The Decade 2000-2009

[The Coon Dog]

So, off the top of your head, how did you think we fared in the 00's?

I was surprised when I looked up the stats; I thought we had performed netter to be honest.

We made the finals in 4 years; 2000, 2006, 2008 & 2009 & played 9 matches, winning 3 & losing 6.


Ladder Position

2000 - 8th - 12/11

2001 - 10th - 10/12

2002 - 12th - 9/12/1

2003 - 16th - 3/18/1

2004 - 14th - 5/17

2005 - 9th - 11/11

2006 - 6th - 14/10

2007 - 13th - 9/12/1

2008 - 3rd - 16/8/1

2009 - 3rd - 16/9

We played 229 games, winning 105, losing 120 & drawing 4 of those.

__________________________________________________

So, how did we fare against each team?

Adelaide - Played 16 - Won 7/Lost 9 - Highest Score 140 - Lowest Score 35 - GWM 61 - GLM 77

Brisbane - Played 18 - Won 8/Lost 10 - Highest Score 151 - Lowest Score 67 - GWM 63 - GLM 84

Carlton - Played 12 - Won 6/Lost 6 - Highest Score 128 - Lowest Score 75 - GWM 46 - GLM 61

Collingwood - Played 17 - Won 8/Lost 9 - Highest Score 141 - Lowest Score 63 - GWM 63 - GLM 41

Essendon - Played 15 - Won 7/Lost 7/Drawn 1 - Highest Score 151 - Lowest Score 76 - GWM 76 - GLM 46

Fremantle - Played 12 - Won 8/Lost 4 - Highest Score 174 - Lowest Score 72 - GWM 93 - GLM 83

Geelong - Played 17 - Won 8/Lost 9 - Highest Score 133 - Lowest Score 54 - GWM 39 - GLM 75

Hawthorn - Played 15 - Won 7/Lost 8 - Highest Score 133 - Lowest Score 66 - GWM 88 - GLM 84

Melbourne - Played 18 - Won 8/Lost 10 - Highest Score 161 - Lowest Score 55 - GWM 95 - GLM 51

North Melbourne - Played 15 - Won 7/Lost 8 - Highest Score 145 - Lowest Score 79 - GWM 34 - GLM 64

Port Adelaide - Played 14 - Won 5/Lost 9 - Highest Score 166 - Lowest Score 61 - GWM 93 - GLM 86

Richmond - Played 15 - Won 8/Lost 6/Drawn 1 - Highest Score 167 - Lowest Score 52 - GWM 115 - GLM 60

St.Kilda - Played 17 - Won 6/Lost 10/Drawn 1 - Highest Score 133 - Lowest Score 30 - GWM 47 - GLM 65

Sydney - Played 12 - Won 7/Lost 5 - Highest Score 159 - Lowest Score 57 - GWM 69 - GLM 64

West Coast -Played 16 - Won 5/Lost 10/Drawn 1 - Highest Score 142 - Lowest Score 39 - GWM 60 - GLM 87

__________________________________________________


During the 00's we have had 3 senior coaches. Here's their record:

Terry Wallace (2000 - R21 2002) - Played 66 - Won 30/Lost 35/Drawn 1 - Winning % is 45.

Peter Rohde - (R22 2002 - 2004) - Played 45 - Won 9/Lost 35/Drawn 1 - Winning % is 20.

Rodney Eade - (2005 - 2009) - Played 118 - Won 66/Lost 50/Drawn 2 - Winning % is 56.

__________________________________________________

Here are the Charles Sutton Medalists during the 00's:

2000 - Scott West

2001 - Luke Darcy

2002 - Brad Johnson

2003 - Scott West

2004 - Scott West

2005 - Scott West

2006 - Brad Johnson

2007 - Brian Harris

2008 - Daniel Cross

2009 - Matthew Boyd

__________________________________________________

So, what were some of your highlights/lowlights during the past decade?

My highlights are:

* Beating Richmond by 115 points in the opening round of 2006. Friday night under lights; it doesn't get much better than this.

* Beating Collingwood in the 2006 Elimination Final. To see Collingwood's fans streaming from the ground half way through the last quarter as 'Sons of the West' rag out around the stadium was pure bliss. The win also enabled Rohan Smith to reach the 300 game milestone.

* The comeback against North at Canberra where Johnno did everything humanely possible to stuff his kick off the ground up.

* Johnno's 300th against Adelaide where he kicked 3 goals in the last five minutes to drag his team over the line.

* The professionalism of the club off field with the redevelopment, training facilities & players wanting to play for the Western Bulldogs.

* Crofty's performance against North in his farewell game.

