Our 5 best players?

[1eyedog]

Who are they? Can you put them in order? Bloody tough after number 1. Can be most important if you're thus inclined.

[bulldogtragic]

Bloody hell. After Zaine it gets bloody tough I agree.

Bonts, Tom Boyd, Stringer, Wood, Libba - maybe - but you can make arguments for a lot, lot more.

[merantau]

This is a very tough question. 1. Marcus Bontempelli 2. Robert Murphy 3. Tom Liberatore 4. Easton Wood. 5. Tom Boyd

I think only one player would universally be agreed to be Top 5. No prizes for guessing who!

[1eyedog]

I'm still thinking. I have Dahl in my top 5 I think.

[bulldogtragic]

Our best pure defender is still Morris in my book too.

[1eyedog]

1. Bont (a lock)
2. Libba (no coincidence how much better we were when he came back in)
3. Picken (went in front of Dahl this year. Does everything and kicks goals).
4. Dahl (is never, ever out of the game).
5. Wood / JJ can't split them (different players, equally important).

No Morris or Macrae is ridiculous really.

[always right]

If we are talking about future then Toyd's might be valid but if we are talking who are our best five now, he's not really in the equation.

1. Bont
2. Libba
3. Dahl
4. JJ
5. Wood

Apologies to Macrae, Moyd and Morris......Murph the unknown based on being out most of the year.

[LostDoggy]

1) Bont
2) Libba
3) Macrae
4) Wood
5) Morris

[The Doctor]

Morris, Bont, Libba, Wood, M.Boyd

Murphy would be likely be in if not long term injured

[jeemak]

The guy who had an ordinary year and still managed to almost average two goals a game will step up given full fitness. I can see why he doesn't figure in the lists now, but he plays a bloody difficult role for us.

It's a topic that really reinforces the strength of our recruitment of fine players.

[Twodogs]

Are you alright there Jeemak?


Have another one of the yellow ones.

[jazzadogs]

I was saying this at Grand Final time...one of the primary reasons we won the flag was because of the evenness across our side, which was underrated by throughout the football community.

I would say an outsiders top 5, pre finals, would have been:
Bont, Wood, Libba, M Boyd, Stringer. Not many non-Bulldogs rate Dahlhaus, Macrae, Morris or (pre-finals) JJ, Picken and T Boyd.

For me, our top 5 are:
Bont, Wood, Dahlhaus, Libba, Morris.

[jazzadogs]

The guy who had an ordinary year and still managed to almost average two goals a game will step up given full fitness. I can see why he doesn't figure in the lists now, but he plays a bloody difficult role for us.

It's a topic that really reinforces the strength of our recruitment of fine players.

I did think the same thing, I love Stringer and he only dropped his form after he busted his shoulder.

The real point I guess is that we don't actually have a top 5. They're all great!

[jeemak]

Are you alright there Jeemak?


Have another one of the yellow ones.

Eh Brother?

Not sure what you mean.

[Twodogs]

Eh Brother?

Not sure what you mean.

Sorry mate. Not sure where that came from. I certainly didn't post it. There might be demons here who found an iPad left on.

[dukedog]

Bont. Libba. Wood. T. Boyd. JJ.

Players I think are an absolute loss for the team if they wern't playing.
As opposed to the 'best' players....

[LostDoggy]

Hard to define what best means. If I was picking a fictional perfect team to play against the Martians and was allowed 5 Bulldogs in good health, I'd take Bont, Libba, Morris, Macrae and Murphy.

[Hotdog60]

No mention of Wallis in these list. He was doing alright until the leg.
It's Bont and then throw a blanket over a dozen others.
Hard call.

[GVGjr]

Very difficult to do.

Bontempelli
Dahlhaus
Johannisen
Liberatore
Macrae

Morris, Picken, Wood and MBoyd all unlucky

[comrade]

Bont
Libba
Stringer
JJ
Morris

Wood, Macrae and Dahl very stiff. Expecting Hunter & Tom Boyd to push up into consideration in 2017.

[Bulldog Joe]

Of course it is hard to pick a top 5.

