The Dogs have been found out. Their run last year was based on competitiveness around the contest, third man up to nullify better ruckmen, a fair bit of inspiration, the form of Johannison, Daniel, Lin Jong, and Bontempelli in particular, a one off game from Boyd, quick and at times, dubious handball and a well drilled and disciplined squad who played their roles well.
Other teams upped their pressure around the contest, third man up is gone, not much new to inspire them after last year's fairy tale, key players injured or out of form (Bont looks fairly run of the mill now), understanding of their handball patterns are coached against now and the discipline has dropped way off.
They look like an average middling footy team now.