Bulldogs leadership group has 'let the team down': Johannisen

[bornadog]

Link (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bulldogs-leadership-group-has-let-the-team-down-johannisen-20180619-p4zmdy.html)

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Western Bulldogs dasher Jason Johannisen has conceded the club's leadership group has not performed to on-field expectations, in a year when the Dogs appear almost certain to again miss the finals.

Memories of the breakthrough premiership in 2016 have quickly dissipated, prompting even coach Luke Beveridge to question whether that success had come too early in the team's growth cycle.

The Dogs had hoped to rebound this year and rekindle the manic pressure which underpined their premiership but form issues, a battle to kick goals, and injuries have contributed to a sub-par campaign, leaving them in 14th spot heading into Saturday's clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Johannisen, the Norm Smith Medallist in that stunning win over the Swans, said the leadership group this year had not provided the on-field drive required. This group comprises skipper Easton Wood, vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter, Jack Redpath, Jordan Roughead and Johannisen.

"As a leadership group, we have probably let the team down a bit. We haven't been consistent with our performances," Johannisen said on Tuesday.

"We have to step up ourselves but, in saying that, the young players, like Ed Richards, and Aaron Naughton has been in the team, and Josh Schache, they have shown some promising signs and they have played some good footy. It's exciting to see. We just have to keep the attitude at training and try and get everyone going and try and improve."

The Dogs attempted to turn Wood into a forward this year but that plan was abandoned after he struggled. He may now not play again this season, having ripped his hamstring in the heavy loss to Port Adelaide.

Bontempelli, averaging 22 touches per game, remains a match-winner but is not having the impact he once had, Hunter has had a strong season, averaging 28 possessions, behind only Jack Macrae (32), Redpath has been restricted to only two senior matches because of suspension and injury, while Roughead's career is at the crossroads, with even Beveridge publicly questioning his form.

Johannisen, often used as a half-forward, has had a modest season, averaging 19 touches but he had only 13 against the Power and 14 against Collingwood in round 10.

The Dogs have lost their past four matches by 37 points (Adelaide), 35 (Collingwood), 49 (Melbourne) and 57 (Port Adelaide) and are dealing with a series of injuries heading into the clash against the Roos.

Bontempelli will need to pass a fitness test on his hyper-extended knee, having fallen awkwardly against the Power. Midfielder Lukas Webb will miss three weeks because of a broken thumb, Macrae, having enjoyed All-Australian form and rated a Brownlow Medal chance, is nursing a strained hamstring, Toby McLean has a shoulder issue, while ruckman-forward Tom Boyd has a compound dislocation of his finger.

"I have been in this position before - when your back is against the wall, the team really gels well together," Johannisen said.

"The attitude is the boys want to get better and they want to improve. We just have to work hard and do that."

[GVGjr]

A good appraisal.

[G-Mo77]

Why did we let this leadership group happen to begin with. Wood, yeah likely choice, Bont, of course, Roughhead yes. The other 3 hell no, they show no leadership qualities at all.

Sadly one of the players who has Red, White and Blue in his veins and will probably leave us next season would have been an excellent leader for this team.

[LostDoggy]

Why did we let this leadership group happen to begin with. Wood, yeah likely choice, Bont, of course, Roughhead yes. The other 3 hell no, they show no leadership qualities at all.

Sadly one of the players who has Red, White and Blue in his veins and will probably leave us next season would have been an excellent leader for this team.
It was the playing group who selected their leaders.

[Rocket Science]

In hindsight the composition of the leadership group looks every bit the masterstroke the shuffling of line coaches turned out to be.

They haven't been particularly well served though ...

Easton Wood - Injury, positional shenanigans
Marcus Bontempelli - Injury, patchy form
Lachie Hunter - Very patchy form
Jack Redpath - Injury, suspension shenanigans we compounded
Jordan Roughead - Injury, very, very, very patchy form
Jason Johannisen - Positional shenanigans, very patchy form

Bless the kids that're standing up amidst that little trainwreck.

[The bulldog tragician]

At the time I thought it was good that some unconventional types were leaders. You don't always want the class prefect kind of guys. Especially because JJ and Hunter are good mates of Stringer, it seemed like a statement that they too were committed to certain standards. However like so many other things in 2018, it hasn't gone to plan. Would be great if JJ backed up today's words with a best on ground performance. He's likely to be close to the oldest player out there.