Even a top 5 drafted 2012 and later is bloody good.

Bont
Macrae
Stringer
T Boyd
L Hunter

Pity we have no elite players (according to Nathan Burke). If we did they might threaten for a flag.

[Twodogs]

Of course it is hard to pick a top 5.

Even a top 5 drafted 2012 and later is bloody good.

Bont
Macrae
Stringer
T Boyd
L Hunter

Pity we have no elite players (according to Nathan Burke). If we did they might threaten for a flag.


I wonder if something like that counts against you when it comes to deciding the line up next year? It was right at the end of the year too so everybody remembers it.

[1eyedog]

Hard to define what best means. If I was picking a fictional perfect team to play against the Martians and was allowed 5 Bulldogs in good health, I'd take Bont, Libba, Morris, Macrae and Murphy.

Just according to you is fine. Most important is fine as per OP as well.

[bornadog]

Based on 2016 form guide.

Bont
Macrae
Libba
Picken
JJ

[ratsmac]

This is so hard. If I do this for the next 5 days I'll have a different list every time. Here I go...

1. Bont (obviously)
2. Murphy
3. Dahl
4. Libba
5. M. Boyd

Apologies to Morris, Macrae, Wood, Stringer, Picken and so on

[FrediKanoute]

For men its about hurt factor, so

Bont
Libba
JJ
Wood
Picken

Give these guys space, time and the ball and they will murder you

[The Underdog]

Is it on exposed form because I'm struggling to see how people are rating Tom Boyd in our best 5. Sure he was near BOG in the GF and had a very important Prelim but his form before that is best described as patchy.

To rate him currently above a bunch of his teammates seems presumptuous. On potential future impact sure, but he's a ways of current top 5 I'd suggest. As for mine I agree there is a lot of players around a similar mark which make it tough. In no particular order.
Bont, Dahlhaus, M. Boyd, Liberatore, Wood.
A fit Murphy probably takes Boyd's spot.

Morris is immensely important. Macrae, Wallis and Hunter are very close and Stringer on talent should be in there but his form this year was crap.

[LostDoggy]

1. The Bont
2.Lukey D
3.JMac
4.Libba
5.JJ

Apologies to 17 others :(

[merantau]

Does anyone have info on the personel who made up pur '85 Prelim side? Many think this was our best team since '54. I'm interested in the age breakdown compared to current 22.

These are the players I remember: Hawkins, Kennedy, Royal, Hardie, Sewell, Daniels, Purser, Egan, Super, Peter Foster, Mark Kellett, Beasley, Bamblett, Wallis, Maylin, Rod Macpherson, Buhagiar, Brian Cordy, Neil Cordy, Ian Williams, Emmett Dunne. Darren Baxter
My impression is that a lot of these players were gone by 1988 whereas with our current team we could have the bulk of them around for another 7 - 10 years.

[merantau]

I forgot Jim Edmond

[merantau]

Just looked up team. Add Michael Maclean, Neil Peart and Robt Groenewegon. Delete Dunne, Williams, Rod Macpherson, Egan, Kellett and Darren Baxter.
Of those 20 only 9 went on to have substantial careers with us whereas now we only have half a dozen who won't be around in a few years time. So, are in the best place we have ever been to win flags - let's cash in!

[Bulldog4life]

Very very hard to do but and having to leave a number of players out here goes.

1.Bont
2.Libba
3.Macrae
4.Morris
5.JJ

[Mantis]

1/ Bontempelli
2/ Dahlhaus
3/ JJ
4/ Macrae
5/ Morris

There isn't much difference between 2 and 10.. I guess that's why we are so good.

[Twodogs]

Best. Flat out most talented.

1. The Bont.
2. Stringer
3. Libba
4. T. Boyd
5. Murphy

About a dozen players missed a spot by about a small as margin as you can imagine.


Most important to us on matchday

1. Dahlhaus
2. Morris
3. JJ
4. The Bont
5. Libba
6. Roughead
7. T. Boyd

Can't pick five but at least five of those seven have to play if we are going to win.

