What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 2

[Bulldog1954]

He was good at getting his mug on TV during the tin-rattling era and again during our march to the flag, but in my opinion has done little else besides take a lot of credit for something on-field that Bev and the players built.

You mean getting his mug on TV whilst being a massive, massive figure in saving the club?

 

[TiAn_]

You mean getting his mug on TV whilst being a massive, massive figure in saving the club?

He was one of a not insubstantial group of people that we owe a debt of gratitude to.

 

[Pugz89]

Think it's pretty disappointing really. He's the best spruiker we have.

Maybe he thought the flag would spruiker the club this year. Unfortunately our on field performances made that near impossible from early on in the season.

 

[yebiga]

I love Gordon's spunk and passion.
If he pisses off a few CEOs to get the right one - who cares.
I expect like the players he has been abit flat this year.

This is now about reloading for 2018
I'm sure the group will come back hungry and committed.
Missing September will piss them off.
Go dogs

 

[immortalmike]

I get Gordon's appeal to supporters, but a lot of what you're referring to above was a result of Gordon's first tenure failing to advance the club's off field position after 1989. He had us on the door step of a merger again by the mid 90s.

On a specific point, it seems unfair to criticise Smorgan for the Docklands stadium deal in the same breath as complimenting Demetriou, when it was Demetriou that willingly had a third of the league's teams, including its three least financially stable, funding the stadium to their detriment. We weren't alone there.

What you found to be a cold hard corporation was in my view the financial and managerial oversight that finally moved the club out of basket-case territory. It wasn't a perfect tenure, but at the least it was the genesis of the off-field professionalism that was sorely lacking on Gordon's watch.

It was very hard to further the club's off field position when we had an openly adversarial governing body for his whole first tenure. This is something Smorgon never had to deal with. Even so I would not argue Gordon's first stint was a success apart from ensuring the club was still there for a few more years. He readily admits that his first tenure was that of a young guy in over his head.

The Docklands deal was a lemon from the start and Smorgon still signed on. It was an albatross around our neck for a decade.

I honestly believe we were only allowed to move out of the basket case territory by the afl. Every other team including minnows like Melbourne and North experienced better membership and financial growth during Smorgon's tenure. We were taking the most out of the CBF and stuck in several failed ventures (Bulldogs Hilton). There's a fair argument to be made that Gordon has cleaned up much of Smorgon's mess.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Luke Beveridge and Western Bulldogs went from handball club to party club, writes Jon Ralph
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
September 12, 2017 7:44pm
Subscriber only
LUKE Beveridge seems cut from the same cloth as the AFL’s longest serving coach Mick Malthouse.

A father figure, a confidante and a master motivator who didn’t seem overly fussed if his players burnt the candle at both ends.


If his players wanted a cheeky beer or an odd blowout after a victory, it didn’t matter as long as they went to war for him on a weekly basis.

One of the many take-outs from the Western Bulldogs’ premiership hangover is that an isolated group of his players took that rope and ran with it.

The last time there was this much chatter about the Dogs, the fallout was dramatic.

They sacked their coach, lost their Brownlow Medallist, traded their captain and saw their CEO depart just months later.

Now the club which won a premiership off the back of those dramatic decisions has again become the subject of an off-season whispering campaign.

Jake Stringer looks set to leave the kennel. Picture: Getty Images
They might ship their best forward, there are rumours about administrative changes, the list manager is unsigned, the fan base is unsettled.

The team that started the Handball Club seems more intent on being the Party Club.

The club’s recent history shows events are never as bad as they seem, that one poor season can be the launching pad for success.

But only if those issues are identified and immediately rectified instead of swept under the carpet.

Luke Beveridge’s decision to trade Jake Stringer is the warning shot across the bows of his entire list.

Beveridge’s issues run far deeper than Stringer when it comes to on-field issues.

A simple snapshot: the Dogs were 15th for points for, 18th for goals per inside 50, 18th for kicking efficiency, 18th for centre clearance ranking and 17th for hit-outs to advantage.

Simple question — who kicks all of the Dogs’ goals if Stringer leaves?

The Dogs want a pick for Stringer instead of players, with Essendon and Geelong strong early suitors and St Kilda, Collingwood and North Melbourne interested.

