Inside the Pack

[LostDoggy]

The club is doing some longer, in depth videos of the 2014 season. The first one was put up on the website today. Has a little bit on Clay Smith and his recovery and a good interview with Dalhaus on the first day back of pre-season (his hair is looking good:D).

Here's the link to episode 1.
http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-11-08/inside-the-pack-episode-1

[Hotdog60]

I love these little insights into the club.

[MrMahatma]

Good stuff. Always watch in my iPhone. The app is decent.

[LostDoggy]

Episode 2 is now available

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-11-13/inside-the-pack-episode-2

[Throughandthrough]

Yep they are worth watching.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Wallis has real muscle definition whereas Macrae not. I wonder which of them will have the better season. I think both will have improved seasons, 'will' being the operative word with Wallis and probably 'talent' being the operative word with Macrae.

[mighty_west]

Great stuff, well done to all involved.

[Murphy'sLore]

Really enjoying these episodes, very professionally put together and it's fun to get a little glimpse of what goes on.

[BulldogBelle]

These are truly fantastic. I'm starting to look forward to them every Wednesday afternoon!

[LostDoggy]

Jesus Mitch Wallis looks fit.

[always right]

Wallis had muscle tone the day he joined us. Had clearly done weights as a junior....and some blokes simply have the right genetics.

[Scorlibo]

Nathan Hrovat speaks well, has future leader written all over him. Jack Macrae looks like he's worked a little bit on his kicking technique so that he leans back a little bit more.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Hrovat definitely looks like a future leader. Appears to have put on some size too.

[always right]

I loved it when Hrovat talks about being drafted to such a "prestigious" club. He seems to check himself and throw in the term "up and coming". Definitely a promising media performer with the gift of the gab is young Nathan. I like his attitude.

[lemmon]

Cant wait to see how they look come Round 1 of NAB compared to here. This is just about their base fitness after coming in from time off.

[LostDoggy]

We're obviously all biased here but geez we have a lot of impressive young men at this Club.

[Pedro Sanchez]

Does anyone know who the 12 are training at the Western Oval, who's on the US camp and which experienced players are yet to resume? Seems odd that a guy like big Jack goes to the states and wallis doesn't... Do we know what rationale was behind the decisions...

[jeemak]

I think the bigger men were sent as a means of developing their base fitness at a faster rate, so they can do more of the harder stuff over the preseason.

Players like Wallis and Liberatore aren't coming from as far back in that regard.

[stefoid]

Jesus Mitch Wallis looks fit.

I just want to say that all the people who floated the idea of mitch wallis for trade are bad people. :mad::mad::mad:

[Mofra]

I just want to say that all the people who floated the idea of mitch wallis for trade are bad people. :mad::mad::mad:
He "wasn't going to make it" based on his first season

[bornadog]

He "wasn't going to make it" based on his first season

and he hasn't made it yet,

[Dazza]

He's doing alright. Compare him to a guy like Melksham (who he played with iirc) and he's not travelling too badly.

[LostDoggy]

Yeah he'll be ok. He isn't the first player to take some time to find his groove. He's also shown more than enough signs imv to suggest he will be a long termer

[Twodogs]

I'd like to be as certain of us winning a flag as I am that Mitch Wallis will become a quality AFL footballer.

[Bulldog Joe]

I'd like to be as certain of us winning a flag as I am that Mitch Wallis will become a quality AFL footballer.

That also needs a like button.

[LostDoggy]

Think he'll make it but he pretty much came to the club with zero fat and good body strength. People just assumed a 40 possie game at TAC equals instant AFL champ. It doesn't work that way. He clearly busts hard on his deficiencies - only his sprint speed that worries me as he gets worked off by most players and I suspect his sprinting would be in the lowest echelon of AFL players. As long as we draft some speed around him in the midfield we'll be fine. Good get.

[stefoid]

Mitch makes Crossy look like a slacker.

[jeemak]

Mitch makes Crossy look like a slacker.

