The big question for the Bulldogs in 2010 is can they go all the way with what seems to be the huge acquisition of Barry Hall?? To be honest, $4.75 to win the flag seems short with the likes of the Cats & the Saints a better bet, but many “experts” are predicting a Bulldogs premiership.

The Bulldogs 2010 list averaged 1190 points in 2009 with an average 2010 price of around $304,300.

Best Buys

Matthew Boyd (midfield) $456,400 – Boyd has seemed to always be the midfielder in the shadows of Cooney & Co, but his stats have always proved otherwise after averaging 103.9 in 2009.

Boyd racked up 30 or more disposals 6 times with a career high of 39 disposals .vs. St Kilda in round 17 & an equal career high 23 handballs .vs. West Coast in round 19. Boyd ranked 3rd in disposals & handballs, 4th in Dreamteam score & disposals per game, 5th in handballs per game, 13th in Dreamteam scores per game & 20th in kicks.

While Boyd just falls short of the elite player, he’s still a handy $23,800 discount.

Jason Akermanis (forward) $413,200 – Averaging 94.0 in 2009, Akermanis can still hold his own in what appears to be his last season of AFL.

Akermanis had an equal career high of 15 handballs .vs. St Kilda in round 17. Akermanis ranked 6th in goal assists, 10th in goals contributed, 15th in goals, 16th in inside 50s, 17th in goals assists per game & 18th in goals contributed per game.

So, Akermanis may not have so much of the spotlight, but with Brad Johnson out & Barry Hall in all probability not getting it all his own way, Akermanis has to get the footy & is an estimated $7,700 discount.

Nathan Eagleton (forward) $352,900 – Averaging 80.3 in 2009, I guess it all depends on how much game time Eagleton will get.

Eagleton had a career high 9 tackles .vs. Richmond in round 3 & ranked 6th in inside 50s & 19th in inside 50s per game. At an estimated $33,600 discount, & with many Bulldog players too expensive, Eagleton’s stats may be tempting with Johnson to miss.

Lindsay Gilbee (defence) $360,900 – Gilbee averaged 82.1 in 2009 & is so motivated for 2010 that how can you pass him up?

Gilbee racked up 30 or more disposals twice career highs of 35 disposals & 19 kicks .vs. Geelong in the 2nd semi final, which doesn’t score, & 11 marks .vs. Adelaide in round 7. Gilbee ranked 16th in kicks & 20th in kicks per game. With an estimated $24,000 discount, Gilbee could be the cheap defender you’re looking for.

Josh Hill (forward) $333,500 – Hill’s 2nd year saw him average 75.9 in 2009 with career highs of 23 disposals & 7 tackles .vs. Carlton in round 5 & 4 goals .vs. Richmond in round 11.

Hill ranked 20th in goal assists & with an estimated $42,600 discount, Hill still performs even when the chips are down & that’s a good sign for an upcoming 3rd year player.

Jarrod Harbrow (forward) $332,400 – Averaging 75.6 in 2009, Harbrow had career highs of 31 disposals & 22 kicks .vs. Brisbane in round 20 & 14 handballs .vs. Collingwood in round 22.

With an estimated $15,200 discount, the smaller forwards will be licking their lips with Hall lurking & Harbrow has the added bonus of a leading type forward.

Mitch Hahn (forward) $309,200 – Averaging 70.4 in 2009, Hahn had a career high 12 marks .vs. Brisbane in round 20.

Hahn ranked 19th in goals & is going to get plenty more of it with the attention focused on Barry Hall. With an estimated $42,900 discount, set your attention to other Bulldog forwards.

Callan Ward (midfield) $309,200 – Ward averaged 70.4 in 2009 playing a full season with his best a career high of 33 disposals & 22 handballs .vs. Port Adelaide in round 12.

Amongst the rising stars, Ward ranked 2nd in inside 50s, 3rd in kicks, tackles & Dreamteam scores, 4th in disposals & handballs, 7th in goals, 8th in goals contributed & 9th in inside 50s per game.

With an estimated $10,200 discount, Ward sounds a better young prospect than Daniel Rich & much cheaper.

Will Minson (ruck) $296,000 – Just making the cut as a good buy, Minson averaged 67.4 in 2009.

Minson had career highs of 23 disposals & 15 handballs .vs. Port Adelaide in round 12, 28 hitouts .vs. Collingwood in round 22 & 9 tackles .vs. Richmond in round 11. Minson comes with a very good estimated $43,100 discount & will get more time in the middle than up forward this season. That’s a handy buy for a cheap ruckman.

Risky Bargain Buys

Ben Hudson (ruck) $273,500 – All of a sudden, Minson becomes the Bulldogs No 1 ruckman with Hudson averaging 62.2 in 2009.

Hudson had career highs of 17 handballs .vs. Essendon & 7 tackles .vs. Adelaide in round 5. Hudson ranked 12th in hitouts & 18th in hitouts per game. With an estimated $44,300 discount Hudson should get a decent run with Minson now spending more time in the middle.

Liam Picken (midfield) $248,300 – Averaging 56.5 in 2009 as a rookie listed player, Picken performed well against the big guns with 21 disposals & 14 handballs .vs. St Kilda, , 8 kicks, 6 marks & 2 goals .vs. Collingwood & 9 tackles .vs. Carlton.

With an estimated $46,600 discount, Picken should get more game time as a fully listed player, but also faces the 2nd year syndrome.

Bulldogs Top 10 2009

1. Matthew Boyd (midfield) $456,400
2. Brad Johnson (forward) $431,400
3. Jason Akermanis (forward) $413,200
4. Daniel Cross (midfield) $420,900
5. Ryan Hargrave (defence) $409,500
6. Adam Cooney (midfield) $396,800
7. Lindsay Gilbee (defence) $360,900
8. Nathan Eagleton (forward) $352,900
9. Brian Lake (defence) $356,900
10. Ryan Griffen (midfield) $372,300

Your Feedback

Will you be having any Western Bulldogs players in your Dreamteam this year? Will you risk suspension with choosing Barry Hall or you been burnt too often? What about Boyd? He is a premium midfielder or do you go for someone like Gibbs instead?

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