Luke Beveridge hopes his side can quickly rebound. Pic: Michael Klein
But as flighty and inconsistent and infuriating as Stringer is, he is a goalkicker.

Despite being dropped last year, despite a knee and two hamstring issues this year, he has 122 goals from 2015-2017.

In that time Marcus Bontempelli has 63 goals, Liam Picken 54, Jack Redpath 54, Luke Dahlhaus 39 and Tom Boyd 36.

Tory Dickson kicked 101, but at 30 and with just 11 of those goals coming this season, it’s hard to think he picks up the slack.

So Bevo needs to weed out the ratbags, find a better ruck set-up, weigh a trade for Stringer, fix his midfield, find more goalkickers.

A single entry on his resume — 2016 premiership coach — will have him shouted free beer in pubs west of North Melbourne for all his days.

But a long-lasting legacy comes from his capacity to drag this club back up the ladder again.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Western Bulldog Jake Stringer may be on the move but Tom Liberatore plans to return to 2016 form
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
September 12, 2017 6:26pm
Subscriber only
TOM Liberatore will return from a European holiday to start his pre-season early, adamant his long-term future lies at the Western Bulldogs.

Liberatore had an indifferent season where he was dropped at one stage. There is speculation about his future given the club’s determination to trade Jake Stringer.


After the side’s Round 23 loss coach Luke Beveridge said Liberatore had to work harder to maximise his undoubted talent.

But while the Dogs’ premiership hangover will see Stringer as collateral damage, Liberatore will stay put.

His manager Tom Williams told the Herald Sun he is determined to return to form next year, with the club on the same page about his future.

Luke Dahlhaus is a free agent next year. Pic: Michael Klein

Tom Liberatore will return to training early. Picture: Mark Wilson
“Tom is happy at the Dogs,” said player manager Williams, a former key position player at the club.

“It might be people connecting dots but from our end we have got no issues. We haven’t requested anything from them.

“It was a tough year and he said (in his exit interview) he was looking forward to a break and he is going to come back two weeks early to get fit for pre-season.”

Liberatore and Luke Dahlhaus are both free agents next year but despite midyear discussions will park negotiations until they return to form.

Both parties are happy with that arrangement but it seems certain they will embark upon massive pre-seasons keen to rediscover their 2016 momentum.

Liberatore is overseas on holidays but has committed to returning to the first day of the pre-season in elite shape.

The Dogs have also made it clear to the Liberatore camp they have no plans to put him on the trade table.

Jake Stringer might leave the kennel. Picture: AAP
Stringer, 23, has kicked 122 goals in the last three years, the 15th most in the league despite his ups and downs.

Beveridge has seemingly given up hope that he could lift his standards of professionalism.

The Dogs want as high a draft pick as possible with Essendon, St Kilda, Geelong and Collingwood all expressing some interest.

Essendon coach John Worsfold has spoken about Stringer.

“There’s not a big list out there, we’ll sift through those and say one do they fit into what we’re trying to build (and) are they possibly available for us,’’ he said.

“If Stringer is on that list, obviously, an All-Australian player we’ll have to seriously consider what he might offer us if he’s available.”

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson also said the club would have to consider him given his immense talent.

Teammate Mitch Wallis said last week of his future that “it’s still up in the air and he still has to really commit to the club”.

But the move to trade him has come from the club, with Stringer coming around to the fact he will have to look for a new home

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

Brian Walsh (?) on SEN running with the "club is a rabble" goss. CEO is going, players not happy. Methinks a lot of this is tall poppy syndrome. We won the flag but had a terrible year and idiots enjoy putting the boots in.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

Agree and most of those idiots were made to look stupid last year so now they are trying to get some revenge.

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

Luke Beveridge and Western Bulldogs went from handball club to party club, writes Jon Ralph
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
September 12, 2017 7:44pm
Subscriber only
LUKE Beveridge seems cut from the same cloth as the AFL’s longest serving coach Mick Malthouse.

A father figure, a confidante and a master motivator who didn’t seem overly fussed if his players burnt the candle at both ends.


If his players wanted a cheeky beer or an odd blowout after a victory, it didn’t matter as long as they went to war for him on a weekly basis.

