Daniel Pratt and Our Defence

[azabob]

2024 saw a major change and shift in our coaching panel. Daniel Pratt replaced long-time servant of the club, Rohan Smith, much to the displeasure of coach Luke Beveridge at the time.

Not only did we have a coaching change, but positional challenges and changes occurred. Ed Richards said thanks but no thanks—taking his talents to the midfield. Bailey Dale took six or so weeks to get out of his funk, and, of course, the big one: Rory Lobb dominating at CHB. Lobb finished the season with a staggering 82 intercept possessions. That is mind-blowing, considering he played only ten games in defence.

If you can’t get the “ball back” in today’s modern game, you will not win games of football. No if’s, no but’s, no maybe’s—you simply won’t win games that matter.

After the home-and-away season, from a Points Scored Against perspective, our Bulldogs were the best defensive unit. Lobb played a huge role in this. His staggering 82 intercept possessions across just ten games in defence—despite having no prior exposure to CHB—were remarkable. For the majority of the season, visually, our full-ground game looked like we had a more defensive mindset.

Looking ahead to 2025,

- Do you expect to see more improvement from our back seven?
- Can Rory Lobb continue his development as a CHB now that he has a whole preseason to prepare?
- Will Jedd Busslinger put pressure on Liam Jones in the second half of the season?
- Does Buku Khamis, with his intercepting abilities (so vital in the modern game), get the nod over James O’Donnell?
- Can our forwards improve their inside 50 pressure to help out our back seven?

Most importantly, will the recruitment of Matt Kennedy help stiffen the defensive mindset of our midfield? Or will James Harmes or Harvey Gallagher take on that role?

Maybe, just maybe, one of Chris Grant’s last major decisions will be the key reason the flag will wag in 2025.

[jazzadogs]

I think we MUST have improvement from our back 7 to challenge for the flag. Young guys putting pressure on older guys, at least one of JOD, buku, Buss playing 20+ games, someone putting pressure on Duryea. The concern is that I'm not sure how many more levels Jones, Coffield and Bramble have.

Lobb for AA CHB conversation (he was at that level to end the season, so no reason he can't do it for a whole year).

I think Buss will get games due to Jones injuries, and it would be great for us if he performs well enough to keep LJ out of the team.

I think Buku v JOD is a nil all draw at this stage. Maybe 1-1. There's not much to split them and that's not necessarily a good thing.

I think the forwards and mids, and full ground press/zone, will be the key to the success of our backline in 2024. I would be much happier with Kennedy playing the Dunkley role than Harmes or Gallagher.

[ArsenalFC]

The way i'm feeling about our defence next year is that there's plenty of growth and development but equally players slightly dropping off due to age.

I feel like there's development in Baku,JOD, Buss, Coffield, Bramble, Joel whereas we should see small and hopefully slight drop off's in Lobb and Jones, JJ, Doc.

Lobb could go the other way with his recent move but time will tell. I really want Baku to work but injuries and form play a hugh part.

[Grantysghost]

Great thread AB.

Going into last season it was my major concern and I think we did remarkably well all things considered.

If Buss can come into the mix and really push for an AFL spot I'm liking our talls.

Freijah was a massive bonus and allowed us to push Ed into the midfield.

I'm more worried about the smaller side of things.

Dale and Freijah need an understudy so I hope JJ can be part of the that group consistently.

The lock down small Duryea does is still a weakness. Not sure we have enough depth in this area still granted it's a hard spot to recruit for.

[Dazza]

Would love a few guys having A.A calibre seasons down back. Been a weakness for a while. Lobb was absolutely huge last year and is probably my candidate for CHB A.A

[Cmac1297]

Great thread AB.

Going into last season it was my major concern and I think we did remarkably well all things considered.

If Buss can come into the mix and really push for an AFL spot I'm liking our talls.

Freijah was a massive bonus and allowed us to push Ed into the midfield.

I'm more worried about the smaller side of things.

Dale and Freijah need an understudy so I hope JJ can be part of the that group consistently.

