Western Bulldogs paid the price for winning a flag before their time but have a bright future
THE Western Bulldogs have been savaged for a two-season long premiership hangover but they haven’t just been laying low on the couch — Luke Beveridge and the club are building a team set to challenge again.
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HAVE the Dogs suffered a two-year premiership hangover or did they reach the top too early?
After a second year outside the finals, the Bulldogs are building again with a young core of promising stars.
How many Dogs will be a part of the next premiership charge?
DOG OUT: DAHLHAUS SET TO LEAVE KENNEL
STAYING PUT: GORDON TO STAY ON AS PRESIDENT
THE DIAGNOSIS
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again; Luke Beveridge is the victim of winning a premiership out of turn.
While the club has taken a beating over its underwhelming performances since the 2016 flag, the Dogs are far from a basket case.
They had some big injuries (Tom Liberatore, Liam Picken, Matt Suckling, Easton Wood, Tom Boyd) this season.
Stripping it back, they need a consistent goalkicker, a big-bodied forward, someone strong who will make an aerial contest. And maybe someone with speed.
TRADE TABLE
Luke Dahlhaus is already out the door and there’s talk defender Marcus Adams wants back west.
Jordan Roughead is out of favour and has also been sniffing around the West Coast too.
Richmond fringe midfield-forward Sam Lloyd has been linked to the Kennel and would a play for out-of-contract Cat Wylie Buzza be such a dumb move?
DRAFT STRATEGY
The Bulldogs have unearthed some draft gold in Ed Richards and Aaron Naughton, so trust them to find some nuggets again.
The Dogs shouldn’t chase too many big names, building through kids is the way to go.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
* The kids. Ed Richards the stylish defender-cum-forward is destined for greatness. Aaron Naughton stood tall in an undermanned defence and showed something when thrown forward as well. Then there’s Billy Gowers, Brad Lynch and Pat Lipinski. You can throw Josh Schache in that mix too, he’s starting to look like a No. 2 national draft pick.
* The Dogs only won eight games but improved late, showing promise with a win against Geelong in Round 15 and coming home strong with three victories and a close loss to Richmond in Round 23.
* The Bont. The captain-in-waiting brings people to the footy. His performance against North Melbourne in Round 21 - he had 35 touches and kicked two goals - can become the norm for this star.
ROBBO SAYS
Never really a threat, which was disappointing because there was some confidence this team would rebound after a poor 2017. The emergence of kids - Aaron Naughton, Ed Richards, Fergus Greene and Pat Lipinski - gives hope, but there is a bit to fix.
WHO WINS THE B&F?
Jack Macrae, who was unlucky not to be named All-Australian. Important in almost all of his 19 games.
NEXT YEAR’S GOAL
Finals are a possibility next year but more learning and building in 2019 will bode well for a serious tilt in a few years.
WHAT YEAR SHOULD YOU BOOK YOUR GRAND FINAL TICKETS?
2021, so not long.
WHO MAKES THE NEXT PREMIERSHIP TEAM?
B: Lewis Young, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Williams
HB: Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Ed Richards
C: Josh Dunkley, Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter
HF: Mitch Wallis, Billy Gowers, Toby McLean
F: Josh Schache, Tom Boyd, Fergus Greene
Foll: Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae
I/C: Lin Jong, Brad Lynch, Caleb Daniel, Pat Lipinski
Originally published as Western Bulldogs paid the price for winning a flag before their time but have a bright future