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What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 4

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Thought it was interesting that SEN did a best 23 comparison and didn’t have us contending. But for injuries and a weird fade out we would have been contending.

They had Brisbane as having the best list. How do we compare: +1 we are better +2 we are way better 0 = draw and the minus the other way.

Note this is players for and at their best.

FB:

Lester v Richards = +2
Andrews v Jones = -1
Starcevich v Duryea = -1

HB:
McKenna v Dale = +1
Payne v Keath = +1
Coleman v JJ = +2

C:
Ashcroft v Williams = -1
Dunkley v Macrae = +1 (in same team Macrae played ahead of him clearly
Zorko v Smith = +1

HF:
Bailey v Trelor = 0
Daniher v Naughton = +1
Ah Che v West = -1

FF:
Rayner v JUH = 0
Lobb v Hipwood = -1
Cameron v Weightman =-1

Foll:

MacInerney v English =+2
Neale v Bont = 0
McCluggage v Libba +1

Int:

McCarthy, Fletchers, Wilmot, Doedee, Robertson

V

Daniel, Darcy, O’Donnell, Scott, VDM (Garcia/Bendendo)

=-2

Total: +6. I have us in front. Not biased or one eyed at all…….
There is no way Keath is better than Payne
 
Thought it was interesting that SEN did a best 23 comparison and didn’t have us contending. But for injuries and a weird fade out we would have been contending.

They had Brisbane as having the best list. How do we compare: +1 we are better +2 we are way better 0 = draw and the minus the other way.

Note this is players for and at their best.

FB:

Lester v Richards = +2
Andrews v Jones = -1
Starcevich v Duryea = -1

HB:
McKenna v Dale = +1
Payne v Keath = +1
Coleman v JJ = +2

C:
Ashcroft v Williams = -1
Dunkley v Macrae = +1 (in same team Macrae played ahead of him clearly
Zorko v Smith = +1

HF:
Bailey v Trelor = 0
Daniher v Naughton = +1
Ah Che v West = -1

FF:
Rayner v JUH = 0
Lobb v Hipwood = -1
Cameron v Weightman =-1

Foll:

MacInerney v English =+2
Neale v Bont = 0
McCluggage v Libba +1

Int:

McCarthy, Fletchers, Wilmot, Doedee, Robertson

V

Daniel, Darcy, O’Donnell, Scott, VDM (Garcia/Bendendo)

=-2

Total: +6. I have us in front. Not biased or one eyed at all…….
Some serious bias here.

Coleman is easily better than JJ these days who struggles to get on the park for more than 6 weeks at a time.

Dunkley is also simply a more impactful player than Macrae based on last season.
 
Thought it was interesting that SEN did a best 23 comparison and didn’t have us contending. But for injuries and a weird fade out we would have been contending.

They had Brisbane as having the best list. How do we compare: +1 we are better +2 we are way better 0 = draw and the minus the other way.

Note this is players for and at their best.

FB:

Lester v Richards = +2
Andrews v Jones = -1
Starcevich v Duryea = -1

HB:
McKenna v Dale = +1
Payne v Keath = +1
Coleman v JJ = +2

C:
Ashcroft v Williams = -1
Dunkley v Macrae = +1 (in same team Macrae played ahead of him clearly
Zorko v Smith = +1

HF:
Bailey v Trelor = 0
Daniher v Naughton = +1
Ah Che v West = -1

FF:
Rayner v JUH = 0
Lobb v Hipwood = -1
Cameron v Weightman =-1

Foll:

MacInerney v English =+2
Neale v Bont = 0
McCluggage v Libba +1

Int:

McCarthy, Fletchers, Wilmot, Doedee, Robertson

V

Daniel, Darcy, O’Donnell, Scott, VDM (Garcia/Bendendo)

=-2

Total: +6. I have us in front. Not biased or one eyed at all…….

I saw that too, but I don't have any issue with that assessment. Brisbane have got AFL standard players at every position imo, and no real depth issues except maybe at KPD. We have issues at small forward, wing and KPD - unless a few youngsters really grasp those positions in the coming season.

