Is there something going on behind the scenes at Whitten Oval

[Eastdog]

Just trying to find some answers to our poor start to 2018 and poor flag defence of 2017.

Everything was good after 2015 and in 2016 leading to a amazing premiership but I can't help think even during those years right in there that there was boardroom infighting or something. Quite a number of CEO's have come and gone under Gordon's watch.

Peter Gordon is great and we owe him a lot for the fightback in 1989, putting money into the club over the year, getting the VFL and AFLW teams up and running, Ballarat, Sons of the West Mens and Womens Health programs - but is there something maybe with how he does things behind the scenes. I really hope the feud better Peter and Susan gets sorted as she is still a great asset to the club.

Would be interested to get woofers take on this.

[Twodogs]

There is always tension at board level at football clubs. Some boards accept it and uses that tension in a energetic way to fuel the rest of the club. Other boards will let the tension envelop the whole organisation. The wheels grind to a halt because everyone is angry/tense/frustrated and they just go through the motions and before long that is the attitude that flows through the entire club.

[MrMahatma]

A lot of circumstantial evidence pointing to things being somewhat amiss.

The shine has come right off Bevo's coaching tenure now.

[Twodogs]

A lot of circumstantial evidence pointing to things being somewhat amiss.

The shine has come right off Bevo's coaching tenure now.

He has lost his mojo completely. He desperately needs a win this week (we all need a win this week, players, supporters, office staff, the coaches and footy department-everyone) but it's hard to see that happening.

[anfo27]

Going by what we see on field, something is wrong.

[bornadog]

Nothing is going on behind the scenes. We have a very young squad, we have injuries to major players and we need to desperately get some experience back in the side from players that have had an interrupted preseason.

I want, Wallis, Dickson, Tom Boyd, Redpath, Biggs (if he warrants it after Saturday) back in.

[Eastdog]

Going by what we see on field, something is wrong.

That's the sense I'm getting. There must be something permeating through the club that we may not be aware because we have dropped dramatically since winning the 2016 premiership. A lot on here weren't as satisfied in what Peter Gordon had to say on the radio last week.

I do get though we have injuries to important players but I don't think that's a factor to the overall effort as having injuries can actually galvanise a group.

[Flamethrower]

We have become Collingwood - grossly overrating our players.

Fact is that we have the worst list in the AFL - the results on the field since mid 2017 are proof of this. Dalrymple and McCartney realised this and left for greener pastures.

[jeemak]

We have become Collingwood - grossly overrating our players.

Fact is that we have the worst list in the AFL - the results on the field since mid 2017 are proof of this. Dalrymple and McCartney realised this and left for greener pastures.

Interesting take.

[AndrewP6]

We have become Collingwood - grossly overrating our players.

Fact is that we have the worst list in the AFL - the results on the field since mid 2017 are proof of this. Dalrymple and McCartney realised this and left for greener pastures.

They realised they had picked the wrong players? They were in charge of our list and recruiting.

[Remi Moses]

We have become Collingwood - grossly overrating our players.

Fact is that we have the worst list in the AFL - the results on the field since mid 2017 are proof of this. Dalrymple and McCartney realised this and left for greener pastures.

Don’t agree with this .

[Eastdog]

We have become Collingwood - grossly overrating our players.

Fact is that we have the worst list in the AFL - the results on the field since mid 2017 are proof of this. Dalrymple and McCartney realised this and left for greener pastures.

Not so sure about this. I think there are players that are struggling at this level but there is a lot of quality on there as well. We didn't all of a sudden go bad in 2017 because of the list as there were only a few players from the premiership team that left.

There are many important players out of form including Bont. For whatever reason we just are not working hard enough as a team. If we can replicate the 1st quarter from yesterday another 3 times next week we are a chance.

[Twodogs]

Not so sure about this. I think there are players that are struggling at this level but there is a lot of quality on there as well. We didn't all of a sudden go bad in 2017 because of the list as there were only a few players from the premiership team that left.

There are many important players out of form including Bont. For whatever reason we just are not working hard enough as a team. If we can replicate the 1st quarter from yesterday another 3 times next week we are a chance.

Damn straight Easty. It sounds so simple when you put it like that.

[Eastdog]

Damn straight Easty. It sounds so simple when you put it like that.

