5 Things We Learned - Marsh Community Series Match Two
The Western Bulldogs completed their Marsh Community Series last week in the small town of Whyalla, as they were defeated in a see-sawing encounter by Port Adelaide.
Despite leading by as much as 20 points midway through the final term, the Bulldogs were overrun by the Power, despite the home team finishing the match without several key players. Despite the disappointing end to the game, there were still plenty of positives to take away from the match, so let’s get stuck in them:
1. Brilliant Start For Bruce
The hulking key forward, the No.17, the dark hair…. much of Josh Bruce’s presence in the forward line had a Tom Boyd-type feel to it on Saturday. Physically, at least, they are of a very similar stature, and the on-field output of Bruce was very similar to what Bulldog fans had been hoping of from Boyd for many a year. 4.1 from seven marks (including three contested) was a brilliant start by Bruce, and hopefully a sign of what is to come. In essence, Bruce’s performance provided a perfect snapshot of what Bulldogs fans are hoping that he can bring to the table in 2020: an imposing presence, strong marking, and accurate kicking.
Josh Bruce settled in very nicely at the weekend. Source: Getty Images
However, we are yet to see the true impact that Bruce will have on the Bulldogs forward line this year, given that he was set to provide assistance to the likes of Aaron Naughton and Josh Schache For most of the summer, the big question surrounding the Western Bulldogs has been whether the three key forwards can function in the same team. Schache managed 2.0 against North Melbourne in the first game, but struggled alongside Bruce, with just five disposals and no score, while Naughton hasn’t featured at all in the pre-season tournament as he works his way back from two troublesome knees. Given the small (and technically incomplete) sample size of the trio working together up forward, it will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs line up in the forward line for Round 1, assuming that Naughton is fit for selection.
2. Is Tim English Ready?
Competing alongside the key forward trio, the big story out of the Western Oval this summer has been the progression of Tim English. Last time, we spoke about the understudy that is Jordon Sweet, and how English is still the Bulldogs clear No.1 ruck. All that and more was proven beyond doubt last week. Against one of the league’s better ruckman in Scott Lycett, English dominated, achieving what would have been a career-high in hitouts (37). Granted, Lycett was taken off the ground during the third quarter, and failed to return, but English was already comfortably leading the head-to-head hitout count at that stage anyway, and made the most of the advantage in the end, as the Dogs won the count 42-34. It was a massive win for English, given that most of the criticism so far in his career has been about his ability to combat the strongest rucks in the game.
Be sure to keep an eye on this contest come Round 1. Source: Getty Images
However, if he is to truly shake the critics, he need to produce arguably the best performance of his career to date on Friday week. Brodie Grundy, the league’s premier ruckman, will be where English faces his first true test on his way to becoming one of the best in the game. Grundy polled the three Brownlow votes in both games against the Bulldogs last year, partly due to his combined 108 hitouts across both games. English had much to learn from this performances, and his intra-club performances and his match against Port Adelaide seem to suggest that he has learnt much. Expect the English v Grundy matchup to be particularly intriguing come Round 1.
3. Trouble For Hayes.
From the moment Dan Houston’s head hit the ground as a result of the strong tackle applied by Will Hayes, you had the sense that the nuggety midfielder would find himself in a bit of trouble. As it turned out, the MRO issued Hayes with a one-week suspension, grading the incident as careless conduct, medium impact, and high contact. The “medium impact” grading is perhaps questionable, given that Houston was not concussed and did manage to continue to play through the match, although it is the type of tackle that the league are trying to outlaw, and with good reason. While it is important that players are not suspended solely based on the perceived look of the tackle or its potential to cause harm, it is, by the same token, important that we protect those playing the ball, especially given the recent revelations relating to concussion injuries in the AFL.
