The Year That Was- UNSW/ES Bulldogs
2012: First- 15 wins, 3 losses
Highest Polling Player at Phelan Medal: Dane Rampe (1st – 26 votes)
Positives: What a year! After finishing eighth last season, the Bulldogs put in the hard yards over the pre-season and were rewarded in kind. Rhys McAlister was perhaps their most valuable recruit- providing astute coaching and leading the defensive half. Rampe was the player of the year and claimed every accolade on offer. The likes of Jeremy Kiel, Matt Rawlinson and Alex Henderson are the future and were well supported by veterans, Peter Kefalas, Leigh Lavery (leading goalkicker) and Tim Garrett. Sam Tagliabue continued his superb development and was named as the AFL Sydney Rising Star. Timed their run for the finals to perfection and won their two games in September to claim a well-deserved premiership; their first since 2003.
Negatives: Hard to find many. Their resolve would have been tested when they lost successive games in Round 17 (Balmain) and Round 18 (North Shore).
Areas for improvement: Can they keep their list together as they look for successive premierships like they did in 2002-03? Word on the street is that the Sydney Swans are keeping their eyes on Tagliabue and Rampe. As is always the way when you win a premiership, a number of players will be the target of cashed up clubs both here and abroad.
Overall Grade: A+
Last Modified on 25/09/2012 12:18
