Hot Dog
Kennel Participant
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2018
- Messages
- 316
- Reaction score
- 385
Lot's of threads about player movements, the boards ability, the coaching and back office staff, player positions, and finally where we finish the at the end of 2019. Whilst I love reading and contributing to these threads I am quite simplistic in my approach as a Bulldogs Supporter and I guess when I think about it I always have been. So let me break down what I will be looking for next year.
The last few seasons, since Des took over I have watched before my own eyes a culture shift in the whole club. We really did move away from playing aggressive and exciting football, and looking after our own, most importantly juniors. Yes there were 2 Grand Final appearances and some highlights, but overall I must admit I was getting bored watching us play. This season despite the losses, I actually enjoyed pockets of our play much more than I have in the past few years. I have also enjoyed watching young players take their chances and our ISP win the big one. Finally I have most enjoyed the feel that despite a lack of playing talent and poor salary cap position, we are a club on the up.
So whilst I will not sit here and write who's doing or lack thereof is behind all of this, because as I mentioned earlier, there are numerous threads in here about these things that can be argued till the cows come home. What I will say is that next year this is what I will judge the club on and in the same order:
1. Brand of footy/Culture. (Closer to Dogs of War and Entertainers, than Desball)
2. Junior development (our younger teams continuing to improve and bring through players)
3. Retention of the right players (we have 14 players of contract in 2020 and some hard decisions will need to be made next season on who we re-sign and let go. I believe the club got it right this year but next year will be a bigger challenge)
Whilst I believe that these measures can be subjective, I do believe that most of us will be able to judge these pretty fairly and mostly in agreement, as long as we remain realistic. I would love to see finals footy but would be happy with continued improvements in the 3 areas above for the next 2 years, with a big push in 2021 and beyond. As for the players, coach, and board, I am happy to give them a clean slate in 2019 and base it on its own. I believe they have done enough this season to warrant that.
Wishing it was March now. Go the Doggies.
The last few seasons, since Des took over I have watched before my own eyes a culture shift in the whole club. We really did move away from playing aggressive and exciting football, and looking after our own, most importantly juniors. Yes there were 2 Grand Final appearances and some highlights, but overall I must admit I was getting bored watching us play. This season despite the losses, I actually enjoyed pockets of our play much more than I have in the past few years. I have also enjoyed watching young players take their chances and our ISP win the big one. Finally I have most enjoyed the feel that despite a lack of playing talent and poor salary cap position, we are a club on the up.
So whilst I will not sit here and write who's doing or lack thereof is behind all of this, because as I mentioned earlier, there are numerous threads in here about these things that can be argued till the cows come home. What I will say is that next year this is what I will judge the club on and in the same order:
1. Brand of footy/Culture. (Closer to Dogs of War and Entertainers, than Desball)
2. Junior development (our younger teams continuing to improve and bring through players)
3. Retention of the right players (we have 14 players of contract in 2020 and some hard decisions will need to be made next season on who we re-sign and let go. I believe the club got it right this year but next year will be a bigger challenge)
Whilst I believe that these measures can be subjective, I do believe that most of us will be able to judge these pretty fairly and mostly in agreement, as long as we remain realistic. I would love to see finals footy but would be happy with continued improvements in the 3 areas above for the next 2 years, with a big push in 2021 and beyond. As for the players, coach, and board, I am happy to give them a clean slate in 2019 and base it on its own. I believe they have done enough this season to warrant that.
Wishing it was March now. Go the Doggies.
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