Play Nice with the 2016 premiership, where can the Bulldogs get to now?

[boydee]

The Doggies won the flag from 7th place. That's very rare. Chances are next year's flag will be won by a team in the top 4. I see Sydney, GWS, Geelong as top 4 sides. Will Hawthorn drop out? Will Freo bounce back? West Coast and Adelaide will be strong again. Doggies might be in the mix. But regardless of the subjective assessment of each team just on probability they are unlikely to repeat next year.

With the inclusion of Crameri and the continued improvement of a host of stars aged 24 and under: Bont, Macrae, Daniel, Libba,Dalhaus,T.Boyd, Dunkley, Hunter, Stringer, JJ; I dont see how Geelong can be a top 4 side and the dogs not. Dogs are easily one of the top 3 sides in the comp and huge chance to go back to back.

 

[ManOfClay]

The biggest bandwagon supporter base in the competition.

Fact: Your club stole my clubs money (under the guise of equalisation) to keep you afloat because your supporters didn't turn up to games. Why should we finance you?

You are just jealous because of the dismal nature of the club you support

 

[Mitchell Madness]

With the inclusion of Crameri and the continued improvement of a host of stars aged 24 and under: Bont, Macrae, Daniel, Libba,Dalhaus,T.Boyd, Dunkley, Hunter, Stringer, JJ; I dont see how Geelong can be a top 4 side and the dogs not. Dogs are easily one of the top 3 sides in the comp and huge chance to go back to back.

Just remember, Brent Renouf toweled up brad ottens in a grand final
Potential means little for most players

 

[Ozil]

"Your club stole my club's money" is such a load of bullshit.

Your club is being taxed on revenue accumulated from more favourable TV scheduling and stadium deals, which in almost every case have nothing to do with good business and everything to do with dumb luck.

Where were all Freo's supporters this year, by the way? Averaged 717 more per regular season home game than the Dogs, pretty disappointing for a "rich club" with no bandwagon problems.

 

[Gibbke]

The biggest bandwagon supporter base in the competition.

Dogs: Da-Daaahhhh...!
Hawks: Hold my glass...

 

[Bulldog Joe]

"Your club stole my club's money" is such a load of bullshit.

Your club is being taxed on revenue accumulated from more favourable TV scheduling and stadium deals, which in almost every case have nothing to do with good business and everything to do with dumb luck.

Where were all Freo's supporters this year, by the way? Averaged 717 more per regular season home game than the Dogs, pretty disappointing for a "rich club" with no bandwagon problems.

If you actually take out the Cairns game are average home attendance improves by 2218. So basically 1500 more than Fremantle.

 

[Bokonon_]

Mate why are you still going on about gambling? All clubs do it (with the exception of North who failed at it). Including Freo who are sponsored by Crown (and CUB so Freo makes money out of problem drinkers as well...)

And every Australian indirectly receives money from problem gamblers via government taxation and licensing fees levied on gambling businesses.

Why single out the Dogs for criticism? It doesn't seem entirely rational.

Ahem
In a state addicted to gambling far longer than any other, we dont.

 

[X_box_X]

With the inclusion of Crameri and the continued improvement of a host of stars aged 24 and under: Bont, Macrae, Daniel, Libba,Dalhaus,T.Boyd, Dunkley, Hunter, Stringer, JJ; I dont see how Geelong can be a top 4 side and the dogs not. Dogs are easily one of the top 3 sides in the comp and huge chance to go back to back.

I can.

We haven't beaten Geelong since 2009. They own us.

 

[BRWB]

I can.

We haven't beaten Geelong since 2009. They own us.

So do Adelaide in finals - historically.

 

[sportsmaniac89]

Have you finished your moral crusade yet?

What moral crusade?

If that's what expressing an opinion is now called, well, I'm obviously behind the times but I gotta say it's typical of Bulldogs fans to try and label someone as being something or doing something.

All I'm doing is expressing an opinion on the topic at hand which oddly enough is actually about the Bulldogs....go figure.

 

[sportsmaniac89]

Wa - highest gambling rate in country. Love that lotto !

