With the off-season additions of gun midfielder Adam Treloar and veteran ruckman Stefan Martin, the Western Bulldogs arguably now possess the best on-ball brigade in the competition.
The added depth these new signings provide should also enable dynamic players such as Tim English and Marcus Bontempelli to drift forward and have more of an impact on the scoreboard.
This could certainly lead to greater headaches for opposition backmen than was seen last year, with Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce struggling to have the consistent aerial influence many expected of them.
Despite these likely improvements, when you look at the Dog’s possible Round 1 line-up, they are still missing a key piece of the premiership puzzle: a match-winning key defender.
Try as they might, inexperienced backmen Alex Keath and Ryan Gardner are often overwhelmed by the opposition’s tall timber, a weakness especially prominent in the Dog’s elimination final loss to St Kilda, with Paddy Ryder, Tim Membrey and Max King each booting two goals and combining to drag down ample contested marks in the Saint’s forward line.
Now I wouldn’t necessarily say that either of Keath or Gardner should be culled from the best 22 come Round 1 this year, as both have shown potential and should end up great players, but right now additional support in the air is needed if the Dogs are to become a genuine premiership fancy.
If you reflect on the grand finalists from the past three seasons, you will recall that each team had at least one All Australian defender that effectively played the role of goalkeeper.
Think Dylan Grimes, Harry Taylor, Nick Haynes, Jeremy McGovern and Jeremy Howe. A player of this calibre therefore appears to be an essential ingredient in the premiership recipe, yet it is something the Bulldogs have failed to acquire over the off season.
‘The Bont’ as his mother calls him is in for a milestone year in 2021 – but does he have enough support? (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
In terms of how this can be resolved, there are two possible quick-fix solutions, but both seem very unlikely to occur anytime soon. Firstly, pick one in the draft Jamarra Ugle-Hagan could explode onto the scene and allow one of Bruce or Naughton to assume a key post in the backline.
However, the Dogs have expressed their desire for Ugle-Hagan to gradually build up to AFL standard via the reserves, they are very keen to continue developing Naughton as a forward, and it is doubtful that Bruce can become an All Australian defender at 28 years of age.
Alternatively, one of Keath or Gardner could have a breakout season and transform themself into an All Australian quality defender. Whilst this is a possibility, the pair have currently combined for less than 60 AFL games and are likely to take a little while longer before being any chance of becoming dominant defenders of the competition.
It is therefore much more likely that the Bulldogs will be forced to turn to the trade table for a defensive upgrade come season’s end, no doubt following a finals exit at the hands of a contested marking demolition from a player the likes of Tom Hawkins or Charlie Dixon.
Hence, the Dogs will continue to improve forward of centre in 2021, yet their neglected weakness in the defensive 50 means that we won’t be tuning in to watch them in the final game of the season.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Keath needs to put on more muscle, Dixon bullied him last year
Boo
Guest
Wass they do move the ball quickly particularly at Marvel .Doggies could be a real momentum team that is really hard to beat on a roll .
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I think the new man on the mark rule will suit the Dogs style perfectly. Quick ball movement is their MO.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I think Naughton would be a much better back man. I can see Schache as an old fashioned centre half forward, getting up and down the ground, using his kicking skills.
berrlins
Roar Pro
Naughton has actually completed a pre season for the first time in his career. what do you reckon about Schache going back and playing in defence? he would be a decent intercept mark and it wouldn't be the first time forwards with a lack of grunt float back with success.
Boo
Guest
How will this new on the mark rule effect the psychology of Backman they won't be able to move around on the mark so will they fly for more marks .Doggies forward of the centre are up there with the rest so if the defense becomes a fast moving unit getting the ball out of there they could be top four ( haven't studied there draw ) .Gardner might not suit a slick attacking defense but he was a ruckman in the vfl at Geelong so a swap with English could.eventuate .
berrlins
Roar Pro
Alex Keaths first year with the dogs was fine, He finished sixth in the BnF and actually averaged similar stats to Grimes includin things like intercept marks, usually it takes defenders a little longer to adjust at a new club (think Jake Lever) so he started well with room for improvment. I like the development of ENglish, IF Martin gets fit and can play a decent season, English could roam the ground at will, clunking contested marks whereever the ball goes. Are the Dogs contenders? Brisbane went from nothing to contenders 2 years ago, Port did it last year, things need to click for the dogs which they didn't last year but even though things didn't go as they should have, the dogs still made finals, so yes if things click the Dogs can be contenders.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yeah he had a good year last year for a first year player. Plenty of pace and dare. His disposal was a bit ordinary at times but hopefully that will improve with a bit more poise. He looks like he's put on a few kegs as well.
Thatsashame
Roar Rookie
I agree with most comments and I do think the Bulldogs improve. A big hulking bacjman would help them. However I think the coach could be the biggest problem. Too often he outsmart himself in selection and positions structure and then the team lacks continuity. But time will tell. They should be entertaining to watch either way
Chanon
Guest
Absolutely agree with Wass he is spot on with the dogs potential improvement another player that l will watch closely is young Vandermeer he is the sought of player that plays with heart on sleeve determination!
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
The big improvement from the Dogs this year, that will push them into contention, will come from 2 areas: 1. having a second ruckman - they will win more ruck contests and get their hands on the ball first more, and it gives them the flexibility to put English either in the forward line or as floating across the backline 2. I expect significant improvement from the key forwards - Naughton is uninjured and coming into his 4th year. Word is that he's been unstoppable in match simulation. Couple that with a much fitter and stronger looking Bruce (he's been clunking big pack marks in match sim and practice matches) and potentially a resting ruckman and they look significantly more dangerous. I don't expect JUH to get a run to mid-year at the earliest, maybe not even at all, but there's a good chance they'll play Schache as well; he's the fittest and strongest he's ever been as well. Treolar, when on the park, will give their midfield more dash, and they now have a good mix of ball winners (Macrae, Dunkley and Libba) and pace (Bazlenka, Treloar and Lipinski), plus the genius of Bont. It's formidable, and their second string on-ballers are just as strong as their starting 3, which gives them a big advantage when other teams give their starting midfielders a rest. I've said on here that I'm very optimist about the Dogs this year - this explains why.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Certainly having the ball in your hands takes a lot of pressure off the backline. I think Chanon is right, they will use Timmy in the back line at times.
Tazzie
Guest
Do not disagree with the comments other than to say, IF you have a dominant midfield and IF have a high performing forward line which appears at this stage to be realistic, then you have more opportunity to kick higher scores than your opposition despite being one key defender short. Only time will tell I guess.
Chanon
Guest
The chess pieces will move a lot in the back half, English may prove to be a floating CHB intercept mark over the course of the year plus Young hopefully develop’s into a important cog in the backline. Andrew’s from Brisbane would be the missing jig saw puzzle for the dogs!