Dogs: Unchartered territory

[Catsace]

The year the Bulldogs won the premiership, the side finished the ladder in 2nd place, but with the unflattering win/loss ratio of 11-6-1. They won their finals and won the flag with 13 wins and a draw for the season.

In their future seasons, only three times have they finished the ladder as high as 2nd place, being 1985, 1992 and in 1998. They were 16-6 in 1992, and were 15-7 in 1998 and also 1985. Currently at 13-1-1, they set a record in two ways. One, they have never before had a win/loss record of this magnitude at this stage of the season, and two, only one side that has ever been the lofty heights of 13-1-1 has ever not been top of the table at this point. Only in 1975, with Hawthorn and Carlton on top with dominating records of 15-1 and 14-2 as at Round 16, has there been a similar twin-peaked level of dominance. The fact that Hawthorn are 13-2 as well is unique to AFL.

The point is, can the Dogs defy history and keep it up? They play Geelong this week, at a venue they have had great recent success on, and are now stone cold certainties to finish top 3 at the very least. Just three more wins will see the Dogs have their most successful H & A season. For a side that has never finished as minor premier, it's an amazing run this year. Do Dog fans think that this could be the year of the Dog, it is an amazing sequal to a finish to last year that was terrible at best.

 

[Scroater]

I'm hoping this is the year of the dog, although wondering why you've started this in bay 13. This week takes me back to 98 when Geelong and Bulldogs played for top posi at Princess Park with the doggies winning by about 4 goals IIRC.

 

[Catsace]

I'm hoping this is the year of the dog, although wondering why you've started this in bay 13. This week takes me back to 98 when Geelong and Bulldogs played for top posi at Princess Park with the doggies winning by about 4 goals IIRC.

Didn't think it mattered what forum i started this in....it's all footy.

That match would have been in 1997, Dogs led by the amazing 'fade inwards' kicking style of James Cook knocked over the Cats who were oh so close that year. We would have craved for just 2 more percentage points to finish top and play a weak 10-11-1 Lions side in 8th, rather than a Carey-led reigning premier at night in 7th..

1998 Geelong were awful, after being 7-6 at one point, we won about 2 more games. One of those was by a point at Optus Oval against your Dogs, with James Wood kicking 4 goals in the performance of his career. Dogs were a bit stiff not to convert either '97 or '98 into a Grand Final appearance, just for the amazing September ability of Adelaide.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Love to see the Dogs win the flags if the Saints can't.

 

[conwaynmfc]

I'm hoping this is the year of the dog, although wondering why you've started this in bay 13. This week takes me back to 98 when Geelong and Bulldogs played for top posi at Princess Park with the doggies winning by about 4 goals IIRC.

How about Round 22 that year

 

[Scroater]

Didn't think it mattered what forum i started this in....it's all footy.

That match would have been in 1997, Dogs led by the amazing 'fade inwards' kicking style of James Cook knocked over the Cats who were oh so close that year. We would have craved for just 2 more percentage points to finish top and play a weak 10-11-1 Lions side in 8th, rather than a Carey-led reigning premier at night in 7th..

1998 Geelong were awful, after being 7-6 at one point, we won about 2 more games. One of those was by a point at Optus Oval against your Dogs, with James Wood kicking 4 goals in the performance of his career. Dogs were a bit stiff not to convert either '97 or '98 into a Grand Final appearance, just for the amazing September ability of Adelaide.

Sorry about that. Slip of the keyboard. It was a ripper game. Hope this one goes the same way.

How about Round 22 that year

Never heard a crowd as loud as the crowd that night when Grant(?) kicked the goal to put you in front. If I remember, Rohan Smith had the ball and running from wing to half forward when the siren went.

 

[Pigdog]

Never heard a crowd as loud as the crowd that night when Grant(?) kicked the goal to put you in front. If I remember, Rohan Smith had the ball and running from wing to half forward when the siren went.

I think it was Robert Scott.

One of the best games I have seen live.

 

[Scroater]

I think it was Robert Scott.

One of the best games I have seen live.

IIRC Scott got the 50 metres after Cookie crashed into him and put them more than a goal up and we got one back. I think that's how it went.