Club Focus Western Bulldogs 2024

[Ticky009]

Data from footywire. To check the draft order see the thread here.

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[Bald]

He will always need to improve but he can’t just wait it out in the VFL either. He needs AFL football now. I’d be surprised if his agent isn’t shopping him around atleast

Brother he’s played 3 VFL games.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Brother he’s played 3 VFL games.

Yeah, can clearly change between now and end of season. What happens if he has played 13 VFL games and a club like Richmond talk to his agent ?

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Why does he need AFL football now?

To drum up interest for when Tasmania come on board. It will be a big contract for him.

If im his agent I want him at top AFL level by say year 4 so he can get that 10 year deal in his 2nd contract from Tasmania

 

[TiAn_]

I guess with every draftee getting a free pass into the Eagles side for years every other team should operate that way too

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I guess with every draftee getting a free pass into the Eagles side for years every other team should operate that way too

Huh? Eagles are literally the opposite. It pisses people off. We are always playing the Sheeds/Gaffs while the younger ones in the WAFL

I think question isnt what anyone thinks outside of Sanders/his agent who as I said would see a need to be impatient, unlike most other youngsters in the competition, because unlike the others, for Sanders its his 2nd contract that matters the most, not his 3rd or 4th

I cant see him waiting 3 months in the VFL for you and being content with it

 

[Bald]

Yeah, can clearly change between now and end of season. What happens if he has played 13 VFL games and a club like Richmond talk to his agent ?

If you want to live in the hypothetical world of wonder then you go right ahead sport.

He’s working on things in the VFL, he’s not “waiting”.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Will get some LOL reactions but gotta be asked

Is Ryley Sanders up for grabs here?

I cant imagine him being happy at his current predicament. He most likely feels he is walking in to any other team. Unlike a random youngster, his need to hit form quickly before the Tasmanian team comes on is huge so wasting away in the VFL isnt much of a go with him.

I feel like a team like Richmond can make a move here, especially if Rioli goes to Gold Coast

Rioli for pick 8 and pick 8 for Sanders type deal

He's also from Launceston (so playing for the Tasmanian team would mean he's not moving back to his hometown) and also boarded at Melbourne Grammar for high school, playing some games for the Dragons. Of course the Tasmanian team might target him, but there's no particular suggestion that he has any special affinity for Tassie nor should we treat him the same way to another player who is from Hobart and stayed there until after their 18th birthday or whatever.

 

[TiAn_]

Huh? Eagles are literally the opposite. It pisses people off. We are always playing the Sheeds/Gaffs while the younger ones in the WAFL

I think question isnt what anyone thinks outside of Sanders/his agent who as I said would see a need to be impatient, unlike most other youngsters in the competition, because unlike the others, for Sanders its his 2nd contract that matters the most, not his 3rd or 4th

I cant see him waiting 3 months in the VFL for you and being content with it

Literally the opposite? Getting drafted to the Eagles since about 2020 has meant guaranteed AFL games, injury permitting. It’s not how clubs that aren’t in the depths of a massive rebuild operate.

The idea that a spell in the VFL for a first year player is some cause for alarm that would have his manager shopping him around is laughable.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

If you want to live in the hypothetical world of wonder then you go right ahead sport.

He’s working on things in the VFL, he’s not “waiting”.

Its May. This entire board is a hypothetical world of wonder.

He can work on things in the AFL level also. Being at the VFL level to work on things is a Bulldogs decision, not a Sanders want

 

[Bald]

Its May. This entire board is a hypothetical world of wonder.

Except the VFL is there for players to develop, especially youngsters, so unless you're suggesting every player currently playing VFL should be on the phone to their manager to play somewhere else, then what you're doing is making ridiculous over the top suggestions and those that simply aren't based in reality.

He can work on things in the AFL level also. Being at the VFL level to work on things is a Bulldogs decision, not a Sanders want

Are you suggesting him playing 30/70 midfield/forward flank in the seniors is better for his development as a midfielder than 100% midfield in the VFL? His manager would be fully aware of this, and as such would agree with the most common sense view that this is best for his development.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Its May. This entire board is a hypothetical world of wonder.

