Clearances in 2015

[Sedat]

Righto, in all likelihood we've lost Libba for the season and we all know what an elite clearance machine he is at the stoppages. This is on top of already losing our best player and midfielder during trade week. So who picks up the slack in 2015? All of a sudden we have a massive hole in the contested ball and clearances in the middle, which was about the only thing we were decent at in the last 3 years. Clay Smith is an obvious candidate but is coming off 3 recos (2 knee and 1 shoulder) so we can't expect him to be 100% ready come round 1. Boyd is playing off half back, and I shudder at the thought of him coming back into the midfield any more than occasionally. Wally is more of a defensive mid - he does have very good awareness and quick hands though. Lin Jong all of a sudden becomes vitally important with his strength and power, although he doesn't have the game sense of other inside mids in the comp. The Bont can do just about anything but he will now command serious attention from opposition defensive mids and he is a bottom aged 2nd year player. Stringer might have some extra minutes in the middle - does he yet have the tank for extended minutes in midfield. Honeychurch perhaps? Small and only a 2nd year player. Prudden? I'll be happy just to see.him get on the park. Am I missing anyone? The cupboard looks very bare all of a sudden.

[GVGjr]

Perhaps it has to be Dahlhaus but more likely we need to bite the bullet with Hrovat, Hunter, Jong and Honeychurch and give them as much time as we can. They can be supported by Wallis, Boyd, Bontempelli, Picken and Stevens.

We can't cover Liberatore who is our only A grade player but we can provide opportunities for some of the youngsters.

[bulldogtragic]

Picken & Stevens just got more important in the immediate future.

Jong is still developing & Bonts getting first tag in his second year is not something we would want.

Smokey is Prudden is he can get fit. He seems to at least like the hard stuff.

[Bulldog4life]

And don't forget draft pick number 46 they guy we got for Jones

[Maddog37]

I think this will be the making of Wallis. He strikes me as the more you need him, the more he finds.

Hopefully Clay comes back and Hrovat is ok.

[dog town]

I would say Wallis now becomes more attacking and is freed up to play the accumulating role he did as a junior. Jong may take the role Wallis was playing or vice versa. Bevo already said we will be playing more guys through there. Macrae is ok in there too despite being an outside player in the main.

Just on the stoppages it is a huge change in philosophy with our ball movement out of clearances. We have gone from exiting stoppages out the back to handballing through them out the front. Sounds simple but it is a very obvious change in style. The speed and power of Jong and Bont suited it well yesterday.

[Maddog37]

I thought Bonts looked quicker yesterday.

[bornadog]

Does MBoyd now spend more time in the middle to try and cover until Hrovat, Dahl, Bonti get more experience? Wally will now be very vital in the middle as well.

[lemmon]

Stringer and possibly Crameri are two names I'd throw up. Both large frames which are important around the contest while if Stringer gets that explosiveness he has coming through a pack up and running from a stoppage he goes to another level. Definite options for 5 minutes a quarter as we rotate the smalls through there.

[Testekill]

Does MBoyd now spend more time in the middle to try and cover until Hrovat, Dahl, Bonti get more experience? Wally will now be very vital in the middle as well.


I can see Boyd or Goodes being walk-up starts for a while. Most mature body we have going through the midfield with Libba gone is Wallis and he's still really young in football terms.

[josie]

Jong, Wallis, Prudden (if he can remain uninjured), Honeychurch (big fan of this kid), Hrovat, possibly Hunter (his disposal by foot suspect, so perhaps in the clinches and quick handballs might be using his strengths) and possible elevation of Goodes.

Goodes is a damn good clearance player and half back where we played him in seniors is not his position. Not sure who would be leader of VFL midfield which is one of reasons he was kept on as a rookie (Greenwood or Pearce could step up to leadership roles in VFL).

Clay will be ideal assuming he can come back from second knee & first shoulder reco ok.

Stringer and Crameri (ASADA permitting) could do a bit of pinch hitting in the midfield too.