My lowlights are:

* Hearing that Terry Wallace had decided to resign. Times have changed, but back then we all thought he really was something special. It felt like someone you knew had died to be honest.

* The Peter Rohde years. Nothing worse than going to the footy each week knowing you aren't competitive.

* Losing the 2009 Preliminary Final to St.Kilda. The players gave their all that night & to be denied in that manner was simply gut wrenching.

* Losing to Melbourne when Jeff White was awarded a dodgy free kick against Wayde Skipper to deny us making the finals.

* Chris Grant injuring his knee in R1 2003 against Geelong & missing the rest of the season & Luke Darcy doing his knee for the second time in the last training drill before X/mas.

[LostDoggy]

The first few years of the 00's were disappointing - Wallace traded some really good players away and we never got that key forward we desperately needed. Seeing Grant go down in the 1st game of 03 was terrible. Darcy going down twice was also a huge blow - he was one of the dominant ruckmen of the comp and with our shortage of big men - well we all know what happened there...

Rhodes coaching tenor was a disaster - but bottoming out meant we got Cooney, Griff and Williams, which i think we all are happy about now.

Agree with all of the highlights listed above - add to that the comeback against Adelaide at the G...

One thing is for sure - the 10's are going to be a above and beyond the 00's
We are in fantastic shape with Barry, Brad and Aker coming to end but ready for one or 2 final cracks at the big one... and plenty of talent running around at Willy as well as Mitch Wallis and Liber's son to be drafted this year!!!!

[jazzadogs]

Great post TCD. I wasn't surprised at how unsuccessful we've been in this decade, it really has only been the last 4-5 years when we have enjoyed some sort of success. I was surprised that the only two teams who we've beaten more times than we've lost are Richmond and Freo. Although I guess that also reflects on how their decades have been.

That North game in Canberra when Johnno kicked the winning goal has got to be one of the most exciting wins I've been to. Being able to watch the boys sing the song after the game (possibly Cam Faulkner's first win?) only added to it.

Johnno's 300th and the Collingwood final are my two other highlights.

Jade Rawlings first game, offering so much hope (7.4, or something like that?), was a highlight which became a lowlight.

I think the 08 Prelim has to be included as a lowlight as well, so many squandered chances. :(

[boydogs]

Great post TCD. I wasn't surprised at how unsuccessful we've been in this decade, it really has only been the last 4-5 years when we have enjoyed some sort of success. I was surprised that the only two teams who we've beaten more times than we've lost are Richmond and Freo. Although I guess that also reflects on how their decades have been.


You missed Sydney, which is one that suprised me as they really had it over us for a while and we gave away our home ground advantage against them a bit. They had a pretty good decade too. We tied with Carlton, you would think most sides would have beaten them. Melbourne is one I thought we would have won more than we lost against.

[Studentlib]

Some amazing stats and some very forgettable years esp. 03 and 04. Club almost lost me as we headed back to the 60s wilderness. Greatest regret was not seeing Dogs in 2005 finals when we were playing some of the most sublime perfect football late in the season, with from memory, none of the injuries that cruelled us in other years; droppping a crucial game against Demons through not being switched on and missing out on a finals series we could have played a big part in. Watching the players faces, while some other match result determined their 05 season. Then coming out and showing more of the same unstoppable footy in rnd 1 2006 against Tigers - 'what could have been in 05".
Best memories Collingwood Sept 2006 after pies went the man and we went on playing our brand of footy, Libbas last game, and being up in Canberra watching the 2004 last qtr comeback (while celebrating my 50th) was special.
Coming out of this decade as one of the on field powerhouse clubs is the most satisfying feeling, given we seem to be headed for long term stability and success off field. 56 years on since 1954 and all I can think is "Bring it on". Happy new year to all.

[mjp]

Greatest regret was not seeing Dogs in 2005 finals when we were playing some of the most sublime perfect football late in the season, with from memory, none of the injuries that cruelled us in other years; droppping a crucial game against Demons through not being switched on and missing out on a finals series we could have played a big part in.

Fair go - not switched on?...We only lost by a kick - in the last 5 minutes of the game against another finalist. And the goal that won it for the dee's wasn't exactly a clear-cut umpiring decision. I agree it was a pretty devastating loss, but coming off the Rhode disaster 2005 was a terrific season but no way were we ready to challenge for a flag.

We were a middle of the road side throughout the decade. The finals appearances under Wallace were the last gasps of a team past its 1998 prime, the Rohde years were a disaster as was 2007 (though more in a 2 steps forward, 1 step back kind of way).