One of the many take-outs from the Western Bulldogs’ premiership hangover is that an isolated group of his players took that rope and ran with it.

The last time there was this much chatter about the Dogs, the fallout was dramatic.

They sacked their coach, lost their Brownlow Medallist, traded their captain and saw their CEO depart just months later.

Now the club which won a premiership off the back of those dramatic decisions has again become the subject of an off-season whispering campaign.

Jake Stringer looks set to leave the kennel. Picture: Getty Images
They might ship their best forward, there are rumours about administrative changes, the list manager is unsigned, the fan base is unsettled.

The team that started the Handball Club seems more intent on being the Party Club.

The club’s recent history shows events are never as bad as they seem, that one poor season can be the launching pad for success.

But only if those issues are identified and immediately rectified instead of swept under the carpet.

Luke Beveridge’s decision to trade Jake Stringer is the warning shot across the bows of his entire list.

Beveridge’s issues run far deeper than Stringer when it comes to on-field issues.

A simple snapshot: the Dogs were 15th for points for, 18th for goals per inside 50, 18th for kicking efficiency, 18th for centre clearance ranking and 17th for hit-outs to advantage.

Simple question — who kicks all of the Dogs’ goals if Stringer leaves?

The Dogs want a pick for Stringer instead of players, with Essendon and Geelong strong early suitors and St Kilda, Collingwood and North Melbourne interested.

Luke Beveridge hopes his side can quickly rebound. Pic: Michael Klein
But as flighty and inconsistent and infuriating as Stringer is, he is a goalkicker.

Despite being dropped last year, despite a knee and two hamstring issues this year, he has 122 goals from 2015-2017.

In that time Marcus Bontempelli has 63 goals, Liam Picken 54, Jack Redpath 54, Luke Dahlhaus 39 and Tom Boyd 36.

Tory Dickson kicked 101, but at 30 and with just 11 of those goals coming this season, it’s hard to think he picks up the slack.

So Bevo needs to weed out the ratbags, find a better ruck set-up, weigh a trade for Stringer, fix his midfield, find more goalkickers.

A single entry on his resume — 2016 premiership coach — will have him shouted free beer in pubs west of North Melbourne for all his days.

But a long-lasting legacy comes from his capacity to drag this club back up the ladder again.

The obvious flaw in what Ralph is saying is that Stringer whilst serviceable in last years Finals was by no measure influential and we still won. The hysteria surrounding all this is laughable I am confident that Bevo knows what he is doing.
Don't forget where he tooks us from and too in a very short space of time. Its taken Hardwick 8 or so years and they are not even there yet!

 

[Mr. Walker]

But the move to trade him has come from the club, with Stringer coming around to the fact he will have to look for a new home

This bit concerns me. Who knows if what the writer says is true but assuming it is and assuming the push has come from Bev based on an assessment that Stringer is not prepared to meet the standards required I would have hoped that Stringer would have come around to the fact that he needs to change his attitude and meet these standards rather than elect not to change and just stay the same and move somewhere else. It all may be untrue and Stringer commits to the club, at least we can dream.

 

[Adz]

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/13/more-to-come-in-dogs-saga-ox/

Pardon the intrusion.

 

[Doggy]

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/13/more-to-come-in-dogs-saga-ox/

Pardon the intrusion.

Trying to stay relevant.

Full of s**t

 

[Dogs 13]

Theo X gets a lot of things wrong and has to back track.

 

[NBates]

God i would love Jake to stay and make a laughing stock of all these "it's a done deal" reporters. All i keep hearing is that he's been delisted already. Wtf?

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

 

[nickooo]

Luke Beveridge says decision to trade Jake Stringer was mutual between club and player
Mark Robinson, Herald Sun
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he acted in the greater interests of the club in deciding to move on forward Jake Stringer.
In his first comments on the stunning split, Beveridge told theHerald Sun his premiership forward ultimately agreed he would be better suited elsewhere.
The only scenario which would see Stringer, 23, remain at the Bulldogs would be if a trade deal didn’t satisfy the club.
“Jake’s management and the club got together and both agreed we’d explore alternatives to him playing at the club and explore what’s right for his long-term future and the club’s,’’ Beveridge told the Herald Sun.
“It’s as simple as that ... I’m not going into details.”
Stringer’s football issues centre around a lack of professionalism in preparation, at training and the rehabilitation of injuries.
Luke Beveridge talks to Jake Stringer at Bulldogs training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
They are compounded by a litany of off-field issues, ranging from his personal situation with his former partner, the stresses of being a young father, to behavioural concerns.
Beveridge conceded the decision to trade his one-time All-Australian forward was a tough one.
“It is because first and foremost I operate from a platform of care and duty to our players and I’ve got to look after the whole group,” the coach said.
“But when it comes to the point where both parties are saying maybe it’s best to explore somewhere else, it means then it’s right for that individual, but it’s also right for the group he’s going to leave behind.”
A worthy trade would have to be organised, Beveridge said.
“Ultimately, he’s still a contracted player,” he said.
Luke Beveridge after speaking to his players during Round 23.
“We’re not going to just say ‘Here you go, you can have Jake Stringer’. We’ve said to him, you’re going to play here mate if no one is going to treat you with the respect you should have as far as what you have achieved, because we need to do what’s right for the club as much as you as well.
“We’ll try to work it out together.
“You asked if it’s irretrievable. It’s not. Ultimately, (if) Jake is still playing at the football club, then we’ve just got to work through that next year, of maturity and what it looks like for him, and see how we go.’’
Stringer has kicked 160 goals in 89 games after being taken at pick No.5 in the 2012 national draft.
Essendon and Geelong are reportedly Stringer’s preferred destinations, although it’s understood several clubs have made inquiries to Stringer’s manager Paul Connors.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said last week the Saints were interested in talking to Stringer.
Jake Stringer after injuring his hamstring in the loss to Port Adelaide.
Earning about $500,000 a season and with a year to run on his contract, the trade value for Stringer is anywhere between pick No.10 and pick No.25, depending on whether you highlight his qualities or deficiencies.
Connors refused to comment.
Beveridge said Stringer had unique challenges as a player and person and that the club had supported him through difficult times.
“Each player is presented with a different set of challenges,” he said.
“He’s obviously become a high-profile player very early in the piece and when you think of his life, having two young daughters, obviously going through settlement proceedings because he’s not married, and being a boy from the bush, and the city life ... he’s got a lot on his plate, a lot of challenges.
“And maybe it takes a little while to be able to get on top of those things. But he’s got unique challenges a lot of players haven’t had in the game.’’
Jake Stringer, Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore after the Bulldogs premiership.
Beveridge denied reports Stringer stormed out of his end-of-season exit interview.
“When I heard about it, I chuckled,” Beveridge said.
“He didn’t at all. We chatted more about family and future, he has two little girls and about what’s next for him, and we walked out as amicable as we ever have been.
“We’ve always had a good relationship, we still have, there’s no heat.
“The thing about exit meetings is there’s no surprises. Jake wasn’t surprised by anything we said or anything he mentioned to us in so far as what he’s going to work on and what are his strengths, so that was all fine.
“That was purely a fabrication.”

 

[Norm De Guerre]

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/13/more-to-come-in-dogs-saga-ox/

Pardon the intrusion.

You have a strange penchant for bringing dubious and invariably bad news to this board.

Stop trolling our board and do please * off.

 

[Iamspock]