Yes WA might have a high gambling rate but in breaking news, I'm not from WA so I dunno how this impacts on me.

 

[Frank Bunn]

Interested in why you would consider Geelong top 4 but Bulldogs drop out.

I know we all have a bias to our own, but I don't see where Geelong improve, while Bulldogs have several improvements from GF side.

I'm not tipping the Bulldogs to 'drop out' of the top 4. They finished 7th in 2016. I think they'll finish around 5th to 8th in 2017.

And I didn't tip Geelong to improve. They finished 2nd with equal points to the leaders. I think they can maintain the same standard and finish top 4.

 

[Bulldog1954]

I'm not tipping the Bulldogs to 'drop out' of the top 4. They finished 7th in 2016. I think they'll finish around 5th to 8th in 2017.

And I didn't tip Geelong to improve. They finished 2nd with equal points to the leaders. I think they can maintain the same standard and finish top 4.

The dogs didn't finish seventh - they finished first. That's why they held a premiership cup aloft after beating a side in the grand final who had Geelong beat in 15 minutes the week before.

 

[The Unforgiven]

I can.

We haven't beaten Geelong since 2009. They own us.

Our record between each other means little. Even if we beat you guys in 2017, we'll still probably cough and splutter throughout the year and play inconsistent football while you guys will be consistently competitive in every match.

I expect your mob to finish second or third; I expect my mob to finish fifth. But I wouldn't be surprised if we knock you off again.

 

[The Unforgiven]

Well you were well on the way to defeat when we played at Kardinia Park. Until Libba's injury he had Dangerfield well under control and Macrae had the measure of Selwood until his injury.

Geelong's top 4 finish was achieved due to in game injury to their opponents in a crucial game.

Bulldogs are better than Geelong as evidenced by the 2016 flag.

Bulldogs have scope to improve in 2017 with addition of Crameri and maturity of their existing players.

Geelong have weakened their list with retirement of Enright and Bartel and the trade of Caddy.

Bulldogs will finish ahead of Geelong in 2017 with ordinary luck.

You were unlucky earlier in the year when you met us at our strongest with your heavily depleted list. We were lucky later in the year with your injuries. I could feel the momentum swinging in your favour prior to Libba going off.

There's no doubt, right now, Footscray is in a stronger position than Geelong. Things change quickly in footy, but I don't think much will change regarding either side. I expect Geelong to make the eight without doing a lot of damage while I see the Bulldogs facing off with GWS in the GF decider.

 

[BRWB]

Our record between each other means little. Even if we beat you guys in 2017, we'll still probably cough and splutter throughout the year and play inconsistent football while you guys will be consistently competitive in every match.

I expect your mob to finish second or third; I expect my mob to finish fifth. But I wouldn't be surprised if we knock you off again.

Genuinely don't know with the Dogs. We do have solid depth though.

Cats will be thereabouts but they are horribly reliant on two players being fit for the whole year.

Losing Caddy, Enright and Bartel exacerbates this concern I'd have thought.

 

[The Unforgiven]

Genuinely don't know with the Dogs. We do have solid depth though.

Cats will be thereabouts but they are horribly reliant on two players being fit for the whole year.

Losing Caddy, Enright and Bartel exacerbates this concern I'd have thought.

We'd lost Caddy for most of the year anyway. I didn't rate Caddy all that highly, but he was definitely a good, solid player to have on the list. If S.Selwood can remain fit, he'll fill the void somewhat. Still, I think we're some ways off and losing Enright is a huge loss as the guy is irreplaceable.

 

[go you pups]

Yeah I am a little surprised at that comment as I don't see any improvement for Geelong and actually the loss of Caddy will hurt them.

Bartel and Enright more so

 

[The_Flying_Egg]

Masterfoods sauces get a lot of criticism, rightfully so.

But I've been using their hot chilli sauce the last couple of days heavy handed and it really hits the spot.

Yeah, well my chilli sauce is better!!!

 

[ManOfClay]

Just cant handle thought that someone may not be a fan of your club, can you.
Grow up and learn to live with it, or you might be in tough year next year.

