Rating the 2022 Trade Period - After 7.30pm Wednesday Night

[bulldogtragic]

In:

Liam Jones
Rory Lobb
Pick 21
Future 1st (Lions)
Future 2nd (Lions)
Future 4th (Geelong)



Out:

Cordy
Schache
Hunter (and we pay part of his salary for two years)
Dunkley
Pick 30
Future Second (ours)

[bulldogtragic]

Bump

[EasternWest]

Uninspired

[bulldogsthru&thru]

As bland as Brand Dunkley.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Our defence for yet another year will be severely undermanned. Lobb will fix our ruck issues for a season where we finish out of the 8. I sense a serious rebuild coming in a few years due to list mismanagement.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Uninspired

This.

Did Power do OK? Eh, maybe. A few extra drops helps, but effectively we lose two best 18 players when fit (Dunkley, Hunter), 2 depth players (Cordy, Schache) and only bring in a 32 y.o key defender (it's OK in isolation) and a 30 ruck/forward who has had 1 very good season.

We needed KPD depth, we arguably needed wingers (we're now worse off), and we needed a crumbing small forward (ironically even more now).

Very uninspiring.

[bulldogtragic]

Picks 11, 21 & 39 to the draft this year unless swaps prior to the draft.

[Go_Dogs]

How much salary are we paying for Hunter?

Who is the big free agent we now have to get in 2023 with all this cash we surely have?

[Bullies]

Would have been interesting had Dunks been aware Hunter was leaving as he was part of the reason Dunks wanted out.

[G-Mo77]

Pathetic. I'm going to bed.

[bulldogtragic]

How much salary are we paying for Hunter?

Who is the big free agent we now have to get in 2023 with all this cash we surely have?

Ben McKay

[Go_Dogs]

Overall it’s a very uninspiring trade week.

Grundy, Bowes + 7, etc. there were some good deals to be had that we were no where near.

We’ve improved our draft hand which is good - we need a few more high end young players.

Lobster will be a good get for us - Marvel suits him, and he’ll partner well with Timmy.

Jones a risk, but worth it.

Dunkley out hurts, but the writing has been on the wall and we have coverage there.

Hunter, Cordy and Schache were on the outer and no big loss. Hunter was dreadful this year, head not in it.

We still have Bont. And Naughton. And Marra. And Darcy. And Daniel. And Smith. And Dale. And Treloar. Yeah… we’ll be right.

[Dancin' Douggy]

How many minus signs are you allowed to put after Z.

[DOG GOD]

Dunkley and hunter out
McComb 23 games in 2023

[DOG GOD]

Ben McKay
He’s got to want to come to us.

[bulldogtragic]

He’s got to want to come to us.

Yep...

[bulldogtragic]

Picks 11, 21 & 39 to the draft this year unless swaps prior to the draft.

Note: Brisbane will have two father/sons pushing 11 back to 12, and then probably 21 into Pick 23, and Pick 39 to Pick 41.

But they will burn through 34, 35, 36 & 38 to match them. Meaning Pick 41 comes into Pick 37.

So most likely, Picks 12, 23 and 37 taking Brisbane's activities out of it.

[Sedat]

Not sure why all the negativity. Considering the crap hand we had with out of contract Dunkley and under contract Lobb, we have extracted every possible ounce of value out of the situation. Structurally we are better with ruck/forward cover (not my first choice but Lobb is clearly AFL quality) and proven AFL quality key defensive cover in Jones (albeit not without risk). Hunter and Schache are genuine fringe players, rightly or wrongly - we have lost midfield depth but it is one area we have cover and it is easy to bring in quality mids through the draft (unless you are Essendon).

Furthermore we retain 3 picks in the top 40 this year and have a much stronger draft hand next year.

Plus we have more incremental improvement in our list than most teams. The likes of Darcy and Marra have enormous scope for improvement, and we retain an elite core of senior players who are very much in their prime.

Unlike 12 months ago, the club can't be accused of sitting on their hands. We've brought in AFL quality in specific areas of need and kept a strong draft hand to ensure the best chance of bringing in more quality youth (which we need).

[EasternWest]

Not sure why all the negativity. Considering the crap hand we had with out or contract Dunkley and under contract Lobb, we have extracted every possible ounce of value out of the situation. Structurally we are better with ruck/forward cover (not my first choice but Lobb is clearly AFL quality) and proven AFL quality key defensive cover in Jones (albeit not without risk). Hunter and Schache are genuine fringe players, rightly or wrongly - we have lost midfield depth but it is one area we have cover and it is easy to bring in quality mids through the draft (unless you are Essendon).

Furthermore we retain 3 picks in the top 40 this year and have a much stronger draft hand next year.

You're not wrong but it still feels meh.

I was ambivalent at best about Lobb, but now it's done I'm interested to see how Lobb goes - he definitely fits into a spot we need.

[Flamethrower]

Footscray's loss is Casey's gain.
St Kilda has a new scape goat.
Brisbane has a midfielder who wins the hardball and turns it over.

We have a new weekly game...guess what colour Lobb's hair will be.
And we have an old key defender until the next Flu season.

[Eastdog]

Not the best trade period for us ever and not the worst either.

A bit uninspiring.

[jazzadogs]

Not sure why all the negativity. Considering the crap hand we had with out of contract Dunkley and under contract Lobb, we have extracted every possible ounce of value out of the situation. Structurally we are better with ruck/forward cover (not my first choice but Lobb is clearly AFL quality) and proven AFL quality key defensive cover in Jones (albeit not without risk). Hunter and Schache are genuine fringe players, rightly or wrongly - we have lost midfield depth but it is one area we have cover and it is easy to bring in quality mids through the draft (unless you are Essendon).

Furthermore we retain 3 picks in the top 40 this year and have a much stronger draft hand next year.

Plus we have more incremental improvement in our list than most teams. The likes of Darcy and Marra have enormous scope for improvement, and we retain an elite core of senior players who are very much in their prime.

Unlike 12 months ago, the club can't be accused of sitting on their hands. We've brought in AFL quality in specific areas of need and kept a strong draft hand to ensure the best chance of bringing in more quality youth (which we need).

I think the deals we did were handled well, and we got the best value we could. Hunter with a decent contract and off field issues was not worth much, Shack is unlikely to play AFL. Dunks was out of contract but we held out for the best deal we could get from Brisbane, and had to slightly overpay for Lobb but I have no issue with that for a key best 22 piece.

My issue is the deals we didn't make, or weren't linked to. Grundy, Meek, Bowes, Rioli, Gunston and I'm sure others all would have improved our team.

[hujsh]

How many minus signs are you allowed to put after Z.

Can't imagine what you'd rate it if we lost Bont instead if that's what our 4th-6th best mid leaving elicits.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I’m ok with this. Getting something for Dunkley - tick
Moving on Hunter - tick
Schack - tick as Bevo wouldn’t play him. Better than delisting him
Jones in to replace Cordy - tick
Cordy out - tick we would delist anyway in coming years
Picks 11 & 21 tick

Let’s let Power do his thing and turn these picks into gold.

[Testekill]

Our trade period was basically as good as it could have been. Moved on two players going nowhere, cut a bad influence in Hunter and extracted maximum value for Dunkley from a team that refused to deal in good faith.

[whythelongface]

Not sure why all the negativity. Considering the crap hand we had with out or contract Dunkley and under contract Lobb, we have extracted every possible ounce of value out of the situation. Structurally we are better with ruck/forward cover (not my first choice but Lobb is clearly AFL quality) and proven AFL quality key defensive cover in Jones (albeit not without risk). Hunter and Schache are genuine fringe players, rightly or wrongly - we have lost midfield depth but it is one area we have cover and it is easy to bring in quality mids through the draft (unless you are Essendon).

Furthermore we retain 3 picks in the top 40 this year and have a much stronger draft hand next year.

Plus we have more incremental improvement in our list than most teams. The likes of Darcy and Marra have enormous scope for improvement, and we retain an elite core of senior players who are very much in their prime.

Unlike 12 months ago, the club can't be accused of sitting on their hands. We've brought in AFL quality in specific areas of need and kept a strong draft hand to ensure the best chance of bringing in more quality youth (which we need).

Good reasoned post. Tbh I don’t think we have done too badly. We have brought in a decent ruck/ forward - tick. Another tall proven back man (no doubt some risk) - tick. These are two areas of need. We will also have a reasonable draft hand. 3 picks within the top 40. Good effort for a team that is still clearly in a premiership window.

Losing Dunks hurts. However the other three leaving, whilst disappointing are hardly players that make us much better.

Hopefully we can pick up a ready to go mid in the draft that has some speed.

Our forward structure will be Marra, Lobb and Naughton.
Our defensive structure will be Jones, Gardner and Keath
We also have Darcy that can play both ends.
English as well that can play ruck/ forward.

Have we ever had such an abundance of talls? I remember when we were all hoping Adam Morgan would be something before going down with an injury.

The addition of Lobb will mean less time up forward for Bont which equates to more midfield time. This is like recruiting a new midfielder- he is back where he belongs. Our midfield will be Bont, Macrae, Smith, Treloar, Libba, West, Garcia.
We need to find a new wingman to replace Hunter - maybe JJ, Roarke, Bendendo or Williams. Cleary could also be tried in this role.

Then we have the likes of Daniel, Dale, Richards and Duryea in defence.

Thinking the only role that is missing is a genuine crumber. Would love to see someone step up in this role.

Reiterating what Sedat said I am not sure why all the negativity.

[Sedat]

My issue is the deals we didn't make, or weren't linked to. Grundy, Meek, Bowes, Rioli, Gunston and I'm sure others all would have improved our team.
I'm on a unity ticket with you on Grundy. We now have 2 forward/rucks who have very similar skill sets instead of a primary ruck to compliment English and allow him to thrive as a natural forward/ruck. But we are all chips in on English as the big dog - he now has to step it up big time against the best rucks in the competition, because we have sunk a lot of cost into that investment thus far for no silverware return as yet.

[hujsh]

We brought in 2 players that are best 22.

We lost 1 player that is best 22.

We lost a different player that used to be best 22 before he went of the rails and sometimes plays a good game but also maybe slows our ball movement down so much he's something of a liability

We lost a whipping boy no one likes

We lost a whipping boy a few people REALLY like but most of us probably see as depth at best

We gained a future first and pick 21.

I get there was no big name signing, no superstar dramatic addition to the team. IMO that wouldn't make us better. Before worrying about getting the cream we need to bake the cake. Sure we could add the best full back in the league to our team but would it have mattered against Melbourne in 21? Or Freo in the second half this year?

The improvement has to come from within. That's something Bevo is capable of. I hope that Hunter and Dunkley leaving maybe helps lead to that.

[DOG GOD]

I hope that Hunter and Dunkley leaving maybe helps lead to that.

This is a big interest for me going fwd. There were definite issues within the playing group this year, and these 2 “might” have been a big part of that. Will be interesting to see how galvanised we are next year.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

The improvement has to come from within. That's something Bevo is capable of. I hope that Hunter and Dunkley leaving maybe helps lead to that.

So you mean West, JUH, Darcy, Bruce, McClean and Weightman. I’m confident and can live very comfortably with that. Bring on 2023 I’m backing the boys in.

Name another club that has this much raw talent ready to explode

[MrMahatma]

Guess if your glass is half full, you see 2 additional best 22 players in positions of need.
If it’s half empty you see an old dude who hasn’t played top flight for a year, and a dooood who has horrible hair and maybe this year was a fluke year, so he’s overrated.

My glass is half full. I think our best 22 is better now.

I hope we draft a good young KPD.

[DOG GOD]

Getting Lobb is ok…but my biggest concern is if English goes down.

[dog town]

Think we needed some run at the start of the period so losing 2/3 best runners is far from ideal even if Hunter hasn’t been that recently. McLean and West might help a little but we needed winger/flanker types and it’s unlikely to be addressed by first year draftees. Realistically we are not contending at the moment and need to nail these draft picks. Suspect Daniel gets his body right and potentially steps inside as well.

In terms of the trades executed I have no issues, Lobb balances the forward/ruck situation which needed addressing. I expect Naughton and English to be better for that change. Can argue it’s slight overs for Lobb but probably means we don’t see huge difference in value post pick 25 or so. Other thing with Lobb is it helps us negate interceptors potentially, no English forward hurt this year from that perspective.

Woukd have kept Schache but don’t think he is a Lobb comparison. Lobb size makes him a genuine 2nd ruck who can give minutes without giving too much impetus around the ball. Certainly no star Lobb but we have put our eggs in the English basket so needed another English type to make it all work.

Jones was a free hit, if he comes back at the same standard it’s a win.

Hunter is a disaster really. Fair enough he needs to be moved on but that reflects on the clubs ability to get him back on track. Was vice captain two years ago and smoked Langdon in Ballarat. Obviously a fair bit happening for him since then off field but we needed more wing support not losing our best proven option without some sort of plan to replace him.

Dunkley return is as good as we were going to get. The change from original Brisbane offer shows Power did quite well with the cards he was given on that particular one. Go to the draft and make them count, Port and pies have both used a quick draft injection to fuel a spike recently.

Pickering looked extremely unprofessional and Brisbane actually backed down significantly from what he told us to take on Saturday. Barrett referring to his dislike for Bulldogs from previous dealings is also disappointing. I actually think we are in the right but stirring the media up is becoming a sideshow for us now. I’m a Bevo fan but this is one aspect I think we need to be a bit smarter about, our list of media enemies is growing.

[GVGjr]

Getting Lobb is ok…but my biggest concern is if English goes down.

We still need to find a ruckman. Bringing in Lobb doesn't change that.

[angelopetraglia]

I also don't understand the negativity.

We swap Cordy for Jones.
We swap Shaq for Lobb.

In the short term, that makes us better.

Shaq just doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to play the game at the highest level and Bevo will simply not play players who don't fully commit at the contest (see Lippa). Cordy just isn't at AFL standard IMHO.

We lose Hunter, who was obviously creating some issues if he was banished from the club. He has his own internal demons to deal with. I wish him all the best and will always be a Premiership player, but he has lived his life in a manner in recent years that is just not AFL standard. Thank you and good luck.

We lose Dunkley who is an A-Grade inside midfielder. However he has serious limitations in his game. He can't kick in general play and is someone who you just can't rely on to convert set shots from any distance. He is also slow and we have too many slow midfielders as it is. He definitely has some assets that we will miss. He is a tackling machine. He is great overhead for his height. He is a contested ball beast. But if he doesn't want to be at our club, so be it. We are well served in that part of the ground and it means Treloar and others can play more midfield minutes.

It feels like we basically traded Dunks for a future first rounder.

What is absolutely crucial now is that we nail some of our draft picks.

[whythelongface]

This is a big interest for me going fwd. There were definite issues within the playing group this year, and these 2 “might” have been a big part of that. Will be interesting to see how galvanised we are next year.

This could also have affected Bont. As the captain having to deal with internal as well as carrying a significant workload (incl being a target up forward) clearly impacted his performance this year. Next year will be a new lease of life for the Bont and he will take his game to a new level.

[dog town]

We still need to find a ruckman. Bringing in Lobb doesn't change that.

If Sweet is on the list isn’t that what he is for?

[DOG GOD]

If Sweet is on the list isn’t that what he is for?

Neither sweet or Martin should be on the list. The fact they are shows how desperate we are.

[whythelongface]

Getting Lobb is ok…but my biggest concern is if English goes down.

This is where Lobb is beneficial as it allows Sweet to play just a ruck role without compromising our forward structure. Last year with Bruce out we were stretched in the forward line once English went down. We now have some genuine options but it would still be good to have another decent ruck

[hujsh]

So you mean West, JUH, Darcy, Bruce, McClean and Weightman. I’m coming scoter and can live very comfortably with that. Bring on 2023 I’m backing the boys in.