He can work on things in the AFL level also. Being at the VFL level to work on things is a Bulldogs decision, not a Sanders want

If your defence of a discussion point is "it's May, it's a hypothetical, anything is possible", in that case, I look forward to a reasonable discussion of Harley Reid being traded to the Dogs for a third-round draft pick at the end of the year. Because the entire board is a hypothetical world of wonder and it's okay to make outlandish statements without trying to base them in any sort of reality.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

If your defence of a discussion point is "it's May, it's a hypothetical, anything is possible", in that case, I look forward to a reasonable discussion of Harley Reid being traded to the Dogs for a third-round draft pick at the end of the year. Because the entire board is a hypothetical world of wonder and it's okay to make outlandish statements without trying to base them in any sort of reality.

Those talks are already happening about Reid ?

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Those talks are already happening about Reid ?

Just as much as there's any talks about Sanders playing elsewhere next year.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Just as much as there's any talks about Sanders playing elsewhere next year.

Probably.

I think if we discussing most likely player to do a JHF, it’s Sanders first then Reid 2nd in that aspect.

 

[TiAn_]

Except the VFL is there for players to develop, especially youngsters, so unless you're suggesting every player currently playing VFL should be on the phone to their manager to play somewhere else, then what you're doing is making ridiculous over the top suggestions and those that simply aren't based in reality.

Don’t you remember when Bont had only played 2 full AFL games by Rd 10 of his debut season and was telling his manager to get him out after every VFL game? Wish we’d kept him.

 

[Jeremias]

To drum up interest for when Tasmania come on board. It will be a big contract for him.

That doesn't answer why he needs it now.

Sanders is contracted through to the end of 2026. He can drum up interest with performances between now and then, there's absolutely no reason why it has to be this week.

If im his agent I want him at top AFL level by say year 4 so he can get that 10 year deal in his 2nd contract from Tasmania

Year 4 is a long way away. We're currently not even mid way through year 1.

He's in no place to be making demands at this stage of his career and any manager worth their salary would know that and would tell him that.

I think if we discussing most likely player to do a JHF, it’s Sanders first then Reid 2nd in that aspect.

By "do a JHF" do you mean request a trade back home mid-contract after 1 year in the system?

In this strange hypothetical, where exactly do you see Sanders playing footy next year - Tasmanian state league?

 

[doggy_dog]

The Daicos’s and Sheezel’s of the world dominating from day 1 have clouded a lot of peoples judgement. They are the exception not the rule. It is perfectly normal for a 19yr old to play VFL in their first season - even more so when they were drafted to a team who traded up to get them and have well performing established players in the same position

 

[_Cerberus_]

The Daicos’s and Sheezel’s of the world dominating from day 1 have clouded a lot of peoples judgement. They are the exception not the rule. It is perfectly normal for a 19yr old to play VFL in their first season - even more so when they were drafted to a team who traded up to get them and have well performing established players in the same position

You have to remember Sanders is also a pure inside MID. Daicos and Sheezel had the benefits of starting on the half back line, where they could use their strengths and develop with less pressure, playing from behind. Many rookies start off in positions different to what they played in at the under 18s. There are not many young players who have been thrown directly into the packs and dominated from day one. Inside MID is hard as being a KKP to begin with.

He will be fine. Just working on his defensive positioning etc. Plus the Dogs MID is stacked at the moment. He is likely to take over Libbas role in the future long term as well.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Do they have the courage to make the big list moves they need to?

The list is insanely unbalanced. You are subbing off Naughto while Vandermeer is running around like a headless chook. You got Sanders in the VFL while your ball movers off half back consist of Coffield/Duryea and Bramble. You got your 2nd best ruck playing CHB with 3 tall defenders of AFL quality in the VFL... The list needs to be balanced up a bit here

Id make a big boy move and let English leave, if Eagles are dumb enough to give him 6 years just move on. THe Doggies need better. If Essendon have a ton of cash and a ton of picks, Naughton might be a fancy. Lord knows they got a ton of KPP options in the VFL that they can fall back on

A free 2 mill and 3 top 20 picks in Smith/English/Naughton can hopefully get them balancing the list out a bit better. Maybe not immediately but atleast it will be a good move towards planning for the future

 

[Dogsman16]

Do they have the courage to make the big list moves they need to?