I like the optimism with which you approached the individual assessments/comparisons, but I think there are at least a few that are fairly biased. I love JJ but Coleman is a very good player and I can't see how JJ is clearly better, Keath was very poor at the back end of last season and isn't better than Payne on recent exposed form, Daniher has kicked basically the same amount of goals as Naughton over the past few years and was clearly a better player at the back end of last season, and while English might be decent around the ground I think many people would argue McInerney is a better pure ruck. I love Macrae but Dunkley is a better player than him right now, and I'm not sure it's particularly close.

I'm optimistic about some of our young talent, and I do think we have a strong list overall - coaching/gameplan has been the main problem for a while now, hopefully that's improved one way or the other this season. But in a direct list comparison Brisbane is clearly better imo, and is probably the best in the comp.
 
Thought it was interesting that SEN did a best 23 comparison and didn’t have us contending. But for injuries and a weird fade out we would have been contending.

They had Brisbane as having the best list. How do we compare: +1 we are better +2 we are way better 0 = draw and the minus the other way.

Note this is players for and at their best.

FB:

Lester v Richards = +2
Andrews v Jones = -1
Starcevich v Duryea = -1

HB:
McKenna v Dale = +1
Payne v Keath = +1
Coleman v JJ = +2

C:
Ashcroft v Williams = -1
Dunkley v Macrae = +1 (in same team Macrae played ahead of him clearly
Zorko v Smith = +1

HF:
Bailey v Trelor = 0
Daniher v Naughton = +1
Ah Che v West = -1

FF:
Rayner v JUH = 0
Lobb v Hipwood = -1
Cameron v Weightman =-1

Foll:

MacInerney v English =+2
Neale v Bont = 0
McCluggage v Libba +1

Int:

McCarthy, Fletchers, Wilmot, Doedee, Robertson

V

Daniel, Darcy, O’Donnell, Scott, VDM (Garcia/Bendendo)

=-2

Total: +6. I have us in front. Not biased or one eyed at all…….
You forgot the most important part:

Fagen v Bevo: -75
 

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Article on the AFL website

WESTERN Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcyis laying the foundations across the summer to put a frustrating start to his AFL career behind him in 2024, but key defender Alex Keath is dealing with a knee injury that has stalled his fifth pre-season at the kennel.

While Ryley Sanders has made a seamless transition to life in the AFL since being selected with pick No.6 in November's AFL Draft, Darcy is the other recent top-10 pick who is mounting a case for a spot in Luke Beveridge's round one side after completing the full pre-season program to date following an injury-interrupted two years.

The 20-year-old versatile tall has managed only seven senior appearances due to a nightmare injury run that started with a stress fracture in his foot, and has since included a hole in his lung, a fractured jaw and a significant corked quad.

Darcy starred in attack during more than 60 minutes of match simulation at the Whitten Oval on Friday morning, registering half a dozen scoring shots and plucking a handful of marks inside 50, including a clever juggling grab on the lead.
Keath, who turns 32 on Saturday, didn't train on Friday and isn't expected to return to the main group until the Bulldogs return from a pre-season training camp in Mooloolaba early February, after reporting knee soreness earlier this month.

Tim English was the other notable absentee from the club's most comprehensive match simulation session of the pre-season so far, with the star ruckman completing a running session alongside Riley Garcia (shoulder) while he deals with a medical condition.
The 2023 All-Australian hasn't completed much contact training across the pre-season due to the illness but the club expects the West Australian to transition back into full training during the camp on the Sunshine Coast.

Rory Lobb has played predominantly in the ruck during English's absence, facing off against draftees Lachlan Smith and Jordan Croft on Friday, following the departure of Jordon Sweet to Port Adelaide during last October’s trade period.
Star key forward Aaron Naughton played in the midfield across the four quarter match simulation block, pushing forward after starting in the centre square.

