Angak
Club Legend
- Mar 18, 2021
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Hopefully I'm wrong but my hopes of Bevo turning this around is dwindling.
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What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 4
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threenewpadlocks
Brownlow Medallist
Turning around what? The fact that a brainless opposition player didn't think through what he was doing before parroting back what he heard from the Kane Corneses of the world?
- Jun 21, 2012
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"I'm not going to say anything about it really because I think the people that became aware of it and are close to him (Sam Draper) and their football club were extremely alarmed and reached out to me and expressed their apologies."
Piss poor effort from Draper.
If a call needed to be made to Bevo then he should have made it.
If you can shoot your mouth off on a podcast then you should be big enough to make the apology.
Piss poor effort from Draper.
If a call needed to be made to Bevo then he should have made it.
If you can shoot your mouth off on a podcast then you should be big enough to make the apology.
AFL Website Article
IT IS Harley Reid and then daylight right now in the Rising Star award. But with two thirds of the season still to play, don't discount one of the tallest players in the League.
After an injury-interrupted start to life at the Western Bulldogs, Sam Darcy is compiling a case to be carefully considered when the voting panel convenes in September.
Despite producing one of the better pre-season campaigns at the Whitten Oval across the summer, the 208cm utility was overlooked in round one in favour of Rory Lobb. That lasted one week.
Since returning against Gold Coast in Ballarat in round two, Darcy has flaunted a deep array of tricks and rare mobility for his size that have him well positioned to be a star in this competition for a long time to come.
The 20-year-old slotted three goals against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, after kicking three against Geelong at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round when he earned a Rising Star nomination. Darcy has now kicked 11.6 from six games and is averaging 12.3 disposals, 5.2 marks, 3.7 tackles, two contested marks – only seven players are averaging more – and 8.2 hitouts, splitting his time as a target inside 50 alongside Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton and as Tim English's back-up in the ruck.The 2021 pick No.2 was restricted to only seven appearances across his first two seasons in the AFL due to a range of injuries. He arrived at the kennel with a stress fracture in his foot. Then there was the hole in his lung, the broken jaw and the badly corked quad that ended up costing him two months last year.
But right now, the son of Western Bulldogs great and current football director Luke, is rated as the second most improved player in the AFL, according to Champion Data’s AFL Player Ratings.
Only Brownlow Medal favourite Isaac Heeney has produced a bigger spike in his output from 2023. The box office Sydney star has been the clear standout performer of 2024 to date, becoming just the second player to reach 50 coaches' votes this week – 54 total – after seven rounds, behind Nat Fyfe in 2015, 17 votes clear of the next best this year in Zach Merrett.
Unlike last year when eventual winner Harry Sheezel burst out of the blocks and maintained that pace for most of the year, Brisbane's father-son recruit Will Ashcroft nipped at his heels until he tore his ACL, and Mitch Owens and Jye Amiss were in the mix once their impact inside 50 where properly assessed, Reid is the clear standout after seven rounds. And will take some beating.
The Tongala product has had a level of impact not many, if any, first-year players have ever had, especially when you factor in West Coast's struggles since 2021 and the never-before-seen level of coverage his every move has garnered in Western Australia.
Reid's numbers don't catapult off the page; he is maximum impact, rather than an accumulator. Second-year Kangaroo George Wardlaw is cut from a similar cloth and one of the leading contenders, along with his teammate Colby McKercher, who was narrowly overlooked for the round seven nomination on the weekend in favour of Jake Rogers, despite collecting 32 touches.
Darcy Wilson has made a seamless transition to League football at St Kilda, as has Caleb Windsor at Melbourne. Both have played all seven games since making debuts at the start of the season.
Geelong's Ollie Dempsey and Sydney's Matt Roberts are both playing roles in top-four sides right now, keeping more experienced players on the outer at both clubs and improving by the week.
Regardless of whether Darcy pushes Reid all the way in the Ron Evans Medal or not, he is clearly a crucial piece of the Western Bulldogs' future.
And after such a frustrating start to life in the AFL, the mobile big man is making a big impact in 2024.
Should a third-year player be eligible for the Rising Star? That is a debate for another day. But the rules are the rules. Under the age of 21 on January 1 and 10 games or less to your name is the criteria.
Sanders was expected to be the standout contender at the Dogs, but has been inconsistent. Harvey Gallagher has played all seven games and earned a nomination.
But it's Darcy that could be Reid's biggest challenger.
IT IS Harley Reid and then daylight right now in the Rising Star award. But with two thirds of the season still to play, don't discount one of the tallest players in the League.
