LostDoggy
20-09-2009, 08:49 AM
Jay Clark and Jackie Epstein
Herald Sun, September 20, 2009
BRAD Johnson and Ben Hudson remain the only veterans certain to play on next season when the Western Bulldogs meet to decide the futures of their over-30s stars this week.
The club faces some agonising decisions, with big question marks hovering over Scott Welsh, 30, Nathan Eagleton, 30, and Jason Akermanis, 32.
Akermanis and Eagleton were ineffectual in Friday night's preliminary final heartbreak, but Dogs chiefs insisted the emotion of the defeat would not govern their decisions.
Assistant coach Leon Cameron conceded some hard calls had to be made to improve the list. But Cameron indicated its veterans would be judged on their contributions throughout the year, rather than only their efforts on Friday night.
"We just have to let the dust settle for a few days and then move on. It's just a ruthless game, unfortunately, but we have to start looking to next year," he said.
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"We will have our list management meeting sometime next week. Akermanis, Eagleton and all the 30-year-olds have all been fantastic this year, so we'll discuss that later next week."
Akermanis and Eagleton had shockers compared with their usually high standards in the seven-point loss to St Kilda that club leaders tipped would drive the team all summer.
Akermanis led the Dogs' goalkicking with 43 majors, while midfielder Eagleton was superb in the semi-final win over the Brisbane Lions.
However, the pair combined for 24 possessions, didn't kick a goal and appeared to run out of puff late against the Saints.
Along with Johnson, the team's other 30-year-old, Hudson, is assured a berth next season as the Dogs' leading ruckman.
The defeat was a devastating result for a club that has lost its past six preliminary finals, with players unable to hold back tears in the rooms post-match.
Cameron said the team had generated ample supply forward, with 17 more inside 50s than the Saints, but its failure to kick the match-winning goal was especially devastating.
"You can't question the effort, the effort was outstanding," he said. "For the large part of that last quarter we had the ball in the forward line, we just couldn't capitalise."
Only four times this season has a team had an advantage of 17 or more inside 50s, but lost.
For that reason, the Dogs will pursue Sydney forward Barry Hall, 32, amid other key forward options including Adelaide's Taylor Walker and Hawthorn's Mitch Thorp.
Dogs' legend Doug Hawkins said yesterday the club couldn't win a flag without a big forward of Hall's ilk.
"Go get Hall, please? Sign him up whatever it's going to cost," Hawkins said.
"He's the X-factor and he can change the side. If we had Barry Hall standing in the goal square, we win the game, we win a Grand Final."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/d-day-looms-for-bulldog-veterans/story-e6frf9jf-1225777055520
Wouldn't mind the idea of Walker to be honest, looks to be a good sort & has already had a taste of AFL footy.
Herald Sun, September 20, 2009
BRAD Johnson and Ben Hudson remain the only veterans certain to play on next season when the Western Bulldogs meet to decide the futures of their over-30s stars this week.
The club faces some agonising decisions, with big question marks hovering over Scott Welsh, 30, Nathan Eagleton, 30, and Jason Akermanis, 32.
Akermanis and Eagleton were ineffectual in Friday night's preliminary final heartbreak, but Dogs chiefs insisted the emotion of the defeat would not govern their decisions.
Assistant coach Leon Cameron conceded some hard calls had to be made to improve the list. But Cameron indicated its veterans would be judged on their contributions throughout the year, rather than only their efforts on Friday night.
"We just have to let the dust settle for a few days and then move on. It's just a ruthless game, unfortunately, but we have to start looking to next year," he said.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"We will have our list management meeting sometime next week. Akermanis, Eagleton and all the 30-year-olds have all been fantastic this year, so we'll discuss that later next week."
Akermanis and Eagleton had shockers compared with their usually high standards in the seven-point loss to St Kilda that club leaders tipped would drive the team all summer.
Akermanis led the Dogs' goalkicking with 43 majors, while midfielder Eagleton was superb in the semi-final win over the Brisbane Lions.
However, the pair combined for 24 possessions, didn't kick a goal and appeared to run out of puff late against the Saints.
Along with Johnson, the team's other 30-year-old, Hudson, is assured a berth next season as the Dogs' leading ruckman.
The defeat was a devastating result for a club that has lost its past six preliminary finals, with players unable to hold back tears in the rooms post-match.
Cameron said the team had generated ample supply forward, with 17 more inside 50s than the Saints, but its failure to kick the match-winning goal was especially devastating.
"You can't question the effort, the effort was outstanding," he said. "For the large part of that last quarter we had the ball in the forward line, we just couldn't capitalise."
Only four times this season has a team had an advantage of 17 or more inside 50s, but lost.
For that reason, the Dogs will pursue Sydney forward Barry Hall, 32, amid other key forward options including Adelaide's Taylor Walker and Hawthorn's Mitch Thorp.
Dogs' legend Doug Hawkins said yesterday the club couldn't win a flag without a big forward of Hall's ilk.
"Go get Hall, please? Sign him up whatever it's going to cost," Hawkins said.
"He's the X-factor and he can change the side. If we had Barry Hall standing in the goal square, we win the game, we win a Grand Final."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/d-day-looms-for-bulldog-veterans/story-e6frf9jf-1225777055520
Wouldn't mind the idea of Walker to be honest, looks to be a good sort & has already had a taste of AFL footy.