WOOF Welcomes Lachlan Bramble to the Kennel

[bornadog]

https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2023/11/27/1a8e694b-4238-4116-a831-039318f65ba0/XAhQyuuN.jpg?width=1064&height=600

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have provided Lachlan Bramble with a second chance, signing the delisted Hawk after the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) opened on Monday.


The 25-year-old has started training with Luke Beveridge?s squad, with the main group reporting back for pre-season training a week after the club's first to fourth-year players.

Bramble played 30 games across three seasons at Waverley Park, including 11 appearances in 2023, after being signed by the Hawks via the SSP at the start of 2021.

listed on Hawks site as:

MIDFIELDER

age: 25
Height: 182cm
Weight: 77kg

[ledge]

Good pick up.

[jDogs]

I know nothing about him, but a quick search suggests he has been playing in defence, is he a lockdown or rebounding type?

[hujsh]

Quick look at the Hawks BF board and it seems he's much more of a running player (half back or mid) than a lockdown small. If he can add that to his game there's a spot there for him. Sounds like his run and ball use is good though.

[Testekill]

Happy with picking him up, he came to the Hawks as a mid but I've primarily seen him in defence. Was great against Footscray in the VFL finals.

[GVGjr]

I'm really pleased with selection. He can play in a variety of positions and is ready to go

[doggiesin08]

Just based on the VFL final against Footscray he seems a better break glass option for a BP or HBF than VDM so I’m on board.

[soupman]

I think he is a winger, and am surprised we have grabbed him considering we just drafted 2 and he is a similiar level to Poulter and Baker.

I do rate him though, good runner, breaks the lines and finds the ball a bit easier than Baker.

Not sure about his one on one work in defence.

[GVGjr]

I think he is a winger, and am surprised we have grabbed him considering we just drafted 2 and he is a similiar level to Poulter and Baker.

I do rate him though, good runner, breaks the lines and finds the ball a bit easier than Baker.

Not sure about his one on one work in defence.

I think we will use him out of defence and he is a safe guard for Duryea.

[soupman]

I think we will use him out of defence and he is a safe guard for Duryea.

Me too I guess, it's just he's always struck as more of the Ed Langdon type. Hard runner and long kicker who plays pretty wide.

[Sedat]

I think this is an astute decision in isolation, but I am mystified by the 3 years given to VDM and 2 years to Baker (and to a lesser extent the 2 years given to Poulter).

These 4 have taken up a lot of space on the list for 2024-2025 (and 2026 in the case of VDM), and if we're being kind the jury is still out on all of them as viable and bankable medium to long-term AFL standard players.

[Grantysghost]

This is a good pick up. He was amazing in that semi v the Dogs at Box Hill. He ran and ran and ran and had a ton of the ball. From memory decent disposal too.
Half back/wing I think.

[Grantysghost]

I know nothing about him, but a quick search suggests he has been playing in defence, is he a lockdown or rebounding type?

Here's the mini of the vfl semi, I'm sure he will pop up regularly you probably don't need to watch the entire thing.

https://www.afl.com.au/video/1027685/vfl-mini-match-r22-box-hill-v-footscray?videoId=1027685&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1694223000001

[Bulldog Revolution]

Cant believe I posted a thread on this thinking I was first to the punch and had outplayed BAD

Interesting selection - decisively quick from the listen management team - competition for spots on a wing

[G-Mo77]

I think this is an astute decision in isolation, but I am mystified by the 3 years given to VDM and 2 years to Baker (and to a lesser extent the 2 years given to Poulter).

These 4 have taken up a lot of space on the list for 2024-2025 (and 2026 in the case of VDM), and if we're being kind the jury is still out on all of them as viable and bankable medium to long-term AFL standard players.

I don't mind the money ball selections but like you said it's a long term investment for a ceiling that already looks to have been reached by all. All these guys as well as Scott are good VFL players and one their day are ok at AFL level. Not sure on this guy, I doubt his best football is in front of him or there are many new tricks available.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I know nothing about Bramble, but we've had a clear plan to change (and improve) our lack of depth over the off-season AND bring in high end elite talent.

We've done both by bringing in the likes of Harmes, Coffield, Bramble, Sanders, and Croft.

Super impressed but as with anything in footy, nothing is guaranteed. Probably know what we get with Harmes but if Coff/Bramble come on, it'll make a big difference.

[kruder]

We have had a good off season, defence is still the worry for mine. I think Bramble has shown more than Mcsteal happy to have him on board.

[dog town]

Bramble is a ball carrier, loves a running bounce. Pretty obvious we are trying to add some run and carry to the team (arguably 2-3 years too late) but the intent is the right one.

[jazzadogs]

Welcome Lachie. Will have his work cut out for him to craft a spot in the best 23, but he has some good tools.

A good leader for Footscray at the least, and a reliable but limited best 22 option at best.

[Sedat]

I don't mind the money ball selections but like you said it's a long term investment for a ceiling that already looks to have been reached by all. All these guys as well as Scott are good VFL players and one their day are ok at AFL level. Not sure on this guy, I doubt his best football is in front of him or there are many new tricks available.
Forgot about Scott - at least he has versatility to be able to contribute in multiple different areas. He is also a total pro who is team-oriented to a fault.

I think Scott has shown more at AFL level than VDM, Baker and Poulter. He might not have one killer selling point (ie: VDM supposedly has pace, Poulter has a leg cannon) but he does most things to an acceptable AFL standard. His challenge is to stay involved for longer in games.

Anyway welcome to the kennel Lachie. A couple of Hawks work colleagues have talked him up today and were sorry to see him go. The phrase "far too good for VFL level" was mentioned more than once.

[GVGjr]

Cant believe I posted a thread on this thinking I was first to the punch and had outplayed BAD

Interesting selection - decisively quick from the listen management team - competition for spots on a wing

It was the first full training session last year when Oskar Baker arrived at the club as well.
Bramble seems to provide some depth for us in a few positions and I think there is a bit of a theme with our recruiting in the off season that with both Harmes and Bramble we might start using some 'run with' options on occasions.