After an injury-interrupted start to life at the Western Bulldogs, Sam Darcy is compiling a case to be carefully considered when the voting panel convenes in September.
Despite producing one of the better pre-season campaigns at the Whitten Oval across the summer, the 208cm utility was overlooked in round one in favour of Rory Lobb. That lasted one week.
Since returning against Gold Coast in Ballarat in round two, Darcy has flaunted a deep array of tricks and rare mobility for his size that have him well positioned to be a star in this competition for a long time to come.
The 20-year-old slotted three goals against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, after kicking three against Geelong at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round when he earned a Rising Star nomination. Darcy has now kicked 11.6 from six games and is averaging 12.3 disposals, 5.2 marks, 3.7 tackles, two contested marks – only seven players are averaging more – and 8.2 hitouts, splitting his time as a target inside 50 alongside Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton and as Tim English's back-up in the ruck.The 2021 pick No.2 was restricted to only seven appearances across his first two seasons in the AFL due to a range of injuries. He arrived at the kennel with a stress fracture in his foot. Then there was the hole in his lung, the broken jaw and the badly corked quad that ended up costing him two months last year.
But right now, the son of Western Bulldogs great and current football director Luke, is rated as the second most improved player in the AFL, according to Champion Data’s AFL Player Ratings.
Only Brownlow Medal favourite Isaac Heeney has produced a bigger spike in his output from 2023. The box office Sydney star has been the clear standout performer of 2024 to date, becoming just the second player to reach 50 coaches' votes this week – 54 total – after seven rounds, behind Nat Fyfe in 2015, 17 votes clear of the next best this year in Zach Merrett.
| PLAYER | CLUB | POSITION | 2024 | 2023 | IMPROVEMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Heeney | Sydney | Mid | 23.3 | 11.9 | +11.4 |
| Sam Darcy | Western Bulldogs | Key Fwd | 10.1 | -0.3 | +10.4 |
| Blake Drury | North Melbourne | Fwd | 8.9 | -0.2 | +9.1 |
| Charlie Comben | North Melbourne | Key Def | 10.9 | 2.2 | +8.7 |
| Brandan Parfitt | Geelong | Mid | 13.3 | 5.4 | +7.9 |
| Massimo D'Ambrosio | Hawthorn | Wing | 11.0 | 3.7 | +7.3 |
| Elijah Hollands | Carlton | Fwd | 12.5 | 5.3 | +7.2 |
| Patrick Cripps | Carlton | Mid | 20.3 | 13.1 | +7.1 |
| Marc Pittonet | Carlton | Ruck | 15.7 | 8.6 | +7.1 |
| Max Gawn | Melbourne | Ruck | 20.5 | 13.9 | +6.6 |
| Matt Rowell | Gold Coast | Mid | 21.5 | 15.0 | +6.5 |
| Mitch Georgiades | Port Adelaide | Key Fwd | 6.9 | 0.5 | +6.4 |
| Maurice Rioli | Richmond | Fwd | 9.0 | 2.7 | +6.2 |
| Sam Walsh | Carlton | Mid | 18.7 | 12.6 | +6.1 |
| Aaron Cadman | Greater Western Sydney | Key Fwd | 8.6 | 2.6 | +6.0 |
The Tongala product has had a level of impact not many, if any, first-year players have ever had, especially when you factor in West Coast's struggles since 2021 and the never-before-seen level of coverage his every move has garnered in Western Australia.
Reid's numbers don't catapult off the page; he is maximum impact, rather than an accumulator. Second-year Kangaroo George Wardlaw is cut from a similar cloth and one of the leading contenders, along with his teammate Colby McKercher, who was narrowly overlooked for the round seven nomination on the weekend in favour of Jake Rogers, despite collecting 32 touches.
Darcy Wilson has made a seamless transition to League football at St Kilda, as has Caleb Windsor at Melbourne. Both have played all seven games since making debuts at the start of the season.
Geelong's Ollie Dempsey and Sydney's Matt Roberts are both playing roles in top-four sides right now, keeping more experienced players on the outer at both clubs and improving by the week.
Regardless of whether Darcy pushes Reid all the way in the Ron Evans Medal or not, he is clearly a crucial piece of the Western Bulldogs' future.
And after such a frustrating start to life in the AFL, the mobile big man is making a big impact in 2024.
Should a third-year player be eligible for the Rising Star? That is a debate for another day. But the rules are the rules. Under the age of 21 on January 1 and 10 games or less to your name is the criteria.