I hope you've got an umbrella a la Wile E Coyote, as an anvil might be coming your way! :D

[ledge]

Can't believe people don't think he will make it, he will be one of our consistant footballers over the next ten years , he just works so hard and will continue to make his game better and better.

[LostDoggy]

Think he'll make it but he pretty much came to the club with zero fat and good body strength. People just assumed a 40 possie game at TAC equals instant AFL champ. It doesn't work that way. He clearly busts hard on his deficiencies - only his sprint speed that worries me as he gets worked off by most players and I suspect his sprinting would be in the lowest echelon of AFL players. As long as we draft some speed around him in the midfield we'll be fine. Good get.

He kept the fastest player in the game, Dangerfield, to something like 16 touches last time we met. Any deficiency Mitch has he'll more than compensate for with his dogged determination. Future captain and 200 gamer.

[bornadog]

Can't believe people don't think he will make it, he will be one of our consistant footballers over the next ten years , he just works so hard and will continue to make his game better and better.

Who said he wouldn't make it?

[Maddog37]

Think he'll make it but he pretty much came to the club with zero fat and good body strength. People just assumed a 40 possie game at TAC equals instant AFL champ. It doesn't work that way. He clearly busts hard on his deficiencies - only his sprint speed that worries me as he gets worked off by most players and I suspect his sprinting would be in the lowest echelon of AFL players. As long as we draft some speed around him in the midfield we'll be fine. Good get.


I thought he was far from zero fat actually and it was not the numbers but the influence he had on that particular match that stuck in my mind. If he can get some more speed into his game it would be a major blessing.

[ledge]

I just want to say that all the people who floated the idea of mitch wallis for trade are bad people. :mad::mad::mad:

This statement ^^

[LostDoggy]

Episode 3 is available.

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-11-20/inside-the-pack-episode-3

[LostDoggy]

Geez, Hrovat has some impressive trunks on him. The bloke's been hitting the leg weights…

[Mofra]

Who said he wouldn't make it?
There was a lot of conjecture - here and elsewhere - on the back of his first season.

Poor Mitch didn't even get the benefit of the 20 game rule with some - I'm pretty happy to have him crack the top 10 of the B&F at this stage of his career.

[KT31]

There was a lot of conjecture - here and elsewhere - on the back of his first season.

Poor Mitch didn't even get the benefit of the 20 game rule with some - I'm pretty happy to have him crack the top 10 of the B&F at this stage of his career.

I don't remember posters saying he would not make the grade but suggesting early on he needed more time to develop and gain confidence.

[bornadog]

I don't remember posters saying he would not make the grade but suggesting early on he needed more time to develop and gain confidence.

In my books he still has to prove he will make it and be regarded in our best 22. There is a lot of competition coming up for his position so 2014 will be a big year for him.

[KT31]

In my books he still has to prove he will make it and be regarded in our best 22. There is a lot of competition coming up for his position so 2014 will be a big year for him.

I agree he still has to prove and the second half of last season he took a giant leap forward, so much so the club decided he made Nick Lower obsolete.
The coming season will tell but if he has half as much tenacity as his old man ( and he has started to show he has) he will be a 150 game player for us.

[LostDoggy]

Time to watch episode 4

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-11-27/inside-the-pack-episode-4

[always right]

Time to watch episode 4

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-11-27/inside-the-pack-episode-4

Best one so far.

[Murphy'sLore]

The Silver Fox is getting silverier by the day! Touch of the George Clooneys there...

Great to see the boys getting into it. Getting excited about 2014 now!

[LostDoggy]

Episode 5

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-12-05/inside-the-pack-episode-5

[Remi Moses]

Keep up the good work Media dept of the club .

[Scorlibo]

Anyone watch the 'Dogs in Denver' video and notice that Cramers and Jakey Stringer seem to be training partners? It's going to be enormously beneficial for Jake to have such a similar player with a great work ethic. I reckon Jake is going to take huge steps forward next year, he's already looking a lot fitter.