[Prince Imperial]

I think this is an astute decision in isolation, but I am mystified by the 3 years given to VDM and 2 years to Baker (and to a lesser extent the 2 years given to Poulter).

These 4 have taken up a lot of space on the list for 2024-2025 (and 2026 in the case of VDM), and if we're being kind the jury is still out on all of them as viable and bankable medium to long-term AFL standard players.

VDM is contracted until 2025. And he shouldn't be, I believe given what he has shown.

https://www.zerohanger.com/bulldog-laitham-vandermeer-signs-multi-year-deal-138383/

[Sedat]

VDM is contracted until 2025. And he shouldn't be, I believe given what he has shown.

https://www.zerohanger.com/bulldog-laitham-vandermeer-signs-multi-year-deal-138383/
Thanks PI, for some reason I thought he was given 3 years recently but happier that it is only 2. Really it should only have been 1 year at best IMO - I'm not bullish on VDM despite his pace attributes, which is an area of obvious weakness still on the list.

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_6rNTZagAA0e0t?format=jpg&name=large

[MrMahatma]

Is he better than McComb?

[Willofwest]

I think this selection is safe guard against injury to JJ, Poulter and Baker. Maybe Williams is able to go back to HBF.

[josie]

From having nil or few wings now we quite a few.

Anyone know what Bramble's pace and skills are like?

[jazzadogs]

There are quite a few videos of his highlights on YouTube. I liked this one from his fourth game - two years ago, but shows some of what we probably hope we are getting.


https://youtu.be/2LKvS8MLQLA?feature=shared

[jeemak]

Thanks PI, for some reason I thought he was given 3 years recently but happier that it is only 2. Really it should only have been 1 year at best IMO - I'm not bullish on VDM despite his pace attributes, which is an area of obvious weakness still on the list.

Nobody's been proactive enough to maintain a thread with that sort of information so your guess was pretty solid.

[azabob]

VDM is contracted until 2025. And he shouldn't be, I believe given what he has shown.

https://www.zerohanger.com/bulldog-laitham-vandermeer-signs-multi-year-deal-138383/


Thanks PI, for some reason I thought he was given 3 years recently but happier that it is only 2. Really it should only have been 1 year at best IMO - I'm not bullish on VDM despite his pace attributes, which is an area of obvious weakness still on the list.

If...only if...Axeman created this bloody contracts thread he keeps harping on about....

[GVGjr]

From having nil or few wings now we quite a few.

Anyone know what Bramble's pace and skills are like?

Very good pace attributes especially running out of the back line. His kicking skills seem to be sound as well. Consistency might be the challenge.

[Grantysghost]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_6rNTZagAA0e0t?format=jpg&name=large

Is he from a 1970s footycard?

[josie]

Very good pace attributes especially running out of the back line. His kicking skills seem to be sound as well. Consistency might be the challenge.

Thanks. I noted in highlights clip although he is a right footer he did kick with his left once, which did hit intended target.

[bornadog]

Is he from a 1970s footycard?

Needs to get into shape:D

[hujsh]

Needs to get into shape:D

Uh oh. BAD's got a live one folks

[Dazza]

This is a good pick up. He was amazing in that semi v the Dogs at Box Hill. He ran and ran and ran and had a ton of the ball. From memory decent disposal too.
Half back/wing I think.

He was very good that day. Wonder if it played a part in recruiting him

[GVGjr]

He was very good that day. Wonder if it played a part in recruiting him

I think many of us were saying the same thing about Rory Lobb although he was coming off his best season.

[josie]

I think many of us were saying the same thing about Rory Lobb although he was coming off his best season.

If he plays like he did against Cats in last round he’ll be worth the 2 round 2 picks & more. Here’s hoping he can bring that level consistently.

[Twodogs]

This discussion about footy skills and what position he will play is all very well and good but what's his nickname?


If he doesn't have a nickname then he doesn't exist as far as I am concerned.

I'm suggesting Wilfred after the actor who played Albert in Steptoe And Son

[GVGjr]

This discussion about footy skills and what position he will play is all very well and good but what's his nickname?

If he doesn't have a nickname then he doesn't exist as far as I am concerned.

I'm suggesting Wilfred after the actor who played Albert in Steptoe And Son

I've never had a filling or a decayed tooth and it was because as a kid my grandmother told me that if I didn't brush my teeth properly I'd end up looking like Steptoe. Thanks Nan.

[Sedat]

If he doesn't have a nickname then he doesn't exist as far as I am concerned.
For the EPL fans out there, it has to be Titus surely

[Stevo]

Shame to read he was in light duties today but I think he will play a few games for us. Not without a chance to find a spot in our back line.

[Smads57]

Shame to read he was in light duties today but I think he will play a few games for us. Not without a chance to find a spot in our back line.

I failed to mention in the pre-season training thread he had some strapping on one of his shoulders. Given there were a lot of tackling drills today, he may have been advised to keep to the lighter 'running drills' for today.

[MrMahatma]

Is he better than McComb?

No one willing to stick their neck out here?

[bornadog]

No one willing to stick their neck out here?

Anyone is better than McComb :)

[azabob]

This discussion about footy skills and what position he will play is all very well and good but what's his nickname?


If he doesn't have a nickname then he doesn't exist as far as I am concerned.

I'm suggesting Wilfred after the actor who played Albert in Steptoe And Son

Wilfred is my cats name, interestingly enough he is missing a number of teeth….

[jazzadogs]

No one willing to stick their neck out here?

McComb is probably a better centre bounce mid than Bramble, but I think Bramble would have him covered in most other roles.

[Rudgey88]

My first reaction to this appointment, was that he could be the Duryea replacement?

Although maybe with his athletic traits he will play half back flank and allow us to utilize Bailey dale on the wing?

[Bulldog Joe]

Anyone is better than McComb :)

Certainly more chance of a meaningful contribution.

That may change when we see him play.

[Mofra]

My first reaction to this appointment, was that he could be the Duryea replacement?