The lock down small Duryea does is still a weakness. Not sure we have enough depth in this area still granted it's a hard spot to recruit for.

Do you think Coffield could play that small lock down role? Hopefully has an un interrupted season injury wise and can maybe push Duryea for that spot

[Grantysghost]

Do you think Coffield could play that small lock down role? Hopefully has an un interrupted season injury wise and can maybe push Duryea for that spot

Good question. I'm not holding my breath he looks off the pace, but maybe if he can get an uninterrupted run at it he could.

[jazzadogs]

Do you think Coffield could play that small lock down role? Hopefully has an un interrupted season injury wise and can maybe push Duryea for that spot

I would worry that he is too tall at 191cm, and also not quick or agile enough for the typical small forward.

Coffield is competing for the third tall role with Buku, JOD, Buss imo.

[Testekill]

While it kinda sucks that Bubba was moved on so unceremoniously, the changes that Pratt put in place last season made us so much stingier and hard to play against. The big thing we need to do is find that longterm replacement for Duryea.

[Uninformed]

I am optimistic that Pratt will be able to develop on last year, his first with the group. Be interesting to see if this year we have better system, connection and understanding as well.
You would think a pre-season back will help Lobb. A positive training report on JJ makes me hope his body holds out and same for Jones and Duryea. Freijah must have improvement and Bramble keeps on surprising.
Looking good!

[GVGjr]

I would worry that he is too tall at 191cm, and also not quick or agile enough for the typical small forward.

Coffield is competing for the third tall role with Buku, JOD, Buss imo.

Have to agree, if he can get fit and stay somewhat injury free he has the scope to be a regular senior player but if he doesn't then he's more likely a depth player.

[Rusty12]

The third tall defender, might be the most interesting spot to watch all pre-season. None of the options provide enough run to be a 4th, or play off the bench, and it seems like

[Rusty12]

There are 5 players fighting for it.

[Thebont88]

2024 saw a major change and shift in our coaching panel. Daniel Pratt replaced long-time servant of the club, Rohan Smith, much to the displeasure of coach Luke Beveridge at the time.

Not only did we have a coaching change, but positional challenges and changes occurred. Ed Richards said thanks but no thanks—taking his talents to the midfield. Bailey Dale took six or so weeks to get out of his funk, and, of course, the big one: Rory Lobb dominating at CHB. Lobb finished the season with a staggering 82 intercept possessions. That is mind-blowing, considering he played only ten games in defence.

If you can’t get the “ball back” in today’s modern game, you will not win games of football. No if’s, no but’s, no maybe’s—you simply won’t win games that matter.

After the home-and-away season, from a Points Scored Against perspective, our Bulldogs were the best defensive unit. Lobb played a huge role in this. His staggering 82 intercept possessions across just ten games in defence—despite having no prior exposure to CHB—were remarkable. For the majority of the season, visually, our full-ground game looked like we had a more defensive mindset.

Looking ahead to 2025,

- Do you expect to see more improvement from our back seven?
- Can Rory Lobb continue his development as a CHB now that he has a whole preseason to prepare?
- Will Jedd Busslinger put pressure on Liam Jones in the second half of the season?
- Does Buku Khamis, with his intercepting abilities (so vital in the modern game), get the nod over James O’Donnell?
- Can our forwards improve their inside 50 pressure to help out our back seven?

Most importantly, will the recruitment of Matt Kennedy help stiffen the defensive mindset of our midfield? Or will James Harmes or Harvey Gallagher take on that role?

Maybe, just maybe, one of Chris Grant’s last major decisions will be the key reason the flag will wag in 2025.

Looove this post.

Will be everything to this defense if we can manage to get a full season out of both Lobb and Jones as the key pillers.

As you mentioned, they only had a handful of games together in 2024.

I’m also rather excited to see that JJ is up and about.
Having JJ, Bramble and dale streaming out and hitting up our 3 big tall forwards will be fantastic to see.

[FrediKanoute]

What worries me most is how we get games into Jed. It's almost like we would have to sacrifice performance in order to the develop him as on paper L Jones and Lobb are superior!