Review of the 2014 season so far

[GVGjr]

With us having the bye it's probably a good time to reflect on the season so far to date.
I'd be interested to hear some responses for the following questions:

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
(0 to 10 with 0 being a flop and 10 being a gun...no half votes)

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
(Please give some reasons why)

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
(Please give some reasons why)

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
(Please give some reasons why)

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
(Not Jarrad Grant)

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
(How many wins will we get?)

[bornadog]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
Has been very good for us, great recruitment from Macca as he is just the player we were looking for in the forward line. 8/10

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Macrae - has gone that one step up, even though he had a pretty good debut, this year gathering the ball almost 30 times a game is huge for a 19 year old. Could easily say Wood, but went for jack.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Up until last week, I thought Libba would have been better than he has been. I guess he uis tagged more now. Last week he was sensational.


4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
I will say Libba for last week. Without him, I don't think we would have beaten Melbourne in a tight game.


5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Tom Williams - He is so athletic, big, and full of talent, but his body is so frustrating. Could have been anything this bloke.


6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Macrae - knows how to get the ball, he is a good size, just needs to build his core strength and he will be an A grader.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Moving the ball more fluently into the forward line and hitting a target.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Absolutlety, can't wait to see him.


9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
(Not Jarrad Grant)
Hrovat - has speed, can kick a ball and has footy smarts.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
We must get more than 8, I think we can get to ten and finish 11th

[G-Mo77]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?

I'd give it a 7. He's had some bad ones but his best has been real good.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?

Probably Easton Wood. Injury plagued and disappointing 2013 he's looking real good so far in 2014

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?

Tough call because he's just a kid, still learning and I have high expectations but Michael Talia has been real disappointing. Just struggled at Senior Level so far. Plenty of time for improvement so I'm not concerned. Wallis another again not concerned though.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?

Libba last week against Melbourne. Simply outstanding!

5) Which player frustrates you the most?

I don't really have one player under the spotlight. Dumb team errors and poor structures annoy me most.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?

I just love Jackson Macrae. 2nd year player and looks to have a ton of class and poise. Really excited about having him with us.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?

Obviously forward line. Some weeks I do see improvement but it's an area which is our weakness.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?

Not sure. I don't see how it can hurt. He will improve our forward line a ton so I'm looking forward to slotting him back in there.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?

Smith, Hrovat fit and healthy will be big for us. Can't wait!

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?

I'm taking the easy way out, 10 - 16. It's just too hard to call right now.

[bulldogtragic]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
8/10 - Worth every bit of coin so far. Last week he showed annoyance, so I expect oppositions will work at that angle, so he needs to make sure he keeps it in check.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Higgins. Showing why he was such a highly rated youngster

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Howard, but he shouldn't have been kept. Then Wallis, his stocks were like IBM last year, now they're OneTel just before the crash.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Liberatore, a few times.

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Jones. He has the talent, but consistent effort after all this time doesn't seem to be coming week in and week out.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Bontempelli. I was on his bandwagon for consideration a while back last year. Quite often i'm wrong, but he's a special player.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Kicking in. Still. Massive frustration.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Yes. 100%.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Smith. I'm so looking forward to him coming back.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
15th, 5 wins. Pick 4 should net a big tall kid, Wright, McCartin, Goddard etc, etc, etc.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
7 - has had a couple of very quiet games, but overall a very solid pick-up, pretty happy with his contributions.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Wood has been enormous and Macrae has been extremely consistent.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Tough one. We've had a lack of consistency from a lot of our players. Most disappointing? Probably Wallis.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Libba was superb last week.

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Jones - but more so it's our structures (or lack of) that frustrate me most.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Bontempelli. After watching his VFL game last week - wow. I also still think that Stringer will develop into an elite footballer.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Developing a better forward structure. Arguably our defense needs just as much work.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Maybe not initially, but as he gets fitter - yes - because he's extremely difficult to match up on and creates zip/space that others (or himself) can take advantage of in the forward half. He is a crucial player for what he brings to the team.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Smith (and Hrovat). Former is a competitive beast, the latter is all class.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
6 wins - hard to say where that landa us. Maybe 13th-ish?

[lemmon]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
7 as well, has had some brilliant performances but consistency has been somewhat lacking. Can't dominate every game and has been very good but there's a big difference between his best and worst

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Higgins and Wood have been terrific, shows the benefits in simply getting on the park. Matthew Boyd looks rejuvenated and deserves plaudits as does Liam Picken

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Big Will Minson for me, has looked a shadow of his former self after a great year and is a big reason why our contested ball stats have been so far down

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Ill continue the trend, Libba last week

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
JJ this year, seems to continually runs himself into trouble. Needs to get back to basics

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Lbba, will win Brownlow(s)

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Our spine, we still need to find a genuine tall forward and another key back

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Not sold, was great towards the back end of last year but am yet to be convinced he can sustain it. Prove me wrong Jarrad

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Clay Smith, his toughness around the footy has been missed. Can't wait to see what he becomes, a lot of the Lenny Hayes' about him

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
14th. Puts some serious pressure on us as well to be honest

[boydogs]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?