Who from our first year players or other rookies might help fill void? Is Caleb an in an under player or more of an outside player? And Roarke Smith? Roarke who some think has been performing well in drills and has a bit of size about him.

Is Pearce an in and under player? Again he has a bit of size about him.

[Greystache]

I think it has to be Wallis to take on a pure inside role. In my opinion it's his best chance for a good AFL career anyway. This is his 5th year in the system so he should be ready.

[Twodogs]

Perhaps it has to be Dahlhaus but more likely we need to bite the bullet with Hrovat, Hunter, Jong and Honeychurch and give them as much time as we can. They can be supported by Wallis, Boyd, Bontempelli, Picken and Stevens.

We can't cover Liberatore who is our only A grade player but we can provide opportunities for some of the youngsters.

That's about the only positive we can take out of this. It will fast track the development of talented youngsters.

Hopefully the reports on Clay Smiths rehab are right pand he may be back earlier and Jongy and maybe Stringer can step to the plate.

[GVGjr]

That's about the only positive we can take out of this. It will fast track the development of talented youngsters.


Given the age profile of our list I think it's more akin to chucking one or two of them in to the deep before they are ready.

[kruder]

Perhaps it has to be Dahlhaus but more likely we need to bite the bullet with Hrovat, Hunter, Jong and Honeychurch and give them as much time as we can. They can be supported by Wallis, Boyd, Bontempelli, Picken and Stevens.

We can't cover Liberatore who is our only A grade player but we can provide opportunities for some of the youngsters.

I'm finding Dahlhaus frustrating in the middle. He seems to have lost his composure for mine, continually rushing his disposal. I remember Luke in his first season being a great decision maker he seems to have gone backwards in this area.

I think Stevens,Wallis and Jong have to be played in inside with Boyd spending more time in their than we hoped for.

Is it just me or are people feeling the spoon a possibility? I remember remarking the other day how good our injury list was gee how one knee changes that! I still can't remember having more talented young players than we do now but this year will be one of the toughest for along time.

[Remi Moses]

Hopefully the making of Mitch Wallis and to step out of Libba's shadow.
Good luck to Tom and he only has to look to the old man for advice .
As G said someone's going to be chucked into the deep end before their time.

[Bulldog4life]

Hopefully the making of Mitch Wallis and to step out of Libba's shadow.
Good luck to Tom and he only has to look to the old man for advice .
As G said someone's going to be chucked into the deep end before their time.

Clay can offer Tom some good advice too.

[boydogs]

You only need to look at what happened yesterday after Libba went off to know Mitch Wallis will step up

[jeemak]

I'm thinking - like others - this will be the making of Mitch Wallis. I thought he was ready to take a step forward this year, he'll have to now.

[GVGjr]

I'm finding Dahlhaus frustrating in the middle. He seems to have lost his composure for mine, continually rushing his disposal. I remember Luke in his first season being a great decision maker he seems to have gone backwards in this area.



He has never quite performed as well in the middle as he does around the forward line but maybe we do need to keep pushing him in that role.



I think Stevens,Wallis and Jong have to be played in inside with Boyd spending more time in their than we hoped for.



I think so but maybe more in the rotation.



Is it just me or are people feeling the spoon a possibility? I remember remarking the other day how good our injury list was gee how one knee changes that! I still can't remember having more talented young players than we do now but this year will be one of the toughest for along time.

Probably a discussion for a different thread but with a young team it's hard to predict.

[GVGjr]

I'm thinking - like others - this will be the making of Mitch Wallis. I thought he was ready to take a step forward this year, he'll have to now.

At least we know he will work as hard as he can with any opportunities given. His got some faults as a player but his endeavour is normally right up there.

