WallyStringhaus
Club Legend
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2015
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- Western Bulldogs
After the Elimination Final loss to the Saints last year, there was a lot of discussion surrounding our coaching staff. The general consensus was that we needed to make some changes and that certain individuals needed to be moved on. An example of this type of talk can be found below;
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/at-what-point-is-it-the-coaches.1244954/
Personally I've always been a fan of Bevo's style and emphasis on loyalty and continuity. I've made points previously (not in the thread above) that there is more value in having a model which creates stability and consistency than there is in constantly chopping and changing and bringing in other clubs' "IP". For every Don Pyke who has been credited with turning around the Swans front half there is a Stevie Johnson (who was singled out as an assistant coach target in the thread above) whose obvious nous of the forward craft hasn't made a lick of difference to where the Giants sit offensively (Ranked 10th in 2020, 11th in 2021).
I for one, am really proud of our coaching group for not only making the correct calls on players (Talia, Stringer, Dalhaus, Trengove, etc) but also the strength of our development which has put us in the box seat to finish the H&A season on top of the ladder for the first time in our history. So here's cheers to our valued coaching staff;
Assistant Coaches: Steven King(2012-2021), Rohan Smith(2012-2021) and Ashley Hansen(2013-2021)
Mids:
Our midfield is the envy of the entire competition and is elite at the clearance and contested possession side of the game. We rank 2nd for Inside 50s, 1st for Marks Inside 50 and 1st for Goal Assists. All this despite missing 50% of our starting midfield unit for a large portion of the season.
Forwards:
Ranked #1 for Goals, Points For, Goal Assists, Marks Inside 50. Once again this is despite some continuity issues. In Round One we started with the three tall setup of Naughton, Bruce and English with McNeil, Scott and Vandermeer at their feet. As the season has progressed we have seen Weightman, Garcia and JJ move in to the small forwards roles with aplomb and Hannan replace English as a hybrid tall/small. This week will likely see Jamarra and Wallis in there. It's a great sign that our system is effective and not reliant upon individual brilliance. We just keep kicking big scores (10x 90+ in 15 matches). The gap between us in 1st for Marks Inside 50 (229) and 2nd placed Geelong (185) is around the same as the gap between 2nd placed Geelong and 18th placed GWS (138).
Defense:
Ranked #18 for Goals and Inside 50's Conceded, #17 for Points Against, #14 for Mi50 against, #3 for 1%ers. Keath, Dale, Williams and Duryea are all having career best seasons whilst Caleb remains as consistent as ever. The absence of Gardner and Wood has hurt, will it cost us a flag?
Development: Jamie Maddocks(2015-2021), Travis Varcoe(2021), Brent Prismall - Welfare (2013-2021)
Jamarra will be our 41st player used this weekend. Only Buku, Cavarra, Schache and West have really looked out of place at senior level. McNeil, Scott, Vanders, Gardner and Garcia have been better than expected whilst Naughton, Dunkley, Baz, Weightman, Williams and English are developing into potential All Australians.
VFL: Stewart Edge(2014-2021)
Undefeated and on top of the ladder, what more could you ask for?
Kudos also to our equally staunch and effective off field team of Chris Grant, Chris Maple, Chris Bell, Matt Inness and of course Sam Power. Here's hoping Dom Milesi becomes just as integral to the team.
I've been a Dogs supporter for 40 years and this is the best placed we have ever been both on and off the field. Having vivid memories of those those tough times in the late 80s and mid 90s (not to mention the Rhode/McCartney years), I am making a point of appreciating what we have. Our Club is in great hands and setup for a sustained run at success. Let's enjoy it. Go Dogs!
I also forgot to mention the main man himself, Luke "No Plan B" Beveridge. There'll be a statue of you next to EJ at VUWO one day mate, you're a bloody legend!
Probably deserves it's own thread but Bevo is just 6 wins away from becoming the winningest coach in Footscray/WB history. EJ(91), Rocket(88), Bevo(86). Luke also has the highest win% @ 57.72% of people who have coached more than 20 games. Throw in the Premiership and I think it's pretty safe to say that he is the greatest coach in the history of our great club.
