Eight reasons for Bulldogs fans to get excited about 2020

[GVGjr]

From the Hun (https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/eight-reasons-for-western-bulldogs-fans-to-get-excited-about-2020/news-story/b012cf642e109d582f040a09d38710d1)

The Western Bulldogs’ barnstorming finish to 2019 came to a sudden halt in the elimination final.

But performances in the back end of the home-and-away season gave fans plenty to look forward to — and they aren’t the only reason to think the Dogs are on the way back to the business end of the ladder next season.

Here are eight reasons to get excited about the red, white and blue in 2020.


1. THE ASTRONAUT

The Bulldogs breathed a big sigh of relief when it was revealed forward Aaron Naughton did not suffer an ACL tear to his knee in their elimination final thumping by the GWS Giants. He did suffer some damage to his lateral ligament, but the good news is he is expected to start training with the main group in the new year and he should be right for the start of the 2020 season.

Naughton — who has just turned 20 — booted 32 goals and averaged 5.7 marks from 23 games in 2019, with former Essendon and St Kilda champion Brendon Goddard believing he is “in line to be one of the best key forwards in the game by the end of 2020”. With the likes of Josh Schache, new recruit Josh Bruce, Tory Dickson and Sam Lloyd around him, there’s a lot to look forward to next season.

2. THE RECRUITS

Bruce has arrived at the kennel, which is his third club in eight years. The former Giant and Saint will fit nicely into a Bulldogs’ forward line already boasting Naughton and Josh Schache. How this three-pronged attack will work in action remains to be seen, but it has Bulldogs supporters licking their lips. Alex Keath, meanwhile, recently had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his lower leg, although the intercept defender has said it should not affect his 2020 campaign. He is set to be back to full training next month, and the smart money suggests he could be one of the recruits of the year.

3. THE MIDFIELD

The Bulldogs boast the midfield Champion Data has ranked as the second-best in the AFL behind 2019 bolter Brisbane. We all know why. New skipper Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley and Jack Macrae are all stars. Despite that, they still ranked 12th for total clearances in 2019. Although the return of Tom Liberatore should help in that department, and so will the continued emergence of ruckman Tim English and youngster Bailey Smith.

4. THE RETURNING STARS

The loss of premiership players Tom Liberatore (knee) and Mitch Wallis (foot) hurt the Bulldogs in 2019. The good news is the pair have recently stepped up their training loads after both going under the knife earlier this year. Liberatore was badly missed in the latter stages of 2019. He managed 15 games but had an interrupted season and did not play after Round 20. Wallis did not play after Round 10 due to a stress fracture in his foot, and the Dogs look forward to welcoming both back to their best 22 in 2020.

5. FINISH TO LAST SEASON

They were one of the form sides entering September. In fact, people were already drawing parallels to 2016 when the Bulldogs won the flag from seventh on the ladder. The Dogs got on a serious run in the second half of 2019, winning eight of their last 11 home-and-away matches and knocking off the likes of Geelong, GWS and Essendon in the process. The season, however, ended in the first week of the finals at the hands of a rampant GWS Giants. The young Pups run out of puff, but there was enough there in the second half of the year to excite supporters for the future.
Can new Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli take his game to another level in 2020?

6. SECOND-BEST LIST

They were the bolter of the recently released Champion Data team rankings for 2020. The Bulldogs were ranked 15th going into 2019, but they have risen a staggering 13 places to be second behind premier Richmond going into the new year. Expectations were fairly moderate going into 2019, but heading into 2020 it is a different story. There will be a lot more eyes watching Luke Beveridge’s men in the new year.

7. TIM ENGLISH

English was recently described by Brendon Goddard as “Brodie Grundy 2.0 in the making”. It is a big wrap, but not too many would disagree. There is a lot of buzz surrounding English heading into 2020 and with good reason. Track watchers at the Bulldogs say the emerging star has been dominating pre-season training at the kennel so far this summer. Expect to see English take the next step towards stardom next season.

8. SCORING POWER

The Dogs’ forward half weapons in the second half of 2019 were seriously exciting. They finished the 2019 home-and-away season third overall for scoring with an average of 88.2 per game. In the last five rounds of the season, they ranked No.1. When you add recruit Bruce to the mixture along with the continued development of their talls, you can see why the hype around the Dogs continues to grow.

