The 5 Year Plan: Western Bulldogs
The teams that fail to plan are the ones who are planning to fail. AFL Insider will have a look at what the future for AFL teams could look like, and what their possible lineup for season 2011 could be. Some teams have a lot to look forward to, while others will have a lot of holes to fill in the future. The numbers for the players are their approximate ages in 5 years. Of course, trades, injuries, drafts and unexpected retirements will affect what players are still around in 5 years. But this might be the core of the team when season 2011 starts.
FB M Hahn 30, B Harris 29, D Morris 28
HB L Gilbee 30, C Wight 26, A Everitt 23
C D Giansiracusa 29, D Cross 28, J McMahon 28
HF S Power 28, T Williams 25, A Cooney 25
FF R Murphy 29, A McDougall 28, M Boyd 29
Foll P Street 31, R Griffen 25, F Ray 25
bench W Minson 26, S Higgins 23, R Hargrave 30, B Stack 23
Outlook: They have plenty of running players now, and in five years time will still have a surplus of them. Minson and Street will be seasoned veterans then and should provide their team with plenty of the ball at hitouts. The big question is not something new to the Bulldogs, as they will have to figure out who their key forwards are. If McDougall can reach his potential then the Bulldogs will be very happy.
FB M Hahn 30, B Harris 29, D Morris 28
HB L Gilbee 30, C Wight 26, A Everitt 23
C D Giansiracusa 29, D Cross 28, J McMahon 28
HF S Power 28, T Williams 25, A Cooney 25
FF R Murphy 29, A McDougall 28, M Boyd 29
Foll P Street 31, R Griffen 25, F Ray 25
bench W Minson 26, S Higgins 23, R Hargrave 30, B Stack 23
Outlook: They have plenty of running players now, and in five years time will still have a surplus of them. Minson and Street will be seasoned veterans then and should provide their team with plenty of the ball at hitouts. The big question is not something new to the Bulldogs, as they will have to figure out who their key forwards are. If McDougall can reach his potential then the Bulldogs will be very happy.