Although maybe with his athletic traits he will play half back flank and allow us to utilize Bailey dale on the wing?
I don't get the 'Dale to wing' obsession. He's an AA quality backman, and in the last 12 Months we've signed Williams, Scott, Baker, Poulter, Arty Jones and we just drafted Freijah and O'Driscoll, and Hawks fans seem to think Bramble's best position is either a running HB or defensive wingman.

[Twodogs]

I've never had a filling or a decayed tooth and it was because as a kid my grandmother told me that if I didn't brush my teeth properly I'd end up looking like Steptoe. Thanks Nan.

I can still remember my dear old nan (who died in 1980) watching Steptoe and saying 'oh that filthy old man'

[GVGjr]

The knock on Bramble from Hawks mates is that he undoes a lot of good work by missing his kicks so there is work to do there.
Both Hawks mates were surprised he was delisted.

[Twodogs]

The knock on Bramble from Hawks mates is that he undoes a lot of good work by missing his kicks so there is work to do there.
Both Hawks mates were surprised he was delisted.

Maybe Hawthorn had to make a difficult decision in order to fit Gunston and Giniven's wage in? After all they probably hadn't planned on either of them landing at the Hawks before the trade period so anyone without a contract would have been in the gun.

[GVGjr]

Maybe Hawthorn had to make a difficult decision in order to fit Gunston and Giniven's wage in? After all they probably hadn't planned on either of them landing at the Hawks before the trade period so anyone without a contract would have been in the gun.

I doubt they've got a squeeze on the cap and they should be chasing some bug names next season.
Bramble wouldn't be on a lot. Probably just came out of contract at the wrong time and they already have a couple of taggers.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Is he from a 1970s footycard?

Looks like "The Axe", Simon Aitken.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Wilfred is my cats name, interestingly enough he is missing a number of teeth….

Does Wifred willfully do a fred?

[Happy Days]

Man he looks haggard as shit (compliment maybe?)

[Bulldog Joe]

Looks like "The Axe", Simon Aitken.

you mean Simon Atkins

[Twodogs]

you mean Simon Atkins

Axe.

"How long do you need Axe?"

"A quarter of a second. Just give me a quarter of a second"

[macca]

you mean Simon Atkins

I dont know why but when the VFL was on TV, it aleays seemed to show the weeribee games witb Atkins getting a heap of the ball. Really enjoyed his weekly player updates

[Mavericks]

No harm in giving him a chance. Has played AFL, has pace and adds depth to the list

[PR0408]

For those that watch training regular how’s bramble tracking?
Think the bramble selection was brilliant. Helps with depth in small defender role. Played some quality VFL last year also.

[GVGjr]

For those that watch training regular how’s bramble tracking?
Think the bramble selection was brilliant. Helps with depth in small defender role. Played some quality VFL last year also.

He's not participating in all of the drills and I assume it's because of an injured shoulder but the next week or two will start to tell the story. His kicking skills seem to have stood up okay in the various drills I have seen and from Hawks mates that was his biggest challenge. I'll try and have a closer look over the next 2 sessions.

[Bulldog4life]

For those that watch training regular how’s bramble tracking?
Think the bramble selection was brilliant. Helps with depth in small defender role. Played some quality VFL last year also.

Yep agree on that. He is fast too which is a great asset.

[mighty_west]

It is good that the club is focusing on bringing in speed, although i feel as though Bramble could just be Baker MK2, one of those in and out of the team, plays well for 2 weeks, plays a bad game and gets dropped, repeat.

Only watched parts of the VFL final v Hawks, and if he can bring that level consistency, then there is no reason he could play quite a few games.

[GVGjr]

It is good that the club is focusing on bringing in speed, although i feel as though Bramble could just be Baker MK2, one of those in and out of the team, plays well for 2 weeks, plays a bad game and gets dropped, repeat.

Only watched parts of the VFL final v Hawks, and if he can bring that level consistency, then there is no reason he could play quite a few games.

I was thinking along those lines just the other day but I'm guessing that the point of difference could more around that Bramble can play as a defender or even as a run with role in the midfield as he has done with the Hawks. With Duryea not always on the park that might be a handy option for us. Here is hoping that they both stay healthy.

[angelopetraglia]

Neil Cordy on Twitter:

Shout out to
@westernbulldogs
Lachlan Bramble. Huddo informed me, in the call, he’s wearing my old number 29 because I taught his dad. That’s pretty cool

[angelopetraglia]

Loved watching #29 Cordy do his stuff when I was a young boy.

Neil Cordy on who he would support in the 2016 GF.

"But today, family comes first. I hope the Bulldogs do it for my nephew, Zaine, and his family. My family.

My three brothers Brian (Zaine and Ayce’s dad), Graeme, Roger and I all played for the Dogs and we have never seen them in a grand final.

My nephew Ayce was there for seven years until last year. Words can’t describe what a win would mean to all of us"

[FrediKanoute]

Thought he did well yesterday. In the batch that can hold heir heads up!

[bornadog]

Only Bulldog to get coaches votes

[Happy Days]

Just so everyone remembers I had this first. He’s good.

[Eastdog]

Been very impressed with his first few weeks with us. Been very good. Looking like a nice pick up so far.

[josie]

Been very impressed with his first few weeks with us. Been very good. Looking like a nice pick up so far.

Hear hear.

[hujsh]

Looks great so far, I'm weary though as it's not uncommon for a player to get a bit of a rejuvenation at a new club then bounce back down to Earth a partway through the year. Think Sam Lloyd with us or Lipinski/Young at their new clubs. One of the many things mjp has educated us on which I partly remember.

Hoping he's more of a Biggs type though

[ledge]

Looks great so far, I'm weary though as it's not uncommon for a player to get a bit of a rejuvenation at a new club then bounce back down to Earth a partway through the year. Think Sam Lloyd with us or Lipinski/Young at their new clubs. One of the many things mjp has educated us on which I partly remember.

Hoping he's more of a Biggs type though

TBH I think he is a different person player to them, Lipinski is an outside receiver and a little soft, no defensive skills ,Young sadly is soft.
Bramble is the hard at it player with speed and takes the game on.
I don’t think he has it in him to be any less.

[dog town]

I was a bit shocked at some of the reactions to his practice match performances. A bad match up on Hardwick aside he was great and with speed that we desperately needed. The reactions to his performances seemed to be taking in their previously formed views of him rather than what had just transpired.

Always liked this pick, look at how our ball movement fell apart with injuries to JJ and Richards last year. We needed speed and a few queries on his decision making were well worth the risk.

[GVGjr]

I was a bit shocked at some of the reactions to his practice match performances. A bad match up on Hardwick aside he was great and with speed that we desperately needed. The reactions to his performances seemed to be taking in their previously formed views of him rather than what had just transpired.

Always liked this pick, look at how our ball movement fell apart with injuries to JJ and Richards last year. We needed speed and a few queries on his decision making were well worth the risk.

The amount of negative comments about our recruitment of Bramble on sites like X was surprising.
Even in the last couple of weeks the recruiting team were copping it. I'm hoping yesterdays performance starts a bit of a rethink for a few people.
Like most lower profile players who arrive at the Kennel we will need Bramble to back it up over a period of time to really win the doubters over.

[EasternWest]

Just so everyone remembers I had this first. He?s good.

If only we could narc and verify this claim, Johnny come lately.

[Ozza]

Very impressed with Bramble. Very composed, good user, good speed.

Seems a good find.

[Sedat]

The knock on Bramble at the Hawks was his kicking and also decision-making - he was iffy a couple of times yesterday but his run and dare this season so far has been a very welcome addition to our previous static and stilted D50 rebound game.

[jeemak]

I went pretty wild at him yesterday when he ignored the inside targets and blazed.

He kept me quiet, like he mostly has, to date after that. I like that he runs at everyone.*




*Don't reckon I'd like to go to a party with him until he matures a bit.

[Dry Rot]

It is interesting that so many were so happy about picking up Coffield but not Bramble.

I know that Coffield has continued his rotten luck with injuries recently, but before that he seemed somewhere between just okay and promising.

In contrast, the no-frills Bramble has been pretty impressive.

[Bulldog4life]

Just so everyone remembers I had this first. He?s good.

I thought it was me.

[macca]

Bramble has now played 33 games, so his going to get to that 50 game mark, where he could become a a good senior player. The good thing is he spent 30 games learning his craft at Hawthorn's expense.

His a good pickup and i think he will learn to play to his strengths. That first quarter kick for goals was really stupid and it highlighted his poor kicking when better options were available near the goal posts.

He reads the play really well. He is averaging 23 disposals, 15.3 kicks and 6.7 marks! so far his having his best season in his career. touch wood, his upwards trajectory continues.

[54Bulldog16]

I am pleasantly surprised. Did not expect this level of performance, especially so early on. Learning a new game plan and new team mates, I would expect him to grow more and more as this gels further. Great cheap pick up.

[Curly5]

I think people were dubious because it seemed to be a last-minute pick-up from leftovers. Remembering the last player we got from the Hawks was a bust, nobody was very hopeful. We didn’t know what the qualities were that attracted our recruiters to this slightly scruffy-looking individual badly in need of a Toby McLean makeover. A million apologies, Lachlan! You have been very impressive so far and we wish you a long and successful career as a Bulldog defender.

[bornadog]

The knock on Bramble from Hawks mates is that he undoes a lot of good work by missing his kicks so there is work to do there.
Both Hawks mates were surprised he was delisted.

Talking to my Hawks friend on Monday, he said the same about his kicking. So far he has been pretty good with his disposal.

[GVGjr]

I think people were dubious because it seemed to be a last-minute pick-up from leftovers. Remembering the last player we got from the Hawks was a bust, nobody was very hopeful. We didn’t know what the qualities were that attracted our recruiters to this slightly scruffy-looking individual badly in need of a Toby McLean makeover. A million apologies, Lachlan! You have been very impressive so far and we wish you a long and successful career as a Bulldog defender.

I don't think he was in anyway a last minute addition and we probably would have even traded for him had we just had some more currency. The fact that we added him to the list on the day the SSP window opened is a sign we had a strong interest in him.
We could have easily offered him the chance to trial with us but listed him anyway.
That indicates that we saw something in him and had a role for him. Who knows if it ends up being a success or not but at least he's off to a good start.

[Grantysghost]

I don't think he was in anyway a last minute addition and we probably would have even traded for him had we just had some more currency. The fact that we added him to the list on the day the SSP window opened is a sign we had a strong interest in him.
We could have easily offered him the chance to trial with us but listed him anyway.
That indicates that we saw something in him and had a role for him. Who knows if it ends up being a success or not but at least he's off to a good start.

If you watch the semi final in the VFL v Box Hill last year he dominated off half back, i'd suggest his name was up on the white board after that as a Duryea replacement.

[Bulldog Joe]

If you watch the semi final in the VFL v Box Hill last year he dominated off half back, i'd suggest his name was up on the white board after that as a Duryea replacement.

We have always picked up players who play well against us.

This one is looking like a much more positive addition.

[Twodogs]

We have always picked up players who play well against us.

This one is looking like a much more positive addition.

Yep. That's long seemed to be a trait of our recruiting strategy. Even way back in the late '70s I can remember my dad pointing out rubbish players who happened to have a day out against us and saying "they'll be in the red, white and blue next year" 9 times out of 10 he was right.

But Bramble seems to have brought some qualities we really need.

[Before I Die]

Bramble has now played 33 games, so his going to get to that 50 game mark, where he could become a a good senior player. The good thing is he spent 30 games learning his craft at Hawthorn's expense.

His a good pickup and i think he will learn to play to his strengths. That first quarter kick for goals was really stupid and it highlighted his poor kicking when better options were available near the goal posts.

He reads the play really well. He is averaging 23 disposals, 15.3 kicks and 6.7 marks! so far his having his best season in his career. touch wood, his upwards trajectory continues.