[Sedat]

Jong, Wallis, Prudden (if he can remain uninjured), Honeychurch (big fan of this kid), Hrovat, possibly Hunter (his disposal by foot suspect, so perhaps in the clinches and quick handballs might be using his strengths) and possible elevation of Goodes.
I think we are underestimating just how much elite contested ball winning and clearance ability we have lost since our last competitive hitout in 2014. Libba and Griffen are both top-shelf competition elite in these areas and they barely missed a game in the last 3 years between - despite this high quality output we didn't get anywhere near being top 8 competitive in that time.

The names mentioned above are either just cementing their place in our best 22 or are not even at that level yet. We can't expect them to replace the output of elite competition mids like Libba and Griffen. Beveridge has a massive task on his hands.

[Rocco Jones]

The flow on effect of losing Griff and Libba is the close attention that our strongest mid will receive. I have hope for the future but imagine an opposition teaming looking at our engine room and thinking who to tag/close check. Bonts and/or Macrae will really have to earn their touches.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

I think we are underestimating just how much elite contested ball winning and clearance ability we have lost since our last competitive hitout in 2014. Libba and Griffen are both top-shelf competition elite in these areas and they barely missed a game in the last 3 years between - despite this high quality output we didn't get anywhere near being top 8 competitive in that time.

The names mentioned above are either just cementing their place in our best 22 or are not even at that level yet. We can't expect them to replace the output of elite competition mids like Libba and Griffen. Beveridge has a massive task on his hands.

The loss of Liberatore is an absolute crushing blow. Last year we had five A grade players in Libba Griffen Murphy Macrae and Bonts, which has now been reduced to three.
We will need both Wallis and Jong to step up quickly as they are replacing star quality. Wallis and Jong were good yesterday but let's not forget we were playing a second rate Richmond line up.

[always right]

Talk about the wooden spoon is premature however I always considered it very possible that we could make big steps forward and still win the spoon. Now that Libba is gone for the season I have no doubt that opposition clubs will target our most creative player on our list...Macrae. Our coaches are going to have to spend a lot of time devising ways to support him on the field. He's going to be in for a very tough season but hopefully it is simply another trigger for him to step up yet another gear.

[always right]

The loss of Liberatore is an absolute crushing blow. Last year we had five A grade players in Libba Griffen Murphy Macrae and Bonts, which has now been reduced to three.
We will need both Wallis and Jong to step up quickly as they are replacing star quality. Wallis and Jong were good yesterday but let's not forget we were playing a second rate Richmond line up.

I'm hopeful/confident that Stringer will join that elite group this year.

[LostDoggy]

You only need to look at what happened yesterday after Libba went off to know Mitch Wallis will step up

Agree Boyddogs.
Wallys chance to step out of Libbas shadow because now is his time to SHINE!:cool:

[1eyedog]

I think we are underestimating just how much elite contested ball winning and clearance ability we have lost since our last competitive hitout in 2014. Libba and Griffen are both top-shelf competition elite in these areas and they barely missed a game in the last 3 years between - despite this high quality output we didn't get anywhere near being top 8 competitive in that time.

The names mentioned above are either just cementing their place in our best 22 or are not even at that level yet. We can't expect them to replace the output of elite competition mids like Libba and Griffen. Beveridge has a massive task on his hands.

Maybe we need to look elsewhere than how much contested ball we win in order to be competitive. I remember it being a shock when we were neck deep in the contested ball mantra and Sydney rolled Hawforn in the Grannie with less contested ball. They ran harder, they were fitter and they moved the ball quicker and more directly.

Without Libba and Griffen when we have it we have to spread hard and our skill level needs to be high. Tough ask.

[Mofra]

We have too many tall forwards and not enough midfielders



I'm not sure how correct that statement is, I just wanted to say it for the first time in our history

[bornadog]

Bulldogs turn to young guns to cover loss of injured Tom Liberatore (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/bulldogs-turn-to-young-guns-to-cover-loss-of-injured-tom-liberatore-20150301-13rz1j.html)
The Western Bulldogs will turn to their next batch of midfield talent and a more versatile approach to cover for the massive loss of Tom Liberatore following confirmation their most important player will miss the entire 2015 season.