Name another club that has this much raw talent ready to explode

Well not even just that. I mean that we have our already good players playing to the level they expect but also committing to doing the hard stuff. Can't rely on Dunkley to do the defensive stuff so now EVERYONE has to contribute. We need that buy in. As a side effect the performances of those fringe/developing players will look even better

[dog town]

Neither sweet or Martin should be on the list. The fact they are shows how desperate we are.

Not many teams with a great ruckmen playing in their reserves.

[GVGjr]

If Sweet is on the list isn’t that what he is for?

Do you think 2 ruckman and a forward ruckman is enough?
Sweet is on the list because he is improving but we need 3 specialist ruckman.

[Grantysghost]

Are we paying for Hunter?

Also has anyone checked on Treloar.

[FrediKanoute]

Picks 11, 21 & 39 to the draft this year unless swaps prior to the draft.

They are good picks. Good enough to address some longer term issues and maybe nab a play first year type player.

Overall I am ok with this trade period:

Dunks - wanted out and was uncontracted so we did the best deal we could do (and I think its a pretty good deal given the hand we held and the counterparties hand)
Cordy - a loss. Given we have a dearth of decent backmen his departure hurts.
Schache - a little disappointed, but given Lobb comes in then he was never going to be part of our plans. Also think we have Buku, who showed promise last year as both a forward and a back.
Hunter - a loss. A ball winner and great link between the front ad back half. We struggled to replace him all year and none of the replacements - Smith, Smith, Macrae, etc were as effective in the roles. Would have preferred we kept him.

In:

Jones - thnk 3 years is too long, but that final year may be a paid coaching role
Lobb - again suspect a 3 year deal is a little long and will be interesting to see how our forward line works.

If I was grading I would give it a B - got what we wnated, but overpaid a little; extracted value on most of what we sold.

[dog town]

Do you think 2 ruckman and a forward ruckman is enough?
Sweet is on the list because he is improving but we need 3 specialist ruckman.

I would be ok to carry another one but is anyone worth having going to come if they know they are starting at Footscray? English planting his flag as wanting to be a first ruck means we have had to go all in on two forward/ruck types. I suspect if English wanted to play as a forward with a bit of ruck we might have been looking for a meat and potato ruckmen. That’s not saying one way is right or wrong that’s the decision we had to make once English made that clear.

[Bulldog4life]

Picks 11, 21 & 39 to the draft this year unless swaps prior to the draft.

What about pick 30?

[azabob]

What about pick 30?

That was apart of the Lobb trade.

[Bulldog4life]

That was apart of the Lobb trade.

ok thanks Bob

[bulldogtragic]

What about pick 30?

To Freo.

[F'scary]

In:
Liam Jones
Rory Lobb
Pick 21
Future 1st (Lions)
Future 2nd (Lions)
Future 4th (Geelong)

Out:
Cordy
Schache
Hunter (and we pay part of his salary for two years)
Dunkley
Pick 30
Future Second (ours)

I give us an A+. We get the + because we got rid of a guy who didn't want to play for us.

I rate the guys we got in - covers a couple of big needs. We can cover for Dunkley: opportunities for others like McLean, Treloar, West and Daniel. The other guys who departed were fringe players or damaged goods.

2022 draft: 11, 21, 39, 65
2023 draft r1, r1, r2, r4x2.

[F'scary]

We still need to find a ruckman. Bringing in Lobb doesn't change that.

The Pommy Lobster duo will be the #1 ruck combo in the comp and rack up the big marks and goals when resting forward. You will see and be awed.

[bulldogtragic]

The Pommy Lobster duo will be the #1 ruck combo in the comp and rack up the big marks and goals when resting forward. You will see and be awed.

If it was ‘Pom Lobster’ I know I great B-52’s song for a theme song. Love Shack is awesome.

[GVGjr]

In:

Liam Jones
Rory Lobb
Pick 21
Future 1st (Lions)
Future 2nd (Lions)
Future 4th (Geelong)

Out:

Cordy
Schache
Hunter (and we pay part of his salary for two years)
Dunkley
Pick 30
Future Second (ours)

Trade wise we won one, or at least extracted a fair return for an un-contracted A grade player, and we also lost one paying a lot more for the contracted Lobb than we should have but that is the swings and roundabouts of the trade period.

Losing a player of Hunters quality for a weak return and kicking in some of his salary is the price you occasionally have to pay to clear an un-contented and distracted player who's not returning enough for the club given the financial investment the club was making in him and that he was someone who was distracting other players.
We will miss his abilities on the field but we probably won't miss him around the club.

Losing Schache was always likely giving we weren't picking him regardless of his form. This is the price laconic players pay with Bevo as the senior coach.

Cordy has been a solid solider and I think we will miss him just a bit but he read the writing on the wall once Jones committed to us.

The team is weaker than at the end of the season but we should be positive that Bruce will come back in better condition but we can also invest in the draft and hope natural development in some of youngsters happen.
We have a better balance with Lobb backing up English and Treloar will move back into the midfield.

We are also well placed for next years draft and if it holds up as a stronger draft field then we might take advantage of that.

Overall there is nothing to get us too excited but clearly far from the disaster that many of our supporters were projecting.

[bulldogtragic]

Trade wise we won one, or at least extracted a fair return for an un-contracted A grade player, and we also lost one paying a lot more for the contracted Lobb than we should have but that is the swings and roundabouts of the trade period.

Losing a player of Hunters quality for a weak return and kicking in some of his salary is the price you occasionally have to pay to clear an un-contented and distracted player who's not returning enough for the club given the financial investment the club was making in him and that he was someone who was distracting other players.
We will miss his abilities on the field but we probably won't miss him around the club.

Losing Schache was always likely giving we weren't picking him regardless of his form. This is the price laconic players pay with Bevo as the senior coach.

Cordy has been a solid solider and I think we will miss him just a bit but he read the writing on the wall once Jones committed to us.

The team is weaker than at the end of the season but we should be positive that Bruce will come back in better condition but we can also invest in the draft and hope natural development in some of youngsters happen.
We have a better balance with Lobb backing up English and Treloar will move back into the midfield.

We are also well placed for next years draft and if it holds up as a stronger draft field then we might take advantage of that.

Overall there is nothing to get us too excited but clearly far from the disaster that many of our supporters were projecting.

What’s your read on the first round draft depth this year to next?

Is it worth considering live trading a future first into this year with say a GWS with 15, 18 & 19?

Or is the projected depth better next year for drafting and trading with next year potentially?

[GVGjr]

What’s your read on the first round draft depth this year to next?

Is it worth considering live trading a future first into this year with say a GWS with 15, 18 & 19?

Or is the projected depth better next year for drafting and trading with next year potentially?

I'm not sure, it's supposed to be a stronger top 20 next year than this year and a stronger overall draft.
If GWS were happy to consider a trade that improved our draft picks this year you would have to consider it especially if we thought there was a player or two we liked that were around those picks.
I just think it's always worth getting players to you club earlier rather than later.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

He who dares wins, well done Sam for saving a nightmare scenario.
Hunter seems to have been a bummer accomodating for a couple of years so a la Jake S. better to cut losses for a healthier club. Pity no one wanted him so bugger all
compensation. Future pics and 21 this year are great. Go Lobster (except lobster are northern hemisphere, crayfish here, marron in WA are freshwater lobsters as are yabbies).

[jazzadogs]

Do we need to be considering our projection for Croft next year as well?

If we could do GWS 15 for next year's Brisbane 1st, with a prediction that they make a prelim again, is that a win? (Irony of ending up with Brisbane's pick 15 that we originally wanted is not lost on me)

[bulldogtragic]

I'm not sure, it's supposed to be a stronger top 20 next year than this year and a stronger overall draft.
If GWS were happy to consider a trade that improved our draft picks this year you would have to consider it especially if we thought there was a player or two we liked that were around those picks.
I just think it's always worth getting players to you club earlier rather than later.

That might be one to watch. GWS won’t trade 19, it’s strategically a great pick. But with Picks 15 & 18, and at a guess, the Lions First we have is at a guess 15-18 next year. If we really, really like a kid still in the board and GWS are happy to spread theirs picks out into 2023 and get a third first rounder for 2023 while still banking 3 top 20 picks this year, Picks 1, 15 or 18 & 19 this year. That might be a win-win for both clubs.

[bulldogtragic]

Do we need to be considering our projection for Croft next year as well?

If we could do GWS 15 for next year's Brisbane 1st, with a prediction that they make a prelim again, is that a win? (Irony of ending up with Brisbane's pick 15 that we originally wanted is not lost on me)

Then it’s Taranto for 12 & 19

Then it’s Dunkley for 15, 21 & (future circa) 70

[Scorlibo]

I'll give us a C+

A lot of the issues I have with this trade period stem from poor planning.

Dunkley was out of contract, meaning the Lions tried to screw us. Lobb was under contract, meaning we had to overpay. Hunter was staying until the last few hours, when we rushed through a deal and got next to nothing back.

No issues with the negotiations, which so far as I can tell were handled well and we extracted decent value, it's just some of the positions we put ourselves in that bother me.

On field we've left a fair bit up to the coaching staff by not fully addressing some positional needs. We needed quality KPDs, we have taken a risk on Jones. The coaches will now need to sit down and work out which of our tall forwards might shift to defence if Jones doesn't work out. We needed a ground level (smart) forward and a running player or two for the wing / high half-forward and we've gone backwards by losing Hunter. There are a range of players on the list who could theoretically step up but it's a scattergun approach that might not yield results until late in the season.

On the plus side, I'm looking forward to a full season of barracking against Brisbane. If they somehow miss the eight we'll look like geniuses.

[bornadog]

Picks 11, 21 & 39 to the draft this year unless swaps prior to the draft.

This is a win for me. Go to draft

[bornadog]

I give us an A+. We get the + because we got rid of a guy who didn't want to play for us.

I rate the guys we got in - covers a couple of big needs. We can cover for Dunkley: opportunities for others like McLean, Treloar, West and Daniel. The other guys who departed were fringe players or damaged goods.

2022 draft: 11, 21, 39, 65
2023 draft r1, r1, r2, r4x2.

Big Like.

[dog town]

It’s not very fun for the coming season but are we positioning ourselves for someone in 12 months time with two first round picks and what seems like enormous cap space?

[Vred]

Negative: lack of secondary defender
Lack of experienced winger
losing f/s / two bnf winners

positive:
cap space
competent fwd/ruck
more picks
jones upgrade on cordy
hunters bad influence, gone.

If we nail our picks this year it’ll be a win, if we don’t and just go after more midfielders I’ll call it a fail, really hoped we nailed another defender but we didn’t. God hopefully our game plan changes and our defence isn’t a shambles next season.

[Go_Dogs]

It’s not very fun for the coming season but are we positioning ourselves for someone in 12 months time with two first round picks and what seems like enormous cap space?

This was my exact thought.

We must have a huge amount of cap space available and a good hand in a strong draft.

[bornadog]

It’s not very fun for the coming season but are we positioning ourselves for someone in 12 months time with two first round picks and what seems like enormous cap space?

Is there a F/S like Croft that we will need points for?

[dog town]

Is there a F/S like Croft that we will need points for?

Croft isn’t tracking as an early pick at this stage but it’s early. Some speculation that we are planning on chasing Finn Callaghan but likely just the links to the club driving that.

[Boots]

I'm glad we got rid of Hunter and Cordy, and kind of wish we'd lost JJ too. A little sad given they are two more premiership players, and Hunter when in form was pretty brilliant, but neither had really become what we needed in senior players, and Hunter's off-field issues were by all accounts a pretty massive distraction. They weren't "dead wood" but they were past their prime and take some pressure off list spots and salary cap.

I think letting go of Schache was important to our list balance and I doubt he'll flourish at Melbourne, though he might have a few good games and look scary from time to time. Their structure will suit him better - especially Brown, Fristch and Pickett - but he'll never be a great player.

Lobb is a good acquisition for mine - I remember when he was third tall to Patton and Cameron in GWS he was real scary. I think he'll be even better in our forward lien than Freo's. The 3-year contract is a risk because of his age.

I'm equivocal on Jones. The deal has a whiff of the Cloke trade a few years back. A Hail Mary pass. If it works, great, but I think we should prepare for the worst.

Our defence remains a gap you could drive a truck through. It's a huge problem, because you can always score more goals, but you can't un-score an opponent's goal. Defence isn't as flashy as the other two lines but you ignore it at your peril. I'm sick to death of the way we keep unbalancing the list. First it was chasing midfielders when we had more than enough. Then it was chasing forwards even after we had a glut, and continually moving defenders into permanent forward rotation. We need to pick one of our marking talls and have him play back, permanently. I think it should be Darcy, because he's played forward the least. I'm no longer dazzled by the potential of goals, I won't get FOMO about lost potential MOTYs in the forward 50. I will get FOMO about lost grand finals.

I never really follow the draft as I don't have en eye for it or the time, and draft prospects seem to routinely be three years away from good, and we should be trying to bolster this list for 2023, not 2025 or 2026. So I sort of don't care?

In isolation, it's an OK haul. The problem is that Geelong, Brisbane and Melbourne made out like bandits. We've gone backwards. It sucks and I'm not terribly excited about 2023.

[Sedat]

Of all the established key defenders to change clubs this trade period, Liam Jones is easily the best performed and most talented. If he was on the cans for 12 months it could be argued to be a hail-mary (he looks pretty fit to me), but on talent and ability alone it is a no-brainer. He instantaneously becomes our best key defender.

At 31yo, he just needs to have a sharp pre-season and he should be able continue on from where left off. We do need to draft key defensive talent but right now Jones clearly makes our list better.

[Mantis]

Jones is a big upgrade on Cordy…. Tick.

Lobb as a ruck/ 2nd forward is a big upgrade on current options… tick. Would’ve liked to have kept the future 2nd, but you always have to overpay for contracted players.

We probably maximised our return for Dunkley… just sucks he picked a club with little currency and with him being uncontracted we had little bargaining power.

Hunter needed a change… happy to help him move on.

Schache obviously wasn’t part of our plans so happy to move him on as well.

Overall I’m ok with the list changes… still some gaps to fill, but more interested in how our younger players develop and how we change our playing style.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Of all the established key defenders to change clubs this trade period, Liam Jones is easily the best performed and most talented. If he was on the cans for 12 months it could be argued to be a hail-mary (he looks pretty fit to me), but on talent and ability alone it is a no-brainer. He instantaneously becomes our best key defender.

At 31yo, he just needs to have a sharp pre-season and he should be able continue on from where left off. We do need to draft key defensive talent but right now Jones clearly makes our list better.

Agreed, I think the concerns on Jones are a bit overhyped. It's not like he isn't fit and hasn't looked after himself. Providing he has a good pre-season, like every other AFL listed player, that will get him cherry ripe to perform to a good level.

It would be nice if he was a few years younger, and it would be nice if we had more support - I have no faith in Keath - but the Jones decision was a no brainer. Hope he goes well.

[MrMahatma]

I think there's also a halo of Dunkley leaving, where Ads plays more mid and we're able to hopefully play genuine fwds/HBFs in those roles rather than midfielders who are "better".. but out of position.

I think the 22 we'll roll out next year will be quite a lot better than this year, as a TEAM.

[bornadog]

Jand how we change our playing style.

Defensive system needs to be changed - it fell apart

[bornadog]

Sam Power rates trades

https://twitter.com/AFLcomau/status/1580121220409794560

[Grantysghost]

Sam Power rates trades

https://twitter.com/AFLcomau/status/1580121220409794560

Thanks BAD pretty clear the draft was never something he wanted to entertain.

The ice man!

[hujsh]

Thanks BAD pretty clear the draft was never something he wanted to entertain.

The ice man!