The 24-year-old was drafted out of Peel Thunder as a key defender in 2017 but has made his name at the other end of the ground, signing an eight-year extension last October, showing his versatility again on Friday in a move to watch between now and round one.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli was used in attack after transitioning back into full training when the main group reported back for pre-season last week, following ankle surgery in November.
Rookie signing Lachlan Bramble is nearing a return to full fitness after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction during the off-season before being signed on the opening day of the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) at the end of November.

The Bulldogs can open up another spot on the rookie list between now and the SSP deadline on February 19 after Bailey Smithruptured his anterior cruciate ligament before the Christmas break. With a midfield spot open following that heartbreaking injury last month, off-season acquisition James Harmes has shown his value across December and January and made an impact during Friday's extensive match simulation block.
Sanders banked another eye-catching session to add to an impressive maiden pre-season in the AFL, with the Tasmanian looking on track to make his debut against Melbourne on the first Sunday of the season.

Adam Treloar didn't train due to illness but is expected to be back on the track next week.

The Dogs host Hawthorn in a scratch match at VU Whitten Oval on February 23 before facing Sam Mitchell's side at University of Tasmania Stadium eight days later on March 2.
 
Nothing on the western bulldogs website or AFL.com. What role is he taking on? Anyone know what level of commitment it will be?
He's the inaugural smiling coach. :smilev1:

No more scowling allowed.
 
Article on the AFL website

WESTERN Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcyis laying the foundations across the summer to put a frustrating start to his AFL career behind him in 2024, but key defender Alex Keath is dealing with a knee injury that has stalled his fifth pre-season at the kennel.

While Ryley Sanders has made a seamless transition to life in the AFL since being selected with pick No.6 in November's AFL Draft, Darcy is the other recent top-10 pick who is mounting a case for a spot in Luke Beveridge's round one side after completing the full pre-season program to date following an injury-interrupted two years.

The 20-year-old versatile tall has managed only seven senior appearances due to a nightmare injury run that started with a stress fracture in his foot, and has since included a hole in his lung, a fractured jaw and a significant corked quad.

Darcy starred in attack during more than 60 minutes of match simulation at the Whitten Oval on Friday morning, registering half a dozen scoring shots and plucking a handful of marks inside 50, including a clever juggling grab on the lead.
Keath, who turns 32 on Saturday, didn't train on Friday and isn't expected to return to the main group until the Bulldogs return from a pre-season training camp in Mooloolaba early February, after reporting knee soreness earlier this month.

Tim English was the other notable absentee from the club's most comprehensive match simulation session of the pre-season so far, with the star ruckman completing a running session alongside Riley Garcia (shoulder) while he deals with a medical condition.
The 2023 All-Australian hasn't completed much contact training across the pre-season due to the illness but the club expects the West Australian to transition back into full training during the camp on the Sunshine Coast.

Rory Lobb has played predominantly in the ruck during English's absence, facing off against draftees Lachlan Smith and Jordan Croft on Friday, following the departure of Jordon Sweet to Port Adelaide during last October’s trade period.
Star key forward Aaron Naughton played in the midfield across the four quarter match simulation block, pushing forward after starting in the centre square.

The 24-year-old was drafted out of Peel Thunder as a key defender in 2017 but has made his name at the other end of the ground, signing an eight-year extension last October, showing his versatility again on Friday in a move to watch between now and round one.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli was used in attack after transitioning back into full training when the main group reported back for pre-season last week, following ankle surgery in November.
Rookie signing Lachlan Bramble is nearing a return to full fitness after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction during the off-season before being signed on the opening day of the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) at the end of November.

The Bulldogs can open up another spot on the rookie list between now and the SSP deadline on February 19 after Bailey Smithruptured his anterior cruciate ligament before the Christmas break. With a midfield spot open following that heartbreaking injury last month, off-season acquisition James Harmes has shown his value across December and January and made an impact during Friday's extensive match simulation block.
Sanders banked another eye-catching session to add to an impressive maiden pre-season in the AFL, with the Tasmanian looking on track to make his debut against Melbourne on the first Sunday of the season.