Liberatore's career – and the club's hopes of a resurgence this season under new coach Luke Beveridge – suffered a setback on Sunday with scans revealing last year's best and fairest winner had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.


The 22-year-old sustained the injury in the first quarter of Saturday's 22-point NAB Challenge win against Richmond at Whitten Oval, receiving the news after meeting with a specialist on Sunday.


Liberatore will undergo a reconstruction to repair the ligament later this week, the same fate facing West Coast's reigning best and fairest winner, Eric Mackenzie, who went down on Friday against Carlton.


"Our initial prognosis of an ACL tear was confirmed today by MRI, and we are all feeling for Tom, who is an integral part of our team," Dogs' general manager of football, Graham Lowe, said.


"He is in good spirits however and we know he will take his rehabilitation in his stride. Tom is an extremely resilient young man, and will return bigger and better from this setback."


It is a significant on-field blow for the Dogs, not to mention an unwanted challenge for the highly rated Liberatore just as his career seemed to heading to the next level.


He is already the league's top clearance and tackling player and with Ryan Griffen (GWS) and Adam Cooney (Essendon) gone, the son of former Dogs great Tony Liberatore was set to take on a more senior midfield role this year, continuing his transition into an elite all-round player.


Beveridge and his coaching staff will have to find other players to carry the load expected of Liberatore this season. Luke Dahlhaus and Jack Macrae ranked highly last season for tackles, contested possessions and clearances, and both players could have an impact on the outside.


They started well against the Tigers with 20-plus disposals each and a goal, as did Mitch Wallis, who might have to become more of a ball-winner in place of Liberatore.


Marcus Bontempelli is only coming into his second season but is an exceptional talent and has the height and ability to move in traffic that could make him an elite clearance player.


Surprise packet Lin Jong might also be given more opportunity after emerging as a standout in the pre-season, improving in particular his stoppage craft, while Nathan Hrovat, who was rated as "elite" for a forward last year for contested possessions, could also be given more time to develop his game.


Clay Smith, who has endured an awful run with knee injuries, is another option when he breaks back into the team while veteran Matt Boyd, who played defence on Saturday, can always be called on.


While the scope of Liberatore's loss cannot be underestimated, inside midfielder is one role for which the Dogs are better equipped with depth, albeit that no player performs it better than Liberatore.


While careful to differentiate his coaching philosophies from that of his background with Hawthorn, Beveridge has made it clear that increasing the versatility of the Dogs' list is a priority, as it is for Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson.


Jack Redpath, a 194cm key forward, was even used in centre square bounces as a midfielder against the Tigers.


"A lot of boys went through [the midfield]," Beveridge said after the game against Richmond.


"At one stage we look out and we had Tom Boyd, Mitch Honeychurch, Josh Prudden and Lin Jong in the centre square and we were actually down at that point," he said. "It's important that we are more versatile."

[craigsahibee]

I would say Wallis now becomes more attacking and is freed up to play the accumulating role he did as a junior. Jong may take the role Wallis was playing or vice versa. Bevo already said we will be playing more guys through there. Macrae is ok in there too despite being an outside player in the main.

Just on the stoppages it is a huge change in philosophy with our ball movement out of clearances. We have gone from exiting stoppages out the back to handballing through them out the front. Sounds simple but it is a very obvious change in style. The speed and power of Jong and Bont suited it well yesterday.

Agree wholeheartedly. In a way it forces our hand to become slightly more attacking as Wallis needs to step into the Libba role and the likes of Hrovat, Dahlhaus and Jong are going to be required to spend more time in the midfield as well as Lachie Hunter. These 4 are not defensively minded run with players and should not be asked to perform that role at this stage in their career. There will be occasions when Picken will be asked to run with a certain opponent through the middle of the ground. This could be the making of Wallis. He was showing great signs last year before hurting his hand and I thought his ability to get hands on the footy on Saturday was good.

[stefoid]

whats wrong with Matty Boyd taking a spot at the coal face?