It was funny hearing him talk about what's fair for Josh as well because that's so far and away from how we've been talking online I was almost shocked to hear it

[Grantysghost]

It was funny hearing him talk about what's fair for Josh as well because that's so far and away from how we've been talking online I was almost shocked to hear it

Personally I don't get all the games, and if 2.22 percent of people on here can see through them surely the Lions can ;)

[Bulldog4life]

Thanks BAD pretty clear the draft was never something he wanted to entertain.

The ice man!

You change your Avatar at the drop of a hat Gg! What gives?

[Grantysghost]

You change your Avatar at the drop of a hat Gg! What gives?

I've settled on Rory McFly now.

I like to keep you guessing B4L!

[hujsh]

Personally I don't get all the games, and if 2.22 percent of people on here can see through them surely the Lions can ;)

The games were played on both side GG.

The Lions moved a long way from that supposedly 'fair' initial offer you were ready to take. They wanted to see if we'd do a Lake so they could get away with paying way unders for Dunkley. We're not that club anymore, at least not while Sammy P is at the helm.

[Grantysghost]

The games were played on both side GG.

The Lions moved a long way from that supposedly 'fair' initial offer you were ready to take. They wanted to see if we'd do a Lake so they could get away with paying way unders for Dunkley. We're not that club anymore, at least not while Sammy P is at the helm.

I don't get the games full stop.

I never said take! I said it needs some massaging, and it was ok for an opening gambit but I'll concede to those who know better or do this for a crust.

Also.

How dare thee.

*looks for Roxette song to explain feelings*

[Grantysghost]

I don't get the games full stop.

I never said take! I said it needs some massaging, and it was ok for an opening gambit but I'll concede to those who know better or do this for a crust.

Also.

How dare thee.

*looks for Roxette song to explain feelings*

Joyride provides :

She has a train going downtown
She's got a club on the moon
And she's telling all her secrets
In a wonderful balloon

[hujsh]

I don't get the games full stop.

I never said take! I said it needs some massaging, and it was ok for an opening gambit but I'll concede to those who know better or do this for a crust.

Also.

How dare thee.

*looks for Roxette song to explain feelings*

That I can agree with. However I think Sam is normally pretty forthright with what he feels is a fair offer. Normally not a huge difference between what he says he wants/will pay vs what he pays/settles for. It's when other clubs mess around that he has to play these silly games and get in the mud with them.

[EasternWest]

Essington traded Francis out right, so did Dodoro once again win trade week?

[Bulldog4life]

I've settled on Rory McFly now.

I like to keep you guessing B4L!

I've stuck with the great Johnny Schultz since October 2007 and proud of it.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Sam Power during Trade week. Hes does it all and he DGAF bout your games, he's doing his thang.



https://youtube.com/shorts/fFJJ-aYsGl4?feature=share


Apols for the link, I have no idea how to embed the vid in the post...

[Grantysghost]

Sam Power during Trade week. Hes does it all and he DGAF bout your games, he's doing his thang.



https://youtube.com/shorts/fFJJ-aYsGl4?feature=share


Apols for the link, I have no idea how to embed the vid in the post...

When I first saw that I thought how much gain has he got to be able to left hand only, then I realised he was picking and drumming at the same time.

I'm more gut proud now watching him.

[bornadog]

Sam Power during Trade week. Hes does it all and he DGAF bout your games, he's doing his thang.



https://youtube.com/shorts/fFJJ-aYsGl4?feature=share


Apols for the link, I have no idea how to embed the vid in the post...

But in the end


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY4byLNqYxU

[Bulldog Revolution]

Personally I don't get all the games, and if 2.22 percent of people on here can see through them surely the Lions can ;)

It didnt seem the Lions offered the future second until yesterday - and they began by largely offering us pick upgrades in 2022 and a future first

[dog town]

Our social media and media in general has again been deplorable in comparison to other clubs since trading was completed yesterday.

[Grantysghost]

Our social media and media in general has again been deplorable in comparison to other clubs since trading was completed yesterday.

DT - tell me you saw the Lobb announcement with him "Lobbing in" and they put his head on a basket ball player.

It was 2015 social media quality, outstanding retro work. They really know how to "throw-back".

[G-Mo77]

DT - tell me you saw the Lobb announcement with him "Lobbing in" and they put his head on a basket ball player.

It was 2015 social media quality, outstanding retro work. They really know how to "throw-back".

7AFL made a great one yesterday. I was pretty pissy about our trades last night but this one made me laugh and still does.

https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1580125504274776064

[Grantysghost]

7AFL made a great one yesterday. I was pretty pissy about our trades last night but this one made me laugh and still does.

https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1580125504274776064

Haha not bad.

[kruder]

7AFL made a great one yesterday. I was pretty pissy about our trades last night but this one made me laugh and still does.

https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1580125504274776064

On a road to no where the saints

[Grantysghost]

7AFL made a great one yesterday. I was pretty pissy about our trades last night but this one made me laugh and still does.

https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1580125504274776064

Nothing on this

https://twitter.com/westernbulldogs/status/1580136901645737984?t=3-GTbY5KmQ63b00ssxQ-2w&s=19

[G-Mo77]

Nothing on this

https://twitter.com/westernbulldogs/status/1580136901645737984?t=3-GTbY5KmQ63b00ssxQ-2w&s=19

I love out of all the Dunks in the NBA they grabbed one from someone as random as the Birdman.

[dog town]

DT - tell me you saw the Lobb announcement with him "Lobbing in" and they put his head on a basket ball player.

It was 2015 social media quality, outstanding retro work. They really know how to "throw-back". That stuff doesn’t worry me as much even if it was a bit ordinary.

A bit of media from someone at the club would be nice given the smashing we received from Pickering. Not every insult requires a response but releasing our own stories, maybe some commentary on how we plan to cover our losses, talking up how the new players will fit into our plans would be fantastic.

[Grantysghost]

I love out of all the Dunks in the NBA they grabbed one from someone as random as the Birdman.

Yeah agree, Brett Burton ruined the Crows though didnt he?

*searches birdman*

[Dancin' Douggy]

Ok……… so my Z minus rating for our trading period may have been slightly hysterical. But it’s a score based on a larger despair, or milieu, threading through our recent trading periods all the way back to 2016.
There we were. Standing on the edge of glory. The beginning of a dynasty. The future was ours. Everything was perfect.

We had just won the flag with a very, very young team. One of the youngest flag winning teams ever. We had, in our colours, the most exciting young talent in the country. Bont, Stringer, Boyd, MaCrae. We had heart and soul father/sons like Libba, Wallis, Hunter and Cordy.
We had the greatest, most inspiring, most decent and admirable men leading the club. Bob, Easton Wood and Bevo. Bevo, who had weaved his magic up through the divisions winning flag after flag after flag. He seemed to have the Midas touch. Bob, the loveable scrawny speedster with the heart of an Irish poet and loyalty by the spadeful. And Easton, the dashingly handsome, intelligent, reliable rock of Gibraltar. He literally looked like a superhero.

We had a powerful, intelligent, wealthy but down to earth, loveable brawler as a president. He was outgoing and verbose, but was self-deprecating and humble. He had a deep love for the club and all its people. No one could push him, or us, around.

The Western oval was the happiest place in the world. We were the envy of the football community. EVERYONE loved us. (except some salty Sydney whiners)

Since then, I have been constantly bewildered and frustrated by the players we have let go, the players we have kept, and the weekly whacky lucky dip we have every Thursday night when the team is announced.

Why did we let Jordan Roughead go? It still pisses me off. We needed exactly HIM!!!. Ruck / defender. He was a heart and soul bulldog. Barracked for the dogs all his life and was a premiership hero. Next minute? Sorry Jordan, we don’t need you anymore. What the!?!? We replaced him with Trengove who we targeted as a free agent and then refused to play him. Bevo’s record with tall players, particularly defenders is shocking. It’s been a conga line of tall defenders dancing out the doors. And every year we say we need tall defenders. We (and the entire football media) have been screaming out for a proper back up ruckman. So, we got……………………Stefan Martin, who was already totally cooked before we picked him up. I would describe him now as semi digested. Sweet is clearly not up to it and I really don’t think Lobb (who is 30 anyway) is a proper ruckman.
I’m meant to believe that Tim English is TELLING Bevo where, when and how he should be played. Demanding to be the number 1, all day long ruckman. I can’t imagine this really happening at AFL level. I actually can’t believe a single player could hold the coach and recruiting staff to ransom like that. Specially not such an intelligent, well mannered young man like Tim. If it is true, it’s unacceptable. And what if English gets injured anyway? Ruckmen are swapping teams all around us year after year and we’re like “yeah, nah, don’t think so” (yeah…… I know you’re all gonna say…….. Lobb………but I’m not a fan, and Lobb is more a forward than a ruckman anyway)

If our culture was/ is so great, and I was totally convinced it was, why couldn’t we get Stringer, Dalhaus and whoever the other ‘trouble makers’ were to toe the line? Why can’t we help Hunter get his s*%t together. Why does Dunkley want out?

In regards the 2016 premiership team, we have had some really bad luck with certain players and injuries, Clay’s knees. Liam’s concussions. Tom’s depression. And of course there’s natural attrition. But to only have 5 players left from the premiership team is pretty incredible. We have just watched that team evaporate into thin air in front of our eyes.

So, to watch 3 more premiership players, two father / sons, walk out the door was just depressing. Yeah you can make a case for each individual player, but the pattern has been repeating since the flag. The bigger picture tells me something is wrong.

So, this year, we did the best we could I guess with Dunkley. But surely I’m allowed to be pissed off that they traded pick 15 away belligerently in front of us. No one at the bulldog’s fault, but it’s still crap behaviour. Still allowed to be pissed off. I’m Pissed off we didn’t chase a proper ruckman or a younger key defender. We’re just lucky that Jones (31 I believe?) fell back into our arms.

I’m sick of Bevo’s army of mini-me’s. The honest battlers, the little guys who came up through the ranks the hard way. Van de Meer, McComb, Scott, McNeill, Hannan, Garcia. Keep 2 of them. Not ALL of them.

Trading out L. Young and trading in Tim O’Brien??? How does that help us? How does that improve our list?
Just another example of a bewildering trade decision.

I know we played in a grand final last year, but who knows, with a serious key defender, and a proper, young and fit second ruckman we might have won it. And we might have won some other finals too. We’ll never know.

So I guess my Z rating really comes at the end of a long run of frustrating trade periods. Sam Power did the best he could I guess, but sometimes I wonder about what’s happening behind the scenes. I love the dogs. Been a member for about 30 years. Just feeling a bit flat about our list management and trading atm. Sorry if I’m being too much of a downer.

[Grantysghost]

That stuff doesn’t worry me as much even if it was a bit ordinary.

A bit of media from someone at the club would be nice given the smashing we received from Pickering. Not every insult requires a response but releasing our own stories, maybe some commentary on how we plan to cover our losses, talking up how the new players will fit into our plans would be fantastic.

Power did an interview afterwards it is posted on here somewhere.

Here tis : https://twitter.com/traderadio/status/1580123733749948418?s=20&t=0_1QEasYYlaY5WRwnVTwOw

[EasternWest]

7AFL made a great one yesterday. I was pretty pissy about our trades last night but this one made me laugh and still does.

https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1580125504274776064

That's actually pretty funny.

[dog town]

Power did an interview afterwards it is posted on here somewhere.

Here tis : https://twitter.com/traderadio/status/1580123733749948418?s=20&t=0_1QEasYYlaY5WRwnVTwOw

I saw that, run by trade radio and very brief.

[dog town]

Ok……… so my Z minus rating for our trading period may have been slightly hysterical. But it’s a score based on a larger despair, or milieu, threading through our recent trading periods all the way back to 2016.
There we were. Standing on the edge of glory. The beginning of a dynasty. The future was ours. Everything was perfect.

We had just won the flag with a very, very young team. One of the youngest flag winning teams ever. We had, in our colours, the most exciting young talent in the country. Bont, Stringer, Boyd, MaCrae. We had heart and soul father/sons like Libba, Wallis, Hunter and Cordy.
We had the greatest, most inspiring, most decent and admirable men leading the club. Bob, Easton Wood and Bevo. Bevo, who had weaved his magic up through the divisions winning flag after flag after flag. He seemed to have the Midas touch. Bob, the loveable scrawny speedster with the heart of an Irish poet and loyalty by the spadeful. And Easton, the dashingly handsome, intelligent, reliable rock of Gibraltar. He literally looked like a superhero.

We had a powerful, intelligent, wealthy but down to earth, loveable brawler as a president. He was outgoing and verbose, but was self-deprecating and humble. He had a deep love for the club and all its people. No one could push him, or us, around.

The Western oval was the happiest place in the world. We were the envy of the football community. EVERYONE loved us. (except some salty Sydney whiners)

Since then, I have been constantly bewildered and frustrated by the players we have let go, the players we have kept, and the weekly whacky lucky dip we have every Thursday night when the team is announced.

Why did we let Jordan Roughead go? It still pisses me off. We needed exactly HIM!!!. Ruck / defender. He was a heart and soul bulldog. Barracked for the dogs all his life and was a premiership hero. Next minute? Sorry Jordan, we don’t need you anymore. What the!?!? We replaced him with Trengove who we targeted as a free agent and then refused to play him. Bevo’s record with tall players, particularly defenders is shocking. It’s been a conga line of tall defenders dancing out the doors. And every year we say we need tall defenders. We (and the entire football media) have been screaming out for a proper back up ruckman. So, we got……………………Stefan Martin, who was already totally cooked before we picked him up. I would describe him now as semi digested. Sweet is clearly not up to it and I really don’t think Lobb (who is 30 anyway) is a proper ruckman.
I’m meant to believe that Tim English is TELLING Bevo where, when and how he should be played. Demanding to be the number 1, all day long ruckman. I can’t imagine this really happening at AFL level. I actually can’t believe a single player could hold the coach and recruiting staff to ransom like that. Specially not such an intelligent, well mannered young man like Tim. If it is true, it’s unacceptable. And what if English gets injured anyway? Ruckmen are swapping teams all around us year after year and we’re like “yeah, nah, don’t think so” (yeah…… I know you’re all gonna say…….. Lobb………but I’m not a fan, and Lobb is more a forward than a ruckman anyway)

If our culture was/ is so great, and I was totally convinced it was, why couldn’t we get Stringer, Dalhaus and whoever the other ‘trouble makers’ were to toe the line? Why can’t we help Hunter get his s*%t together. Why does Dunkley want out?

In regards the 2016 premiership team, we have had some really bad luck with certain players and injuries, Clay’s knees. Liam’s concussions. Tom’s depression. And of course there’s natural attrition. But to only have 5 players left from the premiership team is pretty incredible. We have just watched that team evaporate into thin air in front of our eyes.

So, to watch 3 more premiership players, two father / sons, walk out the door was just depressing. Yeah you can make a case for each individual player, but the pattern has been repeating since the flag. The bigger picture tells me something is wrong.

So, this year, we did the best we could I guess with Dunkley. But surely I’m allowed to be pissed off that they traded pick 15 away belligerently in front of us. No one at the bulldog’s fault, but it’s still crap behaviour. Still allowed to be pissed off. I’m Pissed off we didn’t chase a proper ruckman or a younger key defender. We’re just lucky that Jones (31 I believe?) fell back into our arms.

I’m sick of Bevo’s army of mini-me’s. The honest battlers, the little guys who came up through the ranks the hard way. Van de Meer, McComb, Scott, McNeill, Hannan, Garcia. Keep 2 of them. Not ALL of them.

Trading out L. Young and trading in Tim O’Brien??? How does that help us? How does that improve our list?
Just another example of a bewildering trade decision.

