Brian Lake told future lies with Western Bulldogs

[The Coon Dog]

Mark Stevens - Herald Sun - 1 July

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/05/28/1226064/597881-brian-lake.jpg

BRIAN Lake has been strongly told his long-term future lies with Western Bulldogs despite a dramatic slide to VFL ranks.

The Bulldogs have gone on the front foot amid speculation Lake might be open to a fresh start elsewhere.

But the club told the two-time All-Australian he would not be traded under any circumstances.

"There is no way he is going to be traded. He is a required player," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said.

Article in full... (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/brian-lake-told-future-lies-with-western-bulldogs/story-e6frf9nx-1226085234096)

[Go_Dogs]

Glad the club have come out and backed him in, positively (finally).

[chef]

We are a premiership threat next season with a fit Lake, so I don't see the point of getting rid of him.

[Mantis]

We are a premiership threat next season with a fit Lake, so I don't see the point of getting rid of him.

We are?

A lot will need to change very quickly for this to occur.

[LostDoggy]

IF he is digruntled, and having trouble with soreness, maybe he should be moved on, while he still has some currency. He's not getting any younger.

[LostDoggy]

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago this website was exploding with articles and post about signing Lake, and hope he doesn't go etc etc.
He's had a lame year with fitness and preparation, an optimistic view could see that if he goes away and sorts himself out, has a good preseason and prepares corectly then maybe he could have a 2010 year in 2012????

[Dry Rot]

We are a premiership threat next season with a fit Lake, so I don't see the point of getting rid of him.

And what do you think if we're not a premiership threat for at least two years?

[LostDoggy]

And what do you think if we're not a premiership threat for at least two years?

Are you saying we have no chance if they don't trade Lake? Or just ingeneral no chance for two years?

[1eyedog]

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago this website was exploding with articles and post about signing Lake, and hope he doesn't go etc etc.
He's had a lame year with fitness and preparation, an optimistic view could see that if he goes away and sorts himself out, has a good preseason and prepares corectly then maybe he could have a 2010 year in 2012????

Wasn't Lake signed in 2009?

[Dry Rot]

Are you saying we have no chance if they don't trade Lake? Or just ingeneral no chance for two years?

The latter.

We are rebuilding. The young guys need a season or two of experience and the older guys will continue to fade or retire. Next year will be difficult, with a new coach and game plan and still inexperienced kids. Look how long it's taken Carlton with their draft picks.

At best we might be a bit of threat in Lake's last season. This is some logic to trading him, assuming we get a good return.

[Dry Rot]

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago this website was exploding with articles and post about signing Lake, and hope he doesn't go etc etc.
He's had a lame year with fitness and preparation, an optimistic view could see that if he goes away and sorts himself out, has a good preseason and prepares corectly then maybe he could have a 2010 year in 2012????

Playing for a bottom 4 or 6 team....

[AndrewP6]

Be interesting if he says "I want out" and they say "No, you're required". That'll do him a world of good :rolleyes:

[ledge]

The latter.

We are rebuilding. The young guys need a season or two of experience and the older guys will continue to fade or retire. Next year will be difficult, with a new coach and game plan and still inexperienced kids. Look how long it's taken Carlton with their draft picks.

At best we might be a bit of threat in Lake's last season. This is some logic to trading him, assuming we get a good return.

New coach??? what do you know that we dont?
Article says we are an embattled club, thats news to me also, won our last 2 and a win this week puts us just outside the 8.

[GVGjr]

We are rebuilding. The young guys need a season or two of experience and the older guys will continue to fade or retire. Next year will be difficult, with a new coach and game plan and still inexperienced kids. Look how long it's taken Carlton with their draft picks.

At best we might be a bit of threat in Lake's last season. This is some logic to trading him, assuming we get a good return.

Can't agree. I think for a variety of reasons we have had a poor year but we aren't at the rebuilding phase especially given the amount of younger guys we have on the list. We need to be prudent with our list management of the older guys (like we should every season) but we aren't at the rebuild stage yet.

[immortalmike]

New coach??? what do you know that we dont?
Article says we are an embattled club, thats news to me also, won our last 2 and a win this week puts us just outside the 8.

Nah he doesn't, I think Dry Rot just thinks that if he says it often enough it will actually happen.