Sanders was expected to be the standout contender at the Dogs, but has been inconsistent. Harvey Gallagher has played all seven games and earned a nomination.
But it's Darcy that could be Reid's biggest challenger.
| PLAYER | NOMINATED | CLUB | 2024 PLAYER RATING POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Reid | Round five | WCE | 14.0 |
| George Wardlaw | Round two | NM | 12.6 |
| Jake Rogers | Round seven | GCS | 10.4 |
| Sam Darcy | Round four | WB | 10.1 |
| Matt Roberts | Opening Round | SYD | 9.4 |
| Oliver Dempsey | Round one | GEE | 8.8 |
| Caleb Windsor | Not yet nominated | MEL | 8.4 |
| Darcy Wilson | Round six | STK | 6.5 |
| Ryley Sanders | Not yet nominated | WB | 6.5 |
| Colby McKercher | Not yet nominated | NM | 5.9 |
| Harvey Gallagher | Round three | WB |
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- Oct 30, 2014
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The fact they had nominations in round 0 where most teams didn’t play is disgraceful by the AFL.
dogwatch
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Ssshhhh! You weren't meant to notice.
Libbaaaa
Norm Smith Medallist
- Jun 1, 2021
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Roberts (who got the nomination in round 0) has been an absolutely pig though so thoroughly deserved.
- Oct 30, 2014
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I haven’t got any problems with what Sam Draper has said, zilch. He’s just a lad, let them speak their minds a little. It’s the Sam McClure, Tom Morris, Caro, Barrett knobs that are unlistenable.
dogwatch
Premium Platinum
"The Coach and the CEO have been on the phones making sure there is no ill will between them and the Dogs."
Yeah, right.
Yeah, right.
- Jan 19, 2014
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A major diplomatic incident. Our respective foreign affairs depts are very busy. Exhuming Henry Kissinger to facilitate peace talks is on the table I believe."The Coach and the CEO have been on the phones making sure there is no ill will between them and the Dogs."
dogwatch
Premium Platinum
What's seppuku? A proper haircut?
- Jun 21, 2012
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Does a football club that hasn't won a final since 2004 have any honour?
I believe it’s a difficult number based puzzle. Draper is toast
- Jan 19, 2014
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The only honour they've been associated with since 2004 is Your Honour
Yesterday Dog
Team Captain
- Oct 9, 2017
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Draper would be a full time chromer under public infrastructure if he didn't have a well off family to fund his education. Let's be honest though his limited neurons aligned correctly on this one however
But but but. They have 16 flags and us battlers only have 2.
Worst supporter base in the comp. Thank heck they have been irrelevant for 20 years.
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Fossie 32
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3AW News - Bevo is under pressure after the loss to Hawks. Bevo says the club realises that the media are gonna react to losses like this but they aren't paying attention to outside noise.
go_sports_team
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- Jul 25, 2023
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BARRETT: Nothing's certain for under-fire Dogs after shock loss
Eight games after an off-season review, the future is more clouded than ever at the Western Bulldogs, writes Damian Barrett
www.afl.com.au
KYLIE Watson-Wheeler came within hours of being anointed the AFL's chief executive officer during a whirlwind weekend of meetings in Adelaide in mid-April last year.
With the backing of key powerbrokers, Watson-Wheeler had effectively come from nowhere to nearly land football's highest executive management post, ultimately falling short of filling the Gillon McLachlan-held post, which eventually went to Andrew Dillon.
Watson-Wheeler clearly knows how to run big businesses and to negotiate ways through office politics, egos and traditions.
Hers is a professional skillset the envy of many in football. She is managing director of the Australian arm of The Walt Disney Company, and sits on the boards of other big organisations, including the Australian Ballet. And now, as president of the Western Bulldogs, she knows she is going to need to draw on every facet of that business nous in the next two months to fix many current problems in order to present a clear future.
While Watson-Wheeler and her Bulldogs board, after negotiations that concluded 10 days before Christmas in 2022, have Luke Beveridge on contract as coach through to the end of 2025, their union has entered a holding pattern.
Watson-Wheeler and the Bulldogs declined to speak to AFL.com.au for this article, but in a carefully worded assessment of the club during a semi-regular commitment on ABC radio on Monday, she said it was "too early in the season for us to panic or for us to make rash decisions".