I know we played in a grand final last year, but who knows, with a serious key defender, and a proper, young and fit second ruckman we might have won it. And we might have won some other finals too. We’ll never know.

So I guess my Z rating really comes at the end of a long run of frustrating trade periods. Sam Power did the best he could I guess, but sometimes I wonder about what’s happening behind the scenes. I love the dogs. Been a member for about 30 years. Just feeling a bit flat about our list management and trading atm. Sorry if I’m being too much of a downer.

Roughead couldn’t get through a game without coming off in pain with something in his last two years with us. Not sure what changed from a medical point of view but he looked absolutely cooked with us.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Roughead couldn’t get through a game without coming off in pain with something in his last two years with us. Not sure what changed from a medical point of view but he looked absolutely cooked with us.

Played a few good seasons with the pies though. And also he’s just one example of a tall
Defender we showed the door.

[dog town]

Played a few good seasons with the pies though. And also he’s just one example of a tall
Defender we showed the door.

Don’t disagree just think the fact that he was seemingly made of tissue paper at the time would have impacted the decision.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Don’t disagree just think the fact that he was seemingly made of tissue paper at the time would have impacted the decision.

That's true, and you can make a case for each individual player, but when you step back and see the pattern repeating and repeating and repeating, it points to a bigger problem.

[EasternWest]

Ok……… so my Z minus rating for our trading period may have been slightly hysterical. But it’s a score based on a larger despair, or milieu, threading through our recent trading periods all the way back to 2016.
There we were. Standing on the edge of glory. The beginning of a dynasty. The future was ours. Everything was perfect.

We had just won the flag with a very, very young team. One of the youngest flag winning teams ever. We had, in our colours, the most exciting young talent in the country. Bont, Stringer, Boyd, MaCrae. We had heart and soul father/sons like Libba, Wallis, Hunter and Cordy.
We had the greatest, most inspiring, most decent and admirable men leading the club. Bob, Easton Wood and Bevo. Bevo, who had weaved his magic up through the divisions winning flag after flag after flag. He seemed to have the Midas touch. Bob, the loveable scrawny speedster with the heart of an Irish poet and loyalty by the spadeful. And Easton, the dashingly handsome, intelligent, reliable rock of Gibraltar. He literally looked like a superhero.

We had a powerful, intelligent, wealthy but down to earth, loveable brawler as a president. He was outgoing and verbose, but was self-deprecating and humble. He had a deep love for the club and all its people. No one could push him, or us, around.

The Western oval was the happiest place in the world. We were the envy of the football community. EVERYONE loved us. (except some salty Sydney whiners)

Since then, I have been constantly bewildered and frustrated by the players we have let go, the players we have kept, and the weekly whacky lucky dip we have every Thursday night when the team is announced.

Why did we let Jordan Roughead go? It still pisses me off. We needed exactly HIM!!!. Ruck / defender. He was a heart and soul bulldog. Barracked for the dogs all his life and was a premiership hero. Next minute? Sorry Jordan, we don’t need you anymore. What the!?!? We replaced him with Trengove who we targeted as a free agent and then refused to play him. Bevo’s record with tall players, particularly defenders is shocking. It’s been a conga line of tall defenders dancing out the doors. And every year we say we need tall defenders. We (and the entire football media) have been screaming out for a proper back up ruckman. So, we got……………………Stefan Martin, who was already totally cooked before we picked him up. I would describe him now as semi digested. Sweet is clearly not up to it and I really don’t think Lobb (who is 30 anyway) is a proper ruckman.
I’m meant to believe that Tim English is TELLING Bevo where, when and how he should be played. Demanding to be the number 1, all day long ruckman. I can’t imagine this really happening at AFL level. I actually can’t believe a single player could hold the coach and recruiting staff to ransom like that. Specially not such an intelligent, well mannered young man like Tim. If it is true, it’s unacceptable. And what if English gets injured anyway? Ruckmen are swapping teams all around us year after year and we’re like “yeah, nah, don’t think so” (yeah…… I know you’re all gonna say…….. Lobb………but I’m not a fan, and Lobb is more a forward than a ruckman anyway)

If our culture was/ is so great, and I was totally convinced it was, why couldn’t we get Stringer, Dalhaus and whoever the other ‘trouble makers’ were to toe the line? Why can’t we help Hunter get his s*%t together. Why does Dunkley want out?

In regards the 2016 premiership team, we have had some really bad luck with certain players and injuries, Clay’s knees. Liam’s concussions. Tom’s depression. And of course there’s natural attrition. But to only have 5 players left from the premiership team is pretty incredible. We have just watched that team evaporate into thin air in front of our eyes.

So, to watch 3 more premiership players, two father / sons, walk out the door was just depressing. Yeah you can make a case for each individual player, but the pattern has been repeating since the flag. The bigger picture tells me something is wrong.

So, this year, we did the best we could I guess with Dunkley. But surely I’m allowed to be pissed off that they traded pick 15 away belligerently in front of us. No one at the bulldog’s fault, but it’s still crap behaviour. Still allowed to be pissed off. I’m Pissed off we didn’t chase a proper ruckman or a younger key defender. We’re just lucky that Jones (31 I believe?) fell back into our arms.

I’m sick of Bevo’s army of mini-me’s. The honest battlers, the little guys who came up through the ranks the hard way. Van de Meer, McComb, Scott, McNeill, Hannan, Garcia. Keep 2 of them. Not ALL of them.

Trading out L. Young and trading in Tim O’Brien??? How does that help us? How does that improve our list?
Just another example of a bewildering trade decision.

I know we played in a grand final last year, but who knows, with a serious key defender, and a proper, young and fit second ruckman we might have won it. And we might have won some other finals too. We’ll never know.

So I guess my Z rating really comes at the end of a long run of frustrating trade periods. Sam Power did the best he could I guess, but sometimes I wonder about what’s happening behind the scenes. I love the dogs. Been a member for about 30 years. Just feeling a bit flat about our list management and trading atm. Sorry if I’m being too much of a downer.

I don't agree with all of this but I love the effort gone into it and I am here for that.

[1eyedog]

I don't agree with all of this but I love the effort gone into it and I am here for that.

Yeah 100% kudos.

[1eyedog]

Ok……… so my Z minus rating for our trading period may have been slightly hysterical. But it’s a score based on a larger despair, or milieu, threading through our recent trading periods all the way back to 2016.
There we were. Standing on the edge of glory. The beginning of a dynasty. The future was ours. Everything was perfect.

We had just won the flag with a very, very young team. One of the youngest flag winning teams ever. We had, in our colours, the most exciting young talent in the country. Bont, Stringer, Boyd, MaCrae. We had heart and soul father/sons like Libba, Wallis, Hunter and Cordy.
We had the greatest, most inspiring, most decent and admirable men leading the club. Bob, Easton Wood and Bevo. Bevo, who had weaved his magic up through the divisions winning flag after flag after flag. He seemed to have the Midas touch. Bob, the loveable scrawny speedster with the heart of an Irish poet and loyalty by the spadeful. And Easton, the dashingly handsome, intelligent, reliable rock of Gibraltar. He literally looked like a superhero.

We had a powerful, intelligent, wealthy but down to earth, loveable brawler as a president. He was outgoing and verbose, but was self-deprecating and humble. He had a deep love for the club and all its people. No one could push him, or us, around.

The Western oval was the happiest place in the world. We were the envy of the football community. EVERYONE loved us. (except some salty Sydney whiners)

Since then, I have been constantly bewildered and frustrated by the players we have let go, the players we have kept, and the weekly whacky lucky dip we have every Thursday night when the team is announced.

Why did we let Jordan Roughead go? It still pisses me off. We needed exactly HIM!!!. Ruck / defender. He was a heart and soul bulldog. Barracked for the dogs all his life and was a premiership hero. Next minute? Sorry Jordan, we don’t need you anymore. What the!?!? We replaced him with Trengove who we targeted as a free agent and then refused to play him. Bevo’s record with tall players, particularly defenders is shocking. It’s been a conga line of tall defenders dancing out the doors. And every year we say we need tall defenders. We (and the entire football media) have been screaming out for a proper back up ruckman. So, we got……………………Stefan Martin, who was already totally cooked before we picked him up. I would describe him now as semi digested. Sweet is clearly not up to it and I really don’t think Lobb (who is 30 anyway) is a proper ruckman.
I’m meant to believe that Tim English is TELLING Bevo where, when and how he should be played. Demanding to be the number 1, all day long ruckman. I can’t imagine this really happening at AFL level. I actually can’t believe a single player could hold the coach and recruiting staff to ransom like that. Specially not such an intelligent, well mannered young man like Tim. If it is true, it’s unacceptable. And what if English gets injured anyway? Ruckmen are swapping teams all around us year after year and we’re like “yeah, nah, don’t think so” (yeah…… I know you’re all gonna say…….. Lobb………but I’m not a fan, and Lobb is more a forward than a ruckman anyway)

If our culture was/ is so great, and I was totally convinced it was, why couldn’t we get Stringer, Dalhaus and whoever the other ‘trouble makers’ were to toe the line? Why can’t we help Hunter get his s*%t together. Why does Dunkley want out?

In regards the 2016 premiership team, we have had some really bad luck with certain players and injuries, Clay’s knees. Liam’s concussions. Tom’s depression. And of course there’s natural attrition. But to only have 5 players left from the premiership team is pretty incredible. We have just watched that team evaporate into thin air in front of our eyes.

So, to watch 3 more premiership players, two father / sons, walk out the door was just depressing. Yeah you can make a case for each individual player, but the pattern has been repeating since the flag. The bigger picture tells me something is wrong.

So, this year, we did the best we could I guess with Dunkley. But surely I’m allowed to be pissed off that they traded pick 15 away belligerently in front of us. No one at the bulldog’s fault, but it’s still crap behaviour. Still allowed to be pissed off. I’m Pissed off we didn’t chase a proper ruckman or a younger key defender. We’re just lucky that Jones (31 I believe?) fell back into our arms.

I’m sick of Bevo’s army of mini-me’s. The honest battlers, the little guys who came up through the ranks the hard way. Van de Meer, McComb, Scott, McNeill, Hannan, Garcia. Keep 2 of them. Not ALL of them.

Trading out L. Young and trading in Tim O’Brien??? How does that help us? How does that improve our list?
Just another example of a bewildering trade decision.

I know we played in a grand final last year, but who knows, with a serious key defender, and a proper, young and fit second ruckman we might have won it. And we might have won some other finals too. We’ll never know.

So I guess my Z rating really comes at the end of a long run of frustrating trade periods. Sam Power did the best he could I guess, but sometimes I wonder about what’s happening behind the scenes. I love the dogs. Been a member for about 30 years. Just feeling a bit flat about our list management and trading atm. Sorry if I’m being too much of a downer.

I read 30% of your post and felt so good about those memories and the way that you vividly brought them back to life that I didn't even need to read on!

We had that. It was amazing.

[GVGjr]

Thanks for the post Dancin Douggy.

I have some mixed feeling about how we have handled things since the flag in 2016.
Clearly things weren't right in 2017 and yet we didn't do a lot about it. How Stringer wasn't stood down for some of his antics is a real reflection that our coaching and leaders coasted through the season and we waited until it was over before Bevo went public about his how he rated Stringer. Getting rid of him didn't help though because it didn't change the attitude of some of the players and we had to move more players on at the end of 2018 particularly a complacent Dahlhaus. This was a reflection on our coaches and leaders managed the team.
Most of us have heard the rumors of the conduct of many players in 2020 but we tended to write it off as a Covid year and at the end of the season Dunkley looked to break a contract and move to Essendon of all clubs.
We had a huge step forward in 2021 and fell back with a thud this year.

Something isn't quite right.
Is it because we draft players with clear limitations and player them over talented but laconic types?
Does the coaching team accept poor behavior and it festers through the playing group.
I really don't know but we can't keep accepting these yo-yo type efforts.

2023 is a contract year for Bevo and it's time for he and the footy department to start to deliver improvement and consistency from this playing list. With a beefed up footy department they have to start delivering.

[EasternWest]

Thanks for the post Dancin Douggy.

I have some mixed feeling about how we have handled things since the flag in 2016.
Clearly things weren't right in 2017 and yet we didn't do a lot about it. How Stringer wasn't stood down for some of his antics is a real reflection that our coaching and leaders coasted through the season and we waited until it was over before Bevo went public about his how he rated Stringer. Getting rid of him didn't help though because it didn't change the attitude of some of the players and we had to move more players on at the end of 2018 particularly a complacent Dahlhaus. This was a reflection on our coaches and leaders managed the team.
Most of us have heard the rumors of the conduct of many players in 2020 but we tended to write it off as a Covid year and at the end of the season Dunkley looked to break a contract and move to Essendon of all clubs.
We had a huge step forward in 2021 and fell back with a thud this year.

Something isn't quite right.
Is it because we draft players with clear limitations and player them over talented but laconic types?
Does the coaching team accept poor behavior and it festers through the playing group.
I really don't know but we can't keep accepting these yo-yo type efforts.

2023 is a contract year for Bevo and it's time for he and the footy department to start to deliver improvement and consistency from this playing list. With a beefed up footy department they have to start delivering.

Um excuse me that was a motovated Dahlhaus.

[GVGjr]

I'm glad we got rid of Hunter and Cordy, and kind of wish we'd lost JJ too. A little sad given they are two more premiership players, and Hunter when in form was pretty brilliant, but neither had really become what we needed in senior players, and Hunter's off-field issues were by all accounts a pretty massive distraction. They weren't "dead wood" but they were past their prime and take some pressure off list spots and salary cap.

I think letting go of Schache was important to our list balance and I doubt he'll flourish at Melbourne, though he might have a few good games and look scary from time to time. Their structure will suit him better - especially Brown, Fristch and Pickett - but he'll never be a great player.

Lobb is a good acquisition for mine - I remember when he was third tall to Patton and Cameron in GWS he was real scary. I think he'll be even better in our forward lien than Freo's. The 3-year contract is a risk because of his age.

I'm equivocal on Jones. The deal has a whiff of the Cloke trade a few years back. A Hail Mary pass. If it works, great, but I think we should prepare for the worst.

Our defence remains a gap you could drive a truck through. It's a huge problem, because you can always score more goals, but you can't un-score an opponent's goal. Defence isn't as flashy as the other two lines but you ignore it at your peril. I'm sick to death of the way we keep unbalancing the list. First it was chasing midfielders when we had more than enough. Then it was chasing forwards even after we had a glut, and continually moving defenders into permanent forward rotation. We need to pick one of our marking talls and have him play back, permanently. I think it should be Darcy, because he's played forward the least. I'm no longer dazzled by the potential of goals, I won't get FOMO about lost potential MOTYs in the forward 50. I will get FOMO about lost grand finals.

I never really follow the draft as I don't have en eye for it or the time, and draft prospects seem to routinely be three years away from good, and we should be trying to bolster this list for 2023, not 2025 or 2026. So I sort of don't care?

In isolation, it's an OK haul. The problem is that Geelong, Brisbane and Melbourne made out like bandits. We've gone backwards. It sucks and I'm not terribly excited about 2023.

Good summary Boots, we've got some work to do but we've clear some space off our list and must some options within our salary cap to attract a player or two.

Having 2 first rounders next year is a positive sign as well.

The footy department have to find a way of fast tracking the development of some of our younger players.
The likes of West and McLean must see some opportunities to move into the midfield and Garcia needs to work his arse off to grab a spot in what should be a competitive forward line. If Marra can build on the step forward he took this year that will also be a huge positive for us.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Thanks for the post Dancin Douggy.