[G-Mo77]

It was the playing group who selected their leaders.

I know PP. Surely the club could have had some input.

[GVGjr]

Why did we let this leadership group happen to begin with. Wood, yeah likely choice, Bont, of course, Roughhead yes. The other 3 hell no, they show no leadership qualities at all.

Sadly one of the players who has Red, White and Blue in his veins and will probably leave us next season would have been an excellent leader for this team.

Voted by the players I believe. Sounds like a good theory but...

[G-Mo77]

Voted by the players I believe. Sounds like a good theory but...

Yeah I know GVGJr. My concern is why didn't the club have a say? Is this how it is done every year or done by other clubs? The selections are appalling.

[bornadog]

Yeah I know GVGJr. My concern is why didn't the club have a say? Is this how it is done every year or done by other clubs? The selections are appalling.

The only one I was concerned with was Redpath - i know he is a funny guy and good to have around, but a leader???

I was surprised Wallis wasn't in the group.

[Rocket Science]

Yeah I know GVGJr. My concern is why didn't the club have a say? Is this how it is done every year or done by other clubs? The selections are appalling.

Particularly in lieu of the blokes they were replacing.

Some transition.

[G-Mo77]

The only one I was concerned with was Redpath - i know he is a funny guy and good to have around, but a leader???

I was surprised Wallis wasn't in the group.

As silly as it sounds Libba would have been a decent choice there. He's had issues off field so there is that which rules him out but when you watch a game he just has a leadership presence on the field. It's hard to describe but people around him seem more confident when he's out there.

[Mofra]

Why did we let this leadership group happen to begin with. Wood, yeah likely choice, Bont, of course, Roughhead yes. The other 3 hell no, they show no leadership qualities at all.
Hunter is very loud on the field and is considered a leader by the playing group. I understand his inclusion.

There is one very obvious exclusion though - Macrae. He is a loud voice on the field, perhaps being quiet off it hurt him.

[Twodogs]

Voted by the players I believe. Sounds like a good theory but...

It looks a bit like it turned into a popularity contest. You don't want to hear Mitch Wallis's appraisal of your game? No problems, vote for Big Red instead.

[Grantysghost]

Why did we let this leadership group happen to begin with. Wood, yeah likely choice, Bont, of course, Roughhead yes. The other 3 hell no, they show no leadership qualities at all.

Sadly one of the players who has Red, White and Blue in his veins and will probably leave us next season would have been an excellent leader for this team.

Hunter is definitely deserving. He constantly organises structure during a game.

[Grantysghost]

Maybe it's worth nominating the alternative leadership group from the outside. Surely it's more accurate.

[G-Mo77]

Hunter is definitely deserving. He constantly organises structure during a game.

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic. We have a structure?

[Grantysghost]

Internally he's considered an on field leader. He has a good awareness of positioning and his direction is fantastic. I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic.

[GVGjr]

Yeah I know GVGJr. My concern is why didn't the club have a say? Is this how it is done every year or done by other clubs? The selections are appalling.

As an outsider looking in it hasn't worked. Maybe it was worth a try but I'd be surprised if there isn't a different group next year
The concern is that after an appalling 2017 season in terms of discipline, focus and attitude we've potentially allowed a popularity contest to select the leadership group. Everyone might be as happy as but results haven't measured up and the likes of Wood and JJ have had sub par seasons. Perhaps they can't handle the responsibility

[G-Mo77]

As an outsider looking in it hasn't worked. Maybe it was worth a try but I'd be surprised if there isn't a different group next year
The concern is that after an appalling 2017 season in terms of discipline, focus and attitude we've potentially allowed a popularity contest to select the leadership group. Everyone might be as happy as but results haven't measured up and the likes of Wood and JJ have had sub par seasons. Perhaps they can't handle the responsibility

Wood did lead our team in 2016 and deserves credit for that. Playing on of our better defenders as a forward certainly hasn't helped. Another dumb position change from our club but we'll save that for another topic. I'm comfortable with Wood being selected as Captain.

JJ? I can't see it, don't know why or how it happened. Even if he's played out of position or a natural he just doesn't cut it.

Some of the "Cool Kids" seem to get the nod here and we've got the tail wagging the dog once again.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Wood did lead our team in 2016 and deserves credit for that. Playing on of our better defenders as a forward certainly hasn't helped. Another dumb position change from our club but we'll save that for another topic. I'm comfortable with Wood being selected as Captain.