Eade's coaching record is outstanding at the moment and we are hitting the next decade in reasonable shape for both a tilt at the flag in 2010/11 and perhaps even another one in 2015/16 assuming that Ward, Harbrow, Jones, Cordy and Roughy develop as we hope they will. Off the field the facilities seem good but I guess we will always battle for members and supporters.

[LostDoggy]

And i think all of you are also missing our biggest upset win of the decade?
v Essendon Round 21 2000?

[The Pie Man]

Great thread - most of my high/lowlights have been mentioned, so I have little to add.

Highlight - Boyd's goal at the end of the 3rd quarter against Richmond in 05, still makes me laugh

Lowlight - Scott West's last season, such a shame his knee went the way it did

[The Coon Dog]

And i think all of you are also missing our biggest upset win of the decade?
v Essendon Round 21 2000?

Yup, you're right, forgot that one & only watched it the other night. Seems so long ago doesn't it?

[Twodogs]

And i think all of you are also missing our biggest upset win of the decade?
v Essendon Round 21 2000?




I still think that the win against Carlton two weeks before at Optus was my most enjoyable win of the decade.


Great thread TCD

[The Coon Dog]

Great thread TCD

Thanks Twodogs, was a bit of a trip down memory lane.

Incidentally, what were some of your other highlights & lowlights for the decade.


By the way, Desipura put me onto this site some time back. Really helps with stats. Just have a play around.

www.afl.allthestats.com

[LostDoggy]

Yup, you're right, forgot that one & only watched it the other night. Seems so long ago doesn't it?

Seems like agesss ago! A decade ago to be accurate!
A great thread! =]

[EasternWest]

Great thread - most of my high/lowlights have been mentioned, so I have little to add.

Highlight - Boyd's goal at the end of the 3rd quarter against Richmond in 05, still makes me laugh
Lowlight - Scott West's last season, such a shame his knee went the way it did

Hilarious. After reading that I just watched it on youtube. I was at that game, I can vividly remember how stuffed the 5 or 6 players that ran all that way looked immediately afterwards. Clever work from Boydy and and good piece of team play from Farren.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Hilarious. After reading that I just watched it on youtube. I was at that game, I can vividly remember how stuffed the 5 or 6 players that ran all that way looked immediately afterwards. Clever work from Boydy and and good piece of team play from Farren.

Happened at precisely the same time my little bloke was going bananas - missed the whole bloody thing.

[EasternWest]

Happened at precisely the same time my little bloke was going bananas - missed the whole bloody thing.

That's a shame, because it was a classic piece of play that my Dad and I still talk about.

[The Coon Dog]

Happened at precisely the same time my little bloke was going bananas - missed the whole bloody thing.

Just for you Sockeye.

HGDuSmfrpMo

And Granty v Essendon.

IdNXJyq8TuE

And Johnno's 300th.

h_LI9uKMeFQ

[Remi Moses]

Highlight- Grant' goal and the subsequent victory against the Bombres

Lowlight - The Rohde debacle

lowlight- Still waiting for the elusive flag:(:(

[Remi Moses]

I still think that the win against Carlton two weeks before at Optus was my most enjoyable win of the decade.


Great thread TCD

Think you might find that game is on Channel 7 digital tommorow morning around 7am. Great win with an undermanned side against a red hot Carlton

[The Coon Dog]

Think you might find that game is on Channel 7 digital tommorow morning around 7am. Great win with an undermanned side against a red hot Carlton

Bob Murphy's first game. Garlick has a day out. Always nice to beat that cheating mob!

[Remi Moses]

Bob Murphy's first game. Garlick has a day out. Always nice to beat that cheating mob!

Murphy Looked like a melnourished [spelling]? teenager! Funny thing is he still looks melnourished:D:D

[AndrewP6]

Murphy Looked like a melnourished [spelling]? teenager! Funny thing is he still looks melnourished:D:D

malnourished... :)

And, yes, he sure does!

[GVGjr]

Think you might find that game is on Channel 7 digital tommorow morning around 7am. Great win with an undermanned side against a red hot Carlton

Just finished watching it and it was a great contest.

[The Underdog]

Lowlights-
God 03 and 04 were bad. That 50th anniversary of 1954 game at the MCG against Melbourne was just embarrassing at the time.
The Veale deal draft manipulation was uncomfortable at the time and karmically we paid the price in the long run.
Missing the win against undefeated Essendon to go to a mate's gig at the Hi-Fi. Hey we were no chance, right?
Scott West's retirement was badly reported in the press (and possibly not dealt with perfectly by the club & to a lesser extent player) for what should have been a really special moment of tribute for a club great.
Not getting West, Smith and grant the Premiership they deserved.