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/at-what-point-is-it-the-coaches.1244954/
Personally I've always been a fan of Bevo's style and emphasis on loyalty and continuity. I've made points previously (not in the thread above) that there is more value in having a model which creates stability and consistency than there is in constantly chopping and changing and bringing in other clubs' "IP". For every Don Pyke who has been credited with turning around the Swans front half there is a Stevie Johnson (who was singled out as an assistant coach target in the thread above) whose obvious nous of the forward craft hasn't made a lick of difference to where the Giants sit offensively (Ranked 10th in 2020, 11th in 2021).
I for one, am really proud of our coaching group for not only making the correct calls on players (Talia, Stringer, Dalhaus, Trengove, etc) but also the strength of our development which has put us in the box seat to finish the H&A season on top of the ladder for the first time in our history. So here's cheers to our valued coaching staff;
Assistant Coaches: Steven King(2012-2021), Rohan Smith(2012-2021) and Ashley Hansen(2013-2021)
Mids:
Our midfield is the envy of the entire competition and is elite at the clearance and contested possession side of the game. We rank 2nd for Inside 50s, 1st for Marks Inside 50 and 1st for Goal Assists. All this despite missing 50% of our starting midfield unit for a large portion of the season.
Forwards:
Ranked #1 for Goals, Points For, Goal Assists, Marks Inside 50. Once again this is despite some continuity issues. In Round One we started with the three tall setup of Naughton, Bruce and English with McNeil, Scott and Vandermeer at their feet. As the season has progressed we have seen Weightman, Garcia and JJ move in to the small forwards roles with aplomb and Hannan replace English as a hybrid tall/small. This week will likely see Jamarra and Wallis in there. It's a great sign that our system is effective and not reliant upon individual brilliance. We just keep kicking big scores (10x 90+ in 15 matches). The gap between us in 1st for Marks Inside 50 (229) and 2nd placed Geelong (185) is around the same as the gap between 2nd placed Geelong and 18th placed GWS (138).
Defense:
Ranked #18 for Goals and Inside 50's Conceded, #17 for Points Against, #14 for Mi50 against, #3 for 1%ers. Keath, Dale, Williams and Duryea are all having career best seasons whilst Caleb remains as consistent as ever. The absence of Gardner and Wood has hurt, will it cost us a flag?
Development: Jamie Maddocks(2015-2021), Travis Varcoe(2021), Brent Prismall - Welfare (2013-2021)
Jamarra will be our 41st player used this weekend. Only Buku, Cavarra, Schache and West have really looked out of place at senior level. McNeil, Scott, Vanders, Gardner and Garcia have been better than expected whilst Naughton, Dunkley, Baz, Weightman, Williams and English are developing into potential All Australians.
VFL: Stewart Edge(2014-2021)
Undefeated and on top of the ladder, what more could you ask for?
Kudos also to our equally staunch and effective off field team of Chris Grant, Chris Maple, Chris Bell, Matt Inness and of course Sam Power. Here's hoping Dom Milesi becomes just as integral to the team.
I've been a Dogs supporter for 40 years and this is the best placed we have ever been both on and off the field. Having vivid memories of those those tough times in the late 80s and mid 90s (not to mention the Rhode/McCartney years), I am making a point of appreciating what we have. Our Club is in great hands and setup for a sustained run at success. Let's enjoy it. Go Dogs!
I also forgot to mention the main man himself, Luke "No Plan B" Beveridge. There'll be a statue of you next to EJ at VUWO one day mate, you're a bloody legend!
Probably deserves it's own thread but Bevo is just 6 wins away from becoming the winningest coach in Footscray/WB history. EJ(91), Rocket(88), Bevo(86). Luke also has the highest win% @ 57.72% of people who have coached more than 20 games. Throw in the Premiership and I think it's pretty safe to say that he is the greatest coach in the history of our great club.