[Ghost Dog]

Had to laugh at Stringer giving the cocky thumbs up behind Gia.
Crameri is a sprinting machine. Should consider the Stawell Gift.

[LostDoggy]

Had to laugh at Stringer giving the cocky thumbs up behind Gia.
Crameri is a sprinting machine. Should consider the Stawell Gift.

He can ping his hammy in a few years time doing that GD��

[Ghost Dog]

Wasn't serious; paraphrase of 'he's bloody quick'. Watching footy on TV, or at the ground from a distance, one doesn't fully appreciate the acceleration these guys can create.

[Dazza]

Did Crameri and Stringer play together at Bendigo?

[boydogs]

Did Crameri and Stringer play together at Bendigo?

Bit of an age gap Daz. Think Stringer was in the juniors until 2012, by which time Crameri was winning his 2nd straight goalkicking title at Essendon.

[ledge]

Bit of an age gap Daz. Think Stringer was in the juniors until 2012, by which time Crameri was winning his 3rd straight goalkicking title at Essendon.

I would say they played the odd game together if Crameri was dropped or coming back from injury, I think they are mates too .

[divvydan]

From the Crameri thread (poster Larunda), it was mentioned there that Crameri and Stringer's fathers are friends and/or were teammates, so it's quite possible the two boys know each other or at least are familiar with each other.

[jeemak]

I want Griff to stop saying "umm" so much. Hopefully it comes with more practice in front of the cameras and a bit of training.

[GVGjr]

I want Griff to stop saying "umm" so much. Hopefully it comes with more practice in front of the cameras and a bit of training.

The other day he was interviewed and said a few words repetitively. He isn't a natural in front of the microphone but I think he will get better very quickly.

[Remi Moses]

There's a connection with B Mac's brother.
Stevie's brother or a relative was coached by B Macs brither

[azabob]

There's a connection with B Mac's brother.
Stevie's brother or a relative was coached by B Macs brither

Say what Remi?

[LostDoggy]

I want Griff to stop saying "umm" so much. Hopefully it comes with more practice in front of the cameras and a bit of training.

The bloke now running the country uses lots of "umm" and "Agh". So I'll forgive Griff!

[bornadog]

The bloke now running the country uses lots of "umm" and "Agh". So I'll forgive Griff!

Except one of those blokes is an embarrassment and the other is a great AFL player:D

[westdog54]

POLITICS ALARM!! POLITICS ALARM!!

Focus please

[LostDoggy]

Except one of those blokes is an embarrassment and the other is a great AFL player:D

Damn straight buddy!

[LostDoggy]

POLITICS ALARM!! POLITICS ALARM!!

Focus please

That's it, I promise!

[Ozza]

New guernsey numbers for 2014 -

Bontempelli - 4
Crameri - 8
Fuller - 36
Honeychurch - 22
Darley - 33

[LostDoggy]

New guernsey numbers for 2014 -

Bontempelli - 4


:) His draft pick

[Axe Man]

New guernsey numbers for 2014 -

Bontempelli - 4
Crameri - 8
Fuller - 36
Honeychurch - 22
Darley - 33

4 - Good fit - another tall, wiry midfielder - if he can emulate Crossys career we can be happy.
8 - Powerful midsized forward with occasional midfield bursts - Mitch Hahn anyone?
36 - Good recent history with some bloke now at Hawthorn and Jose before him.
22 - Apparently a toughnut with a fearless attack on the ball, should do Addison proud.
33 - Umm, Chocco! Also briefly seen on the backs of Johnno and Shaggy.

[bornadog]

8 - Powerful midsized forward with occasional midfield bursts - Mitch Hahn anyone?.

First thing I thought of.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/1462920_10152060230192487_851904477_n_zps84699675.jpg (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/mmsalih/media/1462920_10152060230192487_851904477_n_zps84699675.jpg.html)

[LostDoggy]

Let's hope Crameri holds on to the 8 longer than Essendon did.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

New guernsey numbers for 2014 -

Bontempelli - 4
Crameri - 8
Fuller - 36
Honeychurch - 22
Darley - 33

Seems like numerical order of class.

