AFL 2021 preview: Addition of Adam Treloar poses questions about Bulldogs’ midfield mix
Adam Treloar’s arrival gives Luke Beveridge another weapon to deploy in the middle. But it also gives the Dogs coach a big problem. Check out our 2021 preview.
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The Bulldogs haven’t won a final since that stunning run to the 2016 premiership and while they’ve been a young side under Luke Beveridge, it’s time for maturity.
Does the addition of Adam Treloar make them a serious premiership threat? And what does his arrival mean for Marcus Bontempelli?
Then there’s No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. The Bulldogs have told fans to be patient but with so much buzz around him, surely he gets a gig in Round 1 — it’s just a matter of where Beveridge plays him.
Jon Ralph answers the big questions facing the Bulldogs heading into 2021.
OFF-SEASON
INS: Adam Treloar, Mitch Hannan, Stef Martin, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (pick 1), Dominic Bedendo (pick 55), Lachlan McNeil (rookie draft)
OUTS: Ben Cavarra (delisted), Tory Dickson (retired), Billy Gowers (delisted), Fergus Greene (delisted), Brad Lynch (delisted), Callum Porter (delisted), Matt Suckling (delisted), Jackson Trengove (delisted), Lachie Young (traded to North Melbourne)
COACH STATUS
Luke Beveridge is safe as houses with a contract through to 2023 and a stocked list that has no excuses for 2021 given the Dogs kept Josh Dunkley from joining Essendon and secured Adam Treloar from Collingwood. But since that remarkable four-win finals campaign of 2016, the Dogs haven’t won a final, crushed against GWS and then soundly beaten early by St Kilda but roaring home to get within four points in the one that got away. They seem to have been an eternally young side under Beveridge but season 2021 is time for maturity to kick in. As a coach, he won’t want to finish a one-flag wonder — even though that premiership will be considered one of the greats in history.
GAME PLAN
The Dogs were happy handballers again, first in handballs but only 15th in kicks as they again used a high-volume system to move the ball from end to end.
But while their scoring profile was fine the troubles of Josh Bruce in his first year and an injury to Aaron Naughton meant the forward line at times stuttered. Surprisingly, Mitch Wallis returned a club-high 25 goals.
They were 18th for hit-outs, a clear cause for concern. Tim English’s centre square ruck work was solid but he was often monstered around the ground, which saw the Dogs attempt all kinds of left-field solutions including Josh Dunkley in the ruck.
That’s why recruiting Stef Martin was such a smart play.
One key area of interest is how Beveridge will manage his multi-talented midfield now that Treloar adds to the mix. Will it tempt him to throw captain Marcus Bontempelli forward more often?
THEIR 2020 DRAFT HAUL
Will their draft kids make an impact? You better believe it. The Dogs keep preaching patience with Jamarra Ugle Hagan, stating quite rightly that he won’t be a fully-formed product for years. But those who know Ugle-Hagan believe his speed will make him a perfect third leading forward who can create mismatches behind Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton. Mitch Hannan and Mitch Wallis should have a field day at times as well. His NAB League coach Leigh Clarke believes Ugle-Hagan is even adaptable enough to play wing or as an intercept defender in his early days as an AFL player. As he said, you don’t pick a player worthy of the No. 1 selection then ease him into the VFL so they will play him, it’s just a matter of where.
TRADE TABLE REPORT
The Dogs controversially kept Josh Dunkley but secured Adam Treloar as they also recruited experienced ruckman Stef Martin and former Dogs VFL players Mitch Hannan.
Martin’s acquisition is massive — he is strong-bodied high-possession ruck who will help at the stoppages and also release English to play key forward at times. Luke Beveridge believes Hannan will play wing as well as forward. And clearly Treloar gives them another star midfielder who at his best bursts from stoppages and hits targets laces-out. But Beveridge will need to address his lack of goalpower. Back to the Bontempelli forward dilemma.
PLAYERS THEY CAN REINVENT
No coach likes versatile players more than Luke Beveridge, casting Mitch Wallis as a small forward, Josh Dunkley as a quasi-ruckman and Caleb Daniel as a half back.
After a miserable 14.8 year from 17 games, will he at least trial Bruce as an intercept defender given he started his career down back? Or throw Naughton back at stages given the Dogs still need another marking back? And can Treloar make a difference at times off half back given there are so many mids Beveridge needs to find places to slot them into the best 22?
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Bailey Smith is on the brink of stardom after 382-possession second season that earned him seventh placing in the best-and-fairest. The sky is the limit. Rhylee West added four games to his total after three in his debut year. He has all the attributes as a clever half forward but this is a hard team to break into. Tim English enters his fifth season and after 47 games his best is breathtaking but his week-to-week ceiling is still too low. But Dogs fans still believe he can be a Dean Cox-style ruckman if his development continues.
BEST 22 FOR NEXT SEASON
B: Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Hayden Crozier
HB: Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Caleb Daniel
C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Jackson Macrae
HF: Josh Dunkley, Josh Bruce, Mitch Hannan
F: Mitch Wallis, Aaron Naughton, Tom Liberatore
R: Stef Martin, Adam Treloar, Bailey Smith
INT: Tim English, Ed Richards, Bailey Williams, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
CHAMPION DATA SAYS
Good: The Bulldogs generated an inside 50 from 26 per cent of their defensive 50 chains – ranked No. 1 in the competition.
Bad: They didn’t defend the back half of the ground well. They conceded a score from 43 per cent of their oppositions inside 50 entries – ranked 15th. They also ranked 14th at allowing their opposition to generate an inside 50 from a defensive 50 chain.
FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS: 2016: 1st (premiers), 2017: 10th, 2018: 13th, 2019: 7th, 2020: 7th
TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS: $14. Top four: $4.50. Top eight: $1.80
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