Highlights-
The 2005 win against Brisbane at Docklands. A really exciting game, Robbins screamer, Cooney's coming out party. It felt like we were back. In fact the 2nd half of 2005 was pretty exciting aside from the Jeff White free.
2006 final win against Collingwood - enough said.
Cooney's Brownlow - lucky as it was.
Westy's 3 straight b&f's.
Plenty more but they will/have been covered.

[LostDoggy]

My personal favourite highlight is R21 vs Esssendon 2000. Partly because we had practiced the gameplan in the 2nd half the week before against Carlton(I think).

[Sedat]

I still think that the win against Carlton two weeks before at Optus was my most enjoyable win of the decade.
There were 3 wins within 5 weeks in 2000 that were all sensational, the Essendon super-flood and Carlton Bartlett-gate matches that have already been mentioned, and a match against a red-hot North at Docklands where we came back from 42 points down in the 3rd qtr to somehow over-run North and win by a couple of points. Crofty beat Carey hands down in a couple of crucial one-on-ones that helped keep our noses in front at the death. Actually in 2000-2001 we had quite a few memorable come-from-behind victories - I recall a couple down at the Cattery (in one of them we were 8 goals down and then Scott West decided to bring his own football along) as well as one of the games up in Sydney.

Another H&A highlight was when we beat the top-of-the-ladder Crows in 2006 late in the season off the back of Cooney's explosive 5 goals performance and Westy getting a lazy 45 possessions. But nothing beats winning finals so the decade highlights for me have been the wins against the filth in 2006 (probably the best day I've ever had at the football in 30-odd years), Sydney in 2008 and Brisbane in 2009. And conversely nothing matches the desolation of losing against St Kilda in the PF this season for the reasons that TCD has already alluded to. I was also pretty shattered when we did not beat Geelong in the 2008 PF despite what the scribes were calling a mismatch before the start of the game - we certainly put in a massive effort and generated enough opportunities to get over the line. The other massive lowlight for me was our rabbit-in-the-headlights performance in the 2008 QF against Hawthorn - it was a truly inept display by the whole team up in the bright lights of September with the footy world watching. Thankfully we have not plummeted those depths since. As for the Rohde years, the less said the better.

[azabob]

For me two games that really stand out for me are:

Brad Johnsons 300th game and how good of a game it was.

The second game also was against the Crows at the docklands on a Saturday night.

Round 5, 2005.

Down by 3 goals at half time.

Enter Luke Darcy.

After half time Darcy was played from the goal square and took the Crows apart, he ended up with 6 goals we won by 5 odd goals.

However our new forward hero was short lived as he did his knee either the next week or a week or so after that.

[The Coon Dog]

The second game also was against the Crows at the docklands on a Saturday night.

Round 5, 2005.

Down by 3 goals at half time.

Enter Luke Darcy.

After half time Darcy was played from the goal square and took the Crows apart, he ended up with 6 goals we won by 5 odd goals.

However our new forward hero was short lived as he did his knee either the next week or a week or so after that.

Was that also a milestone game? Chris Grant's 300th?

[azabob]

Was that also a milestone game? Chris Grant's 300th?

Think you may be right.
Thinking back now, was also Dale Morris first game and didn't he tag McLeod out of the game?

[The Coon Dog]

A list of all player who played during the decade.

Not a bad effort from Johnno, only missing 4 games in the whole 10 years!