At the game yesterday I thought at qtr time we are right in this. The 2nd quarter really lost it for us. Just awful that quarter.

Sure we did a little better in the 2nd half but simply not good enough. I liked Bailey Dale's Goal yesterday but he wasn't influential as much forward - would have liked to see more. Dunkley, Gowers did try to give us something forward but there kicking let them down so no good.

[Eastdog]

We need a motivational speaker this week at the Whitten Oval.

[chef]

Maybe we just need to lower expectations.

We'll call it a development year.

[Twodogs]

At the game yesterday I thought at qtr time we are right in this. The 2nd quarter really lost it for us. Just awful that quarter.

Sure we did a little better in the 2nd half but simply not good enough. I liked Bailey Dale's Goal yesterday but he wasn't influential as much forward - would have liked to see more. Dunkley, Gowers did try to give us something forward but there kicking let them down so no good.


That shot Gowers had, we were already 7 goals behind, in the third I think, was one of the worst shots I've ever seen but at least he ran around and tried to make a target. I don't want him back in the senior team until he can kick though. I said when we recruited him that he was going to be frustrating to watch because he can't kick.

[Eastdog]

Nothing is going on behind the scenes. We have a very young squad, we have injuries to major players and we need to desperately get some experience back in the side from players that have had an interrupted preseason.

I want, Wallis, Dickson, Tom Boyd, Redpath, Biggs (if he warrants it after Saturday) back in.

Not disagreeing BAD but it could be only part of it and there are other issues within with the culture. It is no excuse with the effort that we have displayed the last 2 weeks.

[anfo27]

Not so sure about this. I think there are players that are struggling at this level but there is a lot of quality on there as well. We didn't all of a sudden go bad in 2017 because of the list as there were only a few players from the premiership team that left.

There are many important players out of form including Bont. For whatever reason we just are not working hard enough as a team. If we can replicate the 1st quarter from yesterday another 3 times next week we are a chance.

Not sure we were watching the same game, the writing was on the wall at quarter time. Stop looking at the score board to tell you whats happening. We looked ok when we had the ball but when we don't have it we are the easiest team to score against. This is not new, it was happening last year & i think its will get worse before it gets better.

I've been a member since 96 & have never missed a home game that i could attend. I choose not to go this week. I can handle losing but i won't handle questioning their effort.

[Eastdog]

Not sure we were watching the same game, the writing was on the wall at quarter time. Stop looking at the score board to tell you whats happening. We looked ok when we had the ball but when we don't have it we are the easiest team to score against. This is not new, it was happening last year & i think its will get worse before it gets better.

I've been a member since 96 & have never missed a home game that i could attend. I choose not to go this week. I can handle losing but i won't handle questioning their effort.

Maybe I was just desperate at qtr time yesterday for our fortunes to change and I was hopeful the tide might turn our way after being nearly level with them on the scoreboard but yes defensively as I mentioned we were absolutely woeful. That 2nd quarter was just bad. Good though that Wood has gone back down there at least.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I knew we were in for a flogging at qtr time. You could already see the effort was not there and that the eagles were basically standing alone at contests and moving unopposed into their forward line. There was one play in the 1st qtr, the eagles had the ball about 70m out from goal. I was sat at the opposite end of the ground with a pretty poor view, but could see (i think it was Darling) standing by himself deep inside 50. He led but was not honoured. He doubled back and led again and this time was hit up. All unopposed. And this wasn't a quick run play after a turnover. We had plenty of time to setup. It was disgraceful and i knew we were in for a long day at that point. I don't know if that's inexperience, poor leadership or lack of effort but it was insipid. What i don't understand is how we can deliver such tripe a week after the pathetic display against the giants. I have never heard such a disinterested crowd at our home games.

[Bulldog4life]

We need a motivational speaker this week at the Whitten Oval.

How about Terry Wheeler. A true passionate doggies man. A great speaker.

[Mofra]

How about Terry Wheeler. A true passionate doggies man. A great speaker.
First name I thought of as well.

There aren't many ex coaches welcomed back into their club with open arms but Wheeler absolutely is.