The list is insanely unbalanced. You are subbing off Naughto while Vandermeer is running around like a headless chook. You got Sanders in the VFL while your ball movers off half back consist of Coffield/Duryea and Bramble. You got your 2nd best ruck playing CHB with 3 tall defenders of AFL quality in the VFL... The list needs to be balanced up a bit here

Id make a big boy move and let English leave, if Eagles are dumb enough to give him 6 years just move on. THe Doggies need better. If Essendon have a ton of cash and a ton of picks, Naughton might be a fancy. Lord knows they got a ton of KPP options in the VFL that they can fall back on

A free 2 mill and 3 top 20 picks in Smith/English/Naughton can hopefully get them balancing the list out a bit better. Maybe not immediately but atleast it will be a good move towards planning for the future

I’m with you on trading English.

Trading Naughton is laughable. Yep he had a terrible game. But was the number one KPF according to champion data prior to his knee injury.

English is a barometer for our side. If he is dreadful (and it happens far too often) then the team can sink as a result.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I’m with you on trading English.

Trading Naughton is laughable. Yep he had a terrible game. But was the number one KPF according to champion data prior to his knee injury.

English is a barometer for our side. If he is dreadful (and it happens far too often) then the team can sink as a result.

Naughton is a gun and worth a top 5 pick as a minimum IMO but I feel like Darcy/JUH is the future and Naughton is the odd man out.

 

[mattwa]

Do they have the courage to make the big list moves they need to?

The list is insanely unbalanced. You are subbing off Naughto while Vandermeer is running around like a headless chook. You got Sanders in the VFL while your ball movers off half back consist of Coffield/Duryea and Bramble. You got your 2nd best ruck playing CHB with 3 tall defenders of AFL quality in the VFL... The list needs to be balanced up a bit here

Id make a big boy move and let English leave, if Eagles are dumb enough to give him 6 years just move on. THe Doggies need better. If Essendon have a ton of cash and a ton of picks, Naughton might be a fancy. Lord knows they got a ton of KPP options in the VFL that they can fall back on

A free 2 mill and 3 top 20 picks in Smith/English/Naughton can hopefully get them balancing the list out a bit better. Maybe not immediately but atleast it will be a good move towards planning for the future

Our main ball mover off HBF is Dale who's in the top 3 in the comp for his position. Bramble was a rookie list pick and has been great. Our list is fine we had an off night and if we had kicked straight who knows. Our VFL team is probably favourite for the flag too. The only thing i agree with you on is English but it's not worth giving up pick 12 to 18 for him when the rucks to replace are bog average. Naughton is our VC and just signed a 9 year contract and we are going to trade him before that even starts?

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Our main ball mover off HBF is Dale who's in the top 3 in the comp for his position. Bramble was a rookie list pick and has been great. Our list is fine we had an off night and if we had kicked straight who knows. Our VFL team is probably favourite for the flag too. The only thing i agree with you on is English but it's not worth giving up pick 12 to 18 for him when the rucks to replace are bog average. Naughton is our VC and just signed a 9 year contract and we are going to trade him before that even starts?

Naughtons 9 year deal wasnt a great decision really.

The VFL part is kind of the point. VFL depth is great but just some terrible footballers in the best 22 week in week out with little competition for their spots. Vandermeer, Coffield, Duryea and to a lesser extent Bramble are not guys id want to persist with.

Western Bulldogs 2024 should be how do these 4 not play AFL next year. Maybe can be done without losing Naughtons salary off the books perhaps but feel some big moves are needed to go from 6-10 to 1-4

 

[cecil]

Naughtons 9 year deal wasnt a great decision really.

The VFL part is kind of the point. VFL depth is great but just some terrible footballers in the best 22 week in week out with little competition for their spots. Vandermeer, Coffield, Duryea and to a lesser extent Bramble are not guys id want to persist with.

Western Bulldogs 2024 should be how do these 4 not play AFL next year. Maybe can be done without losing Naughtons salary off the books perhaps but feel some big moves are needed to go from 6-10 to 1-4

Duryea a terrible footballer? Good work letting us know you clearly don't watch us play. He's our best small defender by a significant margin.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Duryea a terrible footballer? Good work letting us know you clearly don't watch us play. He's our best small defender by a significant margin.

That is the issue though. Wouldnt bet a look in at most other teams.