Footscray
Coach – Luke Beveridge
2016 –
Points For – 12th
Points Against – 3rd
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Marcus Bontempelli
- Dale Morris
- Lachie Hunter
- Tom Liberatore
- Liam Picken
2016 Rising Star Noms
Caleb Daniel (Rnd 4)
Josh Dunkley (Rnd 20)
Ins – Travis Cloke, Tim English, Patrick Lipinski, Lewis Young, Fergus Greene, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh
Outs – Will Minson, Jed Adcock, Luke Goetz, Joel Hamling, Nathan Hrovat, Koby Stevens
My Prediction
Seems weird previewing the premier so early into the process but during the home and away they were the 7th best team. It was a bit of an unusual finals series and one I am not sure we will see the like of again for some time. I guess the question is whether it was also a freak event for the Dogs or are they a genuine challenger again this year.
The backline was under rated last year. They had some injury issues down back but they kept finding players and depth. Murphy comes back into the fold this year, there has to be some concern with both him and Boyd celebrating their 35th birthdays during the season and Morris not long after. For KP depth they look alright, Roberts and Collins coming through with Adams. They have the ability to provide good run from half back with Suckling, Wood and Johannisen all attacking players.
The midfield is the strength of the team. The Bont still has upside which is frightening in itself, much like Fyfe he can change a game very quickly. Libba and Wallis are still young and still have a lot of upside. You then look at Dunkley, Macrae, Daniel, Hunter and Dahlhaus and you have one of the best midfields in the competition. They really don’t lack anything through there and are still so young that they should continue to improve. If they arent the best midfield in the compeition, they are certainly in the conversation.
The rucks are an area that will be interesting to watch. Roughead did the job last year. Certainly doesnt feel like a dominant ruck and I think whilst Boyd was good as well in patches, surely he is needed more as a forward.
The forward line was the weak link last year. I am not sure I understand the recruitment of Cloke. I can sort of see why he is appealing but I dont think they lacked height or marking targets and with Crameri coming back they looked ok structurally to me. Campbell, Boyd, Dickson, Redpath and Crameri looks OK for marking targets. Stringer was down for periods last year but still capable of anything. They probably lack a real opportunist small forward but plenty of their mids drift forward like Macrae, Dunkley and Dahlhaus. Boyd stood up in the grand final last year and will be interesting to see if that is a turning point for him and his overall output this year.
Before I sat down to look at the Dogs I had a more negative view than I do now. They have so much talent through their midfield and reason for plenty of optimism up forward. Their backline could be fragile but there is certainly young talent developing and read to step up when the older players finish up. They should improve this year depending on how they deal with the premiership hangover. Top four team for mine. 3rd or 4th.