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

The Bulldogs list is well balanced heading into 2020, having the second-best list rating as well as the second-best defensive and midfield quality. The Bulldogs have a total of 21 players in the age bracket of 21-25 – the most of any side in the competition.

HOW THE DOGS ARE TRACKING

2015: 6th — 14W, 8L (elimination fial)

2016: 7th — 15W, 7L (premier)

2017: 10th — 11W, 11L

2018: 13th — 8W, 14L

2019: 7th — 12W, 10L (elimination final)

TAB ODDS

Premiership: $11

Top 8: $1.60

Top 4: $2.60

[bornadog]

Can't argue with any of that. Looking forward to the 2020 season, it is going to be a cracker.

[jeemak]

Can't argue with any of that. Looking forward to the 2020 season, it is going to be a cracker.

I'd argue that Wallis isn't a premiership player.

Our biggest worry is how much other sides, ones we don't really pay attention to, improve over the preseason. Some will drop, some will rise, how we fit into all of that with what should be some improvement remains to be seen.

[Twodogs]

I'd argue that Wallis isn't a premiership player.

Our biggest worry is how much other sides, ones we don't really pay attention to, improve over the preseason. Some will drop, some will rise, how we fit into all of that with what should be some improvement remains to be seen.

Yeah the Wallis thing is a big mistake.

Mitch won't care at the moment I reckon. He's got a ultrasound to show everyone!

[Eastdog]

Not getting ahead of myself just yet but it is very exciting.

[Rocket Science]

Yay. Expectation. What could possibly go wrong.

Tis hard not to feel some excitement.

We've got some atoning to do.

[Twodogs]

Yay. Expectation. What could possibly go wrong.

Tis hard not to feel some excitement.

We've got some atoning to do.


I can't think of anything that could possibly go wrong.

[Remi Moses]

Firmly lid on

[GVGjr]

Yay. Expectation. What could possibly go wrong.

Tis hard not to feel some excitement.

We've got some atoning to do.

We should be more than willing to accept the additional level of expectation. We've addressed our lack of KP players and we have one of the best midfields in the competition. I think we've basically run out of convenient reasons to accept an under performing season
If our performance against GWS in the final isn't enough to motivate the players and the club then nothing will

[Twodogs]

We should be more than willing to accept the additional level of expectation. We've addressed our lack of KP players and we have one of the best midfields in the competition. I think we've basically run out of convenient reasons to accept an under performing season
If our performance against GWS in the final isn't enough to motivate the players and the club then nothing will

That was embarrassing. They intimidated us and I *!*!*!*!ing hated it.

[Eastdog]

That was embarrassing. They intimidated us and I *!*!*!*!ing hated it.

Yeah it wasn't a great game at all Twodogs. We had a period there where we played well but mostly we just couldn't get going because of their physical pressure. Will be good to payback Toby Greene and GWS with an emphatic win against them when we next meet. Would love to beat them at the MCG in a final one day but we would have to finish higher on the ladder for that to be a chance.

[Mantis]

Can’t agree with number 4.. on current form both will need to work hard to get back into the team and aren’t ‘stars’.

[jeemak]

Can’t agree with number 4.. on current form both will need to work hard to get back into the team and aren’t ‘stars’.

Agreed. Libba is a big concern for me. He needs to get more football and clean football so he can use his kicking more effectively. He’s not productive enough for mine.

[Go_Dogs]

Agreed. Libba is a big concern for me. He needs to get more football and clean football so he can use his kicking more effectively. He’s not productive enough for mine.

How productive do we want him to be? We've got enough blokes who get in 25+ times and most of them are as or more effective/efficient than Libba is these days. As a depth midfielder and spare parts player, he's probably a 15-20 possession player.

Agree we want him getting more clean ball, but does that mean he has to play behind the ball or high half forward? Maybe it does but is he going to be the most effective/efficient option there? I can see him playing 22 games body permitting but in a range of roles week to week, and within each game. Defensive work, a good rotation in the clearance and being combative/serviceable should be enough in the 16-22 range where I think he sits now.