I have some mixed feeling about how we have handled things since the flag in 2016.
Clearly things weren't right in 2017 and yet we didn't do a lot about it. How Stringer wasn't stood down for some of his antics is a real reflection that our coaching and leaders coasted through the season and we waited until it was over before Bevo went public about his how he rated Stringer. Getting rid of him didn't help though because it didn't change the attitude of some of the players and we had to move more players on at the end of 2018 particularly a complacent Dahlhaus. This was a reflection on our coaches and leaders managed the team.
Most of us have heard the rumors of the conduct of many players in 2020 but we tended to write it off as a Covid year and at the end of the season Dunkley looked to break a contract and move to Essendon of all clubs.
We had a huge step forward in 2021 and fell back with a thud this year.

Something isn't quite right.
Is it because we draft players with clear limitations and player them over talented but laconic types?
Does the coaching team accept poor behavior and it festers through the playing group.
I really don't know but we can't keep accepting these yo-yo type efforts.

2023 is a contract year for Bevo and it's time for he and the footy department to start to deliver improvement and consistency from this playing list. With a beefed up footy department they have to start delivering.

The yo-yo as you alluded to reminds me of Melbourne in the 2000's. Didn't they do something like top 4, miss out, top 4, miss out?

2023 is a massive year for the club. We seem to continually keep putting ourselves under pressure, and THEN deliver. We can't sustain concentration or motivation and that has to come back to the leaders both on and off the field.

[Dancin' Douggy]

I read 30% of your post and felt so good about those memories and the way that you vividly brought them back to life that I didn't even need to read on!

We had that. It was amazing.

we sure did.

[Grantysghost]

Ok……… so my Z minus rating for our trading period may have been slightly hysterical. But it’s a score based on a larger despair, or milieu, threading through our recent trading periods all the way back to 2016.
There we were. Standing on the edge of glory. The beginning of a dynasty. The future was ours. Everything was perfect.

We had just won the flag with a very, very young team. One of the youngest flag winning teams ever. We had, in our colours, the most exciting young talent in the country. Bont, Stringer, Boyd, MaCrae. We had heart and soul father/sons like Libba, Wallis, Hunter and Cordy.
We had the greatest, most inspiring, most decent and admirable men leading the club. Bob, Easton Wood and Bevo. Bevo, who had weaved his magic up through the divisions winning flag after flag after flag. He seemed to have the Midas touch. Bob, the loveable scrawny speedster with the heart of an Irish poet and loyalty by the spadeful. And Easton, the dashingly handsome, intelligent, reliable rock of Gibraltar. He literally looked like a superhero.

We had a powerful, intelligent, wealthy but down to earth, loveable brawler as a president. He was outgoing and verbose, but was self-deprecating and humble. He had a deep love for the club and all its people. No one could push him, or us, around.

The Western oval was the happiest place in the world. We were the envy of the football community. EVERYONE loved us. (except some salty Sydney whiners)

Since then, I have been constantly bewildered and frustrated by the players we have let go, the players we have kept, and the weekly whacky lucky dip we have every Thursday night when the team is announced.

Why did we let Jordan Roughead go? It still pisses me off. We needed exactly HIM!!!. Ruck / defender. He was a heart and soul bulldog. Barracked for the dogs all his life and was a premiership hero. Next minute? Sorry Jordan, we don’t need you anymore. What the!?!? We replaced him with Trengove who we targeted as a free agent and then refused to play him. Bevo’s record with tall players, particularly defenders is shocking. It’s been a conga line of tall defenders dancing out the doors. And every year we say we need tall defenders. We (and the entire football media) have been screaming out for a proper back up ruckman. So, we got……………………Stefan Martin, who was already totally cooked before we picked him up. I would describe him now as semi digested. Sweet is clearly not up to it and I really don’t think Lobb (who is 30 anyway) is a proper ruckman.
I’m meant to believe that Tim English is TELLING Bevo where, when and how he should be played. Demanding to be the number 1, all day long ruckman. I can’t imagine this really happening at AFL level. I actually can’t believe a single player could hold the coach and recruiting staff to ransom like that. Specially not such an intelligent, well mannered young man like Tim. If it is true, it’s unacceptable. And what if English gets injured anyway? Ruckmen are swapping teams all around us year after year and we’re like “yeah, nah, don’t think so” (yeah…… I know you’re all gonna say…….. Lobb………but I’m not a fan, and Lobb is more a forward than a ruckman anyway)

If our culture was/ is so great, and I was totally convinced it was, why couldn’t we get Stringer, Dalhaus and whoever the other ‘trouble makers’ were to toe the line? Why can’t we help Hunter get his s*%t together. Why does Dunkley want out?

In regards the 2016 premiership team, we have had some really bad luck with certain players and injuries, Clay’s knees. Liam’s concussions. Tom’s depression. And of course there’s natural attrition. But to only have 5 players left from the premiership team is pretty incredible. We have just watched that team evaporate into thin air in front of our eyes.

So, to watch 3 more premiership players, two father / sons, walk out the door was just depressing. Yeah you can make a case for each individual player, but the pattern has been repeating since the flag. The bigger picture tells me something is wrong.

So, this year, we did the best we could I guess with Dunkley. But surely I’m allowed to be pissed off that they traded pick 15 away belligerently in front of us. No one at the bulldog’s fault, but it’s still crap behaviour. Still allowed to be pissed off. I’m Pissed off we didn’t chase a proper ruckman or a younger key defender. We’re just lucky that Jones (31 I believe?) fell back into our arms.

I’m sick of Bevo’s army of mini-me’s. The honest battlers, the little guys who came up through the ranks the hard way. Van de Meer, McComb, Scott, McNeill, Hannan, Garcia. Keep 2 of them. Not ALL of them.

Trading out L. Young and trading in Tim O’Brien??? How does that help us? How does that improve our list?
Just another example of a bewildering trade decision.

I know we played in a grand final last year, but who knows, with a serious key defender, and a proper, young and fit second ruckman we might have won it. And we might have won some other finals too. We’ll never know.

So I guess my Z rating really comes at the end of a long run of frustrating trade periods. Sam Power did the best he could I guess, but sometimes I wonder about what’s happening behind the scenes. I love the dogs. Been a member for about 30 years. Just feeling a bit flat about our list management and trading atm. Sorry if I’m being too much of a downer.

Awesome post made me think thanks.

[Grantysghost]

I'm glad we got rid of Hunter and Cordy, and kind of wish we'd lost JJ too. A little sad given they are two more premiership players, and Hunter when in form was pretty brilliant, but neither had really become what we needed in senior players, and Hunter's off-field issues were by all accounts a pretty massive distraction. They weren't "dead wood" but they were past their prime and take some pressure off list spots and salary cap.

I think letting go of Schache was important to our list balance and I doubt he'll flourish at Melbourne, though he might have a few good games and look scary from time to time. Their structure will suit him better - especially Brown, Fristch and Pickett - but he'll never be a great player.

Lobb is a good acquisition for mine - I remember when he was third tall to Patton and Cameron in GWS he was real scary. I think he'll be even better in our forward lien than Freo's. The 3-year contract is a risk because of his age.

I'm equivocal on Jones. The deal has a whiff of the Cloke trade a few years back. A Hail Mary pass. If it works, great, but I think we should prepare for the worst.

Our defence remains a gap you could drive a truck through. It's a huge problem, because you can always score more goals, but you can't un-score an opponent's goal. Defence isn't as flashy as the other two lines but you ignore it at your peril. I'm sick to death of the way we keep unbalancing the list. First it was chasing midfielders when we had more than enough. Then it was chasing forwards even after we had a glut, and continually moving defenders into permanent forward rotation. We need to pick one of our marking talls and have him play back, permanently. I think it should be Darcy, because he's played forward the least. I'm no longer dazzled by the potential of goals, I won't get FOMO about lost potential MOTYs in the forward 50. I will get FOMO about lost grand finals.

I never really follow the draft as I don't have en eye for it or the time, and draft prospects seem to routinely be three years away from good, and we should be trying to bolster this list for 2023, not 2025 or 2026. So I sort of don't care?

In isolation, it's an OK haul. The problem is that Geelong, Brisbane and Melbourne made out like bandits. We've gone backwards. It sucks and I'm not terribly excited about 2023.

Awesome post mate.

I don’t think we’ve gone backwards.

Dunkley wanted out that sucks of course but the others were fringe, even Hunter and to have his salary off the books may open up a launch at a free agent next year.

We’ve plugged two holes in defence and second ruck and probably now just lack a good crumbing forward dependant on some bodies holding up (Keath).

I’m pretty excited to be honest.

[The bulldog tragician]

Ok……… so my Z minus rating for our trading period may have been slightly hysterical. But it’s a score based on a larger despair, or milieu, threading through our recent trading periods all the way back to 2016.
There we were. Standing on the edge of glory. The beginning of a dynasty. The future was ours. Everything was perfect.

We had just won the flag with a very, very young team. One of the youngest flag winning teams ever. We had, in our colours, the most exciting young talent in the country. Bont, Stringer, Boyd, MaCrae. We had heart and soul father/sons like Libba, Wallis, Hunter and Cordy.
We had the greatest, most inspiring, most decent and admirable men leading the club. Bob, Easton Wood and Bevo. Bevo, who had weaved his magic up through the divisions winning flag after flag after flag. He seemed to have the Midas touch. Bob, the loveable scrawny speedster with the heart of an Irish poet and loyalty by the spadeful. And Easton, the dashingly handsome, intelligent, reliable rock of Gibraltar. He literally looked like a superhero.

We had a powerful, intelligent, wealthy but down to earth, loveable brawler as a president. He was outgoing and verbose, but was self-deprecating and humble. He had a deep love for the club and all its people. No one could push him, or us, around.

The Western oval was the happiest place in the world. We were the envy of the football community. EVERYONE loved us. (except some salty Sydney whiners)

Since then, I have been constantly bewildered and frustrated by the players we have let go, the players we have kept, and the weekly whacky lucky dip we have every Thursday night when the team is announced.

Why did we let Jordan Roughead go? It still pisses me off. We needed exactly HIM!!!. Ruck / defender. He was a heart and soul bulldog. Barracked for the dogs all his life and was a premiership hero. Next minute? Sorry Jordan, we don’t need you anymore. What the!?!? We replaced him with Trengove who we targeted as a free agent and then refused to play him. Bevo’s record with tall players, particularly defenders is shocking. It’s been a conga line of tall defenders dancing out the doors. And every year we say we need tall defenders. We (and the entire football media) have been screaming out for a proper back up ruckman. So, we got……………………Stefan Martin, who was already totally cooked before we picked him up. I would describe him now as semi digested. Sweet is clearly not up to it and I really don’t think Lobb (who is 30 anyway) is a proper ruckman.
I’m meant to believe that Tim English is TELLING Bevo where, when and how he should be played. Demanding to be the number 1, all day long ruckman. I can’t imagine this really happening at AFL level. I actually can’t believe a single player could hold the coach and recruiting staff to ransom like that. Specially not such an intelligent, well mannered young man like Tim. If it is true, it’s unacceptable. And what if English gets injured anyway? Ruckmen are swapping teams all around us year after year and we’re like “yeah, nah, don’t think so” (yeah…… I know you’re all gonna say…….. Lobb………but I’m not a fan, and Lobb is more a forward than a ruckman anyway)

If our culture was/ is so great, and I was totally convinced it was, why couldn’t we get Stringer, Dalhaus and whoever the other ‘trouble makers’ were to toe the line? Why can’t we help Hunter get his s*%t together. Why does Dunkley want out?

In regards the 2016 premiership team, we have had some really bad luck with certain players and injuries, Clay’s knees. Liam’s concussions. Tom’s depression. And of course there’s natural attrition. But to only have 5 players left from the premiership team is pretty incredible. We have just watched that team evaporate into thin air in front of our eyes.

So, to watch 3 more premiership players, two father / sons, walk out the door was just depressing. Yeah you can make a case for each individual player, but the pattern has been repeating since the flag. The bigger picture tells me something is wrong.

So, this year, we did the best we could I guess with Dunkley. But surely I’m allowed to be pissed off that they traded pick 15 away belligerently in front of us. No one at the bulldog’s fault, but it’s still crap behaviour. Still allowed to be pissed off. I’m Pissed off we didn’t chase a proper ruckman or a younger key defender. We’re just lucky that Jones (31 I believe?) fell back into our arms.

I’m sick of Bevo’s army of mini-me’s. The honest battlers, the little guys who came up through the ranks the hard way. Van de Meer, McComb, Scott, McNeill, Hannan, Garcia. Keep 2 of them. Not ALL of them.

Trading out L. Young and trading in Tim O’Brien??? How does that help us? How does that improve our list?
Just another example of a bewildering trade decision.

I know we played in a grand final last year, but who knows, with a serious key defender, and a proper, young and fit second ruckman we might have won it. And we might have won some other finals too. We’ll never know.

So I guess my Z rating really comes at the end of a long run of frustrating trade periods. Sam Power did the best he could I guess, but sometimes I wonder about what’s happening behind the scenes. I love the dogs. Been a member for about 30 years. Just feeling a bit flat about our list management and trading atm. Sorry if I’m being too much of a downer.
Perfectly encapsulates my thoughts, thank you, except Roughead WANTED to leave and made comments about how he would have retired if he hadn’t got to Collingwood and had lost the passion, felt ill even driving to WO. How could things have come to that for a guy of his calibre? It also hurts to see other clubs build on their break thru success. Richmond sustained 4 great years, even Dees had a creditable year and you’d think will be thereabouts. We should have had much more success out of the talent we had.

[Hotdog60]

Thanks for the post Dancin Douggy.

I have some mixed feeling about how we have handled things since the flag in 2016.
Clearly things weren't right in 2017 and yet we didn't do a lot about it. How Stringer wasn't stood down for some of his antics is a real reflection that our coaching and leaders coasted through the season and we waited until it was over before Bevo went public about his how he rated Stringer. Getting rid of him didn't help though because it didn't change the attitude of some of the players and we had to move more players on at the end of 2018 particularly a complacent Dahlhaus. This was a reflection on our coaches and leaders managed the team.
Most of us have heard the rumors of the conduct of many players in 2020 but we tended to write it off as a Covid year and at the end of the season Dunkley looked to break a contract and move to Essendon of all clubs.
We had a huge step forward in 2021 and fell back with a thud this year.

Something isn't quite right.
Is it because we draft players with clear limitations and player them over talented but laconic types?
Does the coaching team accept poor behavior and it festers through the playing group.
I really don't know but we can't keep accepting these yo-yo type efforts.

2023 is a contract year for Bevo and it's time for he and the footy department to start to deliver improvement and consistency from this playing list. With a beefed up footy department they have to start delivering.

Maybe having M.Boyd finishing up put a dent in that leadership group.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Perfectly encapsulates my thoughts, thank you, except Roughead WANTED to leave and made comments about how he would have retired if he hadn’t got to Collingwood and had lost the passion, felt ill even driving to WO. How could things have come to that for a guy of his calibre? It also hurts to see other clubs build on their break thru success. Richmond sustained 4 great years, even Dees had a creditable year and you’d think will be thereabouts. We should have had much more success out of the talent we had.

thanks for your feedback. But it does beggar the question. Why did Roughead WANT to leave. Why did he feel ill driving to the Whitten oval? What went wrong? Are the same problems still there?

[Doc26]

Overall I’m largely pleased with the trade period result. It provides an opportunity to move forward from players who too often were the cause of much frustration for us supporters seeing them fall short of achieving their potential, or being unable to cover their shortcomings i.e Cordy, Hunter and Schache, and for mine the positive with Dunkley’s departure is the Club no longer needs to be on tenterhooks due to his level of self entitlement, possibly stemming from his father’s experience, a character flaw that the best leaders of Clubs like a Selwood, Boak, Cotchin or even a Bont simply don’t display. So with these outs it provides a perfect opportunity for replenishment and even redemption ala Wallis and O’Brien.

