Opinion Our Next Premiership Team: The Traffic Light Analysis

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Quite often on this forum you see people talk about "our next premiership team," and rate players according to whether they're like to feature in it.

I thought it would be a good idea to find out exactly who people have confidence in, who they're not sure on, and who they think won't feature in it.

To this end I propose a traffic light analysis.

Those players listed in Green are those who I am confident are capable of being a part of the Western Bulldogs' next premiership team. I've seen enough to consider them talented enough; they're young enough for the windows to align; they're durable enough to make me believe they can slot in and play most games; and they have a role to play in a premiership side.

Those in Orange are those who I'm not yet certain will feature, but who I haven't "given up on" yet either. The undecideds. Maybe a player is 29. Maybe they have question marks over their durability. Maybe their form has dropped off. Maybe I haven't seen enough yet. Maybe I just don't know if they're good enough yet.

Players in Red are those that I don't believe will feature. For one reason or another, I don't think they'll be there. Perhaps they're very close to the end of their career, or can't stay on the park, or I don't think they're good enough.

I also think this could be a good thread to keep coming back to and updating. Change of circumstances? Change of form? Severe injury? Maybe it's worth adjusting your "ratings."

I'll post my thoughts in the next post, but it's only my opinion of course. I'd love to see what everybody else thinks.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Spoiler: Danx10's Ratings

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

 

[JeavDog7]

Spoiler: Danx10's Ratings

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

Dan I'm curious to here your reasoning behind Ed Richards and Billy Gowers as orange, they were two of our best players this year and are still only 19 and 22 respectively?

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Dan I'm curious to here your reasoning behind Ed Richards and Billy Gowers as orange, they were two of our best players this year and are still only 19 and 22 respectively?

I think Richards will be a brilliant player but he's not close enough yet for me to lock him in. He played well this year but he did flit in and out and has a bit to learn before he's a consistent contributor week-in, week-out.

Gowers is a tough one, and it's probably harsh on him, but I'm just not yet convinced he has the class to hold his own in a premiership side. He's brutish and talented and so much fun to watch, and he was sensational for us this year, but I think he faded out a little bit in the back end. It's fair enough, he still has a lot of room to grow and I'm certainly not ruling him out or giving up on him - I'm just not quite there yet.

English is the other one that I'm expecting some heat for - similar reasoning to Richards.

 

[hutchy31]

Don’t disagree with most of the list, and understand the Richards and English rating. I’d look at it slightly differently- if we’re going to win a flag in the next 4-7 years they’re amongst a handful of young players who need to have progressed enough for that to happen.

Therefore for me they’re part of our next flag side - unless we don’t win one for 10+ years.

I also think Schache will be in it - he’s easily a league standard second tall forward if he progresses from this year. He just needs a decent KPF beside him (which we all obviously hoped Boyd would be, but that’s maybe shaky now).

 

[Yojimbo]

As a man with colour blindness all I can say is, what orange players ?

 

[fitzroybowiedog]

whats your window? Daniel, Dale, Libba, Richards, Gowers, English, Boyd and Schache are all obviously young enough.....but not good enough?

 

[Mofra]

I think Richards will be a brilliant player but he's not close enough yet for me to lock him in. He played well this year but he did flit in and out and has a bit to learn before he's a consistent contributor week-in, week-out.

Gowers is a tough one, and it's probably harsh on him, but I'm just not yet convinced he has the class to hold his own in a premiership side. He's brutish and talented and so much fun to watch, and he was sensational for us this year, but I think he faded out a little bit in the back end. It's fair enough, he still has a lot of room to grow and I'm certainly not ruling him out or giving up on him - I'm just not quite there yet.

English is the other one that I'm expecting some heat for - similar reasoning to Richards.

Fair reasoning. For mine I'm bullish on both English and Richards, and sadly I'd have Wallis in orange. I love his endeavour, he bleeds for the club, but he is just not quite there as a mid. He looked more effective as a forward and for mine he needs to play the Clay Smith type bash and crash forward role, I'm wondering if the new rules from next year will help or hinder him. He has a huge tank but the rule may negate some of that advantage.

Will be interesting to see how you rate pick 7, West & Khamis at the end of the year.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

whats your window? Daniel, Dale, Libba, Richards, Gowers, English, Boyd and Schache are all obviously young enough.....but not good enough?

Not quite what I'm saying - orange just means I'm not certain enough that they'll feature yet.
Daniel - form has dropped considerably when not playing defence, but I don't think having him in the back half is sustainable.
Dale - haven't seen him play well for quite some time now. Injuries played a part.
Libba - see Dale. Don't even know if he'll be on the list.
Richards, Gowers, English - explained above.
Boyd - inconsistent form. Where's his role? Is he good enough at it?
Schache - looking good. I like him. Still has some areas to work on before he "makes it," though.

I think we can be back there or thereabouts in 2-3 years, things going right. Others won't be as bullish though. A lot rests on the guys in orange making the step up. Orange doesn't mean I don't have confidence in them.

Fair reasoning. For mine I'm bullish on both English and Richards, and sadly I'd have Wallis in orange. I love his endeavour, he bleeds for the club, but he is just not quite there as a mid. He looked more effective as a forward and for mine he needs to play the Clay Smith type bash and crash forward role, I'm wondering if the new rules from next year will help or hinder him. He has a huge tank but the rule may negate some of that advantage.

Will be interesting to see how you rate pick 7, West & Khamis at the end of the year.

