Premiers Western Bulldogs have taken a huge step backwards in 2017, writes Jon Ralph
LUKE Beveridge says his Dogs have “stagnated”, but that’s being generous. The team and several players have taken a huge step backwards this year, writes JON RALPH.
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LUKE Beveridge says his Dogs have “stagnated” — a sound bite that will linger like Alastair Clarkson’s recent threat of “catastrophic” change.
In truth Beveridge is overly generous: his side has taken a huge step backwards this year.
And the Bulldogs coach knows it.
His side might still be 6-5 but any way you stack it up, his Dogs are off their tucker.
PAUL ROOS: JOHANNIESEN ‘NOT AT $800,000 PLAYER’
‘OFF THE PACE’: BEVO LAMENTS DOGS’ LOSS OF FORM
You can see it when you watch an array of 2016 stars who are just plodding this year, some of them in the VFL.
It is blinding when you look at the stats that show the midfield dominance has dropped off a cliff, especially in the last month.
It is there in the four losses in the past six games.
But for a perfect snapshot it was glaring in Beveridge’s understandably terse answer post-match about why Tom Liberatore is playing VFL?
“Do you know much about how he has been playing?” said Beveridge, adamant Mitch Honeychurch and Lukas Webb were still ahead of him in the selection queue.
“We pick our team on performance. He is not the only one who has come back this year and hasn’t been able to find his best form but he’s not the only one who hasn’t kept his spot in the side.
“It’s the reason we are 6-5, because we have stagnated. You don’t get picked on reputation.
“We are frustrated that the majority of our players who carried our club last year for on reason or another haven’t been able to find our best
“It’s my responsibility to reignite the flame. It’s my responsibility to get us going again.”
So let’s name names.
Tom Boyd has played ruck and forward this year but is an astounding 0 for 19 in forward-half one-on-one contests in attack — losing eight of them.
Marcus Bontempelli started the season on fire, but stationed mostly in attack he has kicked 1.8 in the last month, no longer coming up with those match-changing moments.
Liberatore, playing last night in the VFL, hit 20 possessions in only three of his eight senior games before being dropped.
The midfield numbers are alarming.
Last year the Dogs magical month saw their brilliant midfield win the territory battle and four finals despite ranking 15th in goals per inside-50.
This year they are 16th in that stat but the midfield is just as bad in the past month.
From Rounds 8-12 they are 14th in disposal differential, 16th in clearance differential, 10th in pressure factor and 16th in points for.
Bottom line: with Libba in the VFL, Bontempelli pushing forward, Lachie Hunter quieter and on Thursday no rebound from Jason Johannisen, they look second rate.
Johannisen has had an excellent year as he seeks a pay rise, the Dogs offering a $550,000-a-year contract they won’t budge from.
Paul Roos was adamant after Sydney targeted ‘’JJ” physically in a nine-possession game he isn’t worth the $800,000 some believe he is seeing.
“That’s why he’s not an $800,000 player,’’ Roos told Fox Footy on Thursday night.
“What it shows tonight is that premiership teams need Jason Johannisen types. They need players with speed.
“But they’re the cream on the top. They’re not players you can build your team around. You absolutely need them.
“He’s absolutely a good player. But he’s not an $800,000 player.”
Beveridge’s selection policy has always been zany, which is why we love him.
But from the cheap seats is hard to see why Jack Redpath was dropped after five goals in two weeks.
In the same week Tim English was brought in and while he will be a wonderful player he has one kick, 11 hit-outs and 14 handballs in two weeks.
Bevo will have his reasons, but it’s not really obvious why a first-year ruckman is in the side.
The next month ahead is Melbourne, North Melbourne, West Coast (all Etihad Stadium) then Adelaide away.
Beveridge’s magical mystery ride means nothing would surprise about this club’s trajectory in 2017.
Right now it’s not apparent if the Dogs are about to catch fire or flame out like Hawthorn’s young defending premiers of 2009.
FIVE DOGS WHO NEED TO LIFT
Tom Boyd: Was out this week with a back ailment but hasn’t won a single one of his 18 one-on-one contests inside 50. Won them a flag but Bevo will be asking him, “What have you done for us this year?” Has played plenty of ruck given the availability issues but still only six goals from 10 games.
Marcus Bontempelli: Had a much quieter month playing in a forward-midfield mix that has only seen him kick one goal in four games. Had 11 tackles to go with his 18 possessions last night but do they need to throw him back into the midfield as a pure bull who sets up goals rather than only tries to kick them?
Jake Stringer: Needs to develop more strings to his bow. Coming off a five-goal performance against St Kilda he was barely sighted, winning six of his 11 touches in one quarter. Can be a game-breaker and still has 20 goals for the season but didn’t fight hard enough when the going got tough.
Travis Cloke: Just eight touches and didn’t have a shot at goal against Sydney. He is only on a very modest salary with his two-year deal but where is the crashing of packs and hard running we once saw? Allowed the Swans defenders to intercept mark at will. Surely due for another VFL stint now.
Tom Liberatore: Playing in the VFL again on Friday night and is too good a player to be languishing down there. He is getting tagged but so is every good player who returns to the lower grade. Time to prove how good he is, get back into the AFL and show his off-season didn’t go to his head.
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