[MrMahatma]

I knew we were in for a flogging at qtr time. You could already see the effort was not there and that the eagles were basically standing alone at contests and moving unopposed into their forward line. There was one play in the 1st qtr, the eagles had the ball about 70m out from goal. I was sat at the opposite end of the ground with a pretty poor view, but could see (i think it was Darling) standing by himself deep inside 50. He led but was not honoured. He doubled back and led again and this time was hit up. All unopposed. And this wasn't a quick run play after a turnover. We had plenty of time to setup. It was disgraceful and i knew we were in for a long day at that point. I don't know if that's inexperience, poor leadership or lack of effort but it was insipid. What i don't understand is how we can deliver such tripe a week after the pathetic display against the giants. I have never heard such a disinterested crowd at our home games.

Sounds like on field leadership issue.

We shouldn't have retire M Boyd. Had a year left.

[Ghost Dog]

We need a motivational speaker this week at the Whitten Oval.

Who is it?

[bornadog]

Who is it?

Bevo ;)

[merantau]

I thought I'd seen most things in football but there was something in the 3rd quarter that was a new one on me.
There were 3 Eagles basically in the goal square and none of our blokes within cooee. They could have put the kettle on and have a cup of tea while deciding who should do the honours. It was that bad.
I do not want to see another awful display like our round 2 non-performance ever again.

[Twodogs]

I thought I'd seen most things in football but there was something in the 3rd quarter that was a new one on me.
There were 3 Eagles basically in the goal square and none of our blokes within cooee. They could have put the kettle on and have a cup of tea while deciding who should do the honours. It was that bad.
I do not want to see another awful display like our round 2 non-performance ever again.

I thought that was in the first quarter, in fact I had a heated discussion with my son about it because he said it was in the third quarter too. Maybe it happened twice because I'm sure I tuned out most of the third quarter. I do remember thinking that I'd never seen three opposition players in the goalsquare all by themselves like that with no bulldog within 15 metres of them before.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I thought that was in the first quarter, in fact I had a heated discussion with my son about it because he said it was in the third quarter too. Maybe it happened twice because I'm sure I tuned out most of the third quarter. I do remember thinking that I'd never seen three opposition players in the goalsquare all by themselves like that with no bulldog within 15 metres of them before.

It happened at least twice. But it also happened numerous times in the midfield. 3 eagles players waiting for the handball receive, all unopposed.

I'm not sure if i posted it here, but in the first qtr i saw Jack Darling (i think it was him, i was at the other end of the ground) lead up multiple times unopposed whilst an eagles player had the ball (from a mark) 60 metres out. Darling was unopposed deep in our defensive 50 for an hour and he was able to lead up multiple times!!. And this wasn't from a turnover. The ball had been in our defence for quite some time. It was pathetic.

[Ghost Dog]

So what was the reaction by the players when this disastrous defending went on? I wasn't there, but I hope Easton got fired up about it. Who is our defensive coach?

[Axe Man]

I knew we were in for a flogging at qtr time. You could already see the effort was not there and that the eagles were basically standing alone at contests and moving unopposed into their forward line. There was one play in the 1st qtr, the eagles had the ball about 70m out from goal. I was sat at the opposite end of the ground with a pretty poor view, but could see (i think it was Darling) standing by himself deep inside 50. He led but was not honoured. He doubled back and led again and this time was hit up. All unopposed. And this wasn't a quick run play after a turnover. We had plenty of time to setup. It was disgraceful and i knew we were in for a long day at that point. I don't know if that's inexperience, poor leadership or lack of effort but it was insipid. What i don't understand is how we can deliver such tripe a week after the pathetic display against the giants. I have never heard such a disinterested crowd at our home games.


It happened at least twice. But it also happened numerous times in the midfield. 3 eagles players waiting for the handball receive, all unopposed.

I'm not sure if i posted it here, but in the first qtr i saw Jack Darling (i think it was him, i was at the other end of the ground) lead up multiple times unopposed whilst an eagles player had the ball (from a mark) 60 metres out. Darling was unopposed deep in our defensive 50 for an hour and he was able to lead up multiple times!!. And this wasn't from a turnover. The ball had been in our defence for quite some time. It was pathetic.

You sure did, only 8 posts back!

[Axe Man]

So what was the reaction by the players when this disastrous defending went on? I wasn't there, but I hope Easton got fired up about it. Who is our defensive coach?

