Tell me!!!!

[Ipaidmy200in89]

How did the Western Bulldogs go from 2nd last in 1996 to being within one kick of a Grand Final in 1997? Why can't that happen again?

 

[LongBomb]

Of course it can happen again.

It is unlikely, but it can happen.

 

[doggies]

it will happen. trust me.

 

[jimmy35]

Chances are one team will make big inroads into the ladder positions from last year.
Probably the Pies

 

[Nightwolf]

Theres hope for the Hawks yet...

 

[iameviljez]

How did the Western Bulldogs go from 2nd last in 1996 to being within one kick of a Grand Final in 1997? Why can't that happen again?

Well, let's start from here. Do you see any young players in the lineup who could become the equal of the following five in 1997?
Grant, Johnson, Smith, Darcy, West.
Can't say I do.

 

[Skeptic]

Unlike the teams around it, I'm not entirely convinced that Hawthorn has developed the "Loser Mentality" that comes with being down for a while.

E.g. The recent years when St.Kilda and Carlton finished down the bottom respectively, they had a team that had played in finals and a grandfinal within 3-4 years b4hand.
Saints of 2000 contained: Harvey, Burke, Loewe, Hall, Brown, Heatley, Peckett, Young, Wakelin/s, Sierkowski, Cripps, Everite, Trianedes, Jones etc all those guys were there in 97.

This year will either see the Hawks bounce right back up or they will capitulate for a few seasons down the bottom yet.

I guess we'll c

 

[SCRAY72]

How did the Western Bulldogs go from 2nd last in 1996 to being within one kick of a Grand Final in 1997? Why can't that happen again?

Could happen but very doubtful. The competition has changed.

 

[Powerstufff]

How did the Western Bulldogs go from 2nd last in 1996 to being within one kick of a Grand Final in 1997? Why can't that happen again?

We kep being told the difference between #1 and#16 is about 10% and I don't find that hard to believe. In a given year if all your players are up and injury doesn't hit hard you have a good chance of making the 8. If some of the more obviously strong clubs hit the wall you can find yourself pushed within reach of the premiership.

 

[Yze_Magic]

it will happen. trust me.

Yeah, we trust you

 

[doggies1954]

Well, let's start from here. Do you see any young players in the lineup who could become the equal of the following five in 1997?
Grant, Johnson, Smith, Darcy, West.
Can't say I do.

Yeh, i see Grant, Johnson, Smith Darcy and West still playing for us, wets still as good as ever,darcy probably betetr than eh was in '97 when he was jsut a young back up ruckman, johnson is still a star, smith still playing wel and grant while near the end of his career still makes a very big difference to the side.
I also see Adam cooney if he can play like those last 4 rounds last year will be already seen as a star of the AFL, brian harris holding down full back as a young guy, brad murphy, daniel cross but finished last year very well.
WIll Minson is a young up and coming ruckman who showed good signs in a yar where he had 2 family members die, internal injuries, a suspension and had only jsut made his debut.
i can also see a young lsit who haven't reached there potential yet and now have a very good coach.
im not saying we will get upto 3rd like '97 but stranger things have happened, we could also have another flop of a year, you never now.

 

[O Grobbecker]

1. Wallace had the team fit and skilled by early training. Not possible now because of the player’s break
2. 1996 was an aberration. Footscray was not a bottom 2 side. It played regularly in finals in the early ‘90’s in which time two of its players won Brownlows. The current team has been in decline since 1999 although the graph will trend upwards now starting last year.
3. The 1997 team had harder players than the 2005. It intimidated other teams. Can’t see that happening in 2005
4. Wallace was unknown as a coach in 1997. None of the other coaches knew what he was up to (Did he know himself ?). Eade is proven but known.

On the other hand

1. The team is under rated by other clubs. Some will be caught out
2. Expect the younger group to step up significantly and take responsibility.
3. Expect a few surprises among the playing list and the emergence of individuals who are under the radar .
4. The 2005 version is more naturally skilful than the1997 team
5. The 2005 team will be better coached. Eade has been to the well. He should have learned from any mistakes. Wallace was still learning.

 

[Funkalicous]

Are we talking about Bulldogs or Hawthorn? Hawks came second last I believe.

 

[O Grobbecker]

Are we talking about Bulldogs or Hawthorn? Hawks came second last I believe.

You pedant, you, Funkalicious. I suppose we'll just have to put this thread on hold until the next time the club finishes 2nd last.

 

[Swifty_446]

Any number of things can attibute to a club rising rapidly. It's pretty ripe to say that it wont happen anymore these days, that's the nature of sport. It all comes down to a change in environment that leads to change of attitude, which usually comes from a new coach but can come from new players/trainers. It's impossible to predict who will come out flying this year. The Dogs have the potential to improve, but whether that happens or not is another thing. I can't see them improving to the tune of '97, but we wont be getting priority picks again. Melbourne on the other hand........

 

[O Grobbecker]

Collingwood went one better when it went from last to the Grand Final in 197? or 198? when Tom Hafey was first appointed coach. Collingwood devotees can correct the detail. The point is that Collingwood was not a bottom team the year it finished bottom. It, too, had played in finals in the few years before. Footscray nosedived in 1996 because

1. Joyce’s message didn’t get through; and
2. The administration decided to “empower” the players, following Carlton’s lead. The difference was that Carlton had responsible types like Silvagni, Kernahan etc. They Carlton lads came back in the pre season fit and ready to go. Our lads didn’t.

The team that rises in 2005 from the cellars will be the one that should never have been there in the first place. That's not richmond or Hawthorn. Maybe Collingwood. Maybe Adelaide. I hope it's us.

 

[OneEyedHawk]

Unlike the teams around it, I'm not entirely convinced that Hawthorn has developed the "Loser Mentality" that comes with being down for a while.

E.g. The recent years when St.Kilda and Carlton finished down the bottom respectively, they had a team that had played in finals and a grandfinal within 3-4 years b4hand.
Saints of 2000 contained: Harvey, Burke, Loewe, Hall, Brown, Heatley, Peckett, Young, Wakelin/s, Sierkowski, Cripps, Everite, Trianedes, Jones etc all those guys were there in 97.

This year will either see the Hawks bounce right back up or they will capitulate for a few seasons down the bottom yet.

I guess we'll c

Good point Skeptic.

 

[smasher]

Anything can happen in this game of ours.....

 

[Alkaline]

How did the Western Bulldogs go from 2nd last in 1996 to being within one kick of a Grand Final in 1997? Why can't that happen again?

cause they lost browny

 

[O Grobbecker]

cause they lost browny

Young Nathan was very much a bit part player in those days. Just up from the bush with hair down to his waist.