Why the Dogs need a change to fix issues

DAVID King has said the Western Bulldogs have serious structural and game-style concerns that will need to be addressed by an “off-season of change” at the end of 2022.

The Bulldogs sit tenth on the ladder, only a game out of the top eight after winning five of their last seven matches.

However, they seemed to get exposed against Brisbane in round 16 when the Lions went at a remarkable 64 per cent efficiency inside 50.

“In terms of pressure, I think the Western Bulldogs are under more pressure than anyone right now with their game,” King told SEN Mornings.

“I had a look at them on Thursday night and saw Brisbane walk the ball down the ground more often than not… I had a look at how often they actually intercept the opposition, they’re second last in the competition this year, the Kangaroos are the only team that are poorer at winning the ball back off the opposition.

“I look down back and see Alex Keath, he was brought to the Dogs to be an interceptor, that’s not happening.

“Tim O’Brien gets caught in no man’s land more than any other player I’ve seen… he just gets leapfrogged consistently.

“I think they need drastic change.”

King floated the idea of one of the Bulldogs’ tall forwards going back behind the ball, acknowledging Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as potential suits for the role.

However, the former North Melbourne star also highlighted problems with the club’s midfield unit.

Outside of games against Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane and Carlton, the Dogs average 45 points from clearance.

Yet, against those sides, that number drops to just 29 points, with King saying, “numbers against the rest mean nothing when you get to the pointy end.”

“This is why I think they’re struggling. Their brand or mode of football is not working. They’re not winning the ball back, and even when they play against the best they’re not getting through at stoppage,” he said.

“Their whole system is geared around these mids. Is it good for them individually or is it good for them as a team? I think right now, you’d have to say it’s good for them individually.”

It left King saying that changes need to be made at the end of 2023.

“They’ve won a lot of games over the last few years but we’re talking about 2022, so I think there’s an offseason of change [needed] at the Dogs,” he said.

“They need to have a look at the whole mechanics of how they play. No one’s saying anything about coaching or anything like that, this is just a system that is broken.”

 

– BY SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN