Getting the Band(wagon) Back Together

[The Adelaide Connection]

(A late night Proactive Poaching offshoot)

Thought I might start a thread specifically for the collation of players that were Bulldogs fans growing up, players that wanted to come to us but got snatched by someone else, or Footscray VFL players that some other filthy club got their filthy mittens on first.

Here we can collect their names, follow their progress, and plot their poaching.

The last few drafts (in particular) have thrown up quite a few top end talent bulldogs fans, including:

Ned McHenry (Adelaide)
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
Xavier O'Hallaran (GWS)
Nick Coffield (St. Kilda)

Others I can think of:
Zach Merrett (Essendon)

There are three main Footscray players that I can think of that were snatched from our grasp, which are:
Ben Long (St. Kilda)
Mitch Hannan (Melbourne)
Kyle Dunkley (Melbourne)

Any others? Who do we poach first?

[1eyedog]

Ben Brown was right under our noses for a long time at Werribee. There were a few posters here calling on the club to sign him.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

The two that hurt me the most are C Ward GWS and J Harbrow

Could you imagine these two in our side right now. Ward as captain.

[Bulldog4life]

The two that hurt me the most are C Ward GWS and J Harbrow

Could you imagine these two in our side right now. Ward as captain.

But we wouldn't have Jack Macrae if we hadn't lost Ward. Nearly a thread in itself.

[AshMac]

The two that hurt me the most are C Ward GWS and J Harbrow

Could you imagine these two in our side right now. Ward as captain.

Please don’t. It still hurts. Even more so that it emerged it was $50k that lost him for us because we tried to low ball him....

[azabob]

Dane Rampi is a big one.
Ben Hudson way back when.

[KT31]

Going far back you can add in Tommy Alvin, he was in our zone and basically signed and we then reportedly took a under the table payment from Carlton and let him go.

[Webby]

But we wouldn't have Jack Macrae if we hadn't lost Ward. Nearly a thread in itself.

I’d encourage you to create that thread! “Jack Mac or Cement Head?” Great topic for reflection. Macrae’s been our most consistent player for three years, now. Takes a beating every week, but never misses. Although I clasped my head in my hands for five years after we lost Ward, I reckon we might’ve had a blessing in disguise, there.

Only question is, however, had we not had the compo pick, would we have used pick five on Jack rather than Jake? Frommy recollection, Jake was the greater risk of the two due to his leg break. I realise Jake was 5 and Jack 6, but the order was semantics (& irrelevant.) and might’ve been formed to appease the bigger ego out of the two. We’ll never know. (Despite any subsequent public commentary by the club.)

Anyway, point stands that Jack has a flag, Ward doesn’t, and Jack’s now a more valuable commodity between he and Ward.

(Although it still kills me that Ward was a local kid..)

[Testekill]

Ben Brown was right under our noses for a long time at Werribee. There were a few posters here calling on the club to sign him.

*!*!*!*!s sake; Ben Brown wasn't under our nose and neither was Barlow. Both started playing at Werribee after we aligned with Williamstown. Podsiadly is probably who you were thinking of

[Mofra]

*!*!*!*!s sake; Ben Brown wasn't under our nose and neither was Barlow. Both started playing at Werribee after we aligned with Williamstown. Podsiadly is probably who you were thinking of
Yep. Hudson was definitely during our alignment days, others after it.

Dane Rampe was during our Williamstown alignment. In fairness though, we took Tom Campbell and Tory Dickson from under Essendon's nose. Tory's a premiership player so that trumps them.

Then let's not forget a bloke named Liam who was FS eligible for Collingwood, playing for their VFL aligned side, and Malthouse liked him but their recruiters said "he's too scrappy".

Awarded the player of the 2016 finals series. We grab as much as we take.

To the OP: Fisher McAsey is a name to add next year when someone else grabs him. Nick Coffield (Saints) a name to add right now.

[comrade]

Dane Rampi is a big one.
Ben Hudson way back when.

I watched plenty of Rampe back in the Willy days. He floated between Willy reserves and seniors and was always a solid contributor but his rise to an AA caliber defender was impossible to predict back then. Good on him for persisting.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Yep. Hudson was definitely during our alignment days, others after it.