This is not a knock on Bramble as he has been very good. However, re best stats, he is taking most of the kick ins, and that does inflate kicks and possibly metres gained.

[Testekill]

Extended contract for another year.

yay?

[GVGjr]

Extended contract for another year.

yay?

We've played him in every game haven't we? Seems like a reasonable insurance choice as Duryea moves into retirement and JJ getting some injuries. I get that a lot of our supporters don't rate him but the MC are picking him.

[bornadog]

We've played him in every game haven't we? Seems like a reasonable insurance choice as Duryea moves into retirement and JJ getting some injuries. I get that a lot of our supporters don't rate him but the MC are picking him.

I don't have any problems with him. Just needs to fix his disposals, with that odd error he makes.

[Sedat]

We've played him in every game haven't we? Seems like a reasonable insurance choice as Duryea moves into retirement and JJ getting some injuries. I get that a lot of our supporters don't rate him but the MC are picking him.
Can live with 1 year. He has obvious athletic traits but he is too often careless with his disposal. We're not exactly bursting with small defender depth - as an aside, how did we miss out on Jordan Boyd when he was in our backyard in 2021? Was he even on our recruiters radar at the time? What a fantastic piece of talent spotting by Carlton.

[GVGjr]

Can live with 1 year. He has obvious athletic traits but he is too often careless with his disposal. We're not exactly bursting with small defender depth - as an aside, how did we miss out on Jordan Boyd when he was in our backyard in 2021? Was he even on our recruiters radar at the time? What a fantastic piece of talent spotting by Carlton.

Seems to be one of the more prudent decisions we've done. Boyd has done very well hasn't he?

[lemmon]

I'm fine with it too - good depth, but the kind of player that you hopefully have some other guys move past (like Freijah).

[EasternWest]

Extended contract for another year.

yay?

He's alright. Happy enough with it.

I think before we make any further comment we should find out what comrade Setka thinks.

[Pleather Sole]

Another B grader given a lifeline, it seems an obsession, an addiction. We could easily hold off till end of year, secure a more talented player in that position for a 2 year deal. I'm really sick of talent being overlooked at the expense of very average players. Bramble would thrive in the VFL but is not up to snuff in the ones. Aquire talent, develop and give the player games. Being McCombed over and over. Its an eyerolling tedious habit that seldom bears fruit. We never learn. Drives me spare.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I don't see it.

He finds the ball and can run which is good, but his disposal isn't anything to write home about. Nevertheless, it's his inability to defend / stick tackles which really limits him IMO.

He's better than McComb, Hayes and others we've had in the past but if we're half decent he should be nothing more than depth.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Another B grader given a lifeline, it seems an obsession, an addiction. We could easily hold off till end of year, secure a more talented player in that position for a 2 year deal. I'm really sick of talent being overlooked at the expense of very average players. Bramble would thrive in the VFL but is not up to snuff in the ones. Aquire talent, develop and give the player games. Being McCombed over and over. Its an eyerolling tedious habit that seldom bears fruit. We never learn. Drives me spare.

I'm sure if we could get better talent we would.

Reality is most talented players don't want to come here. They want to go to the big clubs or have the coa$tal life$tyle. Our only other option is the St kilda path which is to overpay for b+ graders.

Out best bet, whether we like it or not (I don't) is to get top talent via the draft and do our best to ensure they don't jump ship. Unfortunately we traded our top pick this season and are about to lose 1 or 2 previous top picks to other clubs after having lost Dunkley as well. We're up against it sadly unlike a lot of other clubs.

[Grantysghost]

He's alright. Happy enough with it.

I think before we make any further comment we should find out what comrade Setka thinks.

I agree i like Bramble.

G would want us to move the Setka chat here right EW?

Can they just finish the west gate?

[Eastdog]

Not the greatest ever player but required. I liked his first game back in Round 1 despite us losing by a lot in end against the Demons.

[macca]

Seems to be one of the more prudent decisions we've done. Boyd has done very well hasn't he?

He has been an amazing pickup for Carlton, given the injury problems Zac Williams has had. Crazy, ridicolous good pickup by Carlton. I don't understand how we could have missed him ????

[Eastdog]

Can live with 1 year. He has obvious athletic traits but he is too often careless with his disposal. We're not exactly bursting with small defender depth - as an aside, how did we miss out on Jordan Boyd when he was in our backyard in 2021? Was he even on our recruiters radar at the time? What a fantastic piece of talent spotting by Carlton.

He would have been a really good acquisition.

[bornadog]

I don't see it.

He finds the ball and can run which is good, but his disposal isn't anything to write home about. Nevertheless, it's his inability to defend / stick tackles which really limits him IMO.

He's better than McComb, Hayes and others we've had in the past but if we're half decent he should be nothing more than depth.

Whilst he does make the odd disposal clangers, he is running this year at DE of 82.2% and has played all 13 games

[The Underdog]

He has been an amazing pickup for Carlton, given the injury problems Zac Williams has had. Crazy, ridicolous good pickup by Carlton. I don't understand how we could have missed him ????

He?s improved out of sight in the AFL system. I saw him play a bit at Footscray and definitely wouldn?t have seen him becoming the player he has. Credit to him.

[bornadog]

https://youtu.be/SMsPWS8oOyE

[EasternWest]

Another B grader given a lifeline, it seems an obsession, an addiction. We could easily hold off till end of year, secure a more talented player in that position for a 2 year deal. I'm really sick of talent being overlooked at the expense of very average players. Bramble would thrive in the VFL but is not up to snuff in the ones. Aquire talent, develop and give the player games. Being McCombed over and over. Its an eyerolling tedious habit that seldom bears fruit. We never learn. Drives me spare.

Every side has Brambles. Some are just better versions than others. Personally I think there's enough to persist with and giving him another year is fine, if not at all the exciting.


I agree i like Bramble.

G would want us to move the Setka chat here right EW?

Can they just finish the west gate?

