Toast Welcome to the Temple of Bontempelli, please take off your shoes and pay your respects

[The Original Swooper]

Degenerative hips are fun. Some days I feel like I could run for miles. Other days it's restrictive and painful. The problem is the "referred" pain. A sharp movement can result in the hip transferring a pain sensation to the groin. Ive sworn several times my issue is aground problem. But scans refute it. It's the hip.

 

[Fossie 32]

That's all we need, our best player with chronic hip problems. Hopefully, whatever it is can be fixed asap.

And Timmy

 

[WallyStringhaus]

In the AA squad of 40. In a 'poor' year too...guy is a deadset gun.

 

[BulldogJake]

In the AA squad of 40. In a 'poor' year too...guy is a deadset gun.

Macrae very stiff I thought. Criminally underrated, but those kind of midfielders never get the credit they deserve.

 

[VitalDread]

Macrae very stiff I thought. Criminally underrated, but those kind of midfielders never get the credit they deserve.

100% agreed
Clearly our best midfielder of the year, Reckon lack of goals cost him a spot

 

[Gollo]

Macrae very stiff I thought. Criminally underrated, but those kind of midfielders never get the credit they deserve.

It was never a surprise that Macrae didn't make it, even though I say he deserves it more than Bontempelli. I mean, come on, who expects Danny Frawley, Cameron Ling and even Luke Darcy to look anywhere beyond the franchise players of the big clubs. They've got a combined IQ of about 150. I'm resigned to Macrae being under-recognised for the rest of his career.

 

[BulldogJake]

It was never a surprise that Macrae didn't make it, even though I say he deserves it more than Bontempelli. I mean, come on, who expects Danny Frawley, Cameron Ling and even Luke Darcy to look anywhere beyond the franchise players of the big clubs. They've got a combined IQ of about 150. I'm resigned to Macrae being under-recognised for the rest of his career.

It's like 'On The Couch' last week - which I usually like - said Bontempelli was our only A-Grader. King came in and also said Dahlhaus, but when I think of A-Graders at our club when they're playing at their very best I think Bont, Macrae, Libba, Stringer, Dahlhaus, Wood with McLean, Daniel, Cordy and Adams all with potential to be A-Graders (not saying they've reached that status yet). And yes, I know Libba, Stringer, Dahlhaus, Wood haven't been A-Grade this year and that somewhat explains our season.

 

[Dav1d]

It was never a surprise that Macrae didn't make it, even though I say he deserves it more than Bontempelli. I mean, come on, who expects Danny Frawley, Cameron Ling and even Luke Darcy to look anywhere beyond the franchise players of the big clubs. They've got a combined IQ of about 150. I'm resigned to Macrae being under-recognised for the rest of his career.

120 of that belongs to Darcy to

 

[Gollo]

It's like 'On The Couch' last week - which I usually like - said Bontempelli was our only A-Grader. King came in and also said Dahlhaus, but when I think of A-Graders at our club when they're playing at their very best I think Bont, Macrae, Libba, Stringer, Dahlhaus, Wood with McLean, Daniel, Cordy and Adams all with potential to be A-Graders (not saying they've reached that status yet). And yes, I know Libba, Stringer, Dahlhaus, Wood haven't been A-Grade this year and that somewhat explains our season.

Agree mostly, with the exception of Dahlhaus simply due to his shocking kicking. When he's not playing as an inside mid, it's too much of an issue to call him an A-grader. But yeah, Bontempelli, Macrae, Stringer, Wood and Liberatore are, in my opinion, all A-graders at their peak.

 

[maddog37]

Morris.

 

[ScragCity]

Agree mostly, with the exception of Dahlhaus simply due to his shocking kicking. When he's not playing as an inside mid, it's too much of an issue to call him an A-grader. But yeah, Bontempelli, Macrae, Stringer, Wood and Liberatore are, in my opinion, all A-graders at their peak.

Pretty sure Caleb Daniel was also rated as elite for his position by champion data last year too. They define elite as being in the top 10%. So Caleb was in the top 10% of midfielders in his second year and people don't think he's an A grader. He was down this year like the rest of them but he is definitely an A grader and nowhere near his prime.

 

[Gollo]

Pretty sure Caleb Daniel was also rated as elite for his position by champion data last year too. They define elite as being in the top 10%. So Caleb was in the top 10% of midfielders in his second year and people don't think he's an A grader. He was down this year like the rest of them but he is definitely an A grader and nowhere near his prime.

You're not wrong, I just forgot think to add him to the list.

 

[dogwatch]

I think we overrate a lot of our players.

Shock. Horror.

 

[immortalmike]

I think we overrate a lot of our players.

Shock. Horror.

I think several underrate a lot of our players in response.

 

[dogwatch]

I think several underrate a lot of our players in response.

True.

 

[BulldogJake]

Pretty sure Caleb Daniel was also rated as elite for his position by champion data last year too. They define elite as being in the top 10%. So Caleb was in the top 10% of midfielders in his second year and people don't think he's an A grader. He was down this year like the rest of them but he is definitely an A grader and nowhere near his prime.

I liked how he, McLean and Biggs responded after being dropped. Some positives to take out of the year.

 

[BulldogJake]

I think several underrate a lot of our players in response.

This. Sums up most Bulldogs fans.

Overreactions after a disappointing season which was injury riddled from the time they stepped off the MCG with the cup last year. 5? 6? Players had off season surgeries.

 

[VitalDread]

Is bont actually at the AA tonight?

 

[The Inbetweener]

I'm clearly biased but surprised Selwood and Shiel got picked ahead of him.

Selwood missed 6 games!

It's not everything but I think Bont averaged 1 less SuperCoach point to Zac Merrett this year. And spent half his time forward. Yet Merrett was seen as a morale and others saying Bont lucky to be in the squad of 40.

Just feel like he has been judged pretty harshly this year.

Could have done himself a favour and kicked straight though, could have found himself a spot on the HFF with better conversion

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Bont is the type of person who will use this as motivation.

 

[The Inbetweener]

Just feel like rightly or wrongly they expect too much of him now

 

[Libba39]

Not that surprised that Bont wasn't selected. His season was indicative of the team's. Some moments of brilliance, but never played four quarters.

 

[synchrodogcal]

Could have done himself a favour and kicked straight though, could have found himself a spot on the HFF with better conversion

could have made finals if he did

would have

should have gone to specsavers

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Bont is the type of person who will use this as motivation.

You Think?
I reckon he wont give two shits.

 

[ScragCity]

You Think?
I reckon he wont give two shits.

Exactly. The AA is just a glorified popularity contest. The fact that Hibberd gets picked over Shiggs proves that well and truly.