[Murphy'sLore]

I'm going to go with my first thoughts:

1. Bonti
2. Murphy
3. Dahlhaus
4. Morris
5. Wood

But then I remembered Libba. And Macrae. And Matty Boyd. And JJ. And Picken.

And I concluded that it's basically impossible.
4.

[Twodogs]

I'm going to go with my first thoughts:

1. Bonti
2. Murphy
3. Dahlhaus
4. Morris
5. Wood

But then I remembered Libba. And Macrae. And Matty Boyd. And JJ. And Picken.

And I concluded that it's basically impossible.
4.

I'd argue that he's even the best Boyd on our list!

[Murphy'sLore]

Even or not even? :)

[Twodogs]

Even or not even? :)


Yeah, not even the best Boyd in our team.

I knew that didn't look right.

[LostDoggy]

1. Bont
2. LibbA

Then its bloody tough!

3. Lukey D
4. Morris (this year, 2017 swap with Wood)

5. Caleb Daniel i feel will slip into our top 5 in 2017 and all australian. His footy brain and skill are outstandimg at his age.

But what about the unlucky ones left and the other future stars? Murph, Moyd, Toyd, Wally, String, JJ, Macrae, Picken and Roughy so important. I think the Dunk is going to be very good.

[Twodogs]

1. Bont
2. LibbA

Then its bloody tough!

3. Lukey D
4. Morris (this year, 2017 swap with Wood)

5. Caleb Daniel i feel will slip into our top 5 in 2017 and all australian. His footy brain and skill are outstandimg at his age.

But what about the unlucky ones left and the other future stars? Murph, Moyd, Toyd, Wally, String, JJ, Macrae, Picken and Roughy so important. I think the Dunk is going to be very good.

Don't forget Magic Maclean.

[Go_Dogs]

I've been struggling with this, but I'd probably go with:

Bontempelli
Wood
Dahlhaus
JJ
Picken

And then feel horrible I've left out many others...

[1eyedog]

Can everyone please discuss how close Picken and Dahlhaus are in terms of importance and why Dahl seems to be in front? Thanks.

[LostDoggy]

Don't forget Magic Maclean.

Gun. I reckon he might have a tough 2017 but come back hard in 2018. Pressure, competition for spots, rule changes and even role changes. What about Webb?

[LostDoggy]

Can everyone please discuss how close Picken and Dahlhaus are in terms of importance and why Dahl seems to be in front? Thanks.

Its a very good question, as most mention, its a raffle after number 1 but i guess the overall body of work from lukey D seems to be greater consistently. That may just be my perception, stats may or may not prove nor deny it. Picken would be one of the first names on the team sheet, went up a level this year and i wonder where the ceiling is.

Great signature 1eye.

[1eyedog]

Its a very good question, as most mention, its a raffle after number 1 but i guess the overall body of work from lukey D seems to be greater consistently. That may just be my perception, stats may or may not prove nor deny it. Picken would be one of the first names on the team sheet, went up a level this year and i wonder where the ceiling is.

Great signature 1eye.

Yeah I reckon. Dahl has done it at a higher level for longer. Picken is the benchmark for consistency really, but he does not operate at the level Dahl does, until this finals series of course. Picken was the player of the finals and it would be great if he can maintain this level throughout next year. If he does he'll be in our top 3 players.

[Murphy'sLore]

When Lukey D was out during the year I thought he was the player we struggled most to replace.
Which I probably wouldn't have predicted.

[1eyedog]

When Lukey D was out during the year I thought he was the player we struggled most to replace.
Which I probably wouldn't have predicted.

Knowing what we know of Picken during the finals series would you say the same of him now?

[Murphy'sLore]

I guess I'm waiting to see if Picken can produce that amazing form consistently... No reason why he shouldn't, though.

Maybe I should swap Murphy out of my original five and substitute Picken. Let me think about it :)

[LostDoggy]

I guess I'm waiting to see if Picken can produce that amazing form consistently... No reason why he shouldn't, though.

Maybe I should swap Murphy out of my original five and substitute Picken. Let me think about it :)

2016 has certainly seen a massive growth in self belief on Liam's behalf. He should be at his peak though.