Brad JOHNSON 225
Nathan EAGLETON 205
Scott WEST 177
Daniel GIANSIRACUSA 168
Robert MURPHY 167
Ryan HARGRAVE 164
Lindsay GILBEE 163
Mitchell HAHN 162
Rohan SMITH 153
Brian LAKE (HARRIS) 147
Matthew BOYD 140
Adam COONEY 135
Daniel CROSS 133
Luke DARCY 131
Chris GRANT 128
Matthew ROBBINS 126
Jordan McMAHON 114
Dale MORRIS 112
Ryan GRIFFEN 97
Will MINSON 91
Simon GARLICK 90
Nathan G BROWN 89
Ben HARRISON 85
Sam POWER 84
Matthew CROFT 76
Farren RAY 75
Jason AKERMANIS 68
Paul DIMATTINA 65
Peter STREET 61
Kingsley HUNTER 56
Tony LIBERATORE 56
Steven KRETIUK 55
Shaun HIGGINS 52
Shane BIRSS 51
Patrick BOWDEN 50
Jarrod HARBROW 48
Ben HUDSON 47
Daniel BANDY 45
Wayde SKIPPER 45
Paul HUDSON 43
Trent BARTLETT 42
Dylan ADDISON 42
Josh HILL 42
Mark ALVEY 41
Scott WELSH 40
Todd CURLEY 39
Cameron WIGHT 36
Luke PENNY 35
Craig ELLIS 33
Tom WILLIAMS 33
Simon COX 31
Jose ROMERO 29
Jade RAWLINGS 29
Adam CONTESSA 28
Callan WARD 28
Kieran McGUINNESS 26
Andrejs EVERITT 24
Liam PICKEN 23
Scott WYND 22
Stephen TILLER 21
Cameron FAULKNER 18
Brett MONTGOMERY 18
Tim CALLAN 18
Scott BASSETT 15
Adam MORGAN 14
Paul DOOLEY 13
Steve KOLYNUIK 12
Patrick WIGGINS 12
Steven KOOPS 11
Andrew WILLS 10
Nathan SAUNDERS 10
Jim PLUNKETT 8
Danny SOUTHERN 7
Brad MURPHY 7
Matthew DENT 6
Andrew McDOUGALL 5
Sam REID 5
Josh MAHONEY 4
Damien McCORMACK 4
Travis BAIRD 3
Brennan STACK 3
Christin MACRI 2
Nicholas BRUTON 2
Malcolm LYNCH 2
Easton WOOD 2
Aaron JAMES 1
Tim WALSH 1
Jarrad GRANT 1

[comrade]

Awesome list, TCD.

Anyone prepared to take a stab at our best and worst player of the decade?

PS: Who the hell is Christian Macri?

[mjp]

Awesome list, TCD.

Anyone prepared to take a stab at our best and worst player of the decade?



No - but seeing the only two key forwards we used top 10 draft picks on in positions last and 2nd last on cd's list was not happy reading.

[The Coon Dog]

Awesome list, TCD.

Anyone prepared to take a stab at our best and worst player of the decade?

PS: Who the hell is Christian Macri?

Christin, not Christian.

Was from Gippsland, I have a feeling Chocco might have coached him & got him to the club.

[LostDoggy]

I'll take a stab
Best - Johnson or West, take your pick
Worst - Sammy Power. Dunno why he got picked every week. He coughed the ball up way too much and gave away too many clangers.

[boydogs]

Anyone prepared to take a stab at our best and worst player of the decade?

Best: Brad Johnson on overall contribution - playing 48 more than anyone else excluding Eagle helps him here. Tempted to have Chris Grant in his place from 15th on the games played list. West not far behind.

Worst: Tim Walsh - 1 game from a first rounder

[comrade]

Best: Brad Johnson on overall contribution - playing 48 more than anyone else excluding Eagle helps him here. Tempted to have Chris Grant in his place from 15th on the games played list. West not far behind.

Worst: Tim Walsh - 1 game from a first rounder

He might have been a major disappointment, but surely Walsh wasn't the worst player of the decade?

[GVGjr]

He might have been a major disappointment, but surely Walsh wasn't the worst player of the decade?

Jesse Wells would have to be in the mix given where we drafted him.

[Happy Days]

Jesse Wells would have to be in the mix given where we drafted him.

Seeing as he didn't play, does he even qualify?

[hujsh]

Was that also a milestone game? Chris Grant's 300th?

Certainly was.



Thinking back now, was also Dale Morris first game and didn't he tag McLeod out of the game?

He played on McLeod and possibly Ricciuto

[The Doctor]

Best Player of the Decade - Johnno. Eagle gets an honourable mention.

Worst Player of the Decade - Aaron James from Nick Bruton

[The Pie Man]

Round 5, 2005.

Down by 3 goals at half time.

Enter Luke Darcy.

After half time Darcy was played from the goal square and took the Crows apart, he ended up with 6 goals we won by 5 odd goals.



Big night (and yes, twas Turtle's 300th)

That half time margin should've been more than 3 goals - right on half time a Crows player (whose identity escapes me right now) took a mark in the goal square, played on and kicked the goal, but as he played on the siren went so the goal didn't stand. Was a certain goal if he went back to kick over the mark...much laughter and relief was had.

It gave us a strange momentum going into the 2nd half that the strutting peacock (Darcy) took hold of in the 3rd.

[The Pie Man]

Christin, not Christian.

Was from Gippsland, I have a feeling Chocco might have coached him & got him to the club.

Kicked a goal at Optus as well, was a shame he didn't get more of a run in the seniors, looked good on the lead.

[The Underdog]

Best Player of the Decade - Johnno. Eagle gets an honourable mention.