As big a flogs as Heath Shaw and Brendan Goddard are they wouldn't cop those kind of efforts and would let their teammates know. Not saying theirs is the correct approach but unacceptable efforts need to be called out.

Steven King is the backline coach.

[Ghost Dog]

As big a flogs as Heath Shaw and Brendan Goddard are they wouldn't cop those kind of efforts and would let their teammates know. Not saying theirs is the correct approach but unacceptable efforts need to be called out.

Steven King is the backline coach.

Agreed! It's a footy cliche but you really need a general down there to direct traffic. It's pretty embarrassing for us to go from 2016 to this.

[Mofra]

As big a flogs as Heath Shaw and Brendan Goddard are they wouldn't cop those kind of efforts and would let their teammates know. Not saying theirs is the correct approach but unacceptable efforts need to be called out.

Steven King is the backline coach.
I'm perplexed.
Wasn't he brought into the club originally as a part time ruck coach, then became midfield coach?

I understand the idea behind training the assistant coaches but surely there becomes a time when you have to start putting people in their best positions. What does King know about defensive tactics and spoiling? I'm really worried that we're putting people in positions for the sake of 'coaching development' when the primary focus should be team performance.

[bornadog]

As big a flogs as Heath Shaw and Brendan Goddard are they wouldn't cop those kind of efforts and would let their teammates know. Not saying theirs is the correct approach but unacceptable efforts need to be called out.

Steven King is the backline coach.

I noticed Easton getting stuck into the backline on several occasions. Make no bones about it, he is a tough character.

Our issue is how young the backline is and they really haven't gelled together, because they haven't had enough experience together.

I think Biggs must come back in and get fired up to help out.

[Axe Man]

I noticed Easton getting stuck into the backline on several occasions. Make no bones about it, he is a tough character.

Our issue is how young the backline is and they really haven't gelled together, because they haven't had enough experience together.

I think Biggs must come back in and get fired up to help out.

Part of the blame has to lie with the coaching staff for that. Instead of training all summer with Easton Wood as part of the backline directing the youngsters he was inexplicably training with the forwards. Of course injuries have compounded the problem with Adams and Morris in particular missing, but we are now conducting on the job training when it should have all been set up pre-season.

[Axe Man]

I'm perplexed.
Wasn't he brought into the club originally as a part time ruck coach, then became midfield coach?

I understand the idea behind training the assistant coaches but surely there becomes a time when you have to start putting people in their best positions. What does King know about defensive tactics and spoiling? I'm really worried that we're putting people in positions for the sake of 'coaching development' when the primary focus should be team performance.

I don't think he was ever a part time ruck coach. He came across from St Kilda and was midfield coach from 2011 - 2016. Then of course after winning a premiership for some reason we decided the change all the assistant coaches around.

[Insufficient Intent]

Relevant to the original question, on the AFL site Suckers is quoted as saying the players are all behind Bevo:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-05/no-beef-with-bevo-dogs-players-back-coach (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-05/no-beef-with-bevo-dogs-players-back-coach)

The rumour mill, she grinds.

[Greystache]

So what was the reaction by the players when this disastrous defending went on? I wasn't there, but I hope Easton got fired up about it. Who is our defensive coach?

It seemed mostly mass confusion. No one appeared to know who should've been covering where, or why West Coast had so many players loose in their own forward line, and there was lots of pointing in all different directions. We appeared disgracefully disorganised, like a group of players from different competitions all pulled together on the day to form a team.

I've got no idea what we worked on over the preseason but it's hard to see any benefit that's come from it.

[Axe Man]

Relevant to the original question, on the AFL site Suckers is quoted as saying the players are all behind Bevo:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-05/no-beef-with-bevo-dogs-players-back-coach (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-05/no-beef-with-bevo-dogs-players-back-coach)

The rumour mill, she grinds.

Whether they are behind him or not of course that's what he would say. Unfortunately it doesn't tell us anything.

[Bulldog4life]

I'm perplexed.
Wasn't he brought into the club originally as a part time ruck coach, then became midfield coach?

I understand the idea behind training the assistant coaches but surely there becomes a time when you have to start putting people in their best positions. What does King know about defensive tactics and spoiling? I'm really worried that we're putting people in positions for the sake of 'coaching development' when the primary focus should be team performance.

Bevo played as a rover/forward but was backline coach at Hawthorn during one of their premiership years.