Western Bulldogs end of season review: How I’d fix the Dogs

THE Western Bulldogs entered 2017 dreaming of back-to-back premierships. They finished on the wrong side of history but all is not lost, writes Sam Landsberger.

EXPECTATIONS were high at Whitten Oval as the Western Bulldogs entered 2017 as reigning premiers for the first time in 62 years.

However, the season did not go to plan and the club became the first premiers to miss the finals the next season since Hawthorn in 2009.

SAM LANDSBERGER runs the rule over what went right and wrong for the Dogs and what needs to happen for them to return to the top in 2018.

BIG MISTAKE: IS STRINGER TRADE BULLDOGS’ STEVIE J MOMENT?

VOTE NOW: SHOULD THE BULLDOGS TRADE STRINGER

MOVING ON: WHO ARE THE HEIRS TO LEGENDS’ THRONE

THE SEASON ROUND-UP

COACH Luke Beveridge described 2017 as a “muddling” season.

The Dogs started it all the rage and finished it with regrets. They broke even at 11-11 in a campaign which never really gained any runaway momentum.

The best win came against Essendon in Round 19, but it was also their second-last win.

Marcus Bontempelli after the loss to Sydney at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Toby McLean took a big step towards becoming a manic midfielder, Bailey Dale became a force up forward while Lewis Young was unearthed as an intercepting defender with a bright future.

Dale’s confidence to take on responsibility and Young’s maturity as the youngest player in the AFL stood out but on the whole, this appeared ‘Premiership Hangover 101’ as the core regressed, probably owing to human nature more than anything else.

They were the first premier to miss finals since Hawthorn in 2009, and so it will go down as a wasted opportunity – but not necessarily a wasted season.

THE PROBLEMS

They struggled against the top teams and probably finished where they belonged.

The Dogs were ranked No.1 for contested footy and clearances last year, but their grunt fell right away. Tom Liberatore was the face for the drop off, although it was a large batch of premiership stars which couldn’t replicate those dizzying heights.

Jason Johannisen struggled to overcome niggling attention during the rough mid-season patch while best mate Jake Stringer is no certainty to remain next year, despite holding a contract.

Beveridge acknowledged the need to sort out the forward-half efficiency over summer.

The Dogs struggled to score, ranking 18th for goals per inside 50m as well as accuracy and 15th for points scored. That was a problem for patches of 2016, but Beveridge managed to pull it all together come September.

Marcus Adams has been cruelled by foot injuries. Picture: Mark Stewart

Bob Murphy reacts after missing a shot on goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

THE SOLUTION

Wouldn’t Jake Lever be ideal? But the solution for the most notable issue, the attack, could come from within.

Marcus Adams showed he was a swingman capable of generating shots on goal before injury struck again. Dale Morris playing on next season helps Adams’ versatility, while Travis Cloke is also contracted next year.

The extra month off should help the core of the list freshen up as they search for their mojo, and they must do it without the leadership and knowledge of retired greats Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd.

Beveridge said if the crux of this group works hard it has the talent to again become a formidable group.

Opposition spearheads including Joe Daniher, Charlie Dixon and Jarryd Roughead towelled up the Dogs late in the season, highlighting the need to add another key defender.

THE COACH

There aren’t many better coaches to listen to than Luke Beveridge.

Insightful and honest, every word is carefully chosen and on reflection its meaning continues to crystallise. That is why the premiership coach is already contracted until 2020.

Those unfamiliar with Beveridge’s magic should take a look online at the emotional but poignant tribute to Murphy and Boyd immediately after the Round 23 loss.

Beveridge shuffled his lieutenants into different roles 12 months ago and it will be interesting to see what changes are made for 2018.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is contracted until 2020.

THE TARGET

There is little doubt a key-position star is top of the shopping list given the Dogs’ inability to stop power forwards as the season progressed.

There is little doubt a key-position star is top of the shopping list given the Dogs’.

So let’s refer to the coach: “We can’t go out and just recruit a 200cm player that’s just going to provide back-up - we want somebody to be influential”.

The Dogs are hunting a tall to improve their aerial game and while Lever is the standout, Jackson Trengove is more realistic.

The Port Adelaide utility is a free agent and appears likely to arrive at Whitten Oval at no cost. The hunt for a big bloke is probably why they were also linked to Hawthorn’s Ryan Schoenmakers.

There have been reports Lever won’t join the Dogs, but until he is traded elsewhere – or re-signs at Adelaide – he has to be in play. Josh Schache could still depart the Lions and would also appeal.

They hold pick No.9 in the draft – ace recruiter Simon Dalrymple’s first top-10 selection since taking Marcus Bontempelli at No.4 in 2013.

Jake Lever rises above Nick Vlastuin. Picture: Sarah Reed

THE DREAM

A healthy list would be nice.

We all know the setbacks endured before last year’s fairytale flag, and this year injuries again remained a constant.

Jordan Roughead missed the first nine games, Dale Morris broke his leg early and then his arm late, Marcus Adams again suffered a nasty foot injury, Stewart Crameri was warehoused early, Josh Dunkley had shoulder surgery, while Easton Wood and Jake Stringer tore hamstrings.

Then, pillars Tom Boyd and Travis Cloke took mental health breaks, while just as Jack Redpath returned from an ACL, Lin Jong ruptured his.

Next year’s dream also extends to the list management team, with Jong, Shane Biggs, Matt Suckling, Zaine Cordy, Mitch Wallis, Liberatore, Stringer, Roughead and the criminally underrated Jack Macrae all coming out of contract.

Jack Macrae could win his first best-and-fairest.

BUCKY SAYS

“The area that needs bolstering is across halfback. Bob Murphy has retired and so has Matthew Boyd — they are two players who have filled that rebound defender role for years and will leave a massive hole”

THE STAT

The Bulldogs had no trouble getting the ball forward and keeping it there in 2017 - ranked fourth for time in forward half - but scoring proved their major stumbling block. The Dogs ranked 18th for goals per inside 50m and accuracy while were 15th for total points scored.

2018 PREDICTION

A healthy rebound into the top six.