We should definitely troll our Benevolent Dear Leader by dropping Comrade Setka in at random threads and times. In fact, I think that's what I'm gonna do.

[The Underdog]

Every side has Brambles. Some are just better versions than others. Personally I think there's enough to persist with and giving him another year is fine, if not at all the exciting.



We won a premiership with Fletcher Roberts, Zaine Cordy and Toby McLean among others. You just don't have 22 A graders in a team. He can play a role.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We won a premiership with Fletcher Roberts, Zaine Cordy and Toby McLean among others. You just don't have 22 A graders in a team. He can play a role.

I wouldn't exactly say Collingwood had a side brimming with a grade talent either. It was their application that got them the flag. Very similar to how we did it in 2016.

[mighty_west]

Another B grader given a lifeline, it seems an obsession, an addiction. We could easily hold off till end of year, secure a more talented player in that position for a 2 year deal. I'm really sick of talent being overlooked at the expense of very average players. Bramble would thrive in the VFL but is not up to snuff in the ones. Aquire talent, develop and give the player games. Being McCombed over and over. Its an eyerolling tedious habit that seldom bears fruit. We never learn. Drives me spare.

EVERY club has and needs B graders, in fact being rated a B is probably a compliment, but he's quick and his disposal is at 82%, can't be that bad.

[EasternWest]

We won a premiership with Fletcher Roberts, Zaine Cordy and Toby McLean among others. You just don't have 22 A graders in a team. He can play a role.

I mean, you forgot Shane Biggs and the one thing we told him we'd never do was forget.

What happened to you, man?

[Pleather Sole]

I know. Not every player is a legend, a champion, exciting, I understand he's a depth player and I'd like to think he wouldn't be in our 23 without injuries to JJ, Coff etc Is he above mediocre? I don't think so. Can we get a player for that role that is a tier above? I believe so yes. The club could even consider setting the standard for "a Brambles" a little bit higher, revolutionary I know.
If he was the first average player who keeps getting selected because Bevo loves to pick B Graders over obvious talent then I'd be content, but this is a 9 year bad habit.

[Hotdog60]

Do we call him Tumble Weed. :)

[EasternWest]

I know. Not every player is a legend, a champion, exciting, I understand he's a depth player and I'd like to think he wouldn't be in our 23 without injuries to JJ, Coff etc Is he above mediocre? I don't think so. Can we get a player for that role that is a tier above? I believe so yes. The club could even consider setting the standard for "a Brambles" a little bit higher, revolutionary I know.
If he was the first average player who keeps getting selected because Bevo loves to pick B Graders over obvious talent then I'd be content, but this is a 9 year bad habit.

I don't want to be that guy, but if we could get a guy a tier above him, wouldn't we already have him?

[Uninformed]

Seems to have played a valuable role for us with his attributes.

[Pleather Sole]

I doubt we would. There is an obvious taste for a category of bargain players who don't cut the mustard, year after year since 2015. They become a favourite of particular individual/s who get a kick out of persisting with players who resemble their own limitations during their own playing career. Thats been my theory for 9 years. There are a couple of exceptions where real talent was found and harnessed but I'm flat out picking more than 2 from more that period, and theres been many. Honestly, I'm sick of talking about it. Not just on here but amongst other club supporters or worse-when its brought up by non Dogs supporters. Its obvious to many outside of our club and its a cringey fault that has become taboo to mention because you get the usual 'not realistic or practical enough' retorts. Our standards for baseline players aren't high enough. Why we didn't grab Jordan Boyd when he was at our front door? Now he's flourishing at Carlton as a rebounding defender..... That is one of many we didn't recognise or grasp. Collectively having fairly low expectations often results in low to middling outcomes.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I don't want to be that guy, but if we could get a guy a tier above him, wouldn't we already have him?

To be fair our list management has been questionable.

2 year deal for McComb, long term deals for Daniel, Macrae and Hunter, multi-year deal for VDM, Baker, Poulter...

I'd prefer Bramble over Baker and Poulter but I agree with the notion we have too many of these types who aren't contributing enough now and certainly won't in the future.

[G-Mo77]

To be fair our list management has been questionable.

2 year deal for McComb, long term deals for Daniel, Macrae and Hunter, multi-year deal for VDM, Baker, Poulter...

I'd prefer Bramble over Baker and Poulter but I agree with the notion we have too many of these types who aren't contributing enough now and certainly won't in the future.

My problem is the timing of it. Clubs are not going to be chasing Bramble and we could have waited. I get the feeling he'll get pushed out by year end and hardly spotted in 2025 so he'll be that guy taking up that spot just like a lot of the guys listed in TBB's post.

[The Underdog]

I mean, you forgot Shane Biggs and the one thing we told him we'd never do was forget.

What happened to you, man?

To be fair, there were times over the 2016/17 off-season where Shane Biggs forgot who Shane Biggs was.

[EasternWest]

To be fair, there were times over the 2016/17 off-season where Shane Biggs forgot who Shane Biggs was.

Ha ha that legitimately made me laugh so I'll allow it.

[jazzadogs]

Bramble for a year is fine.

I don't want him to play much in the next 18 months but I'm okay with him being on the list. Salary cap and player choice (FA, trades) mean that you will never have a full list of stars - at least he has some AFL attributes.

[ledge]

Congrats to him he is a good fall back when injuries occur and I think he has improved.

[Testekill]

He has been an amazing pickup for Carlton, given the injury problems Zac Williams has had. Crazy, ridicolous good pickup by Carlton. I don't understand how we could have missed him ????

He wasn't that good while playing with us in the VFL.

[bornadog]

He wasn't that good while playing with us in the VFL.

He was picked up as a rookie in 2021 mid season draft, so pure speculation

Has played 7, 9, and now 13 games

[Mantis]

Must've been really impressed by his 2-kick game against Collingwood and his countless turnovers last week to sign him up.

Hoping he becomes a depth player quickly.

[Testekill]

He was picked up as a rookie in 2021 mid season draft, so pure speculation

Has played 7, 9, and now 13 games

He has developed into a really good small defender but nobody who was watching him run around for us in the VFL would have seen it coming. Sometimes players just have to get into a professional system and they make big improvements.