The moment Will Hayes ruled himself out of Round 1. Source: Getty Images
4. Defence Still With Holes
The acquisition of Alex Keath will be pivotal for the Bulldogs as they attempt to chase a third Premiership in 2020. But the performance on the weekend suggested that even with Keath, there is still a sizeable gap in the Bulldogs back six that opposition clubs will be keen to exploit. Defensively, the Bulldogs conceded the third-most goals to opposition key forwards in 2019, and while Keath will help, his role is not conducive to stopping the issue. Of the Bulldogs defenders that played on the weekend, almost all of them can be categorised into two general defensive groups: Interceptors or Rebounders:
Interceptors:
Alex Keath
Easton Wood
Hayden Crozier
Lewis Young
Rebounders:
Bailey Williams
Jason Johannisen
Caleb Daniel
Matthew Suckling
Rebounders are commonplace in most teams and aren’t necessarily in the backline to prevent key forwards from kicking goals, so they get a pardon in this discussion. However, while interceptors have their strengths and certainly have their place in the team, they rely on the ability to guard space and read the play in advance rather than jousting with an opponent. As a result, if they are caught in a one-on-one situation, they are more likely to lose out. Charlie Dixon demonstrated this very issue on the weekend, with four marks inside-50 (and 2.3) before going down with an injury during the third term. He was easily Port Adelaide’s most dangerous forward on the day, and there was no one who was able to go with him. The Bulldogs have adopted the "attack is the best form of defence" mantra, placing a heavy focus on the belief that the best way to stop the opposition from kicking goals is by winning the ball in the first place, and while that has been an effective part of their miserly defence, the absence of a lockdown key defender can be exploited.
Two exceptions to the “Interceptors or Rebounders” grouping are Jackson Trengove and Zaine Cordy, but both have clear flaws that limit their ability to play as a lockdown defender. Trengove is a stop-gap player that is capable of performing a role wherever required, as we’ve seen in recent times with him holding down a spot in the ruck. He also does perform well against certain kinds of key forwards, evident in his starring role against Richmond’s Tom Lynch last season. But against the more mobile key forwards, his lack of agility will be found out, and was arguably one of the reasons why he wasn’t named in last year’s Elimination Final, where he would have had to contend with names such as Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson. It is also worth noting that Trengove has not played in either pre-season match, despite no injury report being made public.
Cordy, on the other hand does have that athleticism. He also possesses bags of courage, has an elite record in regards to one-percenters (162 in 2019; ranked 1st at WB and 6th in League), and is smart enough to play within his limits with ball in hand. But at just 193cm, he would be significantly undersized were he to go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest key forwards in the game. His ability to read the play also comes into question at times, with fans bemoaning his ability to regularly be caught in no man’s land when the ball requires defending.
The one name that hasn’t been mentioned yet is Ryan Gardiner. Despite being picked up in last year’s Mid-Season Draft as a key forward, he has competed regularly for Footscray as a defender in VFL, and has the size and athleticism to make a name for himself as a lockdown defender, and was actually given a go in the first Marsh Community Series game. But with just two AFL games to his name (neither as a key defender), it would be a big ask to hand him the reigns right now. It is the issue that the Dogs can work around in the short term, but sooner or later, it needs to be addressed.
5. And What About Toby McLean?
Undoubtedly, a player that is Best 22 quality. Ability is not the issue when discussing Toby McLean. His specific role in the side, however, is a different matter. A crafty goal sneak with a strong streak of flair about him, there is almost a sense that McLean is too talented to be spending his days gracing the forward line on a permanent basis. But given that Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley have taken a shining to dominating opposition midfields these days, it’s unlikely that McLean is set to be given too much of a prolonged crack in the midfield, either. As a result, you’re left with a talented player that is having a bet each-way; regularly churning out a middling,m 15-disposal, one-goal game that is kind of ok and would leave you expecting to at worst retain your place, but does nothing to scream “pick me and keep me”.
Toby McLean has bags of talent. But can it fit the Bulldogs needs? Source: Getty Images
Furthermore, given that there is an abundance of talented small forwards, including Bailey Dale and Sam Lloyd, and youngsters such as Cody Weightmann, Ben Cavarra, and Rhylee West, it’s not exactly as though the Bulldogs are crying out for McLean to fill that vacancy anyway. If this continues, there’s every chance that the Bulldogs may look to cash in on a player that they can’t find a role for, and there will be plenty of clubs who would be looking for a player that possesses the ability of McLean. We know that he is more than capable of succeeding with the Bulldogs, but unless his output reaches the levels of the aforementioned midfield trio, or focuses solely on being that permanent small forward, it’s difficult to see him establish himself in the best 22 and produce the consistent football that became a real feature of his game in 2018.