac Quaynor will improve your older players, again having a injury free list fully fit for finals in 2021 will be the key to the Pies giving themselves the best chance of winning a flag, you know losing a grand final is a completely wasted season, no matter what anybody thinks the AFL only hand out 1 Cup.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You’re more bullish about the Pies than me Cracka. Howe and Sidebottom will be a couple of handy recruits but I feel the salary dump was a reset for another crack with Nick Daicos and whoever they can pick up this year in 2022-2024. Sier and De Goey will get extended time in the middle and Pendlebury should be spending more time forward.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Yep 100% agree and the dogs have the inside mids to feed him, I just think they will try to fit all of those guys on the ground at once just to see…now how will that look and how will sides combat that, looking at the Bulldogs they look to have a very offensive side. Have to say I’m looking forward to 2021 going to be interesting on how most sides go about it, I expect the Pies to be red hot next season.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Don't get me wrong Cracka. Treloar is a brilliant pick up for the Dogs. If I was coach I'd give him a receive and run outside mid role or Wing even...if he stays fit I bet he'll be top ten in the Brownlow with that sort of role
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Hey Peter Not to say I completely disagree with you as that is what is said or opinionated, but Treloar was picked every week and given a job to do in the Collingwood side and I think he did it well, so I can’t see why he wouldn’t do his job at the Bulldogs no matter the request. Bailey Smith preseason will have a big say as to what happens, his running is poor so a fitter Smith may have a bearing on what happens.
Nelson Sing
Roar Guru
Yeah Smith is so young its incredible. He could be one of the next big things in the future
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Treloars criticism is his work defensively so not sure about half back where he gets a forward to worry about.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Probably means Jordan De Goey offer gets ripped up Pablo and he is delisted and free to any club with zero return. Wouldn’t that just top off a marvellous post season for the Pies?!
Cliff Barclay
Guest
I agree with most of what you have written except for Keath. I think he had a good year and really provided good structure down back. Yes his stats were down from his days at the Crows but that was because he played a different role, the third tall in defence- an intercept role.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
If the Pies want to wash their hands of the Treloar situation in a financial sense and the Bulldogs withdraw their application forcing him, Treloar, back to his contract with the Pies which he'd be entitled to enforce just where does that leave Collingwood as far as the salary cap goes? This really is a messed up situation for the young fella.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
It'll get done. The deal is done in principle, they're just sorting out the details. Just another nothing story from the footy media.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
I think finding the right balance will be the hard part for the Doggies next season, I think if they all played (Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack MacRae, Josh Dunkley, Bailey Smith, Lachie Hunter and Tom Liberatore) then they would have to float/rest mids in their forward half to which Bontempelli, Hunter, Dunkley and Liberatore could all fill or play Treloar off half back, what ever way they go next season it will be interesting to see how other sides combat them and with less interchanges in 2021 could the Treloar trade be a master-stoke for Bevo...
Chanon
Guest
Hi Nelson in regards to the mids that play for the dogs they are all looking pretty dangerous but Smith looks the one to have a break out year & cut the competition to shreds & not to far behind him is young Vandermeer who looks cherry ripe,love the way he side steps play & kicks long & direct, his run & carry is a delight to watch!
Chanon
Guest
Hi Nelson, agree with you on that it’s just unfortunate for Treloar that this saga has another twist in this sad drama that is still unfolding but l’m sure Collingwood would want to agree to the original terms or they might have to foot the entire bill & he stays at Pies!
Nelson Sing
Roar Guru
Whether Treloar comes or not either way I do think Bulldogs should improve in 2021. Treloar would just be another cog in their midfield wheel and could've been congested which is a good issue to have honestly
Chanon
Guest
Hi Peter, Treloar may still stay at Pies if the dogs threaten to back at of deal due to Collingwood stance on player payment, dogs haven’t lodged formal paperwork yet, now that would be a shame!
Cam
Guest
My mail is saying that the dispute is over the spread of the money over the 5 year period. The Pies are looking to pay what equates to $1.5 million over the 5 years but are wanting to pay larger sums in the earlier years and less in the later years rather than the $300K each year. This is throwing out the Bulldogs planned player payments...
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The Pies are claiming it’s not their problem now, that because the Dogs lodged it in the last minute the terms were still disputed. My information says the Pies are offering $100 k for 5 years and won’t budge on that, leaving the Doggies with $800k a year.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Adam Treloar is a great player but not the Pies most notable. Tay Adams, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Grundy, Moore at least all ahead of him. Sad to see him go though.