Season 2009 - Wrap Up
The Bulldogs finished an agonising third again last year. And their Dream Team Season seemed to mirror real-life as they were third overall in points scored as a collective group.
In fantasy football, there are a lot of points in this team and with a mature list where the window is now, it was good too see some young players step and blossum. Liam Picken, Callan Ward, Shaun Higgins and Jarrod Harbrow, who Eade said was unlucky not to make the 40-man All-Australian list.
Stat Leaders
Leading goalkicker: Jason Akermanis (43)
Leading possession winner: Matthew Boyd (722)
Most kicks: Ryan Hargrave (361)
Most handballs: Daniel Cross (419)
Most marks: Brian Lake (192)
Most tackles: Daniel Cross (100)
Most hit-outs: Ben Hudson (388)
Most Dream Team Points: Matthew Boyd (2285 - 22 Games)
Most Dream Team Average: Matthew Boyd (104)
Most Super Coach Points: Matthew Boyd (2289)
Most Super Coach Average: Matthew Boyd (104)
Awards
Charles Sutton Medal:
- Matthew Boyd (154 votes)
- Daniel Cross (145 votes)
- Dale Morris (133 votes)
- Brad Johnson (131 votes)
- Brian Lake (125 votes)
- Jarrod Harbrow (123 votes)
- Adam Cooney (110 votes)
- Shaun Higgins (96 votes)
- Ryan Hargrave (93 votes)
- Jason Akermanis (86 votes)
Best First Year Player: Liam Picken
Who They Lost?
Scott Welsh (retired)
Wayde Skipper (delisted)
Paul O'Shea (delisted)
Cameron Wight (delisted)
Who They Gained?
Barry Hall (via trade: Sydney)
Under The Gun
The were huge expectations on prized high draft pick Jarrad Grant last year. The Doggie faithful were excitied at the prospect of Grant playing senior footy after a battle with
osteitis pubis and becoming that go-to forward they were lacking.
Burning Question: Will Cooney keep up with the Ablett's?
A year ago, coming off a Brownlow campaign, Adam Cooney was primed for a big season.
Knee surgury on the knee that slowed his and the Westernbulldogs progress for the 2008 season
and the question was never answered.
In 25 games last year, Cooney had 49 running bounces. In 21 this season, he has managed only 15.
After a slow start to the season, including minor knee surgery, Cooney started rolling.
Over the last 13 games, he dipped under 90 points just once. And that was to the vaulted
Saint Kilda defence.
It was evident in the last 2 weeks of the regular season and into the finals series, Cooney regained
his explosive running abilities and statred to play with greater purpose.
While some fantasy owners certainly appear to have reservations about whether he runs in the
same fantasy pack as Swan and Ablett. I think he will come mighty close in 2010.
A key factor is the progress of Ryan griffin to take the tagging off Cooney and whether
he develops rapport with the young up and coming ruckman in Ayce Cordy and Jordan Roughead
who figure to be in the mix this year. Will their introduction to senior footy hamper Cooney.
Another feature to Cooneys game dropped off in 2009 and that's goal kicking. But we saw over
the lster weeks, it had slowly returned and expect him to kick more than the 13 home and away season
goals this year.
Although we didn't see the same "Coon-dog" that won the Brownlow in 2008, his stats are compareable and in some instances better last year.
Some fantasy football stats for Adam Cooney:
Averages DT (90) SC (91)
High DT (114) SC (126)
Low DT (51) SC (45)
90+ Points DT (13/20) SC (12/20)
Sub-70 Points DT (6/20) SC (5/20)