THREE successive losses after a promising start to the season has the Bulldogs searching for answers and right now, a lack of height appears to be the height of their problems.
Carlton's physically imposing forward duo, Levi Casboult and Harry McKay, were menacing in a drought-breaking win over the Dogs. The pair took 16 marks (nine contested), kicked seven goals and provided the Blues' midfield with consistent targets.
WATCH Four-goal McKay comes of age against Dogs
Listed at 201cm and 200cm respectively, they largely proved too big to handle. McKay's stretching grab on the wing early in the fourth term, tipping the ball to his own advantage by reaching above 193cm defender Zaine Cordy, epitomised the difference in stature.
Being undersized in the back half is the norm for the Bulldogs. In fact, it's part of the plan.
Based on the selected sides across the AFL in round five, the Dogs were on average nearly four centimetres shorter than any other defensive unit and only Richmond had a shorter selected 22.
Does size matter?
R5 team | Avg def height | Avg fwd height | Avg total height |
Collingwood | 192 | 188 | 188.9 |
Geelong | 192 | 187.5 | 188.4 |
Brisbane | 191.17 | 183.5 | 188.6 |
Adelaide | 190.67 | 182.83 | 187.8 |
Fremantle | 190.5 | 181.67 | 187.3 |
Carlton | 190.5 | 186.83 | 187.5 |
St Kilda | 190.33 | 185 | 186.5 |
Gold Coast | 188.83 | 187.17 | 188.7 |
North Melbourne | 188.67 | 189.33 | 188 |
Essendon | 188.5 | 182.67 | 186.5 |
West Coast | 188.33 | 186.67 | 188 |
Port Adelaide | 188.17 | 191.83 | 189.3 |
GWS | 187.83 | 191.83 | 188.8 |
Hawthorn | 187.67 | 187.67 | 187.5 |
Richmond | 187.67 | 185.17 | 185 |
Sydney | 187.33 | 188.17 | 187.2 |
Melbourne | 187 | 188.17 | 187.6 |
Western Bulldogs | 183.67 | 186.17 | 186.2 |
The Bulldogs have eight listed players standing 195cm or above. Ruckman Tim English (205cm) and defender-turned-forward Aaron Naughton (195cm) were the only two in the side against Carlton.
Cordy was the tallest selected defender (193cm) and, along with debutant Lachie Young (189cm) and captain Easton Wood (187cm), had the task of quelling the Blues' aerial attacks.
Josh Schache (199cm) was omitted last week and fellow key forward Tom Boyd (200cm) is on the comeback trail from a back injury. Allowing Naughton to head back is a notion coach Luke Beveridge has refused to indulge.
"I feel if we do (put Naughton back) we're maybe succumbing a little bit. We've got to keep trying to win the games," Beveridge said post-match on Sunday.
Fletcher Roberts (196cm) and Jackson Trengove (197cm) are yet to play at senior level in 2019 and Lewis Young (197cm) lost his spot in defence to Jason Johannisen before round four against Collingwood, despite the Magpies fielding 211cm goliath Mason Cox. The American took six contested marks, four of those in the final term.
The Johannisen-for-Young move is perhaps the most tangible indicator of the Bulldogs' mentality and desired setup. Speaking before round one, Beveridge was open about the framework of his side and willingness to go small this season.
"Obviously our 22 on paper looks a little bit undersized… so there will be some challenges. There's always some vulnerabilities in your team every time you run out," Beveridge said.
"It's rewarding players who have really put their best foot forward and playing to your strengths."
Big mis-match! #AFLHawksDogs pic.twitter.com/B2bxknJ8iH
— AFL (@AFL) March 31, 2019
Playing to their strengths produced wins in the opening fortnight. However, having fallen short since and conceding the most contested marks in the competition, the Dogs have decisions to make ahead of their trip to face Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
While the Dockers possessed the shortest forward line in round five, including Travis Colyer, Brandon Matera, Sam Switkowski and Michael Walters, key pillars Jesse Hogan and Matt Taberner dominated the Giants with 27 marks and six goals between them.
Stopping them shapes as a tall order.
Find Trends on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify