Western Bulldogs will only get stronger after breakthrough premiership, says Jon Ralph
ANY Bulldogs fan or rival who thinks the club has celebrated too hard or too long, should realise this squad is only just getting started, writes Jon Ralph.
Jon Ralph
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A LACK of depth rivals complacency as the biggest killer of a back-to-back premiership charge.
Think of Hawthorn without a retired Shane Crawford and injured Trent Croad going into a 2009 tailspin.
By the time the side gets together after two months of partying, retirements and trades, it can look unrecognisable to the one that won the flag.
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On Monday, the Western Bulldogs assemble for day one of pre-season training with an embarrassment of riches.
Gone are Nathan Hrovat and Koby Stevens, traded to North Melbourne and St Kilda respectively.
The player the Dogs lost but wanted to keep is defender Joel Hamling, lured back to the west on a bumper deal.
And yet in Round 1 the Bulldogs will have six quality players to slot back into the side that won the premiership.
Then Mitch Wallis (broken leg) and Jack Redpath (knee) are likely to force their way into the 22 when they return mid-season.
Coach Luke Beveridge can use the competition for places to shred any notions of complacency.
When you have to squeeze two star half-backs, two key forwards, a first-choice midfielder and an emerging full-back into your side, no one gets comfortable.
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Those players are captain Bob Murphy, half-back Matt Suckling, key forward Stewart Crameri, full-forward Travis Cloke, midfielder Lin Jong and full-back Marcus Adams.
In case you thought the Dogs’ depth stopped there, Footscray won the VFL flag this year and Mitch Honeychurch, Lukas Webb, Bailey Dale and Tom Campbell will all be pushing for senior spots next season.
Cloke and Crameri could fit seamlessly in the forward line.
Cloke will be given a chance as the bash-and-crash mobile forward who creates spillages for Jake Stringer, Luke Dahlhaus, Clay Smith and Toby McLean.
Crameri will be allowed to roam far and wide with his supreme engine.
It means Zaine Cordy will return to his spot in defence, where he will fight with Adams to replace Hamling.
Adams was exceptional before a Round 15 foot injury ended his debut season, but will need to re-establish himself.
Bob Murphy is months ahead of schedule after his knee reconstruction and could slot into half- back again or be Beveridge’s wildcard.
Imagine him pinch-hitting at half-forward, or floating up and down the wing.
Beveridge has created such an ethos of versatility that Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen or Shane Biggs could be on a wing next year.
Jong toured Collingwood’s facilities, broke his collarbone in the elimination final, was best-on-ground in the VFL Grand Final, missed the AFL Grand Final, then still signed a deal to stay at Whitten Oval.
Josh Dunkley and Toby McLean - who kept Jong out of the Grand Final - both had brilliant finals series and won’t give up their spots easily.
All of it creates intense pressure for spots, extreme flexibility and a premium on playing well each week to stay in the side.
The Dogs will have injuries, suspension and form slumps.
But any fan who thinks the club has celebrated a little too hard, or too long, should realise this squad is only just getting started.
DOGGIES DEPTH
Players who need to squeeze into the side that won the 2016 Grand Final
STEWART CRAMERI
Kicked 32 goals in 2015. So versatile and athletic he can easily slot in next to key forwards Tom Boyd and Travis Cloke.
TRAVIS CLOKE
Who knows if the Cloke experiment will work? But he can replace Zaine Cordy, who returns to defence. The Dogs need Cloke only to bring the ball to ground.
BOB MURPHY
The inspirational skipper slots into half-back, with his teammates sure to want to get him to the big dance to win his own medal.
MATT SUCKLING
Missed the premiership because of an Achilles problem. Can play half-back, wing or half- forward. If fully fit, he will easily find a spot.
LIN JONG
Missed the Grand Final despite being best-afield in the VFL Grand Final the previous week. Adds midfield depth. Played 16 games this year.
MARCUS ADAMS
A defensive revelation who had his year cruelled by a foot injury in Round 15. Can slot back in at full-back after Joel Hamling went to Fremantle. Cordy will fight him for the spot.
JACK REDPATH
Was the best key-forward option (20 goals in 10 games) before a Round 18 knee reconstruction. Back around mid-season.
MITCH WALLIS
Was backing up a superb 2015 season when he broke his leg in Round 18. Ahead of schedule but will not be rushed.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2016 PREMIERSHIP SIDE
B: Jason Johannisen, Joel Hamling, Matthew Boyd
HB: Fletcher Roberts, Dale Morris, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Picken
HF: Josh Dunkley, Zaine Cordy, Jake Stringer
F: Tory Dickson, Tom Boyd, Clay Smith
R: Jordan Roughead Luke Dahlhaus Tom Liberatore
I/C: Jack Macrae, Toby McLean, Shane Biggs, Caleb Daniel
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