Dane Rampe was during our Williamstown alignment. In fairness though, we took Tom Campbell and Tory Dickson from under Essendon's nose. Tory's a premiership player so that trumps them.

Then let's not forget a bloke named Liam who was FS eligible for Collingwood, playing for their VFL aligned side, and Malthouse liked him but their recruiters said "he's too scrappy".

Awarded the player of the 2016 finals series. We grab as much as we take.

To the OP: Fisher McAsey is a name to add next year when someone else grabs him. Nick Coffield (Saints) a name to add right now.

Yeah I had Coffield, but didn’t know McAsey was a Bulldogs fan.

There was also a KPD in the draft last year that was a dogs fan (was expected to go late but didn’t get picked up) but his name escapes me.

[Mofra]

I watched plenty of Rampe back in the Willy days. He floated between Willy reserves and seniors and was always a solid contributor but his rise to an AA caliber defender was impossible to predict back then. Good on him for persisting.
Certainly not as a KPD - my memory he was a tall flanker who was incredibly strong through the hips, just couldn't be brought down in the tackle. Kicking was iffy which probably stopped him being taken earlier. He certainly had his fans on Woof.

[Bulldog4life]

I’d encourage you to create that thread! “Jack Mac or Cement Head?” Great topic for reflection. Macrae’s been our most consistent player for three years, now. Takes a beating every week, but never misses. Although I clasped my head in my hands for five years after we lost Ward, I reckon we might’ve had a blessing in disguise, there.

Only question is, however, had we not had the compo pick, would we have used pick five on Jack rather than Jake? Frommy recollection, Jake was the greater risk of the two due to his leg break. I realise Jake was 5 and Jack 6, but the order was semantics (& irrelevant.) and might’ve been formed to appease the bigger ego out of the two. We’ll never know. (Despite any subsequent public commentary by the club.)

Anyway, point stands that Jack has a flag, Ward doesn’t, and Jack’s now a more valuable commodity between he and Ward.

(Although it still kills me that Ward was a local kid..)

I here you Webby. Be a good thread over Summer when things are quiet.

[comrade]

Certainly not as a KPD - my memory he was a tall flanker who was incredibly strong through the hips, just couldn't be brought down in the tackle. Kicking was iffy which probably stopped him being taken earlier. He certainly had his fans on Woof.

I went back and checked some of my reports from 2009/2010. He played way more reserves than seniors, crazy.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I went back and checked some of my reports from 2009/2010. He played way more reserves than seniors, crazy.

If I recall correctly GVGjr was very bullish on his prospects.

[chef]

Was he Chris Ogles(?) stable pony when he came down from Sydney?

[Bulldog4life]

Was he Chris Ogles(?) stable pony when he came down from Sydney?

Yes he came down with Chris Ogle. His father was a pro golfer.

[GVGjr]

Yes he came down with Chris Ogle. His father was a pro golfer.
Brett was an interesting character, heard him at the footy a number of times.

[GVGjr]

If I recall correctly GVGjr was very bullish on his prospects.

Yep, I rated him. He was a very damaging player with plenty of pace and a strong kick
I think the knock on him was the didn't get serious about his footy until he returned to Sydney and they took a chance on him.

He used to visit the site a bit as well

[1eyedog]

*!*!*!*!s sake; Ben Brown wasn't under our nose and neither was Barlow. Both started playing at Werribee after we aligned with Williamstown. Podsiadly is probably who you were thinking of

You're right I mixed them up

[azabob]

*!*!*!*!s sake; Ben Brown wasn't under our nose and neither was Barlow. Both started playing at Werribee after we aligned with Williamstown. Podsiadly is probably who you were thinking of

Does it count that Scott West told us about his potential?

[The Adelaide Connection]

According to some mates, Bulldogs supporter Ned McHenry tore it up in the SANFL semi v Norwood on the weekend.

He kicked 4.1, had 17 disposals, 4 marks and 5 tackles. Tex Walker also singled him out on radio as a player that he thinks will become a star after seeing the game. McHenry goes for 30km runs in his free time, so could play a small pressure forward role with some midfield/wing time.