Adam Treloar didn't train due to illness but is expected to be back on the track next week.

The Dogs host Hawthorn in a scratch match at VU Whitten Oval on February 23 before facing Sam Mitchell's side at University of Tasmania Stadium eight days later on March 2.

So Croft pinch hitting in the ruck and Naughton running through the midfield?
Bevo... (or Egan?) have been reading my posts! 😄
 
Wasn’t it the third match sum of the week? Wouldn’t take stock in any of the positional stuff.
 

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In fairness this board has often been critical of the Lobb trade + confused how we will fit both him and Darcy in the same side. Sure Kane adds a little bit of mayo but it’s not completely off base.

Personally I don’t mind the trade even if Darcy goes ahead of him quickly, noting:
  • It was worth it to not see Buku, Cordy or Schache as the backup ruck last year.
  • Even if only depth for multiple years, Lobb is a far better like-for-like backup for a concussion prone and out-of-contract English than Sweet or finding the next Stef Martin.
  • The “overpayment” at the trade table was more than offset by nabbing JOD for free in the same window.
 
In fairness this board has often been critical of the Lobb trade + confused how we will fit both him and Darcy in the same side. Sure Kane adds a little bit of mayo but it’s not completely off base.

Personally I don’t mind the trade even if Darcy goes ahead of him quickly, noting:
  • It was worth it to not see Buku, Cordy or Schache as the backup ruck last year.
  • Even if only depth for multiple years, Lobb is a far better like-for-like backup for a concussion prone and out-of-contract English than Sweet or finding the next Stef Martin.
  • The “overpayment” at the trade table was more than offset by nabbing JOD for free in the same window.
Agree, except for the last bit. That was a totally separate transaction and shouldn't be used to justify the Lobb trade.

I wasn't overly enthused when we grabbed Lobb because for once in our history we were already stacked with tall forwards. And Lobb was already 30. However the more doubts hanging over English's future the better that trade is looking. As others have pointed out English may be just one serious head knock away from retirement. Or he may yet move back west.

As for Sam Darcy, there's plenty of time. His Dad joined the club in 1993 and played only played 4 games in 1994-95. So Sam is already well ahead of his AA, CSM and MVP credentialled father despite suffering a string of injuries. If he turns out as good as his Dad we'll have done well.
 
In fairness this board has often been critical of the Lobb trade + confused how we will fit both him and Darcy in the same side. Sure Kane adds a little bit of mayo but it’s not completely off base.

Personally I don’t mind the trade even if Darcy goes ahead of him quickly, noting:
  • It was worth it to not see Buku, Cordy or Schache as the backup ruck last year.
  • Even if only depth for multiple years, Lobb is a far better like-for-like backup for a concussion prone and out-of-contract English than Sweet or finding the next Stef Martin.
  • The “overpayment” at the trade table was more than offset by nabbing JOD for free in the same window.
Agreed, but we made a commitment to him and got him, even if it meant the final price was potential overs in draft picks, although 33 and 37 isn’t exactly a kings ransom.
 

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Lobb being surplus to needs would be an excellent problem to have. But what are the odds that Darce and English are fit and in form all year? Cornes is welcome to his opinion, and a lot of the time I agree with him - but if English goes down and Darce struggles with form or fitness, you want to see Cornes come out and give our list department a pat on the back for a good pickup
 
Lobb being surplus to needs would be an excellent problem to have. But what are the odds that Darce and English are fit and in form all year? Cornes is welcome to his opinion, and a lot of the time I agree with him - but if English goes down and Darce struggles with form or fitness, you want to see Cornes come out and give our list department a pat on the back for a good pickup
LOL don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen.
 
People are very, very quick to forget the fact that we were rucking the likes of Zaine Cordy, a should-have-already-retired Stefan Martin, and Josh Schache as a 2nd ruck in 2022.

There's inevitably going to be list management mistakes, I'd much rather the mistake is erring on the side of the fact that Lobb may not play all 23 games than the fact that we have to throw a Mitch Hannan type into the ruck ever again.
 
