Bulldogs Reality Check, Cats In Trouble & Trade Period Risks | Armchair Experts Ep 26

This week on Armchair Experts Ep 26, Cam Luke and Adam Cooney take a closer look at where the Western Bulldogs really sit after their poor loss to Sydney. Cooney questions the Dogs’ skill level, forward mix and consistency, while Cam asks whether the Bulldogs are given too many excuses, whether the list is actually as good as people say, and why Luke Beveridge’s side has never finished top four despite years of high expectations. There’s also debate around Sam Darcy’s importance, Aaron Naughton’s role, Tim English being moved to full back, the Jordan Lewis report around English potentially being gettable, and whether Jordan Butts could help fix the Bulldogs’ backline. The boys then turn to Geelong, with Adam admitting he is worried about the Cats. They discuss Jeremy Cameron’s injury issues, Gryan Miers being out of the side, Jack Henry playing forward, Shannon Neale’s role, Geelong’s shaky defence, and whether Brisbane now have the Cats’ measure in the biggest games. Plus, Cam and Cooney look at whether Melbourne’s bold trade period has changed how clubs should attack list management, why some teams are too happy to stay safe, and whether clubs need to take bigger swings to win premierships. The show finishes with yes-or-no calls on Nick Daicos’ Brownlow chances, Mason Cox playing finals for Fremantle, Riley West’s future, Max King’s return, Roman Marshall’s season, Mac Andrew, the wildcard round, and a huge upcoming weekend of AFL footy. As always, it’s honest, opinion-driven AFL chat with no fluff. Timecodes 00:00 Intro 00:07 Cooney and the Bulldogs’ home base 00:50 Where are the Bulldogs really at? 01:12 Did the Dogs have a stinker? 01:28 Do we give the Bulldogs too many excuses? 01:52 Bevo’s back-against-the-wall pattern 02:24 Is the Bulldogs list actually great? 02:56 Why the Dogs have never finished top four under Bevo 03:28 Why nobody has the answer on the Bulldogs 04:00 Bulldogs list changes around Beveridge 04:32 Is the back six good enough? 04:56 Sam Darcy’s importance 05:20 Bulldogs midfield question 05:44 Butters, Butts and the Bulldogs’ list build 06:08 Is Jordan Butts worth big money? 06:48 Are the Dogs a top four team with Darcy and Butts? 07:20 Bont’s career and the Bulldogs’ top four issue 07:44 Has Luke Beveridge earned more credit? 08:32 Tim English to full back 08:52 Is Tim English gettable? 09:28 Bevo, English and the full back move 10:08 Rory Lobb and the Dogs’ structure 10:40 Could the Dogs miss the wildcard? 11:28 Bulldogs v Eagles this week 11:52 Does the Bulldogs list have too many holes? 12:16 Are Geelong in trouble? 12:48 Why the Cats feel different 13:12 Jeremy Cameron, Gryan Miers and Jack Henry 13:52 Geelong’s changing forward line 14:40 Can Geelong still win the flag? 15:04 Do Brisbane have Geelong’s measure? 15:52 Brisbane’s small forwards in big games 16:24 Tom Stewart and Brisbane’s plan 16:56 Geelong’s next month 17:36 Would Tim English and Toby Greene boost Geelong? 17:52 Has Melbourne changed trade period? 18:24 Should clubs take bigger swings? 19:04 Melbourne, Petracca and Oliver 19:44 Bulldogs’ past reset and Tom Boyd trade 20:48 Playing safe versus chasing a flag 21:36 Collingwood, wildcard and Craig McRae 22:08 Why clubs need to be aggressive 22:48 Yes or no 22:56 Nick Daicos Brownlow margin 23:12 Mason Cox and Fremantle finals 23:28 Another coaching change? 23:44 Riley West’s AFL future 23:52 Max King return 24:00 Should umpires put the whistle away? 24:16 Rowan Marshall’s season 24:32 Is Mac Andrew a top 30 defender? 24:40 Is wildcard round the AFL’s smartest call? 25:04 Why every major game matters this weekend 25:52 Carlton v Hawthorn and the wildcard race 26:16 Crows v Suns and the Isaac Rankine Cup 26:48 Wrap up