[Twodogs]

I guess I'm waiting to see if Picken can produce that amazing form consistently... No reason why he shouldn't, though.

Maybe I should swap Murphy out of my original five and substitute Picken. Let me think about it :)


2016 has certainly seen a massive growth in self belief on Liam's behalf. He should be at his peak though.

Isn't it amazing what can happen when a new boss comes in and shows some confidence in you. I'm not bagging Bmac and saying that he missed a trick with Liam because it wouldn't have occurred to me to turn Liam from a run with negative type player who would have been best remembered for owning Boomer Harvey several times (in prison terms I believe Boomer would be referred to as Liam's bitch) into a premiership winning midfielder and small forward either. I wonder what it was about Liam that Bevo thought he could be better employed elsewhere on the field than chasing the good players around?

[LostDoggy]

Isn't it amazing what can happen when a new boss comes in and shows some confidence in you. I'm not bagging Bmac and saying that he missed a trick with Liam because it wouldn't have occurred to me to turn Liam from a run with negative type player who would have been best remembered for owning Boomer Harvey several times (in prison terms I believe Boomer would be referred to as Liam's bitch) into a premiership winning midfielder and small forward either. I wonder what it was about Liam that Bevo thought he could be better employed elsewhere on the field than chasing the good players around?

Where can I get the "Liam's Bitch" Tshirt? Sounds bloody awesome.

I had him pegged for a defensive forward, some of those grabs he took, in particular the Eagles finals, but a few more were just breathtaking. Our first goal in that game Picken kicked and spat venom at his team mates "COME ON!", he continued to lift the team through the game, certainly presented as a team leader during the finals.

[jeemak]

Isn't it amazing what can happen when a new boss comes in and shows some confidence in you. I'm not bagging Bmac and saying that he missed a trick with Liam because it wouldn't have occurred to me to turn Liam from a run with negative type player who would have been best remembered for owning Boomer Harvey several times (in prison terms I believe Boomer would be referred to as Liam's bitch) into a premiership winning midfielder and small forward either. I wonder what it was about Liam that Bevo thought he could be better employed elsewhere on the field than chasing the good players around?

I think I've heard it was as simple as everyone acknowledging Bev doesn't like players who aren't versatile, and challenges them to add dimensions to their game.

The reality was that if Picken couldn't show another side he'd have been traded. His steady improvement to the breathtaking finals was something I didn't see coming. I'm super glad it did though.

[Twodogs]

Where can I get the "Liam's Bitch" Tshirt? Sounds bloody awesome.

I had him pegged for a defensive forward, some of those grabs he took, in particular the Eagles finals, but a few more were just breathtaking. Our first goal in that game Picken kicked and spat venom at his team mates "COME ON!", he continued to lift the team through the game, certainly presented as a team leader during the finals.


Prison presumabably.

[Eastdog]

This is really tough but I'll have a go:

1. Bont
2. Libba
3. Wood
4. JJ
5. Picken

Morris, Murph, Wallis, T Boyd, Macrae all unlucky but like ratsmac said this for me I reckon can change day by day.

[1eyedog]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16508408_747191512112697_8642340800753898786_n.jpg?oh=db721d f3251290d75189539ff43a291b&oe=59338276

Sorry...

[bulldogtragic]

And Kelly too.

[comrade]

Geez, feel bad for Billings being judged amongst that group.

Actually, no I don't.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Can everyone please discuss how close Picken and Dahlhaus are in terms of importance and why Dahl seems to be in front? Thanks.

You could put Macrae in this discussion. He is consistent ball accumulator and processor, like Dahl. Macrae puts himself in the right positions all the time, even directly after processing the ball and has a great awareness of teammates and planned postitioning. He goes at it hard and often. When we have no Dahl or Macrae we have not performed well. Picken is all heart and guts, inspirational and a big game performer. All top 5 for mine with the Bont and Libba.

[Twodogs]

Can everyone please discuss how close Picken and Dahlhaus are in terms of importance and why Dahl seems to be in front? Thanks.

For mine it's the sheer number of contests Dahl gets to and effects. Also it might just be that we didn't have to find out how Picken's extended absence from the team affected us last year but Dahl was absent from the team for an extended period and his absence stood out like dogs' balls.

[Rocket Science]

Best?

Bontempelli
Stringer
Toyd
Liberatore
Dahlhaus

Or most vital to us?

Bontempelli
Liberatore
Wood
Dahlhaus
Johannisen

[ratsmac]

Liam Picken was our Stuart Dew on grand final day

[Twodogs]

Liam Picken was our Stuart Dew on grand final day


Except Picko played 4 quarters on Gf day as opposed to half a quarter.

[MrMahatma]

Liam Picken was our Stuart Dew on grand final day


He was the player of the finals series. Much more than a burst player.

[always right]

Best?

Bontempelli
Stringer
Toyd
Liberatore
Dahlhaus

Or most vital to us?

Bontempelli
Liberatore
Wood
Dahlhaus
Johannisen

Is Toyd's inclusion based on potential? I would find it impossible to include him based on one performance no matter how good it was.

My top 5;
Bont
Dahl
Libba
Wood
JJ

[soupman]

Is Toyd's inclusion based on potential? I would find it impossible to include him based on one performance no matter how good it was.


Can't see Toyd in the top 5. I have 14 clearly ahead of, and he sits in a bracket that contains about 5 other players. He was awesome in the GF, but you could argue Clay Smith was just as influential in the PF. Potentially he could be top 5, but I'd want to see a good run of form before putting him ahead of Bont, Moyd, Dahl, Hunter, Stringer, Wood and Morris just for starters.

[KT31]

My top 5 as of typing - ( but gee I've chopped and changed a few times in the last hour)

Bonts
Dahl
Libba
Wood
Macrae

[Twodogs]

My top 5 as of typing - ( but gee I've chopped and changed a few times in the last hour)

Bonts
Dahl
Libba
Wood
Macrae

That's top quality but I'd like to see one of our talls push into that group by year's end.

[whythelongface]

My top 5 as of typing - ( but gee I've chopped and changed a few times in the last hour)

Bonts
Dahl
Libba
Wood
Macrae

Pretty much mine as well. Only change would be in the order with Wood pushing up to # 2 followed by Dahl, Libba and Macrae. Morris would be just behind them.

[Twodogs]

Pretty much mine as well. Only change would be in the order with Wood pushing up to # 2 followed by Dahl, Libba and Macrae. Morris would be just behind them.


The only other player I have to add to KT's list would be JJ.

[stefoid]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16508408_747191512112697_8642340800753898786_n.jpg?oh=db721d f3251290d75189539ff43a291b&oe=59338276

Sorry...

geez, Boyd has a touch of the Ivan Dragos in that photo - "I must break you"

[Eastdog]

This is really tough but I'll have a go:

1. Bont
2. Libba
3. Wood
4. JJ
5. Picken

Morris, Murph, Wallis, T Boyd, Macrae all unlucky but like ratsmac said this for me I reckon can change day by day.

Revised:

1. Bonti
2. Dahl
3. Libba
4. JJ
5. Picken

Wish I could fit in Morris, Wood, Wallis, Macrae, T Boyd - will become very important

Dunks and Zaine Cordy huge potential to get into that list

Unbelievable I didnt have Dahl in my first list!

How about Biggs and Roughy? I reckon they are both important players.

[Eastdog]

Liam Picken was our Stuart Dew on grand final day

Just a great worker. You will always get pretty much 100% out of Picko.

[Eastdog]

My top 5 as of typing - ( but gee I've chopped and changed a few times in the last hour)

Bonts
Dahl
Libba
Wood
Macrae

Yes its extremely tough doing a top 5.

[Mantis]

That's top quality but I'd like to see one of our talls push into that group by year's end.

Who would be most likely?

FWIW I wouldn't have a tall in the top 10-15 so they are coming from a long way back.

[1eyedog]

geez, Boyd has a touch of the Ivan Dragos in that photo - "I must break you"

Yep staring directly at GWS' list manager!