[bornadog]

Agreed. Libba is a big concern for me. He needs to get more football and clean football so he can use his kicking more effectively. He’s not productive enough for mine.

Don't forget he came back from an ACL last year, and still had knee problems. He will be fine as his clearance work is first class.

[Mantis]

Don't forget he came back from an ACL last year, and still had knee problems. He will be fine as his clearance work is first class.

It will be interesting to see how he's used as you can't see him pushing ahead of Bont, Macrae & Dunkley to be a 1st choice mid which is where he has previously completed his best work.

[GVGjr]

It will be interesting to see how he's used as you can't see him pushing ahead of Bont, Macrae & Dunkley to be a 1st choice mid which is where he has previously completed his best work.


He will need to adapt to the changing requirements as he is behind in the pecking order now. I remain hopeful that he can adjust but it's by no means a sure thing

[jeemak]

How productive do we want him to be? We've got enough blokes who get in 25+ times and most of them are as or more effective/efficient than Libba is these days. As a depth midfielder and spare parts player, he's probably a 15-20 possession player.

Agree we want him getting more clean ball, but does that mean he has to play behind the ball or high half forward? Maybe it does but is he going to be the most effective/efficient option there? I can see him playing 22 games body permitting but in a range of roles week to week, and within each game. Defensive work, a good rotation in the clearance and being combative/serviceable should be enough in the 16-22 range where I think he sits now.

Good post, good questions.

I guess my question is does he use it better than Dunkley? My view is yes he does, and I'd much rather have the ball in his hands and I want to find a way for that to happen. He has solid burst pace and he can kick, so if he's doing the blocking or defending at the coal face, why can't we try and use him as the third touch off the contest a bit more afterwards?

Agree he's going to need to adapt to more positions, and when he goes forward he needs to convert as much as possible which he is capable of doing. I don't want him to play behind the ball, but Matthew Boyd was able to adapt to the role later in his career albeit being better overhead than Libba is.

[Go_Dogs]

Good post, good questions.

I guess my question is does he use it better than Dunkley? My view is yes he does, and I'd much rather have the ball in his hands and I want to find a way for that to happen. He has solid burst pace and he can kick, so if he's doing the blocking or defending at the coal face, why can't we try and use him as the third touch off the contest a bit more afterwards?

Agree he's going to need to adapt to more positions, and when he goes forward he needs to convert as much as possible which he is capable of doing. I don't want him to play behind the ball, but Matthew Boyd was able to adapt to the role later in his career albeit being better overhead than Libba is.

I think Dunkley is ahead now just due to his size and ability in tight, regardless of Libba being a better kick with his neat left foot. The numbers Dunks has put up and his dominance around the ball was at a level Libba won't be able to match.

Maybe Bont spends more time forward and that allows Libba in? If not, I can't see him taking a spot in front of Dunks or Macrae who don't really have the versatility and who are now too important to the midfield mix. Maybe as a third or fourth touch player out on a wing with an ability to still hunt and win ball could be his go? There's a few options who are better suited with natural attributes on paper but Mitch Robinson is one of the best wings in the game at the moment so Libba is viable.

A fit and ready to dominate Libba may be the biggest headache our coaching staff face in 2020.

[S Coast Simon]

There will always be room for Libba in the middle. He will be part of the midfield mix for sure. What an amazing problem to have, for us to struggle to fit him in the team is the best situation I have ever known as a doggies supporter. To think a man of his stature in the game ( let’s face it, one of the best in tight we have ever had) is going to find it tough to make the 22. Surely he is in the bench to come on into the middle when someone needs a rest. A handy little goal sneak as well

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Actually think Libba has a lot to prove and a fair task in front of him. He can only play mid and he's miles behind Bont, Dunkley and Macrae. Lipinski is making big strides and Smith will improve his inside game. Moreover, our kids are typically versatile and Libba isn't.

Love him and at his best he's an animal but we haven't seen it since 2016 for various reasons but either way we dress it, that's 4 years ago now - quite a while in footy terms.

His lack of spread from a contest has been really telling lately. Hopefully it's the injury, but I have my concerns.