Luke Beveridge says decision to trade Jake Stringer was mutual between club and player
Mark Robinson, Herald Sun
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he acted in the greater interests of the club in deciding to move on forward Jake Stringer.
In his first comments on the stunning split, Beveridge told theHerald Sun his premiership forward ultimately agreed he would be better suited elsewhere.
The only scenario which would see Stringer, 23, remain at the Bulldogs would be if a trade deal didn’t satisfy the club.
“Jake’s management and the club got together and both agreed we’d explore alternatives to him playing at the club and explore what’s right for his long-term future and the club’s,’’ Beveridge told the Herald Sun.
“It’s as simple as that ... I’m not going into details.”
Stringer’s football issues centre around a lack of professionalism in preparation, at training and the rehabilitation of injuries.
Luke Beveridge talks to Jake Stringer at Bulldogs training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
They are compounded by a litany of off-field issues, ranging from his personal situation with his former partner, the stresses of being a young father, to behavioural concerns.
Beveridge conceded the decision to trade his one-time All-Australian forward was a tough one.
“It is because first and foremost I operate from a platform of care and duty to our players and I’ve got to look after the whole group,” the coach said.
“But when it comes to the point where both parties are saying maybe it’s best to explore somewhere else, it means then it’s right for that individual, but it’s also right for the group he’s going to leave behind.”
A worthy trade would have to be organised, Beveridge said.
“Ultimately, he’s still a contracted player,” he said.
Luke Beveridge after speaking to his players during Round 23.
“We’re not going to just say ‘Here you go, you can have Jake Stringer’. We’ve said to him, you’re going to play here mate if no one is going to treat you with the respect you should have as far as what you have achieved, because we need to do what’s right for the club as much as you as well.
“We’ll try to work it out together.
“You asked if it’s irretrievable. It’s not. Ultimately, (if) Jake is still playing at the football club, then we’ve just got to work through that next year, of maturity and what it looks like for him, and see how we go.’’
Stringer has kicked 160 goals in 89 games after being taken at pick No.5 in the 2012 national draft.
Essendon and Geelong are reportedly Stringer’s preferred destinations, although it’s understood several clubs have made inquiries to Stringer’s manager Paul Connors.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said last week the Saints were interested in talking to Stringer.
Jake Stringer after injuring his hamstring in the loss to Port Adelaide.
Earning about $500,000 a season and with a year to run on his contract, the trade value for Stringer is anywhere between pick No.10 and pick No.25, depending on whether you highlight his qualities or deficiencies.
Connors refused to comment.
Beveridge said Stringer had unique challenges as a player and person and that the club had supported him through difficult times.
“Each player is presented with a different set of challenges,” he said.
“He’s obviously become a high-profile player very early in the piece and when you think of his life, having two young daughters, obviously going through settlement proceedings because he’s not married, and being a boy from the bush, and the city life ... he’s got a lot on his plate, a lot of challenges.
“And maybe it takes a little while to be able to get on top of those things. But he’s got unique challenges a lot of players haven’t had in the game.’’
Jake Stringer, Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore after the Bulldogs premiership.
Beveridge denied reports Stringer stormed out of his end-of-season exit interview.
“When I heard about it, I chuckled,” Beveridge said.
“He didn’t at all. We chatted more about family and future, he has two little girls and about what’s next for him, and we walked out as amicable as we ever have been.
“We’ve always had a good relationship, we still have, there’s no heat.
“The thing about exit meetings is there’s no surprises. Jake wasn’t surprised by anything we said or anything he mentioned to us in so far as what he’s going to work on and what are his strengths, so that was all fine.
“That was purely a fabrication.”

Kick in the guts

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Kick in the guts

Well that sucks.

 

[TiAn_]

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/13/more-to-come-in-dogs-saga-ox/

Pardon the intrusion.

Strong rumour Pies are offering pick 6 and Alex Fasolo. Maybe a sweetener on top.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Strong rumour Pies are offering pick 6 and Alex Fasolo. Maybe a sweetener on top.

If thats the case, Pick 6 will suffice. I don't know a single Collingwood supporter that has a good thing to say about Fasolo.

 

[Werewolf]

This is ****ed. What did Stringer do to deserve getting traded? I'm absolutely filthy

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

“We’re not going to just say ‘Here you go, you can have Jake Stringer’. We’ve said to him, you’re going to play here mate if no one is going to treat you with the respect you should have as far as what you have achieved, because we need to do what’s right for the club as much as you as well. We’ll try to work it out together."

Expect a good deal from this.

 

[Golden_6]

This is ******. What did Stringer do to deserve getting traded? I'm absolutely filthy

You wouldn't know unless you're involved inside the club. I've heard from a physio inside the club that his attitude to gameday preparation, training and injury rehabilitation is nowhere near AFL standard. I'm sure the club has been trying to work on this for years to no avail.

 

[JEDi 44]

This is ******. What did Stringer do to deserve getting traded? I'm absolutely filthy

he chose to drive a HAVAL. That's a sackable offence if ever i saw one

 

[True Dog]

That clears things up....Let the offers roll in