[hujsh]

He has developed into a really good small defender but nobody who was watching him run around for us in the VFL would have seen it coming. Sometimes players just have to get into a professional system and they make big improvements.

It's a fair point. A shame none of the guys we took from Footscray came on the same way.

[jazzadogs]

It's a fair point. A shame none of the guys we took from Footscray came on the same way.

Oi oi Billy Gowers won our leading goalkicker award!!!

[Grantysghost]

Oi oi Billy Gowers won our leading goalkicker award!!!

https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZ280eWF0aXBlYXp1YzZwdHpsbWQ1NmJoOGRrOGxjd 25jcHN5NHh0ZSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/5xtDarmwsuR9sDRObyU/giphy.gif

[hujsh]

Oi oi Billy Gowers won our leading goalkicker award!!!

And he remains in my heart to this day, but not in the AFL

[GVGjr]

16 games for the season, closing on on the 50 game milestone and after a somewhat slow start is now starting to show some consistency and is providing a lot of run for us. Is he starting to look like he belongs in the side or do you still have some doubts?

[EasternWest]

16 games for the season, closing on on the 50 game milestone and after a somewhat slow start is now starting to show some consistency and is providing a lot of run for us. Is he starting to look like he belongs in the side or do you still have some doubts?

I like him. He cracks in and he's tough and accountable. Seems to have moved on from the odd disposal howler he was prone to early doors.

[Go_Dogs]

He makes too many material / noticeable errors in bad parts of the ground or costly moments still, but his good outweighs his not so good and he makes us a better side.

[azabob]

He makes too many material / noticeable errors in bad parts of the ground or costly moments still, but his good outweighs his not so good and he makes us a better side.

I think over the last few weeks Brambles critical errors have reduced.

[jeemak]

Honest player who runs at the pressure to try and get it forwards. That style of player is always going to have the odd issue with disposal, only the absolute elite don't.

For the price we paid I can't ask for much more and think he's got a lot to work with.

[Bullies]

He plays well when the side is. Certainly not our worst. When the pressure comes on in critical parts of the game and the game is close you don't want the ball in his hands. One of the reasons he wasn't getting a game at the Hawks was his use of the ball under pressure.

[Mofra]

He's performed so far above expectations we should be doing cartwheels that we signed him for nothing.

For all the talk of his disposal, I'd love to see the trend because to the eyeball his DE seems to be better than a lot of other players in our side right now.

[EasternWest]

He's performed so far above expectations we should be doing cartwheels that we signed him for nothing.

For all the talk of his disposal, I'd love to see the trend because to the eyeball his DE seems to be better than a lot of other players in our side right now.

Someone mentioned a few weeks back he's going at 83% de.

[bornadog]

He makes too many material / noticeable errors in bad parts of the ground or costly moments still, but his good outweighs his not so good and he makes us a better side.

So does Dale.

I think he is playing well and has now slotted in the backline seamlessly

[Grantysghost]

He's performed so far above expectations we should be doing cartwheels that we signed him for nothing.

For all the talk of his disposal, I'd love to see the trend because to the eyeball his DE seems to be better than a lot of other players in our side right now.

Yes it's horse shit. He buggered a couple and its been amplified ridiculously.
His disposal is fantastic.

[bornadog]

Ignored by GG, I see :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GT3HsJkbwAIJzJD?format=jpg&name=large

[Grantysghost]

Ignored by GG, I see :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GT3HsJkbwAIJzJD?format=jpg&name=large
Nice!

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Congrats. I like him, good pick up as he isn?t on JJ coin. Let be honest the Tassie team will be coming hard so we could loose a few in front of him and we could then turn around and say. Just as well Bramble stars around as he is super handy

[angelopetraglia]

Western Bulldogs defender Lachie Bramble opens up to Mark Robinson about his long footy journey

When Sam Mitchell looked Lachie Bramble in the eye and told him he was no longer wanted, the former Hawk was lost. Enter Luke Beveridge and the Bulldogs. MARK ROBINSON uncovers the truth about the SSP success story.

One of the first questions Luke Beveridge asked Lachie Bramble at the end of the 2023 season was why he was no longer on Hawthorn?s list.

It?s a question the mild-mannered Bramble still asks himself.

An SSP selection for the Hawks when Alastair Clarkson was coach in 2021, Bramble?s shock elevation from Box Hill player to a Hawthorn list spot was, he hoped, the start of a late-starting AFL career.

He was 23 then. He?s now 26. And on Friday night, he plays his 50th AFL game.

His is a story of setbacks, perseverance, shattered hopes and finally a semblance of salvation at the Bulldogs.

He recently signed a one-year contract, which is not the monster six, seven or eight-year deal which has become commonplace. Yet for Bramble, it meant the world to him.

?I always hoped I?d play one game and when that happened, I didn?t think I?d get to 50,?? he said. ?It?s gone quick, but at the same time it?s also been a long time.?

Bramble is not destiny?s child. He was overlooked in the 2016 draft, played VFL at Williamstown through 2017 and 2018 under coach Andy Collins, returned to the Sunbury Lions in 2019 and in 2020, Covid wiped out the season.

?Andy helped me so much, to be honest I owe a lot to him. If it wasn?t for him, I wouldn?t be on a list,? he said.

Collins got him to Willy after his Calder Cannons season and he played a mix of senior and twos footy.

?Then I thought I?d have a year off VFL footy and I thought that was probably me done,? Bramble said.

?But looking back, it was probably the best thing I did. It freshened me up and made me pretty hungry to give VFL another crack because I was playing decent footy.?

At Sunbury, he won the club goalkicking as a midfielder, came third in the club B&F, made the league team of the year and represented Vic Country under coach Danny Frawley.

When Collins left Willy for Box Hill for the 2021 season, he made contact with Bramble again.

?He called me and said ?mate, please don?t sign at Williamstown?. Andy was the only reason I was going to go back to Willy anyway, so that was an easy decision for me.??