That's more than not being a fan. It's just vitriolic wank, much like what you offer

 

[Bulldog Joe]

Just cant handle thought that someone may not be a fan of your club, can you.
Grow up and learn to live with it, or you might be in tough year next year.

Actually believe we are looking forward to more and more people being against us.

Even to develop the intense hatred you and the Freo poster are displaying.

It shows that the opposition are afraid of how good we can become.

 

[Bokonon_]

Actually believe we are looking forward to more and more people being against us.

Even to develop the intense hatred you and the Freo poster are displaying.

It shows that the opposition are afraid of how good we can become.

Agree with the first part, it's the price of success.

The second part is evidence of your overly sensitive nature that seems to permeate your supporters.
I posted consistently that I rated your mids the best in the comp last year, not rocket science. Also I'm a huge fan of Daniel and love watching your guys play. As a neutral I can relax and enjoy the spectacle of your mids passing the ball around to make space, and their ferocious attack on the footy.
I didn't have a good experience with you fans at Spotless for the PF, and am contemptuous of the trolling on our board, and of our club on the main board, by Buĺldogs supporters who I'd expect to be in a more lets.celebrate. Instead I see more lets get really petty and do everything we can to denigrate others.
It's not an ansolute, and there was one couple in their 60's in Bulldogs colours I saw in tears after the PF. They probably had been waiting faithfully for 52 years, I hope they had tkts to the GF.
If that's hating your club then I am comfortable with it. If you dont de-sensitise a bit as a group you will not have a very pleasant next few years I think.

 

[Bulldog Joe]

Agree with the first part, it's the price of success.

The second part is evidence of your overly sensitive nature that seems to permeate your supporters.
I posted consistently that I rated your mids the best in the comp last year, not rocket science. Also I'm a huge fan of Daniel and love watching your guys play. As a neutral I can relax and enjoy the spectacle of your mids passing the ball around to make space, and their ferocious attack on the footy.
I didn't have a good experience with you fans at Spoltelss for the PF, and am contempuois of the trolling on our board, and of our club on the main board, by Buĺldogs supporters who I'd expect to be in a more lets.celebrate, than lets get really petty and do everything we can to denigrate others.
It's not an ansolute, and there was one couple in their 60's in Bulldogs colours I saw in tears after the PF. They probably had been waiting faithfully for 52 years, I hope they had tkts to the GF.
If that's hating your club then I am comfortable with it. If you dont de-sensitise a bit as a group you will not have a very pleasant next few years I think.

On the contrary, we will have a very pleasant next few years.
Don't forget, that as a supporter base we are accustomed to adversity and it is the resilience of long term supporters that kept us going at the darkest hours.

We now have an exceptional player group with an exceptional coach.

While we cannot predict the future with certainty, we are in a position to be more than competitive for many years and it coincides with the strongest off field position we have probably ever had.

 

[Bokonon_]

On the contrary, we will have a very pleasant next few years.
Don't forget, that as a supporter base we are accustomed to adversity and it is the resilience of long term supporters that kept us going at the darkest hours.

We now have an exceptional player group with an exceptional coach.

While we cannot predict the future with certainty, we are in a position to be more than competitive for many years and it coincides with the strongest off field position we have probably ever had.

I think you underestimate the bandwaggoning effect, so the resilience factor is exaggerated by you I think.
Anorher thing I noticed was the number of twenty somethinhs at spotless in raptures becuase they'd been waiting so long. Dont get how that works.

 

[TheMissingLink]

IMHO the bulldogs played an unbelievable 2016 finals series (one of the best if not the best) and pinched the flag. I hate to say it, as I grew up in west Footscray (essex street) and they are my second team, but in my unbiased view, the bulldogs had the rub of the green. But now that they won the flag, the belief within the team can not be underestimated for 2017.

In saying that, there was little separating the top 7 in 2016, and the bulldogs are a very good team with fast hands. There was a significant gap from the top 7 to the rest. (North, Saints, Power, Demons, Magpies form the next tier).

IMHO the bulldogs will play finals again in 2017 but won't win the flag.