Worst Player of the Decade - Aaron James from Nick Bruton

Eagle over Westy or just thrown in as someone who will potentially be overlooked?
I'd put the output of Gia, Hargrave, Lake, Grant, Darcy, Brown and Morris above him despite less games.

Given West won 3 B&F's this decade, he and Johnno are the obvious standouts for me over the majority of the decade. Grant and Darcy unfortunately were cruelled by injury at crucial points. Their best was fantastic but the other 2 had a longer period of genuine top level play.

I'd agree with you on James and Bruton. Bruton was like less talented underdeveloped version of Peter Street who only got a game in an awful team. James was done and obviously didn't care.

[Mantis]

Eagle over Westy or just thrown in as someone who will potentially be overlooked?
I'd put the output of Gia, Hargrave, Lake, Grant, Darcy, Brown and Morris above him despite less games.

Given West won 3 B&F's this decade, he and Johnno are the obvious standouts for me over the majority of the decade. Grant and Darcy unfortunately were cruelled by injury at crucial points. Their best was fantastic but the other 2 had a longer period of genuine top level play.

I'd agree with you on James and Bruton. Bruton was like less talented underdeveloped version of Peter Street who only got a game in an awful team. James was done and obviously didn't care.

It was 4.

Clearly West & Johnson were our most consistent players in this period.

[chef]

It was 4.

Clearly West & Johnson were our most consistent players in this period.

They clearly were.

Scott Basset would have to be my worst Bulldog of the decade.

[boydogs]

He might have been a major disappointment, but surely Walsh wasn't the worst player of the decade?

Fair enough. For someone who played a few more games, I didn't think much of Luke Penny. He was better at the Saints though.

[The Underdog]

It was 4.

Clearly West & Johnson were our most consistent players in this period.

My bad, got stuck on the 3 consecutive, forgot the other.

[Sedat]

Peter STREET 61
Jade RAWLINGS 29
Scott BASSETT 15
Adam MORGAN 14
Steven KOOPS 11


Good to see the Peter Rohde trading and recruiting strategy in 2002/03 reaped such handsome dividends for the club.

[Bulldog Revolution]

My highlight and lowlight of the decade was the 09 prelim final against St Kilda - it was the closest we have been to winning the whole thing, and a very good performance from the team, but bnot quite good enough. However the first final performance against Geelong in 09 was an incredibly disappointing performance lacking the intensity the occassion required.

A major disappointment was Luke Darcys knee - a career killed by injury after he'd been named AFLPA MVP in 2002

Johnson and West the decades standouts - West the most consistent performer I've ever seen, and Johnson not too far behind him.

[Sedat]

Lowlights? How about the Holy Trinity of Peter Rohde, Stephen Newport and Barry Richardson :D

[chef]

Good to see the Peter Rohde trading and recruiting strategy in 2002/03 reaped such handsome dividends for the club.

It was also the same draft that we could have taken Hudson, but Rohde didn't want him.

[LostDoggy]

One of my highlights was beating St Kilda at the MCG in June 2004. We were 15th, they were on top of the ladder. They'd won quite a few games in a row, 9 I think. No one gave us a chance and we beat them by 4 goals. It was my birthday that day too - I think they won it for me!! :D

[The Coon Dog]

One of my highlights was beating St Kilda at the MCG in June 2004.

That was when Lenny Hayes was captain & started on the bench. Thomas copped a fair bit of flak over that.

[chef]

That was when Lenny Hayes was captain & started on the bench. Thomas copped a fair bit of flak over that.

And Rohan Smith kicked four goals.

[Bulldog Revolution]

And Rohan Smith kicked four goals.

Also Sam Power tagged Nick Dal Santo, and Ben Harrison took Riewoldt if I remember correctly

[Mantis]

Good to see the Peter Rohde trading and recruiting strategy in 2002/03 reaped such handsome dividends for the club.

The only thing that is perhaps a little comforting is that those drafts weren't particularly strong in depth or quality.

[LostDoggy]

Fun thread -- although, pedantically, the next decade doesn't start till 2011. This decade (and millenium) also started in 2001, not 2000, but nevermind!

These last ten years are broken down into two halves for me -- Pre-Rocket and Post-Rocket. Pre-Rocket going to the footy was as depressing, hopeless and painful as it has ever been, especially with the weekly reports in the papers of our dire financial position and the old EJ stand at the WO decrepit and falling apart.

Post-Rocket -- and of course much of the credit has to go to Rose and Smorgs -- our profile has just skyrocketed and we are no longer a downtrodden poor club (debt notwithstanding, but that's another issue and one that merits nuanced analysis -- but that's a discussion for another thread), but one that is a lot closer to realising our potential as a megaclub with a monopolistic stranglehold on an entire half of Melbourne, both on and off the field.