Primary forwards who rotate onto the ball and play both roles to a solid degree are pretty rare. I like Wallis in that role a lot and think it can stick. As a primary mid, he's not good enough, but if he can keep building on his form as a primary forward he's a damn valuable asset.

 

[maddog37]

As a man with colour blindness all I can say is, what orange players ?

I feel your pain brother. This thread is dead to me.

 

[ThirdLegUp]

I feel your pain brother. This thread is dead to me.

what colour do you see? I'm am curious. so you see the green and red, but orange is? red also?

 

[PuzzledfromParkville]

As a man with colour blindness all I can say is, what orange players ?

Yep, I have no idea what is happening here either

 

[ThirdLegUp]

Is this better?
Green is still Green.
Orange is now Red and
Red is black for dead hehe

DANx10 list

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

 

[Yojimbo]

Is this better?
Green is still Green.
Orange is now Red and
Red is black for dead hehe

DANx10 list

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

Thanks man, I can see, I can see.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

That'll learn me for trying a clever metaphor

 

[Yojimbo]

That'll learn me for trying a clever metaphor

It's magnificent work Dannnnnnnnnn, now I can see it.

 

[maddog37]

Is this better?
Green is still Green.
Orange is now Red and
Red is black for dead hehe

DANx10 list

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

Still no good. I cannot contrast red and green.

 

[Yojimbo]

Still no good. I cannot contrast red and green.

I take it you are not an electrician either or work in bomb disposal.

 

[ThirdLegUp]

Still no good. I cannot contrast red and green.

Wow, you have Bulldog vision! A true supporter seeing the world in red blue and white. lol

Ok Green is now Blue

Blue - Lock it in
Red - Hold the phone
Black - Stick a fork in'im

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

 

[maddog37]

Wow, you have Bulldog vision! A true supporter seeing the world in red blue and white. lol

Ok Green is now Blue

Blue - Lock it in
Red - Hold the phone
Black - Stick a fork in'im

Matt Suckling
Lewis Young
Mitch Wallis
Marcus Bontempelli
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Hunter
Jackson Trengove
Hayden Crozier
Easton Wood
Jack Macrae
Zaine Cordy
Josh Schache
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Tom Boyd
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Ed Richards
Tom Liberatore
Mitch Honeychurch
Billy Gowers
Patrick Lipinski
Callum Porter
Tory Dickson
Fergus Greene
Bailey Dale
Aaron Naughton
Bailey Williams
Caleb Daniel
Brad Lynch
Roarke Smith
Dale Morris
Jason Johannisen
Liam Picken
Tim English
Lin Jong
Taylor Duryea
Sam Lloyd

Thank the Lordee lord I can see!!!

 

[BrisDog]

I think Richards will be a brilliant player but he's not close enough yet for me to lock him in.

WTF? End thread

 

[bontshow]

Lin Jong

Here we go

 

[Yojimbo]

WTF? End thread

Would Ed Richards and Aaron Naughton have played as many games if they played for West Coast ? Look Deeper use your
mind take off the rose coloured glasses and see what you find. You know Billy Gowers was our leading Goal kicker with
26 goals, what do these three players reveal about our season, open your mind.

 

[mcgleereturns]

Would Ed Richards and Aaron Naughton have played as many games if they played for West Coast ? Look Deeper use your
mind take off the rose coloured glasses and see what you find. You know Billy Gowers was our leading Goal kicker with
26 goals, what do these three players reveal about our season, open your mind.

Naughton wouldn’t be drafted by WCE because they already have McGovern and Barrass so no. But that’s no different to North didn’t need Chris Grant because they had Carey and Longmire. Doesn’t dismiss Naughton’s performance because he doesn’t make Eagles premiership team. Many champions from other premiership teams don’t fit into a different team at a given time. In any team that needed a marking defender in 2018 Naughton plays, plays well and warrants recognition. Think Ed showed enough ( not as much as Gerard Healy hype suggested) to warrant a future member of premiership team IF it happens. Fair enough on Gowers. Jason Watts led goal kicker tally with 44 in 96 and........ well Jason Watts. We all thought Adrian Campbell would surpass his 21 goals ........ but didn’t. Danny Delre went from 70 goals to 1 in 2 years so progress isn’t guaranteed. Having said that, I have high hopes for him.


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[Yojimbo]

Naughton wouldn’t be drafted by WCE because they already have McGovern and Barrass so no. But that’s no different to North didn’t need Chris Grant because they had Carey and Longmire. Doesn’t dismiss Naughton’s performance because he doesn’t make Eagles premiership team. Many champions from other premiership teams don’t fit into a different team at a given time. In any team that needed a marking defender in 2018 Naughton plays, plays well and warrants recognition. Think Ed showed enough ( not as much as Gerard Healy hype suggested) to warrant a future member of premiership team IF it happens. Fair enough on Gowers. Jason Watts led goal kicker tally with 44 in 96 and........ well Jason Watts. We all thought Adrian Campbell would surpass his 21 goals ........ but didn’t. Danny Delre went from 70 goals to 1 in 2 years so progress isn’t guaranteed. Having said that, I have high hopes for him.


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It's all about opportunity mate, Naughton right place at the right time. The three guys played 21, 20 , 18 games as first years yes
Gowers was a mature ager, but he did nothing at Carlton of note. As a club it's hard to contend with that many first years in an
age demographic sense, but it could be of benefit down the track. If you have ever been to training the first years generally
sit out a lot of the drills and are carefully managed or loaded.