And the correct one. After completing half the pre-season training, Bramble was blown away when he was selected in the pre-season supplemental selection period, and save for a burst bursa in his arm, he was on track to be in Clarkson?s Round 1 team.

Other niggles meant he eventually made his Hawthorn debut in Round 14 against Essendon, and played every game for the rest of the season.

His 2022 season, now in a dashing halfback role under new Hawks coach Sam Mitchell, started with a stress fracture in his foot and ended with stress fracture in his back.

In between, he played in nine games. He played rounds 1 and 2 to start 2023, was sub in round 3 and was dumped for round 4. Cue the confusion.

?Still to this day, I?m not really sure what exactly happened,? Bramble said. ?I was pretty flat once I got told I wasn?t going to be in the team after having a reasonable start.?

He played another eight games ? for 30 all up at Hawthorn ? before he was chopped for good.

When asked what happened, Bramble said: ?It?s a good question. We had a really good relationship, him believing in me at the start and giving me the opportunity and then, yeah, during that year, after going out of the team ? not a lot of contact.

?I felt a little bit of a gap between me and him. So, I?m not really sure what happened. Nothing bad happened, but I wasn?t playing to the potential he thought I was capable of. That was the reasoning I got.?

Trade week saw the hammer come down.

?I had a meeting with them (Hawthorn) and they told me if they get who they wanted in the trade period, you won?t have a list spot at this footy club,? Bramble said.

They got him. He was Massimo D?Ambrosio. And Bramble got a call to come into the club the next day.

?It was pretty hard to take to be honest,? he said. ?I always thought my best footy was good enough, I didn?t really play poor footy, so to be thrown out of the side, and to be driving to the club where I?m so close to all the guys, to be told thankyou your time is up ? It was a really strange feeling, it was something I?d never felt before, just knowing what I had to leave behind, and it happened so quickly. For Sam to look me in the eye and tell me I was no longer wanted at the footy club, it was really hard to take.

?I probably didn?t (say) what I wanted to say to him at that meeting, purely because of the raw emotion and being, sort of, frozen. I?m not a really confrontational person when it comes to that sort of stuff, so I was a bit lost, I pretty much just zoned out.

?There was no anger at that point in time, I was just upset and sad.?

He was 25, unemployed, had an arm in a sling because of shoulder reconstruction, and virtually zero on the horizon.

?I was thinking, what am I going to do,? Bramble said.

?I was really struggling to be honest. I was nowhere.??

Then the Bulldogs list manager Sam Power called.

?The Dogs were awesome,? Bramble said. ?The conversations were similar to what we?re having (now): why aren?t you on a list? And I had the same answer, I?m not really sure.?

He spoke to Beveridge.

?That first conversation was over soon and I was blown away with how he listened, he really wanted to know more on a deeper level,?? Bramble said.

Beveridge and Power had set about changing the Bulldogs list.

Bramble, James Harmes and Nic Coffield were the recruits, and it was soon apparent Beveridge was keen to slot Bramble in at halfback.

Colleague Sam Landsberger broke the news that Bramble had been preferred to popular premiership halfback Caleb Daniel for round 1, and that Jack Macrae?s spot was also under threat. Bramble heard the critics of such a move.

?That kind of motivates me,? he said. ?I?ve always had doubters ever since I could remember.

?There?s a lot of people out there that have knocked me and still to this day they know who they are, but it sits well with me that I?ve probably silenced them a little bit.?

Still, those early rounds were a little awkward for him, he said.

?Jacko (Macrae) and Caleb (Daniel) are popular players within the club, but they took it extremely well. They were very good to me.??

Bramble is the dashing half-back flanker in Beveridge?s reworked back group which includes himself, Liam Jones, Rory Lobb, Taylor Duryea, Buku Khamis, Bailey Dale, Coffield and maybe James O?Donnell.

?Every week Bevo backs me in,?? Bramble said.

He?s played every game this season.

The 50-game milestone is a million miles from Scott Pendlebury?s 400-game celebrations, but Bramble is just as chuffed.

?To get to 50 games, bloody hell, it just shows that anything can happen, it?s really a nice little milestone to hit.?

[GVGjr]

He played a good game and has really been providing us some run and dash all over the ground. His kicking and decision making seems to have improved a bit as well.
Really appreciate what he is bringing this side.

[Testekill]

His drive off of half-back along with Dale refinding his form has been huge for us being able to play Richards as a midfielder. He's not making as many frustrating decisions as he did while he was settling in.

[Hot_Doggies]

Loving his ability to go back through traffic, break tackles, and burst out the front of congestion. His speed and kicking last night was a real highlight.

[Hotdog60]

When he first played for us I'm thinking another reject that we have over estimated but his last month has been exceptional and if this becomes the norm we have snagged a bonus and credit to the recruiters.

[mighty_west]

Sounds like he may have played a bit "nervous" earlier in the season without a lot of confidence knowing players like Caleb and Jacko were left out of the side when he said he it was a bit awkward, but it certainly looks like he has so much more confidence in the side now and is playing well in a very important role, well done on 50 games and another one of those feel good stories.

[Happy Days]

Bramble is developing a near telepathic connection with Naughton. His kicking is really good but goes to Akermanis level when he’s looking for Naughts.

[whythelongface]

He started off slowly but has really developed into an excellent runner and user of the footy. So good that the MC stuck with him. Well done Lachie.

[SquirrelGrip]

After Grundy to Swans, is he the best recruit this year in the AFL?

[bornadog]

A couple of Hawks mates said he was a good player but his disposal was suss. After the first few games and turnovers I agreed. At the Richmond match, the guy next to me kept calling him Shambles, but he has gained confidence and his disposal and composure have improved greatly.

[G-Mo77]

I could have torn my hair out seeing him early on. Why was he playing? I just couldn't see it, I'm so glad I was wrong! He's been exceptional over this run, he looks so comfortable out there now and is becoming a dangerous player. Credit to him and credit to all who kept the faith and picked him each week.