--

Highlights (other than the ones already mentioned) --

1. The new Whitten Oval. The contrast between the depressing, rotting and underused relic and the spanking new community hub, educational faculty and world-class sporting facility (I still think that location-wise, a further-upgraded WO is where Melbourne's third footy stadium should logically be) speaks volumes for the journey we have been on.

2. Johnno kicking 8 goals against the Cats in Round 1, 2007.

3. Our 2008, Round 4 comeback against the Saints after going 7 goals down in the first quarter to finally break the hoodoo.

Lowlights:

1. Prelim 2009. 'Nuff said.

2. Darc's two ACL tears. I did mine the same week he did his first one, and had the same surgeon do my reco, so I felt in some way like I went through the ordeal with him. When he did his second one I was still in rehab and it spooked me bad, and made me ease up on my workload quite considerably.

3. Wallace & Brown. No need to retread old ground, but already going through dark times, it was like a kick in the teeth.

--

Best player: Aker would have to come close wouldn't he? I know he's only been here 3 years (4 if we include the upcoming season) but geez, he's been fantastic. Most important player in the last 5 years would be Lake/Harris. But of course, when all else is said and done, there's only one Brad Johnson.

Worst player: So many players came and went without ever making it onto the field (and we thank them all, good or bad), and while no one who makes it to this level is an out-and-out dud, Jesse Wells would have to come close to someone who made an AFL list just because he was born with tall genes. Of those that actually played, Tim Walsh is hard to go past, but I think a fun nomination is Danny Southern, who, like Mick Martyn, was great at what he did without actually being able to play football at all. I remember a rare kick for goal Danny had that seriously ended up closer to the 50 metre arc line than anywhere near the sticks.

[comrade]

Fun thread -- although, pedantically, the next decade doesn't start till 2011. This decade (and millenium) also started in 2001, not 2000, but nevermind!



So 1990 was actually part of the 80s? My 'Best Of The 90s' Smash Hits CD lied!

[LostDoggy]

So 1990 was actually part of the 80s? My 'Best Of The 90s' Smash Hits CD lied!

If your CD included anything by the New Kids on the Block, you bet your @$$ they lied!

ps. I don't know anymore. Of course 1990 is part of the 90's, right? Yet, it's not, it's the end of the 80's. All because there wasn't a 'Year 0'. Oh, who cares... :)

[Sedat]

So 1990 was actually part of the 80s?
I prefer to forget that 1990 ever existed (except for the bit when Libba won the Brownlow)

[Sedat]

but I think a fun nomination is Danny Southern, who, like Mick Martyn, was great at what he did without actually being able to play football at all.
Pretty harsh on Southern I reckon. He was a terrific defender for us and his unfortunate suspension for wrestling in Round 22 1997 agruably cost us a premiership. Even though he was only 24 at the time, his body was shot to pieces in 2000, and 5 games in a row on the rock-hard Docklands playing surface early in that season finished him off for good.

[LostDoggy]

Pretty harsh on Southern I reckon. He was a terrific defender for us and his unfortunate suspension for wrestling in Round 22 1997 agruably cost us a premiership. Even though he was only 24 at the time, his body was shot to pieces in 2000, and 5 games in a row on the rock-hard Docklands playing surface early in that season finished him off for good.

Hi Sedat -- 'twas only a joke nomination. I love Danny and I certainly meant no disrespect. Like you said, he was a great defender, and I mentioned him in the same breath as Mick Martyn as the type of footballer who played an incredibly important role for the team (hard-man, wrestling gorillas etc.) but who didn't really have what you would call classical football skills, or even basic disposal.

We see less and less of this type of player these days because you really need to be a bit more versatile, so the AFL doesn't really have one-trick ponies anymore; the retirement of Fraser Gehrig -- ironically a gun wingman nearer the start of his career -- probably saw the extinction of the one-dimensional gorilla forward (Bazza and Jon Brown notwithstanding, although I think these guys have a bit more to their bow) and so saw the end of slow gorilla defenders (except Presti). Oh wait, has Rocca retired yet? Amazing how Presti and Rocca both play for Collingwood.

[Mantis]

Hi Sedat -- 'twas only a joke nomination. I love Danny and I certainly meant no disrespect. Like you said, he was a great defender, and I mentioned him in the same breath as Mick Martyn as the type of footballer who played an incredibly important role for the team (hard-man, wrestling gorillas etc.) but who didn't really have what you would call classical football skills, or even basic disposal.