Despite the contract, there is too much unknown early in the 2024 season for Beveridge to be guaranteed access to 2025. His own mindset is part of that unknown. The mood of the playing group, which last Sunday failed against lowly Hawthorn to finish round eight with a 3-5 scoreline, is another problematic facet. The now-burning desire of more than a few players on that list to contemplate a future elsewhere is part of the mix. The lack of a strong voice, apart from Beveridge, publicly presenting the club's position on all matters, also.
At the time of writing, the board was not considering anything other than backing him in to fulfill his contract. But Beveridge and the Bulldogs have been around the block enough times to know that situations can change dramatically quickly, and that at some stage change itself may present as best option for individual and club.
While those who preside in senior positions at the Bulldogs have always maintained their coach doesn't possess any more power than his counterparts at other clubs, in my mind his control has been at times overwhelming. People at the club have regularly walked on eggshells around him, whether they have realised it or not, and have often made decisions based on what they had pre-empted his reactions to be.
In many ways, Beveridge's power and control was well earned, and understandable. Walking into not just a broken team but fractured club at the end of 2014, days after the captain Ryan Griffen had walked out, which had led to the exit of coach Brendan McCartney, Beveridge immediately transformed operations.
He took the Dogs to the finals in 2015, narrowly losing an elimination final to Adelaide in a contest he still to this day believes was adversely impacted by an apparent information exchange between the Talia brothers (Michael was a non-playing listed Bulldog at the time, Daniel a senior player for the Crows).
The next year, 2016, he orchestrated one of the greatest ever VFL/AFL premiership successes, taking the club from seventh after the home-and-away season all the way to the flag, just the second in the Bulldogs' history.
His legacy, rightly, and power was unquestioned, and effectively remained that way until the 2022 season, when the board deliberated at length before extending him to 2025.
I was fully supportive of that extension, as at the end of 2021, his seventh year in charge, he had twice taken the club to a Grand Final.
Maybe Beveridge hasn't personally recovered from conceding 16 of the final 17 goals in the 2021 Grand Final loss to Melbourne, and the Bulldogs under his watch have never finished a home-and-away season higher than fifth, nor have they won a final outside of the 2016 and 2021 seasons.
The quality of the Bulldogs' list is regularly debated. In Marcus Bontempelli, Beveridge has had access to one of the all-time AFL greats. Tom Liberatore has long been established as a Bulldogs great. There is elite talent in Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Smith (injured), Tim English and Liam Jones.
Former top-line players Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel and Bailey Dale have clearly deteriorated in opportunity and form. Rory Lobb, recruited at the end of 2022 largely on the urging of Beveridge, has been playing in the VFL this year. Very few people in football expect Bailey Smith, out for the season, to be a Dog in 2025.
Club CEO Ameet Bains clearly felt it was an underperforming list when he publicly said late last year that he believed the club had players which should progress to a top four finish.
The Bulldogs attempted to address some of the unknown around Beveridge late last year when they commissioned football's Mr Fixit, Peter Jackson, formerly a CEO at two AFL clubs and confidant to many in football, to conduct an external review of operations.
Depending on who you speak to and want to believe, at least 12 and up to 40 players were interviewed as part of Jackson's research, which resulted in a shuffling of responsibilities around the coach. Again depending on who you speak to and want to believe, Beveridge's position was either not for Jackson to scrutinise, or emerged from the Jackson review strongly intact.
Relationships around Beveridge have been strained for some time. After the Jackson review, Matthew Egan was catapulted into a position where Beveridge now reports to him, and he in turn reports to Chris Grant, effectively providing a working buffer between the coach and Grant, who clashed over the dismissal of long-serving assistant coach Rohan Smith at the end of 2023.
Watson-Wheeler and the Bulldogs board have not deviated in their support of Beveridge. Aware that they may have let him down with support staff in recent seasons, the board sought, after the Jackson review, to bolster that part of operations. The Bulldogs board will also never lose sight nor appreciation of him achieving in 2016 something only one other person, Charlie Sutton in 1954, had managed in the club's history.
The board has also watched other clubs find themselves in disarray for extended periods after choosing to part with good coaches, is choosing to look beyond the 3-5 scoreline to this point of 2024 and even see merit in a couple of losses, particularly in pushing Geelong to four points in round four and even Sunday's seven-point loss to Hawthorn, where nothing seemed to go right.
Beveridge is not wired to quit, and no one is sensing that in his thinking. But if the losses keep coming in a business which is rightly judged on match day outcomes, and after 10 seasons in charge, he would deep down know that a contract for 2025 is security only.
There are unknowns everywhere for Watson-Wheeler, her board and the coach just eight games after a review which was designed to create certainty.
It's Draper having zero intelligence whatsoever....
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