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IC11 Squad - Bulldogs barking a new tune

  • Tuesday, July 26 2011 @ 10:27 pm ACST
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International Cup 2011

Great Britain's IC11 squad has a very fresh look, with very few players (we believe two) that represented them at IC08. As discussed in our preview, the Bulldogs are increasingly drawing on players spread across Britain, not just relying on players out of London.

Like Ireland the Brits have several players who are currently playing in Australia, although not the extremely large numbers of their neighbours. Unlike some of their opponents the Bulldogs have some very tall players that should give them good structure around key positions and in many matches first tap at ball ups. Two players (Anthony Trigg and Chris James) are 205 cm (nearly 6'9") and six are in the 190s. Compare that with Japan that has no one over 186 cm - so that's at least a 19 cm (7 inch) advantage in ruck (not including reach) if these two teams meet. The average height is 185 cm (nearly 6'1") which makes this one of the tallest squads at IC11. The average age is nearly 27.

In the past a problem for the Bulldogs has been that players that are used to playing on the fringes around Aussies in AFL London were asked to step up to key positions at the International Cup. This should be less of a problem with more players from regional areas, and their recent competitive performances against Ireland suggest an improvement. On the flipside Ireland will be greatly strengthened by their expats in Australia and Britain struggled at the European Championships. Expect a competitive effort from a new look side but probably lacking the edge needed to break into the top four spots.

 



2011 AFL International Cup - Great Britain Bulldogs squad

Coach: Mark Pitura
Assistants: Robert Fielder

No. Name Club D.O.B. Height (cm) Weight (kg)
1 Luke Matias Caulfield Grammarians (VIC) 28/12/1987 185 87
2 Lee Tarn Chippenham Redbacks 10/07/1987 198 91
3 Will Worthington Onkaparinga Valley Bulldogs (SA) 19/03/1986 175 81
4 Anthony Trigg Maribyrnong Park Lions (VIC) 21/08/1988 205 95
5 Matt Whiteley Huddersfield Rams 29/07/1986 185 85
6 Ian Mitchell Wolverhampton Wolverines 16/02/1984 180 82
7 Tom Judson Caulfield Grammarians (VIC) 13/04/1987 183 83
8 Rob Harmeston Putney Magpies 17/05/1979 190 87
9 Tom Case Chippenham Redbacks 9/11/1978 183 83
10 Perry Wild Wandsworth Demons 8/05/1986 193 78
11 Ross Ashman Wimbledon Hawks 3/06/1986 185 86
12 Ben O’Brien West London Wildcats 13/08/1981 183 85
13 Paul Francis Wimbledon Hawks 10/03/1979 172 70
14 Brendan McGeever North London Lions 26/06/1981 184 94
15 Paul Harris Putney Magpies 31/05/1972 178 86
16 Chris James Cardiff Panthers 4/12/1983 205 90
17 Paul Barry Dianella Morley (WA) 1/05/1974 174 75
18 Tim Atkins Swansea Magpies 17/03/1990 175 65
19 Tom Mercer Putney Magpies 10/10/1988 181 76
20 Mark Todd Putney Magpies 12/12/1988 171 69
21 Sean Walton Birmingham Bears 14/05/1989 181 75
22 Gareth Blackstaffe-Turner Wimbledon Hawks 16/06/1986 183 92
23 Martyn Hinchey Southampton Titans 27/12/1987 195 88
24 Harry Triggs West London Wildcats 21/11/1979 196 100
25 Joe Watkins Wimbledon Hawks 24/01/1989 185 91
26 Alasdair Lindop Manchester Mosquitoes 26/07/1982 180 78
27 Adam Ballard Durham Saints 17/05/1987 194 96