We see less and less of this type of player these days because you really need to be a bit more versatile, so the AFL doesn't really have one-trick ponies anymore; the retirement of Fraser Gehrig -- ironically a gun wingman nearer the start of his career -- probably saw the extinction of the one-dimensional gorilla forward (Bazza and Jon Brown notwithstanding, although I think these guys have a bit more to their bow) and so saw the end of slow gorilla defenders (except Presti). Oh wait, has Rocca retired yet? Amazing how Presti and Rocca both play for Collingwood.

I can't agree with that.

Southern was actually a well skilled player who was a very sound kick. His rough exterior hid a player who was very efficient at disposing of the ball and if not for his bad knees he would have been a 10 year player.

The comparison with Martyn is totally unfair.

[LostDoggy]

I can't agree with that.

Southern was actually a well skilled player who was a very sound kick. His rough exterior hid a player who was very efficient at disposing of the ball and if not for his bad knees he would have been a 10 year player.

The comparison with Martyn is totally unfair.

Whoops.. didn't mean to stir anyone with a fun nomination! (Martyn is a 300-gamer so I actually thought Danny may be flattered by the comparison...) :o

I hereby withdraw it and resubmit my original nominations of Jesse Wells and Tim Walsh. :)

[Ozza]

Brad Johnson has probably been the most consistent performer of the decade in the entire league - and an out and out matchwinner - so he is a no-brainer for my BEST of the decade.

Hard to pick the WORST - we've had some shockers that have played 10+ games. Bassett, Street, Wiggins, Contessa, Skipper, Kingsley Hunter all played pretty regularly in the years that we were on or near the bottom. We love them all because they are bulldogs - but could you imagine how far they'd be off getting selected these days! Ahh its good to be a good team!

[GetDimmaBack]

Brad Johnson has probably been the most consistent performer of the decade in the entire league - and an out and out matchwinner - so he is a no-brainer for my BEST of the decade.

Hard to pick the WORST - we've had some shockers that have played 10+ games. Bassett, Street, Wiggins, Contessa, Skipper, Kingsley Hunter all played pretty regularly in the years that we were on or near the bottom. We love them all because they are bulldogs - but could you imagine how far they'd be off getting selected these days! Ahh its good to be a good team!

Not sure that I'd put Adam Contessa in that group. He played some pretty good games, especially in a couple of tight ones, eg the day we came from 40-odd points down to beat North (Croft outmarking Carey with seconds to go). Also did well the night we rolled Essendon in 2000. He was all heart.
Agree with the others, though - but I hate to say that because they were all better than me, and therefore I don't think I have any right to criticise them (am I being too serious here?).

[bornadog]

I prefer to forget that 1990 ever existed (except for the bit when Libba won the Brownlow)

I was so happy to see the team survive, that I loved 1990, especially beating Collingwood at the MCG after they had won about 12 in a row.

[The Pie Man]

I can't agree with that.

Southern was actually a well skilled player who was a very sound kick. His rough exterior hid a player who was very efficient at disposing of the ball and if not for his bad knees he would have been a 10 year player.

The comparison with Martyn is totally unfair.

While acknowledging Lantern has said this is a gag, I thought I'd add that Daniel was seriously good overhead as well, one of the best marks I've seen at the club (C Grant & Lake the best I can remember in my time)

[Remi Moses]

One of my highlights was beating St Kilda at the MCG in June 2004. We were 15th, they were on top of the ladder. They'd won quite a few games in a row, 9 I think. No one gave us a chance and we beat them by 4 goals. It was my birthday that day too - I think they won it for me!! :D

Would you believe a Stkilda bandwagoner gave me 10 goals in.!!Shocking supporter this bloke as well.

[LostDoggy]

Agree with the others, though - but I hate to say that because they were all better than me, and therefore I don't think I have any right to criticise them (am I being too serious here?).

I have a simplistic theory on this, but follow me -- those of us who have been in managerial positions or owned a company, or heck, hired an accountant to do our taxes, pay all the time for others to have skills that we don't have or don't have the time to develop, and are well entitled to expect them to provide the skills that we pay for.

So in deciding to criticise players, instead of worrying if you were better than them, the more appropriate (albeit simplistic, granted) question may be: how much criticism is really warranted for a $100/$300/$500/$1000/$50,000 per annum investment (via membership fees) in the team? I would suggest that someone like GVGjr, or a major sponsor, who has invested a lot of cash and time in the team has more of a 'right' to send some criticism the players' way than some rabid-kid-who-can't-spell-properly on BF (for example).

Oh, and non-members should shut the hell up. ;) (kidding!)

[Sockeye Salmon]

Oh, and non-members should shut the hell up. ;) (kidding!)

Not really.