5 Things We Learned – Round 8
We are now eight rounds through this condensed season with nine rounds remaining. We might not be a hugely convincing 5-3 team but it is something to build off as we come to a challenging stretch of games that will determine whether we legitimately challenge for a top four finish or join a cluster of sides that will ultimately just make up the numbers.
1. All Australian Bulldogs?
Last year the Western Bulldogs had three players named in the All Australian Squad in Marcus Bontempelli, Jackson Macrae and Josh Dunkley with the former two making the final team.
We are eight games into our season and it’s time we started to bring up some of our players who could potentially be named or at least be in the frame of selection for the 2020 All Australian Squad and the eventual Team.
The three names below are at the very least tracking to be in the reckoning for a spot.
Occasionally there have been doubts (myself included) whether Caleb Daniel’s best spot on the ground is down back instead of playing higher up the field but I think it is safe to say regardless wherever Daniel plays he’s a bloody good footballer.
With one of the highest possession retention rates in the competition (12th for effective kicks), Daniel might not be reaching the highs of last season but his role is integral in the way we move the ball and it was clear to see on Thursday who was our major drive off half back. Daniel is equal 8th/ 10th in the league for intercept possessions (45) and equal 1st in ground ball gets (45) for general defenders.
Hayden Crozier is another player who is having a strong season. Western Bulldogs supporters have become quite familiar with how the high flying medium defender operates as he has shown over the past two and a half seasons that he needs to be upgraded from one of the better underrated players going around the competition to an elite defender.
For general defenders, Crozier is ranked 24th in the league for metres gained, loses just 16.7% of his contested situations down back (a career low), and is equal 10th for defensive half pressure acts (49), highlighting his ability to not only be a play tight to his opponent but to work off them as well and supporting his teammates.
His appearance in the backline is a calming influence and in our losses over the past few seasons could always hold his head high.
Besides Dan Butler, Alex Keath to date has arguably been the recruit of the season and has fitted beautifully in the Bulldogs back six.
Currently equal 8th in the competition for intercept marks, the best part about Keath’s game is how he has complimented our defensive structures and to hold down the number one key defender position after being supposedly a third tall.
The knock on effect has reflected in many of our defenders displaying their best form in a few years.
Keath was also deemed unlucky to miss out on the 40 man squad last year after missing four games through injury but if he continues this form there is no reason as to why he can't be recognised as a premier key defender.
Even with the influx of defenders putting themselves up for AA contention, Daniel, Crozier and Keath surely should be in the reckoning at least for the 40 Man All Australian Squad.
The talk might be about Sam Docherty, Brayden Maynard and Darcy Moore but our three boys deserve plenty of recognition as well.
Caleb Daniel is incredibly important to our transition from half
back to the attacking and is having fine season to date. Should he be in All Australian contention? Source: Getty Images
2. Jackson Macrae We Love You
With Jackson Macrae set to play his 150th game next Wednesday against Richmond I think it is time we once again appreciate how good he is.
Macrae has been a true treasure and helped fill the emptiness in our hearts when Callan Ward departed for the GWS Giants over the past 149 games.
Bulldogs fans will never forget his mark and goal with 3 minutes left in the 2016 Preliminary Final to put the Dogs ahead by six points as well as his link in the possession chain that resulted in Tory Dickson’s final shot on goal that sealed our place in the 2016 Grand Final.
With one of the best aerobic capacities and ball winning abilities in the league, let alone the club, Macrae has never one for the individual accolades, but many Dogs fans and neutrals were ecstatic when he was rewarded with his maiden All Australian last year after being blatantly robbed the season prior.
One thing that has eluded him so far is a Charles Sutton Medal and for those in the midfield who have played every game bar Bailey Smith this season, Macrae has been the most consistent of the bunch.
After finishing second in the count in 2018 and third in 2014, 2017 and 2019 perhaps 2020 is the year Macrae finishes atop our podium.
Macrae might not be the flashiest of players but he just gets on with the job and has probably put in A Grade performances most weeks since the start of his career.
Marcus Bontempelli might be our most destructive midfielder but he has arguably got the best partner in crime in the league in Macrae, who has been our most consistent player in Luke Beveridge’s coaching tenure.
3. Quality over Quantity
Sometimes the odd heart attack win teaches you a lot more about a team’s mentality and the ability to get the job done.
It isn’t the 10 goal victories sides dish out that determine their capabilities, it is their resolve when under the pump.
High scoring games might be great to watch but you learn about who handles the pressure in these types of games and we saw plenty of examples throughout the night and especially in the last 10 minutes of the game, who maintained their composure regardless what faced them.
The Gold Coast Suns aren’t a world beater by any means but they are playing with a free spirit and infectious desire, much like they did in 2013 where after two years of building a playing list, the on field efforts and results started to reap the rewards.
Thursday night’s win against the Gold Coast Suns was hugely important in the context of our season and putting aside the Carlton disaster; we have won five of our past six games and have a percentage of 130% in that stretch.
Being able to hold off a side with strong momentum in the last 10 minutes is an invaluable experience and with the readjusted fixture starting next round it gives us the confidence to grind out a win regardless of what other teams throw at us.
4. Tag the ruckman?
We have touched on Tim English a couple of times throughout previous editions of the Five Things We Learned, but the fact Gold Coast coach Stewart Dew instructed his ruckman in Jarrod Witts to follow English around the ground to limit his intercept marking and ability to sit a kick behind the play was a huge sign of respect.
I don’t personally think I’ve ever seen a ruckman tag another ruckman before so it was quite strange to see but perhaps it may become a reoccurring tactic for him to deal with.
English we know has a great set of hands and uses his reach to perfection in marking contests when given the chance to run and leap at the ball, what has to be developed is his one on one marking in static situations and use his strength to dictate terms.
Having games and physical opponents like this will no doubt be a tremendous learning curve for him but he has come a long way over the past four preseasons and will certainly finish ahead of these challenges.
5. Managing the Workload
Much was made of the inclusions of debutant Callum Porter and Billy Gowers ahead of more established players but Luke Beveridge has alluded that the playing list needs to be kept fresh and ready to go at all times.
Much like normal seasons it is a marathon not a sprint, but with the workload set to ramp up drastically, as we play Richmond on the 29th, Port Adelaide on the 3rd and Brisbane on the 8th that means managing our core players to a greater level.
Whether that it means seeing Bontempelli spend greater time forward or Macrae on the wing instead of the centre square, these changes will be necessary to look after our core players as best as possible.
We have a chance to really press our claim as a premiership threat but we can only do that if our core players aren’t burnt out from carrying an immense load.
This stretch of games will make or break not only our season but other clubs as well and those who overwork and mismanage its players will suffer hugely.
Managing the reintroduction of Aaron Naughton and Josh Dunkley in the coming weeks will also be a challenge in this regard but this is where the versatility of our players might provide crucial.
Keeping our stars like Marcus Bontempelli and Jackson Macrae in top condition will be crucial in the second half of the season. Source: Getty Images