We were into him and rumours were that if we orchestrated a pick swap with GWS (to ensure they got Caldwell) we would have ended up with Smith and an extra pick to use on McHenry. We toured he and his family through WO. GWS allegedly got wind that the Crows had cooled on Caldwell in favour of Chayce Jones, so the deal fell over.

Ned was one of only three top 20 picks to not get a game this year (with Freo's Sam Sturt and Richmond's Riley Collier Dawkins) and I would hope we are firmly in his ear for a move to WO as soon as possible.

Poach early on this one.

[comrade]

According to some mates, Bulldogs supporter Ned McHenry tore it up in the SANFL semi v Norwood on the weekend.

He kicked 4.1, had 17 disposals, 4 marks and 5 tackles. Tex Walker also singled him out on radio as a player that he thinks will become a star after seeing the game. McHenry goes for 30km runs in his free time, so could play a small pressure forward role with some midfield/wing time.

We were into him and rumours were that if we orchestrated a pick swap with GWS (to ensure they got Caldwell) we would have ended up with Smith and an extra pick to use on McHenry. We toured he and his family through WO. GWS allegedly got wind that the Crows had cooled on Caldwell in favour of Chayce Jones, so the deal fell over.

Ned was one of only three top 20 picks to not get a game this year (with Freo's Sam Sturt and Richmond's Riley Collier Dawkins) and I would hope we are firmly in his ear for a move to WO as soon as possible.

Poach early on this one.

I like it. From the sounds of it, we were potentially offering $700k to Jack Martin so we're probably struggling to meet the cap floor. Throw $500k at this kid and pry him out the door.

[westbulldog]

I like Jack Martin but $700k is way over what he is worth.

[The Adelaide Connection]

I like it. From the sounds of it, we were potentially offering $700k to Jack Martin so we're probably struggling to meet the cap floor. Throw $500k at this kid and pry him out the door.

I would think fairly modest money would probably do it. The Crows will leave him in the 2’s early in the year and try to sign him on a next to no money extension. I’d put money on it.

Slightly bettering their offer, at the club he supported, and in his home state would be enough I would think.

[1eyedog]

I like it. From the sounds of it, we were potentially offering $700k to Jack Martin so we're probably struggling to meet the cap floor. Throw $500k at this kid and pry him out the door.

500k f$#$ me! You can have half a mill and you can have a half a mill and you can have half a mill too. I'd rather my money be centralised to entice a good AFL proven player. Lots to play out before trade week.

[AshMac]

We should be gouging the crows wherever possible right now

[The Adelaide Connection]

Ex-Bulldogs supporting Zach Merett won Essendon’s best and fairest in front of Shiel. As much as I rate him I know a player like him is not what we really need right now.

However, could we throw a big $$$ offer at him just for fun? Offer him huge money and then let them squirm, before ultimately blaming Dodo for it not getting done. He will be a FA at 25 when his deal expires at the end of 2021, it might plant the return home seed early.

[AshMac]

Ex-Bulldogs supporting Zach Merett won Essendon’s best and fairest in front of Shiel. As much as I rate him I know a player like him is not what we really need right now.

However, could we throw a big $$$ offer at him just for fun? Offer him huge money and then let them squirm, before ultimately blaming Dodo for it not getting done. He will be a FA at 25 when his deal expires at the end of 2021, it might plant the return home seed early.

Plus there is the added irony of him being taken with the pick given over for Crameri

[The Adelaide Connection]

Mitch O’Neill is apparently another Bulldog supporting Draft nomination. A PCL ended his year early, but apparently showed a lot of promise. Could be around at pick 53.