[AndrewP6]

33 - Umm, Chocco! Also briefly seen on the backs of Johnno and Shaggy.

And DJ... and Tim Callan. :D

[Remi Moses]

Say what Remi?

Crameri's father was coached by B Macs brother ( something along those lines)

[Remi Moses]

Let's hope Crameri holds on to the 8 longer than Essendon did.

Don't think the old number 8 won to many 2 km time trials in all fairness.

[LostDoggy]

Apparently BMac was seen at the club on Saturday doing a weights session with Bonts and then they left together in Bmac's car. This guy (BMac) is a champion I reckon. Picking the young fella up and doing the hard work with him. What a great way to inspire your young players.

[mighty_west]

Apparently BMac was seen at the club on Saturday doing a weights session with Bonts and then they left together in Bmac's car. This guy (BMac) is a champion I reckon. Picking the young fella up and doing the hard work with him. What a great way to inspire your young players.

I guess there are all types of coaches and from different era's, on one hand you'd have the Wallsy types that couldn't care less for his players with some dodgy training sessions (he even said so himself he more or less didn't care much of the players, he was just there to coach), the scream your head off types like Barassi and Eade, the couldn't give a rats toss with the younger player types like Leathal, heard that he barely spoke with the rookie/younger players not in calculations with the senior side.

Then you get blokes like Macca who I'm sure can be hard and tough when he needs to but you can see from the outside he generally cares for all his players like each one is his own son.

[azabob]

Then you get blokes like Macca who I'm sure can be hard and tough when he needs to but you can see from the outside he generally cares for all his players like each one is his own son.

I have no doubt at all, BMAC is as ruthless as the next guy. He speaks with such conviction and intent. He knows what he wants, he knows how to get there and if you are not on the same page, or more importantly not willing to get on the same page you will be quickly moved on. Justin Sherman is the perfect eample.

[LostDoggy]

I have no doubt at all, BMAC is as ruthless as the next guy. He speaks with such conviction and intent. He knows what he wants, he knows how to get there and if you are not on the same page, or more importantly not willing to get on the same page you will be quickly moved on. Justin Sherman is the perfect eample.

I guess what MW might have been getting at, is that with this ruthlessness comes assurance that you know where you stand, and that if you commit to him he'll commit to you.

BMac would have made a fantastic military officer, or a great CEO. I don't have much time, personally, for the Lethal type.

Add to that: The other coaching styles described could be said to be more about the coach than the players. A lot of managers are like this: they are interested in you only if you can get them to where they want to be, and make them look good. I like the style of somebody like BMac, or indeed Hinkley from Port, who appear to be all about the players more than the coach. They understand that by truly investing in their people (and not in a lip-service sense), and then letting that investment pay off, they then become better managers in a more organic, sustainable way. It allows you to look at your people like an asset, and make decisions in that fashion, without treating them as numbers.

[jeemak]

I've started to pat BMac on the back due to the consistent message and the improved performance on the field in the second half of the year.

I'm not yet ready to start putting his style ahead of the likes of Walls, Eade, Matthews et al. just yet.

Two of those three are premiership coaches, while one of them took our club from almost the most hapless position it has been in, over recent times and instilled within the players enough belief and teachings to figure in three preliminary finals in a row. If you think all of that was achieved by these coaches by only demonstrating the respective flaws reported of them you are kidding yourselves.

Yes, they had talent at their disposal, yes they had good leadership within their groups and probably some good staff to support them. But, they also knew their shit more than most others when it came to the strategy and practicalities of the game.

You get some good things with coaches, and you get some bad. None of them are perfect, some are just more effective than others.

