Over the past few years, I have taken the Bulldogs’ week off during the year to write about their season so far and give it a thorough review. Today, we’ll take a look at the Bulldogs’ season so far after what has been a very difficult year so far.
2019 So Far
14th Position Wins: 4 Losses: 7 Points For: 888 (9th in the league for scoring) Points Against: 1001 (17th in the league for conceding points)
Round 1: W v Sydney – 11.16.82 v 9.11.65 Round 2: W v Hawthorn – 16.10.106 v 13.9.87 Round 3: L v Gold Coast – 9.14.68 v 10.13.73 Round 4: L v Collingwood – 9.10.64 v 11.12.78 Round 5: L v Carlton – 7.15.57 v 15.11.101 Round 6: L v Fremantle – 9.15.69 v 13.10.88 Round 7: W v Richmond – 15.9.99 v 7.10.52 Round 8: W v Brisbane – 13.14.92 v 11.10.76 Round 9: L v Geelong – 13.11.89 v 21.7.133 Round 10: L v North Melbourne – 13.12.90 v 18.7.115 Round 11: L v West Coast – 10.12.72 v 21.7.133
Has The Pre-Season Expectation Been Met?
The Pre-Season prediction was that the Bulldogs improve on what was a disasterous 2018 campaign, having finished in 13th. The first five weeks were going to be telling and had serious potential to be 4-1 after round five. They went 2-3 – winning the opening two games in some nervous moments. But then they floundered in the next three weeks, in particular against the Gold Coast and against Carlton.
This time last year, they were 4-7 as well, but whether or not they have genuinely improved as a side is difficult to tell. Round 11 last year they were 15th in the league for scoring and conceding scores. Their forward line has improved a fraction, but there are still issues to iron out. The defensive structures are….well I don’t even know what to make of it. They are the second-worst defensive team in the league right now, just ahead of Melbourne.
There are cases for and against whether or not they have improved as a football team. But at the moment, they are leaning towards a year where the results will imply that they have been stuck in neutral. If that happens, then I have no doubt that there will be some heat under Luke Beveridge come the end of the season.
What I Don’t Like
The Losses to not one, not two, but three bottom-four sides have just about ruined any chances in this side making finals this year, unless something miraculous happens when they come back from their bye. Their loss to the Gold Coast came on the back of ridiculous skill errors. The loss to Carlton was a diabolical mess and the fact that they couldn’t even put away a team in North Melbourne who had just sacked their coach not even 24 hours prior to the game is damning to a degree.
Several of their ‘Senior’ players who should be guiding this side up the ladder haven’t had their best seasons. Tory Dickson is currently languishing in the VFL after kicking just eight goals from seven games. Jason Johannisen had a delayed start to the year with injury, Toby McLean has struggled at times, Easton Wood has struggled to recapture the form that got him All Australian a few years ago and the form of Jack Macrae has tapered just a little bit in recent weeks. These guys are all premiership players and this is a bit of a concern going forward if they can’t find a bit of form, particularly Wood, who has captained the side since the retirement of Robert Murphy.
They are also the third-worst tackling team in the league, currently averaging 56 tackles per game. The best sides are averaging 10 tackles more than what the Bulldogs are putting up. It is particularly obvious when they are getting belted, that the tackles just aren’t sticking, which is a far cry from their 2016 year when they smothered teams with their pressure and commitment to the contest.
Also, the retirements of Tom Boyd and Liam Picken are both sad and unfortunate for different reasons. Both of them retire premiership players – unfortunately neither man were able to retire on their terms, with Picken’s concussion problems dating back to the JLT campaign last year and Boyd’s mental health dating back to mid-2017.
What I Do Like
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of what there is to like about this Bulldogs’ team is the young kids coming through. Bailey Smith has played every game this year and has done well for himself thus far – picking up a Rising Star nomination in round 9. He currently averages 17.6 disposals per game and has been very good with his ball use more often than not.
Aaron Naughton was thrown up forward in the pre-season to some mixed responses. He has come up big time in a few games this year and I think they need to persist with it. I haven’t seen a key forward from the Bulldogs command the air since Barry Hall came to the club. He’s only in his second year so give him a bit more time. We know he can play in the back line very well, but his marking hands are absolutely phenomenal.
Another player they must persist with is Tim English. The Bulldogs are sitting dead last in the league with hitouts and a key reason is because of English’s inexperience in the top level. However, there have been signs that his development is on the right track, averaging 18.2 hitouts along with 12.5 disposals and 4.6 marks and 3.8 tackles per game. He has only played 18 games so far in his career, and is only 21 years of age. Keep putting the games into him, I seriously believe he’s got the tools to become an elite ruckman in years to come.
Mid-Season MVP
Marcus Bontempelli was the early leader after a blistering start to the year. He is averaging career highs in disposals (26.9 per game), clearances (5.9 per game) and inside 50s (4.5 per game) He might still be ahead at this stage come the Charlie Sutton Medal Count at the end of the season, but he will be facing stiff competition in the form of Caleb Daniel. He is having himself a career year at half-back averaging 27.1 disposals and 6.3 rebound 50s per game. At the moment it is a close call between the two, with Bont just ahead for mine right now.
Dogs Potentially Under Pressure
The recruitment of Ryan Gardner during the mid-season draft has drawn some speculation on premiership defender Fletcher Roberts, who is already having a tough time as it is getting into the AFL team. Lukas Webb has faced some rotten luck over the past 18 months with injuries to his neck and now a broken leg. It’s unfortunate, but those who gather injury history like that, generally don’t last long on a senior list. Dale Morris is nearing a return to football after another partial ACL tear, however, one has to wonder how much longer he can play? Tory Dickson is out of contract and is currently playing in the twos. Tom Liberatore and Matthew Suckling are also out of contract, but both are playing well enough – they’ll get contracts for next year.
The Run Home
Round 13: Away vs Carlton – Marvel Stadium Round 14: Home vs Collingwood – Marvel Stadium Round 15: Away vs Port Adelaide – Adelaide Oval Round 16: Home vs Geelong – Marvel Stadium Round 17: Home vs Melbourne – Marvel Stadium Round 18: Away vs St. Kilda – Marvel Stadium Round 19: Home vs Fremantle – Marvel Stadium Round 20: Away vs Brisbane – Gabba Round 21: Away vs Essendon – Marvel Stadium Round 22: Away vs GWS Giants – GIANTS Stadium Round 23: Home vs Adelaide – Mars Stadium
Despite only travelling three more times in the next 11 weeks, the run home is very tough for the Western Bulldogs. Six of the next 11 are against sides that are currently in the eight. As well as two sides that sit 9th and 10th in Fremantle and Essendon respectively. If they are an outside chance, their game against Carlton in round 13 is a must win. But from there, they can only afford to really drop one or two more games in what is shaping to be another tight season. St. Kilda, Melbourne and Essendon are all winnable. Likewise Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, whilst the return games against Collingwood and Geelong will be interesting, given what has happened in the Dogs’ first encounters with both sides.
Final Verdict
Especially with the run home they have, I can’t see this team making a serious push for Finals this year. They are just too damn inconsistent. The difference between their best and their worst football is so wide, it is nearly laughable and beyond ridiculous how awful they look out there at times. But, there are still some good young players running through the system. Of the 22 that played in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, 12 of them are 22 years or younger.
As much as it pains me to say it, I fear this team is at least a year away from genuinely contending for a spot in September.