Relentless hunt for contested possessions lifting the Western Bulldogs into premiership relevance
THE Western Bulldogs have an identity and genuine relevance on the AFL premiership landscape for the first time for almost a decade, writes David King.
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THE Western Bulldogs have an identity and genuine relevance on the AFL premiership landscape for the first time for almost a decade.
Luke Beveridge has transformed a competitive unit into a relentless, possession-thirsty wolf pack.
The wolfpack consists of many, not reliant on individuals, rather the sum of all parts.
Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis, Lachie Hunter, Jackson Macrae and the wounded pup Luke Dahlhaus are the main contested possession hunters.
Their brutality has the Bulldogs winning 24 more contested possessions than their opposition on a weekly basis, which is not only an AFL best but number one by a ridiculous margin.
Sydney ranks number two, averaging 11 contested possessions more than their opposition. By comparison with the Dogs, that appears modest.
After the game pauses, the Western Bulldogs restart with the football 10 times more often than their direct opponents from clearances.
Luke Beveridge’s wolfpack commit themselves “all in” at stoppages. The Dogs often use an extra player, from the forward line, around the high traffic area to outnumber the opposition, but it’s not the reason for their disputed ball dominance.
Watch them, witness their manic and concentrated dedication to win the loose ball, regardless of who or how many are in their path.
Often you’ll see five to six Bulldog players within 3-5m of a loose football, hunting in what’s known as the “inner circle” of the stoppage. Most teams hold their “balance”, two or three searching for possession with three to five supporting players on the periphery, eight to 10 metres from the Sherrin.
But not the Western Bulldog wolfpack. They have an unconditional and unwavering desire to get their hands on the contested ball before their opponents.
Beveridge is doing something quite extraordinary with this initial method to obtain possession but even more radical is the Bulldogs’ pinball handball in tight and under severe pressure.
They’ve an amazing ability to take the game from the inside to the outside, into space where quality ball use comes to the fore. Not always are these “handballs” 100 per cent legal — but they’re more than effective.
It’s staggering to think the Dogs have had 750-odd handballs more than any other team this season.
They are actually controlling the game while in fast play. The Dogs average six minutes more time in possession than their opposition which is the most in the AFL.
And given the game is still in motion, not chipping around through uncontested marks, they challenge their opposition to be defensively competent for extended periods at speed.
Do not listen to any chatter about the Bulldogs playing “sexy” football. Ball movement is king in AFL football right now and the Dogs are an optical illusion.
They are the AFL’s worst team at punishing their opposition turnovers in the midfield.
The Dogs are almost 30 per cent less proficient than Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney and while this isn’t an issue throughout the home and away season, when the real stuff starts in September, all flaws become suffocating.
The Dogs win loads of contested football but they kick backwards and laterally more than any other team, which protects their back six but inhibits their offensive scoring.
Beveridge’s biggest dilemma is crystal balling whether this profile wins finals. It hasn’t at Richmond.
If he’s still unsure then maybe it’s time to experiment more with his major asset, Jake “The Package” Stringer.
Electrifying from set plays when the game was in the balance against Port Adelaide last weekend, why not pit him against a Patrick Dangerfield or Joel Selwood on Saturday night? Fight fire with fire. At least for small bursts, possibly just to ascertain what this kid can do.
What is the ceiling on this extraordinary talent?
Or is the problem confined to the forward 50m? The Dogs are ranked 15th for converting an inside 50m entry into a goal. Jack Redpath has been sensational but they require another tall of substance as Stringer as a key position type is undersized and needs support before he tires. Is that Tom Boyd? Is it Jordan Roughead?
The wolfpack is brilliantly brutal and has an authentic identity but if Fremantle couldn’t win it scoring so poorly, why will the Western Bulldogs?
The Dogs’ 91 points offensive average isn’t premiership standard and even more worryingly, it falls to 83 points against top-eight teams. Is it the forward line or the method?
Luke Beveridge has done an amazing transformation on the sons of the west but that’s all in the rear view mirror now.
The stakes have risen and in an incredibly even season the Bulldogs have a tremendous opportunity for success but they must score more heavily against the big boys. Geelong on Saturday night would be as good a time to start as any.
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