So for 2023 I’m really looking forward to Cleary, Bedendo coming on, and even the possibility of a redemptive opportunity for Mitch Wallis to fill the breach. Mitch has his shortcomings but so did Dunkley. For the off season at least I’m going glass have full that Mitch might in the coaching group’s wisdom be given an opportunity to fill the hole that Dunkley has left, he’s indeed made of the right stuff, and from better stock.

[GVGjr]

Maybe having M.Boyd finishing up put a dent in that leadership group.

As good as Easton and Bobby were I don't think they adequately addressed things.
I think we have missed the more disciplined types at the club.

[bornadog]

Overall I’m largely pleased with the trade period result. It provides an opportunity to move forward from players who too often were the cause of much frustration for us supporters seeing them fall short of achieving their potential, or being unable to cover their shortcomings i.e Cordy, Hunter and Schache, and for mine the positive with Dunkley’s departure is the Club no longer needs to be on tenterhooks due to his level of self entitlement, possibly stemming from his father’s experience, a character flaw that the best leaders of Clubs like a Selwood, Boak, Cotchin or even a Bont simply don’t display. So with these outs it provides a perfect opportunity for replenishment and even redemption ala Wallis and O’Brien.

So for 2023 I’m really looking forward to Cleary, Bedendo coming on, and even the possibility of a redemptive opportunity for Mitch Wallis to fill the breach. Mitch has his shortcomings but so did Dunkley. For the off season at least I’m going glass have full that Mitch might in the coaching group’s wisdom be given an opportunity to fill the hole that Dunkley has left, he’s indeed made of the right stuff, and from better stock.

Good post Doc26, let's look forward and not backwards.

Premierships are not easy to win. Just look at Geelong who have finished top four how many times? yet it has taken them 11 years between winning one.

Looking forward to firstly the draft and then 2023.

[The bulldog tragician]

thanks for your feedback. But it does beggar the question. Why did Roughead WANT to leave. Why did he feel ill driving to the Whitten oval? What went wrong? Are the same problems still there?

I wish I knew.

[Mantis]

Overall I’m largely pleased with the trade period result. It provides an opportunity to move forward from players who too often were the cause of much frustration for us supporters seeing them fall short of achieving their potential, or being unable to cover their shortcomings i.e Cordy, Hunter and Schache, and for mine the positive with Dunkley’s departure is the Club no longer needs to be on tenterhooks due to his level of self entitlement, possibly stemming from his father’s experience, a character flaw that the best leaders of Clubs like a Selwood, Boak, Cotchin or even a Bont simply don’t display. So with these outs it provides a perfect opportunity for replenishment and even redemption ala Wallis and O’Brien.

So for 2023 I’m really looking forward to Cleary, Bedendo coming on, and even the possibility of a redemptive opportunity for Mitch Wallis to fill the breach. Mitch has his shortcomings but so did Dunkley. For the off season at least I’m going glass have full that Mitch might in the coaching group’s wisdom be given an opportunity to fill the hole that Dunkley has left, he’s indeed made of the right stuff, and from better stock.

I would think it's more likely Mitch gets delisted than becomes a part of our midfield rotation.... he is no doubt made of the right stuff, but his body is just about done.

[Grantysghost]

Here is Sam on the Dogs site talking about the trade period and the importance of the first and second round picks.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1237277/sam-power-achieved-the-objectives-we-wanted-to-?videoId=1237277&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1665695691001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_MAR_DI_OTHER_MEMBERS+Trade+Wrap+131022&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1237277%2fsam-power-achieved-the-objectives-we-wanted-to-%3fvideoId%3d1237277%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%26publish From%3d1665695691001&utm_id=59403&sfmc_id=16093061

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Overall I’m largely pleased with the trade period result. It provides an opportunity to move forward from players who too often were the cause of much frustration for us supporters seeing them fall short of achieving their potential, or being unable to cover their shortcomings i.e Cordy, Hunter and Schache, and for mine the positive with Dunkley’s departure is the Club no longer needs to be on tenterhooks due to his level of self entitlement, possibly stemming from his father’s experience, a character flaw that the best leaders of Clubs like a Selwood, Boak, Cotchin or even a Bont simply don’t display. So with these outs it provides a perfect opportunity for replenishment and even redemption ala Wallis and O’Brien.

So for 2023 I’m really looking forward to Cleary, Bedendo coming on, and even the possibility of a redemptive opportunity for Mitch Wallis to fill the breach. Mitch has his shortcomings but so did Dunkley. For the off season at least I’m going glass have full that Mitch might in the coaching group’s wisdom be given an opportunity to fill the hole that Dunkley has left, he’s indeed made of the right stuff, and from better stock.


I would think it's more likely Mitch gets delisted than becomes a part of our midfield rotation.... he is no doubt made of the right stuff, but his body is just about done.

Mitch has been retained on our list and has the capacity to kick goals as a small forward which we desperately need.
Without Dunkley there is a need to use someone like Mitch to play a tagging role in the midfield as well which we have lacked in the past on the likes of Oliver and Petracca

[Grantysghost]

Sam Power and Dom Milesi answer members questions regarding the trade period.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1239497/member-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi?videoId=1239497&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1634716831001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_MAR_DI_OTHER_MEMBERS+MEMBER-Q%26A+211022+-+20221021_115333&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1239497%2fmember-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi%3fvideoId%3d1239497%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%26p ublishFrom%3d1634716831001&utm_id=60224&sfmc_id=16093061

[Grantysghost]

Sam Power and Dom Milesi answer members questions regarding the trade period.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1239497/member-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi?videoId=1239497&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1634716831001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_MAR_DI_OTHER_MEMBERS+MEMBER-Q%26A+211022+-+20221021_115333&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1239497%2fmember-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi%3fvideoId%3d1239497%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%26p ublishFrom%3d1634716831001&utm_id=60224&sfmc_id=16093061

Wow, best ever content from the Dogs.

Draft best player not for need is very clear in that.

Yes I replied to myself and I'll do it again if I have to.

[Grantysghost]

Wow, best ever content from the Dogs.

Draft best player not for need is very clear in that.

Yes I replied to myself and I'll do it again if I have to.

Great point GG and go lions.

[hujsh]

Interesting to know we have to promote Sweet and Buku to retain them

[Bulldog4life]

Sam Power and Dom Milesi answer members questions regarding the trade period.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1239497/member-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi?videoId=1239497&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1634716831001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_MAR_DI_OTHER_MEMBERS+MEMBER-Q%26A+211022+-+20221021_115333&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1239497%2fmember-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi%3fvideoId%3d1239497%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%26p ublishFrom%3d1634716831001&utm_id=60224&sfmc_id=16093061

Certainly enjoyed that Granty. A bit of inside knowledge is always appreciated.Go Lions....just for you Gg.

[Grantysghost]

Interesting to know we have to promote Sweet and Buku to retain them

Yes that was news to me.

[bulldogtragic]

Sam Power and Dom Milesi answer members questions regarding the trade period.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1239497/member-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi?videoId=1239497&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1634716831001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_MAR_DI_OTHER_MEMBERS+MEMBER-Q%26A+211022+-+20221021_115333&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1239497%2fmember-exclusive-q-a-sam-power-dom-milesi%3fvideoId%3d1239497%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%26p ublishFrom%3d1634716831001&utm_id=60224&sfmc_id=16093061

Good insight. We also need to let the lads out of the club rooms and to get some sunlight.

[Grantysghost]

Feels like Milesi is the draft lead too.

[Grantysghost]

Good insight. We also need to let the lads out of the club rooms and to get some sunlight.

Haha they are not photogenic that's for sure!

I think this is KWWs work. Engagement it's what we crave.

I know she's been knocked, however she's a good operator and after a short amount of time seems to have learnt and adjusted.

Sedat agrees ;)

[Swoop]

Haha Power looks skinny bordering on unwell, no doubt it's been a big few weeks for him!

It is a good insight into the process of draft and trade week.

When you take a step back, we bring in 3 picks within the top 40 (yes I know bids etc) and addressed two key position needs down each end. Importantly, we underestimate the load that Naughton has carried. Having a player of Lobb's size and experience to compete in the air, as well as, relieve Tim in the ruck without losing much in the contest will be huge for our side.

As for Liam, yes he's been out for 12 months but he didn't cost us anything other than salary space. He walks into our backline as our best defender capable of taking a quality tall opponent.

I know there's been questions on the development of others such as Marra and Darcy but they either rise to the occasion and force them out, or develop further in their own time at VFL level.

I only see positives coming out of this most recent period.

One final factor which I think has been overlooked is the loss of Dunkley. Don't get me wrong, he is a quality player but when Treloar landed in our lap, we ended up with one genuine mid too many. I know you can never have too much quality but I think the coaches struggled to utilise them. All of a sudden 5 is manageable. Bont is the best player, Libba hunts on the inside and Macrae accumulates. Both Baz and Adz big a strong attacking presence. I feel the mix is right now.

[Grantysghost]

Nakia Cockatoo let go by the Lions.

I rate this guy he has some angry pills but I'd say there's a borderline off field consideration.

Any takers?

[GVGjr]

Wow, best ever content from the Dogs.

Draft best player not for need is very clear in that.

Yes I replied to myself and I'll do it again if I have to.

I know it's an often used catch phrase but I suspect we do a bit of both after our round one pick is done.

[Grantysghost]

Haha Power looks skinny bordering on unwell, no doubt it's been a big few weeks for him!

It is a good insight into the process of draft and trade week.

When you take a step back, we bring in 3 picks within the top 40 (yes I know bids etc) and addressed two key position needs down each end. Importantly, we underestimate the load that Naughton has carried. Having a player of Lobb's size and experience to compete in the air, as well as, relieve Tim in the ruck without losing much in the contest will be huge for our side.

As for Liam, yes he's been out for 12 months but he didn't cost us anything other than salary space. He walks into our backline as our best defender capable of taking a quality tall opponent.

I know there's been questions on the development of others such as Marra and Darcy but they either rise to the occasion and force them out, or develop further in their own time at VFL level.

I only see positives coming out of this most recent period.

One final factor which I think has been overlooked is the loss of Dunkley. Don't get me wrong, he is a quality player but when Treloar landed in our lap, we ended up with one genuine mid too many. I know you can never have too much quality but I think the coaches struggled to utilise them. All of a sudden 5 is manageable. Bont is the best player, Libba hunts on the inside and Macrae accumulates. Both Baz and Adz big a strong attacking presence. I feel the mix is right now.

Brilliant analysis Swoop.

[Grantysghost]

I know it's an often used catch phrase but I suspect we do a bit of both after our round one pick is done.

What if it's Busslinger?!

[Axe Man]

Interesting to know we have to promote Sweet and Buku to retain them

I assume that means we will only have 5 available list spots instead of 6 as Buku will no longer be a cat B rookie.

[Axe Man]

Nakia Cockatoo let go by the Lions.

I rate this guy he has some angry pills but I'd say there's a borderline off field consideration.

Any takers?

Lions are going to take him back as a rookie I believe.

[Grantysghost]

I assume that means we will only have 5 available list spots instead of 6 as Buku will no longer be a cat B rookie.

I have nfi with this stuff thanks Axe Man.

[bulldogtragic]

Lions are going to take him back as a rookie I believe.

Would a club just grab him first in the RD? Big risk without a medical on him though.

[Grantysghost]

We are going to take Sullivan no doubt.

How does that affect things?

[Grantysghost]

Would a club just grab him first in the RD? Big risk without a medical on him though.

He's a real hard arse but I don't think he has endurance / longevity.
He's defintely a big risk reward type.

[bulldogtragic]

He's a real hard arse but I don't think he has endurance / longevity.
He's defintely a big risk reward type.

The last time someone poached a player like that I think was when Aints delisted Farren Ray to rookie him and North took him in the rookie draft first.

I’m not sure if that’s actually a cautionary tale though. But begs the question is all the clubs are letting the others just walk guys to the rookie list, why not have a limited 1 or 2 direct movements to the RL a year? They did it as a once off during Covid and I didn’t see any harm to the clubs, players or the competition broadly.

[Mofra]

The last time someone poached a player like that I think was when Aints delisted Farren Ray to rookie him and North took him in the rookie draft first.
North also poached Greenwood from Suns last year

[Dogs 24/7]

Wow, best ever content from the Dogs.

Draft best player not for need is very clear in that.

Yes I replied to myself and I'll do it again if I have to.

Does Beveridge being on the list management committee mean we won't be adding ruck man?

[bornadog]

Does Beveridge being on the list management committee mean we won't be adding ruck man?

Myth

[Dogs 24/7]

Myth

Please supply the myth busting facts?

[Mofra]

Please supply the myth busting facts?
We took Sweet & NMM are rookie rucks, English as a first round pick, chased Soldo & Martin (years before Martin landed with us) and since 2015 have played 2 rucks as much as we've played one ruck.

[bornadog]

We took Sweet & NMM are rookie rucks, English as a first round pick, chased Soldo & Martin (years before Martin landed with us) and since 2015 have played 2 rucks as much as we've played one ruck.

Thank you for answering.

I think what people don't understand is Bevo likes a particular type of ruckman, not that he doesn't like ruckman. Someone that is mobile and can play another role and not just be a lumbering ruck like the old days. This was particularly obvious when Minson didn't play much under Bevo, yet he was AA ruckman prior to Bevo.

It has taken us a few years to get to where we are now with English and Lobb. (hopefully it works out).

The ideal would have been Tom Boyd who is still only 27 and Tim.

[F'scary]

Thank you for answering.

I think what people don't understand is Bevo likes a particular type of ruckman, not that he doesn't like ruckman. Someone that is mobile and can play another role and not just be a lumbering ruck like the old days. This was particularly obvious when Minson didn't play much under Bevo, yet he was AA ruckman prior to Bevo.

It has taken us a few years to get to where we are now with English and Lobb. (hopefully it works out).

The ideal would have been Tom Boyd who is still only 27 and Tim.

Toyd and Roughy. Now that was a good combo.

[bulldogtragic]

Overall LM In:

Liam Jones - KPD
Rory Lobb - KPF/RUCK
Jedd Busslinger - KPD
Charlie Clarke - Small FWD
Harvey Gallagher - Multiple Small, DEF
-Rookie Pick 11 (TBA)
-Almost certainly Oskar Baker - Wing

Elevated Sweet
Elevated Khamis

Future 1st (Lions) - Plus Ours
Future 2nd (Lions)
Future 4th (Geelong)
Future 4th (Melbourne) - Plus Ours



Overall LM Out:

Cordy - KPD
Schache - KPP
Hunter (and we pay part of his salary for two years) - Wing
Dunkley - MID
Wallis - Small FWD
Martin - RUCK
Butler - Multiple small, DEF
Parker - VFL

Pick 30
Future Second
Future Third

[The Bulldogs Bite]

It's a good off season.

Off loaded dead wood and two distractions, have a future first, a KPF/Ruck and KPD. Mix of a young KPD, SF and HBF is astute for our needs.

Our mids will need addressing but because we've set ourselves up in basically all other areas, we can afford to go all in for mids next year. Mids are the easiest to find.

I like our strategy.

[Testekill]

The only player that we lost who really hurts was Dunkley and we targeted positions of need. We were pretty astute with a trading and selections.

[F'scary]

The only player that we lost who really hurts was Dunkley and we targeted positions of need. We were pretty astute with a trading and selections.

Hunter will hurt too because he will have his shit together at his new club.

[bornadog]

as mentioned in another thread, I would like to rookie a ruckman and then I will say the offseason has been excellent

[azabob]

as mentioned in another thread, I would like to rookie a ruckman and then I will say the offseason has been excellent

It’s a mute point; but what type of ruckman would you have targeted? A Tim English follower type or a Jordan Sweet bullock / bash crash type?