Article on the AFL website

WITH his mop of bleached blond hair, it's little surprise Cody Weightman often trades the Sherrin for a surfboard.

During this off-season the Western Bulldogs forward, free of surgery, took that passion to Indonesia.

And while Weightman lapped up time in the sun in Bali, it was around 150 kilometres off the western coast of Sumatra in the Mentawai Islands the 23-year-old derived, what he describes, as some serious "benefits".

Training in the heat – alongside three-time premiership Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin – has seen Weightman return to Whitten Oval in peak condition, slashing time off his PBs.
"I definitely still train when I'm travelling and I think a big part of it is if you do go away, you come back refreshed and you actually want to run," Weightman said.

"When I've had surgery, it obviously doesn't help with your running, but I think sometimes you can get caught in a bit of an off-season grind and you're just running to the program because you have to.

"Me and Nick trained in the Mentawai and we got some got some good heat benefits from that, I think, which is a bonus.

"To come back really refreshed, I think is the main thing.

"And you actually want to train hard because you've had worse facilities over there. And it feels easier when you're here, which is great."
Emblematic of his team, Weightman navigated a frustrating road in 2023. Groin surgery kept him grounded for the first month of the season.

"I had a few little things last year and probably my whole career so far. I think that's just a part of footy, really," he says.

"I think the biggest thing for me is just I've learnt how to play through injury now so when I do feel fresh, that's exciting.

"And I'm feeling pretty good at the moment. No surgery is a massive win."
On the day of this interview, Weightman is playing in spurts through the midfield in match simulation. He calls it his "second favourite" position – and that's premise of this particular part of the session, to have a go in another part of the ground.

Weightman says he's "open" to attending more centre bounces, but he doesn't promise anything flashy.

"There was a little bit of that last year here and there, but we'll see what the team sort of needs. And if it's that, then that'll be exciting," he said.

"I'd look to come in and provide a bit of energy. Just make it messy, I think.

"Nothing too fancy or clean. I'll leave that to (captain Marcus Bontempelli) and a few of the other guys that are bona fide midfielders."
One guy that won't feature in the guts at all this season is Bailey Smith. The cult figure is diligently doing his rehab in the Bulldogs' new-look gym in what is his last contracted season at Whitten Oval.

Smith's ACL injury, suffered in December. has largely been described as a devastating blow, but Weightman is more of a half-glass full kind of person.
"This is another challenge for him and I'm sure he's going to crunch it," Weightman said.

"I had a good chat to him about the opportunities this actually provides for him.

"For someone in his in his peak powers, to have a year off and focus on a few other things as well as footy, I think that's really exciting for him.

"Hopefully next year he can come out and have some real impact for us. But I think it's exciting, too, off field. He's going to do some big things, I think."
While Smith won't be part of coach Luke Beveridge's midfield mix this year, another first-round draft pick is every chance.

Ryley Sanders – selected at No.6 at last year's AFL Draft – is impressing with his professionalism off the field, and his talent on it.

"He's a great kid, really disciplined," Weightman said.

"He's fitting in really well. He's an exciting player, really clean, and looks to drive his legs out of stoppages.

"He's done everything right so far."
Looking around Whitten Oval the changes are obvious.

The new indoor training facilities are first-class, while the Whitten Stand is in its final phases of the build.

Then there's the coaching panel. In: Alex Johnson, Matt Egan, Jarryn Geary, Daniel Pratt. Out: Rohan Smith, Marc Webb, Travis Varcoe, Stefan Martin.

It's a fair amount of change. But Weightman is confident they are the additional building blocks the club needs to realise the potential of its list – and get back to the kind of form that took the Bulldogs to the 2021 Grand Final.

"I think over the last couple of years we've talked about we feel like our team's actually gotten better since '21 when we challenged for premierships," Weightman said.

"Some things are starting to come together now at the club and it's starting to feel like it's running really smoothly.

"So I think that's going to go a long way to hopefully seeing a bit of on-field success."
 

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What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 4


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