[Remi Moses]

Think it's way to early to have BMac up there with some very good coaches at our club.
I look at what he inherited and signs of improvement in playing style and individual players.
He inherited an awful list in rapid decline, and I backed him because I thought it was an easy answer blaming him. The playing style improved markedly , and more players than not have improved under his stewardship. But we still finished 15th and have a long way to go yet.

[divvydan]

Episode 7 is out now http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/bulldogstv/interviews-and-features/insidethepack

[LostDoggy]

I've started to pat BMac on the back due to the consistent message and the improved performance on the field in the second half of the year.

I'm not yet ready to start putting his style ahead of the likes of Walls, Eade, Matthews et al. just yet.

Two of those three are premiership coaches, while one of them took our club from almost the most hapless position it has been in, over recent times and instilled within the players enough belief and teachings to figure in three preliminary finals in a row. If you think all of that was achieved by these coaches by only demonstrating the respective flaws reported of them you are kidding yourselves.

Yes, they had talent at their disposal, yes they had good leadership within their groups and probably some good staff to support them. But, they also knew their shit more than most others when it came to the strategy and practicalities of the game.

You get some good things with coaches, and you get some bad. None of them are perfect, some are just more effective than others.

I'm talking about BMac's people management skills, not his premiership credentials.

[jeemak]

I'm talking about BMac's people management skills, not his premiership credentials.

Appreciate that. I guess what I'm trying to point out is that it's easy for the media to paint people like Eade, Matthews and Walls as people who couldn't manage people effectively (or as well as Bmac) who just used the stick instead of the carrot. But that's bullshit.

Some people from some clubs think that was the case with them, though others from successful clubs would tell it differently.

You don't become a premiership coach without gaining the trust and respect from your playing group. You don't become a reasonable coach without gaining trust and respect from your playing group unless your playing group is sublimely talented and can do it by themselves. This rarely, if ever, happens.

Bmac's people management style is working very well for us at the moment, as we can see the results on the field and from what the players are saying. There is also continuity in the message he is presenting which is great.

I'm hopeful, but I'm yet to be convinced his player management style is any better or any worse than any other coach in the league at present, or any of the more successful coaches we've had as a club. What I am convinced by, is his ability to maintain a solid message and keep the club on point. Which is a huge win (until we start losing).

We have a long road ahead of us. I'm glad we gave Bmac an extension, as I actually think he can get us to where we need to be.

[Bulldog Joe]

Appreciate that. I guess what I'm trying to point out is that it's easy for the media to paint people like Eade, Matthews and Walls as people who couldn't manage people effectively (or as well as Bmac) who just used the stick instead of the carrot. But that's bullshit.

Some people from some clubs think that was the case with them, though others from successful clubs would tell it differently.

You don't become a premiership coach without gaining the trust and respect from your playing group. You don't become a reasonable coach without gaining trust and respect from your playing group unless your playing group is sublimely talented and can do it by themselves. This rarely, if ever, happens.
Bmac's people management style is working very well for us at the moment, as we can see the results on the field and from what the players are saying. There is also continuity in the message he is presenting which is great.

I'm hopeful, but I'm yet to be convinced his player management style is any better or any worse than any other coach in the league at present, or any of the more successful coaches we've had as a club. What I am convinced by, is his ability to maintain a solid message and keep the club on point. Which is a huge win (until we start losing).

We have a long road ahead of us. I'm glad we gave Bmac an extension, as I actually think he can get us to where we need to be.
While, as always, I respect your comments and opinions, I just have to disagree with the bolded part.

In the modern game it may no longer be possible, but I am sure there are plenty of instances in the past where the playing group performed despite poor relationships with the coach.

I am pretty confident that Hawthorn in 1991 won the flag despite there being no trust and respect for the coach.

[ledge]

I think the game has changed as well as the so called "coach" he is more a manager of all his coaches and just tells them what and how he wants the team to develop, that way he spends more time watching and checking the players are in the right head space and what players he thinks fit his plan mentally and physically, for sure he steps in to the old coaching style at times but it's different now.