JJ? I can't see it, don't know why or how it happened. Even if he's played out of position or a natural he just doesn't cut it.

Some of the "Cool Kids" seem to get the nod here and we've got the tail wagging the dog once again.

Wood should be cut some slack, given the losses of Morris MBoyd and Murphy from our defence plus the under performing JJ aand Biggs. Cordy has been our only experienced tall defender to do well and Williams Richards and Naughton will all be fine defenders.

[Bullies]

The best leader we have had this year is Suckling and he is not even part of the leadership group. He is constantly giving direction down back to the young guys and despite him not being everyone's favorite he is certainly well respected by the players. I would expect him in the leadership group if he stays and doesn't go to the NFL.

[Dancin' Douggy]

I must admit............and maybe Jake Stringer is just like the worst person ever, totally unredeemable and 100% toxic. Just a dumb, lazy, selfish, bogan, arrogant boofhead. Maybe he is.

But I just couldn't believe with our almost canonised leadership group of Bob Murphy, Luke Beveridge, Easton Wood etc. That things were ever let to get to that point that this incredible talent was booted out the door.

I know it's old ground, but it is also an indicator that perhaps our leadership group maybe was nowhere near as good and noble and strong as we thought they were/are?

I still can't listen to or watch Essendon games. It just shits me so much

[Mofra]

As an outsider looking in it hasn't worked. Maybe it was worth a try but I'd be surprised if there isn't a different group next year
The concern is that after an appalling 2017 season in terms of discipline, focus and attitude we've potentially allowed a popularity contest to select the leadership group. Everyone might be as happy as but results haven't measured up and the likes of Wood and JJ have had sub par seasons. Perhaps they can't handle the responsibility
Pretty much every club in the competition elects their own leadership group.

[AndrewP6]

Have often thought (and often asked out loud) who are the leaders... It's a far bigger issue for mine than the W/L record.

[josie]

Apart from some poor games in last month I think hunter’s form has been ok incl on field leadership, Bonti not up to his normal stellar heights but not bad (and possibly carrying an injury). Jj in back half would be better than as a forward but agree he does not seem to be a leader type. Wood I feel was just starting to find on field form and with that his confidence as a leader and then suffered a long term injury (bugger). Red not sure-very hard to determine without inside knowledge and again he has a long term injury. When he is in pitch I think those around him walk a bit taller as he does try and stick up for others and has some mongrel factor.

Perhaps our nice guy no d***head policy means we weed out the some of those with a bit of character, swagger and leadership traits?

Omitting picken and morris due to age and injury status....Libba and Macrae strike me as on field leaders with their actions and consist form when they are not injured. And Bont. Wallis’s form not consistent enough imo (granted this is mostly due to that horrific broken leg). Suckling much better this year but he still does not stick enough tackles for mine to be in leadership group.

Here’s one from left field-Cordy??

[bornadog]

Pretty much every club in the competition elects their own leadership group.

That is what I thought as well

[GVGjr]

Pretty much every club in the competition elects their own leadership group.

Even when the playing group had a very poor season in terms of behaviour and attitude?

[bornadog]

Even when the playing group had a very poor season in terms of behaviour and attitude?

When you say playing group, it's not the whole 45 players.

[Bullies]

Apart from some poor games in last month I think hunter’s form has been ok incl on field leadership, Bonti not up to his normal stellar heights but not bad (and possibly carrying an injury). Jj in back half would be better than as a forward but agree he does not seem to be a leader type. Wood I feel was just starting to find on field form and with that his confidence as a leader and then suffered a long term injury (bugger). Red not sure-very hard to determine without inside knowledge and again he has a long term injury. When he is in pitch I think those around him walk a bit taller as he does try and stick up for others and has some mongrel factor.

Perhaps our nice guy no d***head policy means we weed out the some of those with a bit of character, swagger and leadership traits?

Omitting picken and morris due to age and injury status....Libba and Macrae strike me as on field leaders with their actions and consist form when they are not injured. And Bont. Wallis’s form not consistent enough imo (granted this is mostly due to that horrific broken leg). Suckling much better this year but he still does not stick enough tackles for mine to be in leadership group.

Here’s one from left field-Cordy?? I also think with time that McLean will be a leader and agree with Cordy.