[bornadog]

It’s a mute point; but what type of ruckman would you have targeted? A Tim English follower type or a Jordan Sweet bullock / bash crash type?

Gawn is the yard stick

[azabob]

Gawn is the yard stick

Yeah good call. He is a blend of both types.

[azabob]

Dom Milesi will be on RSN breakfast club this morning. I will post a link for those who missed it.

[GVGjr]

Gawn is the yard stick

Not realistic though given we would have only have been using a late pick.
To answer Aza's question, I would have looked for a versatile type capable of playing a bit up forward.

[Mofra]

Not realistic though given we would have only have been using a late pick.
To answer Aza's question, I would have looked for a versatile type capable of playing a bit up forward.
There are AFL quality rucks (sans development) available every year in the rookie draft.

The rookie draft after we took Tim English in the first round 2016 included Sam Draper, Peter Ladhams, Rowan Marshall and Oscar McInerny (in the 3rd round of the rookie draft!) with Max Lynch taken late too.

[GVGjr]

Dom Milesi will be on RSN breakfast club this morning. I will post a link for those who missed it.

I'll jump in here

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NNNRS7287758366?selected=NNNRS4604390289

[Happy Days]

There are AFL quality rucks (sans development) available every year in the rookie draft.

The rookie draft after we took Tim English in the first round 2016 included Sam Draper, Peter Ladhams, Rowan Marshall and Oscar McInerny (in the 3rd round of the rookie draft!) with Max Lynch taken late too.

The guy I mentioned from the WAFL Hamish Free got picked up by North after our pass in the rookie draft.

I get that maybe we didn’t rate anyone but the taste of not even trying pretty disappointingly lingers here.

[GVGjr]

The guy I mentioned from the WAFL Hamish Free got picked up by North after our pass in the rookie draft.

I get that maybe we didn’t rate anyone but the taste of not even trying pretty disappointingly lingers here.

We probably rated a lot of the players selected yesterday but we might have also rated bringing in experienced players to train with us as more prudent given our lists age profile.
There will certainly be a lot measured method to our madness.

[bulldogtragic]

I'll jump in here

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NNNRS7287758366?selected=NNNRS4604390289

Not one question about two list vacancies…

[GVGjr]

Not one question about two list vacancies…

That would have been worth hearing.

[bulldogtragic]

That would have been worth hearing.

I would’ve thought it was an obvious question. Waste of an interview opportunity.

Dom clearly not a fan the social media team got his videos. I (most of us too) loved them, but I can see why he obviously pushed back against the social media team.

I also liked hearing he thinks Buss isn’t a one trick pony, can intercept but also adept one on one.

[Mofra]

The guy I mentioned from the WAFL Hamish Free got picked up by North after our pass in the rookie draft.

I get that maybe we didn’t rate anyone but the taste of not even trying pretty disappointingly lingers here.
I'm with you - GCS had 3-4 first choice ruckmen injured last year and we could potentially got into 2023 with just two on the list.
Seems incredibly thin for such a critical part of the ground. We were linked to Naismith (briefly) so fingers crossed we have someone in mind as a train-on player

[bornadog]

I'm with you - GCS had 3-4 first choice ruckmen injured last year and we could potentially got into 2023 with just two on the list.
Seems incredibly thin for such a critical part of the ground. We were linked to Naismith (briefly) so fingers crossed we have someone in mind as a train-on player

Melbourne also picked up quite a few ruckman in the draft and rookied as well.

We really must do something in this area, it is too high risk.

[Jasper]

I'm with you - GCS had 3-4 first choice ruckmen injured last year and we could potentially got into 2023 with just two on the list.
Seems incredibly thin for such a critical part of the ground. We were linked to Naismith (briefly) so fingers crossed we have someone in mind as a train-on player

The irritating part is if we copped injuries to our rucks most of our supporters would cite our wretched bad luck rather than the reluctance to bring in someone to cover it.

[Axe Man]

Melbourne also picked up quite a few ruckman in the draft and rookied as well.

We really must do something in this area, it is too high risk.

Not sure what you mean here? Melbourne rookied a ruck in Verrall but none of their other 3 picks across both drafts were ruckmen.

Not disagreeing with your point though, another developing ruck would be nice.

[bornadog]

Not sure what you mean here? Melbourne rookied a ruck in Verrall but none of their other 3 picks across both drafts were ruckmen.

Not disagreeing with your point though, another developing ruck would be nice.

Yeah you are right, I thought I saw two rucks coming in.

[Axe Man]

Yeah you are right, I thought I saw two rucks coming in.

I believe they were interested in trading up and grabbing Harry Barnett but couldn't get a deal done and West Coast grabbed him. I assume Verrall was their backup plan.

[hujsh]

I can only assume we will now invite 3 ruckmen to train with us and we'll add whoever is most impressive.

[Axe Man]

I can only assume we will now invite 3 ruckmen to train with us and we'll add whoever is most impressive.

I can only assume you are joking. I wouldn't get my hopes up but you never know I suppose.

[hujsh]

I can only assume you are joking. I wouldn't get my hopes up but you never know I suppose.

It shouldn't be a joke. If we have 2 spots and Oskar is getting one then we need to be realistic about needing another ruck on the list and use the pre-season to figure out who is the best of the rest. Of course I'm still expecting us to pick up Sullivan but I can dream

[bornadog]

It shouldn't be a joke. If we have 2 spots and Oskar is getting one then we need to be realistic about needing another ruck on the list and use the pre-season to figure out who is the best of the rest. Of course I'm still expecting us to pick up Sullivan but I can dream

For me, no to Oskar and No to Sullivan

[GVGjr]

For me, no to Oskar and No to Sullivan
Why is that BAD

[alwaysadog]

Can anyone find out who we have invited to train with us over the summer?

[Axe Man]

Can anyone find out who we have invited to train with us over the summer?

Probably a bit early for that given the rookie draft was only yesterday. We should hear shortly.

[bornadog]

Why is that BAD

I feel Sullivan is too much like McComb, so role not required, and Oskar didn't set the world on fire at Melbourne.

If Anything, I think there may be some young guys not drafted that we could look at, plus as discussed, a ruckman is required.

[GVGjr]

Can anyone find out who we have invited to train with us over the summer?

Great to hear from you AAD.
I'll try and find out. I don't think we have invited anyone yet.

[EasternWest]

Can anyone find out who we have invited to train with us over the summer?

Mate. Mate. Fantastic to see you.

[Mofra]

Not sure what you mean here? Melbourne rookied a ruck in Verrall but none of their other 3 picks across both drafts were ruckmen.

Not disagreeing with your point though, another developing ruck would be nice.
They traded in Grundy as well

[Axe Man]

They traded in Grundy as well

Well they had to do something considering Gawn was the only ruck left on their list and his fitness over a season is no sure thing.

But BAD was talking about the draft, not trades.

[F'scary]

I feel Sullivan is too much like McComb, so role not required, and Oskar didn't set the world on fire at Melbourne.

If Anything, I think there may be some young guys not drafted that we could look at, plus as discussed, a ruckman is required.

I felt the same about Hayes and Scott.

[bornadog]

I felt the same about Hayes and Scott.

Scott is a bloody good footballer.

[hujsh]

I felt the same about Hayes and Scott.

Scott came good last year. Very versatile and the right sort of depth for us in multiple positions. Looked nice on a wing

[F'scary]

Scott is a bloody good footballer.

so was Hayes.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

so was Hayes.

I rember a great chain of play in a final or at the pointy end that Hayes was part of running from wing to pocket following our fast ball movement, receivng a hanball running, handballing to someone who goaled. Great football.

[bornadog]

so was Hayes.

at VFL level

[BornInDroopSt'54]

at VFL level

Every cynic has the right to laugh :)

[Mofra]

For me, no to Oskar and No to Sullivan
I can kind of understand both - Sullivan is a defensive mid and we lost a lot with Dunkley leaving
We do need a wing but Baker isn't the tree I'd be barking up

I really think ruck depth/development needs to be the first priority with our remaining rookie list spots though

[jazzadogs]

so was Hayes.

Lenny?

[Mofra]

I rember a great chain of play in a final or at the pointy end that Hayes was part of running from wing to pocket following our fast ball movement, receivng a hanball running, handballing to someone who goaled. Great football.
The 100+ point win/training run against Essendon?

Probably the first and last in-play 3-man weave we'll see at Marvel.

[F'scary]

at VFL level

so was Scott.

[F'scary]

The 100+ point win/training run against Essendon?

Probably the first and last in-play 3-man weave we'll see at Marvel.

I remember this, they made the Esserdon players run into each other like ninepins.

[bornadog]

so was Scott.

Pretty sure we differ in our opinion. I think Scott really showed something and is a tough little bastard.

[Bulldog4life]

Pretty sure we differ in our opinion. I think Scott really showed something and is a tough little bastard.

I like Scotty too. Reliable and can play a number of positions as well as being a good kick.

[Bulldog Joe]

I rember a great chain of play in a final or at the pointy end that Hayes was part of running from wing to pocket following our fast ball movement, receivng a hanball running, handballing to someone who goaled. Great football.

That was the 2019 training run against Essendon officially listed as Round 21.


Apologies Mofra - I posted before I saw your response.

[bornadog]

That was the 2019 training run against Essendon officially listed as Round 21.


Apologies Mofra - I posted before I saw your response.

I wish we were always as ruthless as we were in that game

[GVGjr]

This is from the HUN

WESTERN BULLDOGS
IN: Jedd Busslinger (draft), Charlie Clarke (draft), Harvey Gallagher (draft), Liam Jones (free agent), Rory Lobb (Fremantle), Oskar Baker (SSP)

OUT: Louis Butler (delisted), Zaine Cordy (St Kilda), Josh Dunkley (Brisbane), Lachie Hunter (Melbourne), Stefan Martin (retired), Charlie Parker (delisted), Josh Schache (Melbourne), Mitch Wallis (delisted)

Available list spots: 1

On Monday the Dogs filled one of their two vacant list spots by signing delisted Demon Oskar Baker on day one of the pre-season supplemental selection period. “Oskar comes to us with really exciting attributes that complement the current make up of our midfield,” list boss Sam Power said of the former 15-game Demon. “We felt it was important to add more speed to the group, particularly on the wing, and think Oskar will make an immediate impact. The loss of best-and-fairest winner Dunkley was a significant blow, given his consistency and two-way running. Hunter’s departure also weakened what was one of the league’s deepest midfields. Jones helps solve some key defensive issues, but it will be interesting to see how he goes after not playing AFL since 2021, particularly given he will be 32 by the time the season starts. Lobb is coming off a career-best campaign and will provide a much more versatile ruck option than Martin to support Tim English. Key defender Busslinger is an ideal draft target for a club that has typically been undersized in the backline. Do not expect Schache or Cordy’s departures to be felt, but can they make up for the loss of Dunkley and make another flag push? Time will tell.

VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023

[bornadog]

This is from the HUN

WESTERN BULLDOGS
IN: Jedd Busslinger (draft), Charlie Clarke (draft), Harvey Gallagher (draft), Liam Jones (free agent), Rory Lobb (Fremantle), Oskar Baker (SSP)

OUT: Louis Butler (delisted), Zaine Cordy (St Kilda), Josh Dunkley (Brisbane), Lachie Hunter (Melbourne), Stefan Martin (retired), Charlie Parker (delisted), Josh Schache (Melbourne), Mitch Wallis (delisted)

Available list spots: 1

On Monday the Dogs filled one of their two vacant list spots by signing delisted Demon Oskar Baker on day one of the pre-season supplemental selection period. “Oskar comes to us with really exciting attributes that complement the current make up of our midfield,” list boss Sam Power said of the former 15-game Demon. “We felt it was important to add more speed to the group, particularly on the wing, and think Oskar will make an immediate impact. The loss of best-and-fairest winner Dunkley was a significant blow, given his consistency and two-way running. Hunter’s departure also weakened what was one of the league’s deepest midfields. Jones helps solve some key defensive issues, but it will be interesting to see how he goes after not playing AFL since 2021, particularly given he will be 32 by the time the season starts. Lobb is coming off a career-best campaign and will provide a much more versatile ruck option than Martin to support Tim English. Key defender Busslinger is an ideal draft target for a club that has typically been undersized in the backline. Do not expect Schache or Cordy’s departures to be felt, but can they make up for the loss of Dunkley and make another flag push? Time will tell.

VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023

They have rocks in their heads - I think we have improved.

[GVGjr]

[/COLOR]They have rocks in their heads - I think we have improved.


We lost two premiership players and B&F winners and a decent key forward and back-up defender and replaced them with a key defender who hasn't played for 12 months and a 30yo forward ruck man coming off his best season. I'm not sure if we have improved much but I don't think we've lost much ground either.
Position of needs wise we've done okay.

[hujsh]

We lost two premiership players and B&F winners and a decent key forward and back-up defender and replaced them with a key defender who hasn't played for 12 months and a 30yo forward ruck man coming off his best season. I'm not sure if we have improved much but I don't think we've lost much ground either.
Position of needs wise we've done okay.

Who's the good forward?

Josh and Hunter are big losses but if Jones comes good and Lobb continues his career best form overall it could be an improvement. Depends on if anyone steps up to fill the void on the wing with Hunter officially out.

[GVGjr]

Who's the good forward?

Josh and Hunter are big losses but if Jones comes good and Lobb continues his career best form overall it could be an improvement. Depends on if anyone steps up to fill the void on the wing with Hunter officially out.

Schache.

[GVGjr]

https://images.ctfassets.net/u8w3l566ay8a/7Ksr7vtfOthUXoIK6Xwy0x/2b17e76b0f4c25968bf957a7bf393d63/Tyrepower_Trade_Grades__12_.png

[EasternWest]

[/COLOR]They have rocks in their heads - I think we have improved.


Quelle surprise:).

[bornadog]

We lost two premiership players and B&F winners and a decent key forward and back-up defender and replaced them with a key defender who hasn't played for 12 months and a 30yo forward ruck man coming off his best season. I'm not sure if we have improved much but I don't think we've lost much ground either.
Position of needs wise we've done okay.

Out

* Lost Dunkley - ok good player but replaceable with deep midfield. More mid time for Treloar, Smith. Plus he doesn't want to play for us.

* Hunter - trouble maker, off field issues, former good player - something wrong there.

* Cordy - just hasn't done enough since premiership

* Schache - not good enough, had his chances and fluffed it

Replacements

* Lobb - Freo leading goal kicker and second ruck option which we haven't had before

* Jones - former good player - yet to prove he still has it.

* Gained some young players that can fill roles we don't have an abundance of, plus a future first round pick

Overall score:

Out Dunkley in Lobb, so betetr off there as we didn't have the Lobb role before. With others to prove themselves.


Quelle surprise:).

Why?

[G-Mo77]

[/COLOR]They have rocks in their heads - I think we have improved.


I don't think we have. We've lost a lot, filled some holes with Lobb and Jones but on paper we are not a better squad. We'll need some serious rise within the ranks that were apart of the 2022 squad. There are some guys who can step up and I reckon we'll see a bit of Clarke next season but their assessment as it stands right now is pretty spot on IMO.

[azabob]

[/COLOR]They have rocks in their heads - I think we have improved.


Outside looking in pound for pound we have probably gone backwards but I’m with you BAD I actually think our list will be in better shape for 2023.

[bornadog]

Love this


https://youtu.be/NTSg44Wnzu0

[Pedro Sanchez]

Out

* Lost Dunkley - ok good player but replaceable with deep midfield. More mid time for Treloar, Smith. Plus he doesn't want to play for us.

* Hunter - trouble maker, off field issues, former good player - something wrong there.

* Cordy - just hasn't done enough since premiership

* Schache - not good enough, had his chances and fluffed it

Replacements

* Lobb - Freo leading goal kicker and second ruck option which we haven't had before

* Jones - former good player - yet to prove he still has it.

