GVGjr
16-03-2023, 05:18 PM
Mick McGuane looks at the clubs with the best depth in the AFL (https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/mick-mcguane-looks-at-the-clubs-with-the-best-depth-in-the-afl-heading-into-the-2023-season/news-story/677b8344fb18bc38b2694f51190e79b1)
He might have signed a contract extension over the off-season after being clearly identified as the man to take the Western Bulldogs forward.
But that doesn’t mean that the pressure is off Luke Beveridge entering 2023.
In fact, it is quite the opposite.
After taking a deep dive into every AFL list with Glenn McFarlane for The Ultimate Player Ratings project, the depth of talent at Beveridge’s disposal became crystal clear.
We tried to be harsh in rating every player across the competition out of 10 and from that we came up with the average score for every team to establish the Ultimate AFL List Depth Ladder.
The Bulldogs finished in fifth spot, the narrowest of margins behind last year’s runner-up Sydney.
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/4affc177ea9cba714706653bce450bc9
After playing off in a Grand Final themselves in 2021, this Bulldogs side didn’t go close to realising its potential last season as it finished eighth before bombing out of the race with an elimination final loss to Fremantle.
Beveridge is a premiership coach and the club clearly still has significant faith in him.
But if the Bulldogs’ best players stay healthy this year, this is a side which should not only be participating in finals but should believe it is a legitimate chance to win the flag.
With the list they have got, anything less than a deep run into September could only be deemed as a failure – and then the pressure will mount on Beveridge.
The additions of recruits Rory Lobb and Liam Jones will help the cause and have bolstered the list.
Don’t expect Lobb to kick 36 goals like he did at Fremantle when he was the main man last year, but his presence will take pressure off Aaron Naughton.
The Bulldogs were one-dimensional going forward at times last season, with Naughton their clear No. 1 target.
At the other end, key defender Jones will add some aerial and intercepting strength.
But unless the Bulldogs develop a better whole-ground team defence and apply manic pressure on the opposition ball carrier coming out of their forward line, Jones might not make much of a difference.
The other change many Bulldogs fans would no doubt like to see is around week-to-week selection changes.
There is always a horses for courses selection and it does take a squad mentality to win a premiership.
But don’t flirt with form by making unnecessary changes to your 23 each week and quit gifting games to players who have not earned them.
It is a big year for the Bulldogs — and Beveridge.
THE ULTIMATE AFL LIST DEPTH LADDER
GEELONG 5.55
MELBOURNE 5.49
BRISBANE 5.48
SYDNEY 5.47
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.46
RICHMOND 5.40
COLLINGWOOD 5.39
FREMANTLE 5.38
————————
CARLTON 5.33
PORT ADELAIDE 5.31
GOLD COAST 5.25
ESSENDON 5.17
ST KILDA 5.16
ADELAIDE 5.14
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.13
WEST COAST 5.10
HAWTHORN 5.08
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.06
# Based on player averages of ratings out of 10, made by Mick McGuane and Glenn McFarlane as part of The Ultimate Player Ratings.
He might have signed a contract extension over the off-season after being clearly identified as the man to take the Western Bulldogs forward.
But that doesn’t mean that the pressure is off Luke Beveridge entering 2023.
In fact, it is quite the opposite.
After taking a deep dive into every AFL list with Glenn McFarlane for The Ultimate Player Ratings project, the depth of talent at Beveridge’s disposal became crystal clear.
We tried to be harsh in rating every player across the competition out of 10 and from that we came up with the average score for every team to establish the Ultimate AFL List Depth Ladder.
The Bulldogs finished in fifth spot, the narrowest of margins behind last year’s runner-up Sydney.
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/4affc177ea9cba714706653bce450bc9
After playing off in a Grand Final themselves in 2021, this Bulldogs side didn’t go close to realising its potential last season as it finished eighth before bombing out of the race with an elimination final loss to Fremantle.
Beveridge is a premiership coach and the club clearly still has significant faith in him.
But if the Bulldogs’ best players stay healthy this year, this is a side which should not only be participating in finals but should believe it is a legitimate chance to win the flag.
With the list they have got, anything less than a deep run into September could only be deemed as a failure – and then the pressure will mount on Beveridge.
The additions of recruits Rory Lobb and Liam Jones will help the cause and have bolstered the list.
Don’t expect Lobb to kick 36 goals like he did at Fremantle when he was the main man last year, but his presence will take pressure off Aaron Naughton.
The Bulldogs were one-dimensional going forward at times last season, with Naughton their clear No. 1 target.
At the other end, key defender Jones will add some aerial and intercepting strength.
But unless the Bulldogs develop a better whole-ground team defence and apply manic pressure on the opposition ball carrier coming out of their forward line, Jones might not make much of a difference.
The other change many Bulldogs fans would no doubt like to see is around week-to-week selection changes.
There is always a horses for courses selection and it does take a squad mentality to win a premiership.
But don’t flirt with form by making unnecessary changes to your 23 each week and quit gifting games to players who have not earned them.
It is a big year for the Bulldogs — and Beveridge.
THE ULTIMATE AFL LIST DEPTH LADDER
GEELONG 5.55
MELBOURNE 5.49
BRISBANE 5.48
SYDNEY 5.47
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.46
RICHMOND 5.40
COLLINGWOOD 5.39
FREMANTLE 5.38
————————
CARLTON 5.33
PORT ADELAIDE 5.31
GOLD COAST 5.25
ESSENDON 5.17
ST KILDA 5.16
ADELAIDE 5.14
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.13
WEST COAST 5.10
HAWTHORN 5.08
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.06
# Based on player averages of ratings out of 10, made by Mick McGuane and Glenn McFarlane as part of The Ultimate Player Ratings.