9/10, wasted no time adjusting to our style of play. Currently 8th in the Coleman, despite playing up the ground and in defense at times

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?

Higgins, Macrae, Wood & Picken, our top 4 for disposal efficiency improvement

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?

Tom Campbell, looked like the gorilla forward we were missing last year but hasn't been able to cement a spot this year

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?

Liberatore v Melbourne

5) Which player frustrates you the most?

Liam Jones, his good is good but his bad is terrible

6) Which player has the most exciting future?

Tom Liberatore, should have been AA last year and still so young

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?

Getting space on your opponent

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?

I don't think we need him as much with Crameri now, so no, but hoping he will play just as well

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?

Clay Smith, will be a top 5 player for the next 10 years

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?

8 wins, 13th place

[GVGjr]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
8/10 - 1 poor game and a couple of average ones but the rest have been very good. His mobility over the ground have been impressive

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
I'll go with Liam Picken - He still has some flaws in his game but there were question marks about his ability to play in the back line last year and they have been well and truly squashed.
Special mention to Easton Wood who has been very impressive and Jackson who has been so consistent.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
I had high hopes for Michael Talia this year and he just hasn't looked right so far. Early in the season there was a lot of questions on why the MC wasn't playing him but on what I have seen they were spot on.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Has to be Libba last week

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Liam Jones because he isn't close to reaching his potential

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Jackson Macrae, He's moved to another level this year and I think there is more to come.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Skill level by foot and pace around the ground.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Its doubtful he can play at the same level so quickly upon his return given opposition clubs will put better players on him but if he does it will be an exciting period. There are a lot of expectations on him by the fans and he needs to live up to that.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Clay Smith should add some grunt to our midfield.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
12th with 8 wins. We will need a bit of luck to get to 10 wins given we have already squandered a win or two.

[Bulldog Joe]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
7 for me. Has really looked good on occasions but was missing in action against Essendon. A decent contribution in that game would have probably made the difference.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Probably Easton Wood who has become better than most thought possible.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?

Michael Talia. Whatever the issue he is certainly not giving his all. He dead set gave up on the chase a couple of times against Carlton.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?

Would go with Libba's effort against Melbourne.

5) Which player frustrates you the most?

Koby Stevens gets the gong here. He works so hard but has the vision of Stevie Wonder.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?

Lots of excitement around the young guys. Libba still fits in this category but we have several who have the potential to be A Grade plus. I think Libba can be at the very least top 5 in the comp.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?

Our forward 50 marking options. If we could get more set shots inside 50 we would start to be a danger to everyone.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?

We can only hope so. Always a concern when players have limited preparations. Our form will improve dramatically if he can produce anywhere near his 2013 form. He certainly creates more space and run and he did look good in the VFL game.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Clay Smith. He is such a competitor. He puts enormous physical pressure on opponents.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?

I initially speculated that we could make finals with 13 wins. We are just 1 win behind my expectation at this stage. So I still see the 8 as plausible. I'm going with 8th and no worse than 10th and 12 wins.

[F'scary]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
(0 to 10 with 0 being a flop and 10 being a gun...no half votes) 8/10. Top pick up. Big improvement on Dylan Addison in the forward line.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
(Please give some reasons why) Macrae: the high average number of possessions, the vision, the physical development in one season and the stamina. Great choice for draft pick 6; Wood - fit and back to what he was showing in 2012; Dahlhaus - has really established that he is more than just a defensive forward; Higgins - made of sterner stuff than he has shown in previous seasons; Jones - at least his kicking for goals.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most? I was going to say Wallis - out of form compared to last season when he shut names down and hurt the opposition a bit going the other way - but no, I think Stevens because of his handballing deficiency.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far? Feels strange saying this but Higgins in the GWS game.

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
(Please give some reasons why) Definitely Kobe. Most players without any vision or poise can at least handball reasonably.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
(Please give some reasons why). When Johannisen gets it all together, he will be sensational. Buffalo boy goes round the outside...

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on? Kicking the ball out after a behind. We suck at it something shocking.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013? Yes

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
(Not Jarrad Grant). Clay Smith - I love his interpretation of the defensive forward role in particular

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
(How many wins will we get?) 8 wins (Richmond, GWS * 2, Melbourne * 2, Brisbane, St Kilda, Gold Coast * 1). 13th on the ladder.

[Ozza]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?8. 18 goals from 8 games has him targeting 50 goals for the year (49.5 to be exact). This would certainly exceed my expectations and be a teriffic return.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form? Luke Dahlhaus - has gone from 16.7 possessions per game to 24.5 - and only kept under 20 stats (17 v Richmond/S.Morris) once. Huge improvement in consistency, and the ability to stay in games all day, even when a good shut down player goes to him. Its easy to forget, he's only played 57 career games and is 21 years old.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Probably Talia - just due to our injuries in defence, and him not grabbing the opportunity and making centre half back his.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?