* Gained some young players that can fill roles we don't have an abundance of, plus a future first round pick

Overall score:

Out Dunkley in Lobb, so betetr off there as we didn't have the Lobb role before. With others to prove themselves.



Why?

Very well summed up. If Jones clicks down back, we'll be a lot better side with 3 decent options to choose who plays where. Keath, Gards and Jones... Offers flexible match ups and options to chop players out during a match. I like it.

[EasternWest]

Out

* Lost Dunkley - ok good player but replaceable with deep midfield. More mid time for Treloar, Smith. Plus he doesn't want to play for us.

* Hunter - trouble maker, off field issues, former good player - something wrong there.

* Cordy - just hasn't done enough since premiership

* Schache - not good enough, had his chances and fluffed it

Replacements

* Lobb - Freo leading goal kicker and second ruck option which we haven't had before

* Jones - former good player - yet to prove he still has it.

* Gained some young players that can fill roles we don't have an abundance of, plus a future first round pick

Overall score:

Out Dunkley in Lobb, so betetr off there as we didn't have the Lobb role before. With others to prove themselves.



Why?

Because you're the most upbeat positive poster in the world when it comes to our club.

[Bulldog4life]

Because you're the most upbeat positive poster in the world when it comes to our club.

He has to be EW to balance against the naysayers.:D I like to think I am on the positives side too.

[F'scary]

Dunkley is a big loss. He won't be covered by more Bont, Smith, Libba, Treloar and Macrae because they already had top years too. You can't get much more out of guys who are already giving 100%. It has to come from somewhere else and it has to be someone who digs the ball out. Perhaps West. Daniel can also get in there too. Maybe McLean. I wonder if Williams or Richards could adapt?

[Mofra]

Dunkley is a big loss. He won't be covered by more Bont, Smith, Libba, Treloar and Macrae because they already had top years too. You can't get much more out of guys who are already giving 100%. It has to come from somewhere else and it has to be someone who digs the ball out. Perhaps West. Daniel can also get in there too. Maybe McLean. I wonder if Williams or Richards could adapt?
We have a very difficult choice to make - do we shuffle the remaining mids (which is now probably the number of mids most clubs use) and cop the inevitable drop off in defensive output?

OR... do we rookie Sullivan and give him alot of midfield time to replicate the defensive pressure we now lack with Dunkley gone? Or hope McLean can play more midfield than forward?

We've lost our reigning B&F and the only 'elite' defensive mid we had on our list so it's not about replacing kicks and handballs. Libba and Bont managed to get 'above average' ratings and I doubt they are the ones who can do much more heavy lifting. Can Macrae/Treloar/BSmith change their games enough to compensate, or will we need to shuffle?

I have to admit, our gameplan seems to start and finish with midfield ball winners so there's a whole 1/3rd (phase) of the game we are likely to be below average in next year.
I'm not sure shuffling talls at either end of the ground does too much to assist this.
If Timmy can somehow become a stronger '2nd effort' ruckman that would help alot - Ben Hudson would make our midfield group work more than a 'gun ruck' would.

[Dogs 24/7]

He has to be EW to balance against the naysayers.:D I like to think I am on the positives side too.

So he has given himself the job to counter balance the thoughts of others?

[Dogs 24/7]

We have a very difficult choice to make - do we shuffle the remaining mids (which is now probably the number of mids most clubs use) and cop the inevitable drop off in defensive output?

OR... do we rookie Sullivan and give him alot of midfield time to replicate the defensive pressure we now lack with Dunkley gone? Or hope McLean can play more midfield than forward?

We've lost our reigning B&F and the only 'elite' defensive mid we had on our list so it's not about replacing kicks and handballs. Libba and Bont managed to get 'above average' ratings and I doubt they are the ones who can do much more heavy lifting. Can Macrae/Treloar/BSmith change their games enough to compensate, or will we need to shuffle?

I have to admit, our gameplan seems to start and finish with midfield ball winners so there's a whole 1/3rd (phase) of the game we are likely to be below average in next year.
I'm not sure shuffling talls at either end of the ground does too much to assist this.
If Timmy can somehow become a stronger '2nd effort' ruckman that would help alot - Ben Hudson would make our midfield group work more than a 'gun ruck' would.
I like our attacking style but there are times when we need to take a more defensive mindset into the midfield assignments. Without Dunkley that becomes infinitely harder. Will we remodel someone else for that role?

[Mofra]

I like our attacking style but there are times when we need to take a more defensive mindset into the midfield assignments. Without Dunkley that becomes infinitely harder. Will we remodel someone else for that role?
I think we have a three options - play a dedicated tagger (and there is a possibility that Baker could play that role even though we've stated publicly he's a wing option), Sullivan who does tackle gets a rookie spot and gets midfield rotations, or McLean gets Dunkley's midfield time and we hope he plays defensively.

Treloar and Macrae won't do it and I'm not sure it's in Baz's DNA either.

We need a Rowan Jones - a bloke constantly derided by fans who just sacrifices their game and allows the stars (Cousins, Kerr & Judd) to do their thing. Important and hardly recognised for being important.

Given the way we derided Hannan for his efforts in the forwardline, I'd hate to read social media if I was playing that role....

[Bulldog Joe]

I think we have a three options - play a dedicated tagger (and there is a possibility that Baker could play that role even though we've stated publicly he's a wing option), Sullivan who does tackle gets a rookie spot and gets midfield rotations, or McLean gets Dunkley's midfield time and we hope he plays defensively.

Treloar and Macrae won't do it and I'm not sure it's in Baz's DNA either.

We need a Rowan Jones - a bloke constantly derided by fans who just sacrifices their game and allows the stars (Cousins, Kerr & Judd) to do their thing. Important and hardly recognised for being important.

Given the way we derided Hannan for his efforts in the forwardline, I'd hate to read social media if I was playing that role....

Does McComb get the role?

Advantage for him is that he already cops the bagging on social media.

Also if he plays a defensive role he is less likely to turn the ball over.

[F'scary]

Does McComb get the role?

Advantage for him is that he already cops the bagging on social media.

Also if he plays a defensive role he is less likely to turn the ball over.

McComb should restrict his game to handballing only.

[Mofra]

McComb should restrict his game to handballing only.
Daniel Cross to McComb's mentor confirmed

[G-Mo77]

McComb should restrict his game to handballing only.

On training days?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Dunkley had good defensive efforts in his game but let's not pretend he had ANY influence on stopping gun mids that regularly torched us. None. If anything, his lack of pace from the spread contributed to our weakness.

I'm looking to a change in tactics. Give SOMEONE the job to STOP the best mid. Libba did it in the GF, McLean did it pre-injury for a burst of games. SOMEBODY has to be tasked with it when needed.

[Testekill]

Dunkley was too nice, he never really used his size to lay a massive tackle or barrel through someone. He was defensively minded yes but he never tried to really lay into a tackle like Libba will.

[Grantysghost]

Dunkley was too nice, he never really used his size to lay a massive tackle or barrel through someone. He was defensively minded yes but he never tried to really lay into a tackle like Libba will.

Surely you jest good sir.

That fightback game he destroyed a Melbourne player in a tackle.


https://youtu.be/vqO_EveBjLw

[chef]

Yeah nah, Dunkley hurt a few with his tackles. Hes going to be missed.

[MrMahatma]

Dunks will be missed. Hunter hardly played and when he did he was pretty rubbish.

I think if Jones & Lobb play near their best, our squad is much better balanced and overall a fair bit better. We'll be harder to stop. We'll hopefully play forwards in the fwd line and defenders in defence, and mids in the midfield. Surely we're net positive having Treloar in the middle and not on HBF, and playing a HBF on the HBF, even with Dunks out.

I agree with McLean calls. He could be a very valuable player for us as a stopper.

[bulldogtragic]

I said last year, we need to assess last year and this year together for a full picture. Currently it?s:

In: Lobb, Jones, Buss, Clarke, Gallagher, Baker
In: JOD, Poulter, Pick 12, Pick 16, Croft at Pick 19 without deficit, late pick/s, rookie upgrade/s, free agent/s

With main losses of Dunkley & Hunter to date.

[bulldogtragic]

Not looking great now. After losing to Geelong:

Pick 27 to Freo (with 30 from last year)
Bris possibly just 17/18 & 36/37
Hunter virtually nothing

Lobb not to expectation and played VFL
Jones great
Baker fringe still

No games from our draftees
Croft is rising, but pick 8 should safe.

[bulldogtragic]

So as a comparison:

Griffen & Pick 6 - for - effectively Pick 1 (Tom Boyd) - 3,000 Draft Points Worth back

Perhaps, getting Pick 4 from GCS for our first rounders:

Dunkley & Pick 10 - for - Pick 4 & 21 & 63 - 3,024 Draft Points Worth back

(Note: The second rounder from Brisbane is equal in points to the two thirds we gave them for it, so it’s a nil all draw)

[bulldogtragic]

So now we can assess the trade period, JOD & Poulter were mid season so don’t form part of the trade period before they arrived at the club. This is rating the 2022 trade period.

In:

Lobb - Picks 29 & 30
Jones - FA
Baker - DFA

None of the three draftees debuted.


Out:

Dunkley: Pick 21, 17-18 (23-24 after bids), 63 (further our after FA compo)
Hunter & our 3rd this year - Brisbane 36-37 (net LOSS of draft points)
Schache: Pick 69 (after shuffling it may have NO draft points and won’t be used, effectively delisted)

[bulldogtragic]

I was hopeful in time this would look better, but it’s not panned out well. We paid a huge price for Lobb, who may still come good. Baker is depth. Jones is a gun, but old. No kids played. We used Hunter in a way where we are now behind in draft points. Schache was a bonus, but is now effectively delisted.

So Schache nothing. Hunter took us backwards. Dunkley a couple of picks in the 20’s. Just slightly better than the picks we gave up for Lobb. It’s boarderline now Dunkley for Lobb & 63.

It’s a disaster.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I was hopeful in time this would look better, but it?s not panned out well. We paid a huge price for Lobb, who may still come good. Baker is depth. Jones is a gun, but old. No kids played. We used Hunter in a way where we are now behind in draft points. Schache was a bonus, but is now effectively delisted.

So Schache nothing. Hunter took us backwards. Dunkley a couple of picks in the 20?s. Just slightly better than the picks we gave up for Lobb. It?s boarderline now Dunkley for Lobb & 63.

It?s a disaster.

Ouch. That for our best and fairest.

[GVGjr]

And BT, we are apparently paying part of Hunters salary.

[bulldogtragic]

And BT, we are apparently paying part of Hunters salary.

Double Disaster!!

We can only hope this wasn’t off the off season that killed the Bontempelli era. But it might be with just a couple of picks this year. We didn’t review the GF and we couldn’t manage Hunter in getting straight and Dunkley into our culture. Everything from mid third quarter of the 2021 GF has been virtually a disaster save a few things. I’m not sure how we turn things around re-signing cooked players because we have no other options, a couple of draft picks and the likes of continuously injured players like Coffield.

Basically, if Bevo can’t get the talent out of this list next year, we are in for a long bad road ahead. So I really hope he can. Or the club can get completely cleaned out.

Sam Power has officially copped a black eye on this one. It so nearly is Dunkley (21 & 22-24) for Lobb (29 & 30). With finals missed and Lobb playing VFL.

[GVGjr]

I'm not sure I can blame Power outright on the Dunkley and Lobb trades but it does have some merit.

With Ashcroft and Fletcher coming in it compromised Brisbanes ability to deal fairly and Dunkley being out of contract also limited our chances to get a true value deal.
With Lobb, we were conned by his goal kicking performance in 2022 and paid a premium for his services but it also highlighted our lack of investment in tall forwards over a period of time and that forced our hand.

[Go_Dogs]

Unfortunately Dunkley wanted to go to Brisbane. They had no means to offer more (maybe didn’t try very hard) and the alternative was let him walk for no return. A couple of picks in the 20’s is better than that I suppose.

If he’s been a restricted free agent what sort of compensation would we have got?

BT - you’ll know the answer to this. If we start with pick 17 and after Academy bids etc it ends up as pick 22, I assume we only have the points attached to pick 22 to deal with, rather than the points attached to where the pick originallly sat before bids?

[azabob]

Terrible off season.

We overestimated our list and where we sat in the scheme of things which resulted in overpaying for Lobb and getting unders for Dunkley. This sits firmly with Sam Power and Chris Grant.

Frankly it reminds me of our off season in 2016 after the flag.

Power needs to deliver during this trade period. For mine delivering does not mean getting players in but either trading up in the draft and not overpaying for Croft if we head done that path.

No future draft picks should be on offer, we need to minimise our risk and not back us onfield to deliver.

[azabob]

I'm not sure I can blame Power outright on the Dunkley and Lobb trades but it does have some merit.

With Ashcroft and Fletcher coming in it compromised Brisbanes ability to deal fairly and Dunkley being out of contract also limited our chances to get a true value deal.
With Lobb, we were conned by his goal kicking performance in 2022 and paid a premium for his services but it also highlighted our lack of investment in tall forwards over a period of time and that forced our hand.

We can and should. Plain and simple Grant and Power over estimated our list and finishing position. We sacrificed the future for the now.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We can and should. Plain and simple Grant and Power over estimated our list and finishing position. We sacrificed the future for the now.

They also didn't read the room on Dunkley and his initial request to leave. It felt he was always going to leave once his contract was done. I feel we're gonna cop the same fate with Smith.

[azabob]

They also didn't read the room on Dunkley and his initial request to leave. It felt he was always going to leave once his contract was done. I feel we're gonna cop the same fate with Smith.

Agree on this. If a contracted player asks to leave they should be traded.

[Grantysghost]

Unfortunately Dunkley wanted to go to Brisbane. They had no means to offer more (maybe didn?t try very hard) and the alternative was let him walk for no return. A couple of picks in the 20?s is better than that I suppose.

If he?s been a restricted free agent what sort of compensation would we have got?

BT - you?ll know the answer to this. If we start with pick 17 and after Academy bids etc it ends up as pick 22, I assume we only have the points attached to pick 22 to deal with, rather than the points attached to where the pick originallly sat before bids?

This is the thing. Players who are developed by the club, play Premierships, receive the clubs highest player honours, are next in line for leadership roles can not only hold us over a barrel they can ask for a trade that suits them not us.

Dunks can leave, choosing where he goes is a little rich for me.

Surely we asked him after the Essendon debacle what his plans were? Was he dishonest, or did we think we could change his mind?
After 21, were we asleep at the wheel again?Ask him if he is going to leave at end of contract, if yes : trade on your terms with a year left.
I would love to know what was said in his 21 exit interview.

[jazzadogs]

Agree on this. If a contracted player asks to leave they should be traded.

Almost helped us win another flag the year after the initial trade request, so don't think they overrated the list that year or made an error in holding Dunkley at the time. If we'd won the 2021 flag, would it have been an error?

Dunkley choosing Brisbane is solely responsible for our poor outcome. Once that decision was made we were all scrambling for how to make the best of a bad situation. He could have chosen Port who had a great draft hand!

As for this year, again, did they really overrate the list? We've all been arguing how our list is stronger than GWS and should have been playing finals - so isn't the issue just the list/coaching didn't PERFORM, rather than that they were rated incorrectly...

[Bigdog]

I like Lobb, but there was other holes that we should’ve prioritised.

Bedford and Hill would’ve been perfect pick ups.

Likewise Acres on a wing.

My frustration isn’t that we didn’t pick them up as it’s up to the player, it is more we weren’t even in the conversation for these players (at least in hills case - I doubt he picks the bulldogs). It showed to me that we didn’t understand the holes on the list.

Also when Brisbane have to move away from the Gabba I hope we shaft them on the trade table. The really screwed us.