From the AFL site:

CLUB
Tasmania Devils
JUNIOR CLUB
North Hobart

DATE OF BIRTH
21st February 2001

HEIGHT
181cm

WEIGHT
70kg

POSITION
Midfielder

DRAFT RANGE
25 - 50

Medium midfielder who is a prolific ball winner with the ability to step through traffic with his elite agility. He is courageous and clean overhead with a long, penetrating kick. He averaged 22.2 disposals (74 per cent efficiency) and 5.5 marks playing for the Allies in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships to win 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours for the second time. A consistent performer for the Tasmanian Devils in the NAB League earlier in the year, he averaged 20.2 disposals including his season high of 37 disposals against the Northern Territory. A knee injury curtailed his year post the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships but is expecting a full recovery.

More stats and video here:
https://m.afl.com.au/draft/prospects

[GVGjr]

I'm not so sure O'Neill could last that long TAC. A mate of mine in TAS rates him highly with an emphasis on his kicking skills.
Good pick-up though and thanks for adding his name to the mix

Could we look towards a ruckman type with our 2nd pick?

[The Adelaide Connection]

I'm not so sure O'Neill could last that long TAC. A mate of mine in TAS rates him highly with an emphasis on his kicking skills.
Good pick-up though and thanks for adding his name to the mix

Could we look towards a ruckman type with our 2nd pick?

I think investing in a ruckman would be sensible, given the time they usually take to come on. I don’t think Gia would have any objections having an extra option.

I don’t know much about the available Ruck stocks (aside Jackson). Anyone that jumps out?

[The Doctor]

We should have rights to all North Hobart players!

[The Adelaide Connection]

A writeup on Mitch O'Neill. Interesting that it mentions that some clubs don't rate him and one has said they thought he might go at about 40.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/o-neill-deals-with-the-weight-of-tasmania-20191117-p53be4.html

O'Neill deals with the weight of Tasmania
Daniel Cherny

Mitch O'Neill carries a greater burden than most hopefuls heading into this year's AFL draft. This isn't just about him, his club or his family. It's about his state.

The outside midfielder is Tasmania's best chance, the only Tasmanian invited to last month's draft combine.

O'Neill is a quintessentially Tassie story. His grandfather Dave played for North Hobart. So too did his father James. A couple of uncles represented the club as well. Mitch played junior football there, and then seniors at North Hobart when he was just 15, standing around 170 centimetres and weighing 60-65 kilograms. He likes to surf and goes fishing at Eaglehawk Neck in south-Eastern Tasmania. He’s a proud Tasmanian too, wanting a Tassie team in the AFL.

"I'd love to have a Tassie side. I think everyone down there knows we should, how passionate we'd be as a state," O'Neill said.
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"I feel like we could make a real good culture down there."

Maybe it's something his prospective suitors should keep in mind.

"If Tassie were in the [league] now, I'd choose Tassie."

But being Tassie's lone wolf has its drawbacks. O'Neill understands why others are interested in him, but the attention hasn't all been positive, especially at Guilford Young College in Hobart where he's been schooled.

"This year's been a lot of pressure for me, dealing with that kind of stuff is pretty hard," he said.

"I'm not only representing me, I'm representing Tassie.

"People at school bringing it up all the time. It's just frustrating. Everywhere you go, you're labelled as that bloke who plays footy. At times you just want to be relaxed and left alone. I feel like if I didn't get drafted I'd let a lot of people down. That's a big thing I have to deal with every day.

"These mock drafts come out and sometimes you're not in them. People are like 'where are you mate?' I try to have a laugh at it. But sometimes it hurts a bit."

AFL Tasmania's welfare coordinator Emma Harris has proved to be a major help, her counsel helping O'Neill deal with the hype.

"Keep your network real close, I guess," O'Neill says of the advice.

"Have your mates, and if people do ask about it just ignore them, don't be rude, just try to change the subject, which has really helped. And just try to stay away from those negative people who may try to stir a bit of stuff up. She's been really good."

O'Neill – who wants to become a tradie away from footy – is an intriguing proposition at this year's draft, having dealt with knee and ankle issues over the past 12 months. Some clubs don't rate him, but one said they had him falling around pick 40. If he does make it though, O'Neill will bring with him a classic nickname: "Snitty". It originates from a pre-game schnitzel burger he had before kicking 12 goals in an under 13s grand final.

[GVGjr]

He would be a nice pick-up in the 50's for us TAC

Thanks for adding that article