On Topic: I'm happy we're backing Brian and I hope he gets back into form. There's no reason we can't re-structure (rather than re-build) without entirely bottoming out while Lakey's still playing well. Hell I thought Scarlett was gone at the end of last year (Fletcher too) but he proved me very wrong, why can't Brian emulate that.

[chef]

We are?
A lot will need to change very quickly for this to occur.

I think we will be, as long as we get a good run with injury(and not lose Ward).

I think this season has showed exactly how important Lake is to our side and hopefully he isn't finished just yet.

[chef]

And what do you think if we're not a premiership threat for at least two years?

With a fit Lake we can be IMO. He is that important to our side.

[Dry Rot]

Can't agree. I think for a variety of reasons we have had a poor year but we aren't at the rebuilding phase especially given the amount of younger guys we have on the list. We need to be prudent with our list management of the older guys (like we should every season) but we aren't at the rebuild stage yet.

Well, Hall and Hudson will be leaving at season's end, Hargrave's foot and future is uncertain, Gilbee is contracted but unlikely to play Howard etc improve and many believe Cross is near the end given his limitations. I reckon Lake will try to leave.

That leaves Boyd Morris Murphy and Gia as our senior players from memory. At best we will have a very inexperienced forward line next year.

Looks like a rebuild to me.

[Dry Rot]

With a fit Lake we can be IMO. He is that important to our side.

That is quite different to being competitive. Can't see it myself for at least 2 years.

[Go_Dogs]

I think for a variety of reasons we have had a poor year but we aren't at the rebuilding phase especially given the amount of younger guys we have on the list. We need to be prudent with our list management of the older guys (like we should every season) but we aren't at the rebuild stage yet.

Have to agree. We have (when fit) arguably the best midfield in the league (and that's on demonstrated match play, not hope), top tier defenders and a learning forward line.

It's not time for a clean out, but we need to move the right players on. If we continue to persist with blokes like Hudson, Gilbee and a few others next year if their form continues to be questionable, then we're stuffed.

We can rebound pretty quickly IMO, although I am one of those optimistic supporters that still thinks finals are a big shot this year. :o

[chef]

Well, Hall and Hudson will be leaving at season's end, Hargrave's foot and future is uncertain, Gilbee is contracted but unlikely to play Howard etc improve and many believe Cross is near the end given his limitations. I reckon Lake will try to leave.

That leaves Boyd Morris Murphy and Gia as our senior players from memory. At best we will have a very inexperienced forward line next year.

Looks like a rebuild to me.

That's already begun.

[chef]

That is quite different to being competitive. Can't see it myself for at least 2 years.

Fair enough, I see it differently. A fit Cooney and Lake and we are a completely different team.

[LostDoggy]

The latter.

We are rebuilding. The young guys need a season or two of experience and the older guys will continue to fade or retire. Next year will be difficult, with a new coach and game plan and still inexperienced kids. Look how long it's taken Carlton with their draft picks.

At best we might be a bit of threat in Lake's last season. This is some logic to trading him, assuming we get a good return.


Can't agree. I think for a variety of reasons we have had a poor year but we aren't at the rebuilding phase especially given the amount of younger guys we have on the list. We need to be prudent with our list management of the older guys (like we should every season) but we aren't at the rebuild stage yet.

Is it possible to have (for lack of a better word) a half rebuild? Or even a refurb' year where the team may still finish 7th - 9th???
Due to certain players being injured some of the younger kids got a run. It doesn't mean they have a permanent spot in the team but it gives them an opportunity they would otherwise not have. I think players like Dahlhaus have made the most of Cooney's, Lake's, Shaggy's etc. injuries this year, and as you guys know these players mentioned a far from done.

[GVGjr]

Is it possible to have (for lack of a better word) a half rebuild? Or even a refurb' year where the team may still finish 7th - 9th???
Due to certain players being injured some of the younger kids got a run. It doesn't mean they have a permanent spot in the team but it gives them an opportunity they would otherwise not have. I think players like Dahlhaus have made the most of Cooney's, Lake's, Shaggy's etc. injuries this year, and as you guys know these players mentioned a far from done.

Most teams change a fair portion of their list even when they have been successful so yes teams will often tweaks their lists a fraction more than they otherwise would prefer.
The Pies for example had something like 11 changes to their premiership list last year.