[Twodogs]

Actually think Libba has a lot to prove and a fair task in front of him. He can only play mid and he's miles behind Bont, Dunkley and Macrae. Lipinski is making big strides and Smith will improve his inside game. Moreover, our kids are typically versatile and Libba isn't.

Love him and at his best he's an animal but we haven't seen it since 2016 for various reasons but either way we dress it, that's 4 years ago now - quite a while in footy terms.

His lack of spread from a contest has been really telling lately. Hopefully it's the injury, but I have my concerns.

I'm reminded of that scene in the bulldog doco when Terry Wallace drops Libba off the main list.


Libba played another six years after that.

[bornadog]

Here is Five reasons to get excited for 2020 (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/551256/five-reasons-to-get-excited-for-2020)


1. The belief is there
Many scribes wrote the Bulldogs off at the bye.
How many teams could go from 15th to seventh in the space of nine weeks?
Not many, if any.
Bevo’s Bulldogs were the form side of the heading into the finals, and there’s no doubt the ingredients for a successful team are at VU Whitten Oval.
After Saturday’s elimination final loss, the Bulldogs will have an even bigger point to prove next season.


2. Forward line development
The question at the start of the year, was where will the goals come from.
It was answered definitively by the end of the season.
Averaging 128 points per game in their last three home-and-away games to beat Essendon, GWS Giants and Adelaide, the Bulldogs’ forward structure clicked into gear.
Aaron Naughton and Josh Schache proved themselves as long-term key position players.
Sam Lloyd was one of the recruits of the year, leading the Dogs’ goal-kicking with 38 majors, while young gun Bailey Dale established himself as a forward threat in the last six weeks of the year.


3. Draftees
In a year where the Bulldogs featured in September, five players also started their AFL careers.
Bailey Smith, Rhylee West, Will Hayes, Lachie Young and Ryan Gardner all pulled on the red, white and blue at the highest level for the first time.
Smith, the Bulldogs’ first-round draft pick last year, remarkably played all 23 games in 2019.
He was one of nine players to do so for the Bulldogs, averaging 17.7 disposals per game to earn a fourth-placed finish in the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.
Hayes (nine games) and West (three) also played a final, with Young (six) and Gardner (two) also showing positive signs.


4. The midfield
The Bulldogs’ midfield is among the best the competition.
They had their colours lowered against the Giants on Saturday, but it’s clear this is a group that will continue to improve.
You would argue that All Australian stars Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae have yet to hit their best, at 23 and 25 years of age respectively.
One of the competition’s most improved players, Josh Dunkley, is just 22 years old, while reigning Sutton Medallist Lachie Hunter is only 24.
Then there’s the likes of Smith (18), Pat Lipinski (21) and rising ruckman Tim English (22).
Plus the impending returns of experienced heads Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.


5. Locked in
A quick look at the Bulldogs’ elimination final team says there is plenty to like.
And thanks to Sam Power and his list management team, Bulldogs fans can breathe a sigh of relief this off-season – because all 22 are locked in at VU Whitten Oval for 2020 or beyond.
There will be list changes in the off-season, as always.
But fifteen players have re-signed with the Bulldogs in 2019, plus coach Luke Beveridge.
The Bulldogs fielded the youngest team in the competition in the first week of finals, and round 23 compared to all 18 teams.
In terms of games played, they were the least experienced team in the first week of finals.
There’s reason to be excited about what the future holds.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

An article that shows some close reading of us:
https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2020/2020/01/13/the-good-bad-and-ugly-western-bulldogs-season-preview-2020/?fbclid=IwAR2ovbG2tXvvTaXLWaTasTTZqFCD-Ej77Sj8LDYDP7_n-GdyeGIo7xhtwyA

[bornadog]

An article that shows some close reading of us:
https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2020/2020/01/13/the-good-bad-and-ugly-western-bulldogs-season-preview-2020/?fbclid=IwAR2ovbG2tXvvTaXLWaTasTTZqFCD-Ej77Sj8LDYDP7_n-GdyeGIo7xhtwyA

Did you miss this post: https://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?19492-The-good-bad-and-ugly-%96-western-bulldogs-season-preview-2020 ;)