To buck the trend I'll say Boyd's match vs GWS was as complete a performance as we've had.

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Tom Williams can be pretty frustrating in defence at times.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Hard to go past Libba.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
I would like to see us spread a lot better - add some outside run to our game. I think being able to get some easier outside ball, might improve the quality of our inside 50s.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
We all hope so. Nothing in his history would indicate it is a lock, but I do think either he, or Bob Murphy, across half forward is exactly the type of player that we need.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Clay Smith. Love his competitiveness. Think he is a leader type.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
13th.

[Go_Dogs]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
7 - Played some good games, with some poor ones, but is on par with my expectations for the first third of the season. Hoping he continues to build.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Easton Wood, has become a very consistent performer and for mine would be top 5 in our B&F to date. He is beating his opponent and creating.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Tom Young, I had high expectations on what he may deliver after a solid first season off a very low base. He just hasn't kicked on yet this year, which is disappointing as I thought he could really lock down that third defender role. Especially disappointing given we've needed some coverage in defence.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Libba against Melbourne has to be the standout.

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Liam Jones. Has played some OK games, but has also played some shockers. I was really hoping he'd hit his straps this year and deliver consistent performances, he hasn't yet and it frustrates me because I think he has a lot of tools to become a consistent player for us.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Luke Dahlhaus. Having a great year and looks set to become a midfield weapon who can tear games apart. He's already an exciting player who makes things happen, but he's increasing his ability to continually impact a game.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Still out outside stuff, our ball movement. We just haven't looked sharp enough yet, and for mine, it's a combination of skill, positioning and knowing when and where to run.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Not sure, but hoping he will. He's another like Jones who has some great tools and it would be a huge boost to the team if he could. It seems like his VFL game was promising and he's really starting to 'get it'. Fingers crossed.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Clay Smith is the obvious one, but I'm going to go for Hrovat. Hasn't quite hit his straps yet it seems, but he adds some polish and I'm really looking forward to him getting in to the side to help our skill and spread.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
I think we'll end up on 9 wins which will see us finish 13th based on percentage.

[wimberga]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
Stewie has been pretty good. Definitely met my expectations with a few poor performances, a couple of average performances and a couple of real standout performances.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Can't go past Easton Wood. The jump he has made has been amazing. Apologies to Jack Macrae & Dahlhaus

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Talia - It's all laid out for him and we need his type, just needs to do what the coach asks.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Libba v Melbourne

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Koby Stevens as with other posters. so much talent, a bull at the gates type, but if he gave himself just 1 more second each time he had the ball, we'd have a star.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
Jake Stringer. I just haven't seen his kind of arrogance, swagger and natural ability in a player at the dogs for a while. Expecting big things.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Lowering our eyes on the midfield/forward movement. I remember the good old days of our mosquito forwardline that tore opposition to shreds by hitting players on the lead repeatedly. Lucky to see that once a game now.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
I definitely hope so.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Clay Smith. Absolute Animal.

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
I believe we will finish somewhere around 12th, with perhaps 7-8 wins.

[bulldogtragic]

To Question 1: So true, and nothing new, like a zoo, our crew in line to like Stew is a long queue, what a coup, a great woo, here's looking at you, Stew.

Too long for haiku? Now time for a brew, I bid you adjure.


p.s. Essendon are poo.

[whythelongface]

1) How good has Stewart Crameri been this year ?
8 as others have said a couple of average with some good and some very good games. Overall think he has been a great addition.

2) Most improved players from 2013 form?
Easton Wood - based more on the fact that he had not lived up to his potential, mainly due to injuries, over the last few years. He really has been fantastic this year.

3) Player that has disappointed you the most?
Probably Mitch Wallis. Had a really good backend to the season last year but his appearances in the seniors have been disappointing. There is obviously still hope but he really needs to improve quickly otherwise others will pass him by.

4) Which player has played the best game of the season so far?
Libba v Melbourne - outstanding

5) Which player frustrates you the most?
Liam Jones - we know he has ability but he needs to back himself more and have more impact and be more consistent.

6) Which player has the most exciting future?
We have whole number of players such as Stringer, Hrovrat, Smith, Libba to name but a few but Macrae really stands out for me. He is in his 2nd year and has an unbelievable upside. Lock him in for a Norm Smith medal in the next 5 years.

7) Whats our biggest weakness that we need to improve on?
Delivery into the forward line. Sure our stats have shown that our disposal efficiency has improved, however our forward entries still lack consistency. Whether this is a delivery issue or a forward line issue I am not sure.

8) Will Jarrad Grant's return to the senior side make the same sort of impact this year as he did in 2013?
Let's hope so. He will be picked this week so we will soon see.

9) Which player that hasn't played in the senior side so far this year could make an impact?
Hrovrat

10) What will our ladder position be at the end of the season?
6 to 8 wins - a little disappointing, however we will be in games longer.