2016 Report – Record-breaking captain Ryan Cook

WHILE I had some personal milestones in 2016 to celebrate including my 100th game and breaking the games record as captain, all that I was focused on is getting this club back into the finals and it was a great effort for us to do so.

Season 2016 was a great ride for the club and especially for us as a playing group. We started really well winning our first five games, I feel this was due to the commitment and effort shown through the pre-season by everyone involved. We all came back prepared and hungry to compete and improve and were all on the same page at the start of our campaign.

We ticked along nicely as the season went on never leaving the top three sides and finishing up in second place on the ladder heading into the finals, a place we haven’t been a part of for quite some time. It was great to see the hard work put in over the summer was paying off and all worthwhile.

We had some handy recruits which was a huge boost for the group. Shane Hockey came in and made an immediate impact, he is a very physical, hard inside mid. His on-field actions were a huge plus and he ended up claiming our fairest and best award which was great reward for effort, not only this but his leadership and guidance he gives to the younger blokes goes a long way.

Blaine Johnson, Dylan Main and Mason Shaw all returned after stints in the AFL and had fantastic seasons which again helped the group a lot. Mason joined Ben Saunders in the forward 50 which allowed us to have two potent targets up the forward end. Both these boys kicked the majority of our goals for the year and had very consistent years. Finishing first and third in the league’s goalkicking says everything about how good they were.

Mainy improved out of sight as the season progressed and became a ball magnet and very aggressive around the contest which was great to see. Johnno did his thing on a forward flank making some huge hits on the opposition and kicking some clutch goals for us at pivotal times.

We have a solid base to work with now in terms of our expectations and values that we hold ourselves accountable to. We have been working on this for a few years now ever since Todd came in and took over the reigns as senior coach.

As we know anything can happen from year to year but we would like to think losing a preliminary final this year is a hurdle we need to jump heading into season 2017. We are definitely up for the challenge and aiming for a Grand Final berth. We know we’ve got the group to do it.

An accomplishment I wanted to achieve ever since I made the trip from over east was to get to the century games milestone. It was a privilege to play my 100th game for the club early in the season and to have a win made it all the more special. It’s exciting that a couple of others are within reach of this milestone for 2017 we look forward to having successful wins in those games also.

The club had a vibrant feel about it this year and it was great to see so many supporters at our awards sharing stories, having a beer and mixing with the players and coaches after our games.

Here’s to another big summer where we can all improve again and to a big 2017 campaign. Go the Bulldogs!

Ryan Cook
Captain