[1eyedog]

What a horrible job who came up with this thread FFS?

1. Bonts
2. Libba
3. Dahl
4. Picken
5. Bob

[KT31]

geez, Boyd has a touch of the Ivan Dragos in that photo - "I must break you"

Bonts - "thank you Lord for getting me to the Dog's, I'm going to repay you in spades with Doggy Grandfinal wins"

Boyd - "For %$#@ sake GWS, gee I envy Bontempelli ending up at the Bulldogs."

[LostDoggy]

What a horrible job who came up with this thread FFS?

1. Bonts
2. Libba
3. Dahl
4. Picken
5. Bob

A Top 10?

Anyway here goes:

1.The Bont
2.Libba
3.Dahl
4.JJ
5.Moz

[Bulldog4life]

A Top 10?

Anyway here goes:

1.The Bont
2.Libba
3.Dahl
4.JJ
5.Moz

That is mine exactly Redders.

[Eastdog]

A Top 10?

Anyway here goes:

1.The Bont
2.Libba
3.Dahl
4.JJ
5.Moz

Good one redders70. No room for Picko?

[LostDoggy]

Good one redders70. No room for Picko?

If it was a top 7 Easty then would have had Jacko at 6 and Pickers at 7.

[1eyedog]

We all seem to agree its Bont Libba and Dahl as our top 3.

[Eastdog]

If it was a top 7 Easty then would have had Jacko at 6 and Pickers at 7.

Its ever changing the top 5 for us.

[Eastdog]

Very similar to mine redders. Good list still :)

[Twodogs]

Who would be most likely?

FWIW I wouldn't have a tall in the top 10-15 so they are coming from a long way back.


Boyd is the only one in a position unless Roughead surprises us all and has a huge year. He's the only other tall I could see going past the lists of mids we've been making.

[westdog54]

geez, Boyd has a touch of the Ivan Dragos in that photo - "I must break you"

Bont is the only one of the 4 that didn't look completely *!*!*!*!ing miserable

[boydogs]

Who would be most likely?

FWIW I wouldn't have a tall in the top 10-15 so they are coming from a long way back.

Cloke has started well with us

[Bullies]

Bont
Libber
Dahl
Macrae
T Boyd

[Bullies]

You could put Macrae in this discussion. He is consistent ball accumulator and processor, like Dahl. Macrae puts himself in the right positions all the time, even directly after processing the ball and has a great awareness of teammates and planned postitioning. He goes at it hard and often. When we have no Dahl or Macrae we have not performed well. Picken is all heart and guts, inspirational and a big game performer. All top 5 for mine with the Bont and Libba.

So glad someone else sees how underrated Macrae is. Watching the GF again he should have just about won the Norm Smith. No surprise we turned it around when he came back with the others during the finals. By all accounts a number of clubs are into him.

[Twodogs]

There's a lot of Robert Harvey about Jack Macrae. That ability to run hard into space to create an option and the determination to never lose a contest.

[1eyedog]

1. Bonts
2. Libba
3. Dahl
4. Stringer
5. Picken

When you see what he did last night! Calls for a revision. I'm going early this is Jake's year he is going to explode.

[bornadog]

1. Bonts
2. Libba
3. Dahl
4. Stringer
5. Picken

When you see what he did last night! Calls for a revision. I'm going early this is Jake's year he is going to explode.

I hope he can continue with that form.

[Eastdog]

I hope he can continue with that form.

For sure. Thursday night would have given him a lot of confidence. Needs to do that consistently and he'll be very good.

[jeemak]

M. Boyd
Libba
Stringer
Macrae
Bont

I've gone with who I think our best players will be through the year. M. Boyd if injury free will go AA again.

[Twodogs]

Big call on Keithy Boyd there j. Our best player?

I can't immediately think of an argument against your assertion. I'll have to reflect on that one.

[jeemak]

Mine is just the top five in no particular order.

[Ozza]

Bonti
Morris
Dahlhaus
Macrae
Liberatore

Any list without Morris.....I'm afraid, is incorrect!!