Sam McIntosh
Hi everyone, I'm Sam McIntosh, VU and Western Bulldogs list and recruitment analyst. Throughout the finals, I've been providing you with some key stats through the games as part of the VU data lab. Today I'm fortunate enough to get to chat with Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae. Jack, thanks for joining us.
Jack Macrae
Thanks for having me, Sam.
Sam
Too easy. People might be surprised to know that you're actually currently studying with Victoria University. Firstly, what degree are you studying and why did you decide to study alongside playing football?
Jack
Yeah, I'm doing a business degree with a major in innovation and entrepreneurship. So it's just something that a few of us boys, probably four or five years ago, Zaine Cordy, Tom Boyd, myself. Obviously it's really important to have something outside of football, to not only keep you occupied and busy, but also to help after your career in footy. We all know it doesn't last forever, unfortunately. So yeah, it was really important to find something that could help move me in the direction when I do finish my career in something that I want to do. So yeah, almost finished my degree which is pretty exciting. I know Zaine finished it just recently. So yeah, looking forward to finishing and hopefully maybe doing some more studying.
Sam
Awesome. So the Victoria University and Western Bulldogs partnership is pretty unique in the sense that it affords researchers like myself to be embedded within the club. We've also got some other researchers and also students in areas of strength and conditioning and training design, and also load management. I guess what's the general feel from the group or just you as an individual athlete around having university research students highly involved in the day-to-day processes of the club.
Jack
Yeah, it's a terrific resource that obviously both parties take advantage of and really work together well. And I know personally that we've had quite a few people at the club to help us with different areas and opened our eyes to certain technology and science and statistics that have probably helped in measuring weightlifting, recovery and different aspects of our performance. So from that aspect, it's been really great to work with, and probably a few of us that are studying at VU as well to hone in on that relationship. And they've been terrific to work with throughout the whole time. Obviously with our demands, it can be quite challenging at different times to get to certain classes or meet certain requirements. So it's been great that they've been so flexible with us and always been amazing to deal with. So yeah, from the player's point of view and a few of the staff that have studied at VU as well, it's been a terrific relationship that hopefully we can continue to strengthen for the years to come.
Sam
And I agree, I personally think it's a fantastic resource. I started off with the Bulldogs about six years ago as a student and have been able to progress through as a researcher. And now I work for them and I can attest to it that it's a really good system and the partnership works really well at both ends. So I want to ask a question about you and your game. So, so far on the data lab, we've been breaking down performances of the Bulldogs but also players using the AFL player ratings and a few other measures. But within this, you are both, a top 10 midfielder in the league for both getting your hands on the ball, but also then using the ball as well. I just wanted to ask, what do you think your best attributes are and how are you going to use those this weekend to get the boys over the line?
Jack
Yeah, I think probably some of my strengths are just the ability to work throughout the whole four quarters and get to as many contests as possible. And that's probably how I judge my game is making quick decisions out of stoppage and gettingputting myself in a position to impact as many contests and either outnumber to defend or win the ball myself. So that's probably one of my big strengths areas. And probably another one that I try and do as often as possible is just to be as clean as possible. I think if you can be a one touch player, especially, in finals, it goes a long way in having a say on the game. Obviously the pressure is so high. So if you fumble a bit, it's probably really takes away your ability to impact with the ball. So there's probably a few areas that I really work on during the week is just trying to be really clean with my hands and really clear with my decision-making as well.
Sam
Awesome. You've broken a couple of possession records this season. So you had 16 straight games of 30 or more possessions, and you've also clocked up as the quickest player to record 5,000 disposals. I just wanted to ask a question on those records. Were you actually aware that you were pretty close to breaking them going into those matches?
Jack
I knew the first one that you mentioned, 'cause all the boys were telling me about it during the week. I wasn't aware to the second one. But yeah, you don't go out to play to break records or achieve those sort of things. And it's probably something that you reflect a bit more on at the end of my career, which hopefully still got a few more years left. So yeah, it's always nice to achieve a few things along the way. But yeah I'm very fortunate to play in the midfield with - in my whole career to play with players like Bonty and Libba and a few superstars like that, who certainly make my job a lot easier.
Sam
I just wanted to ask one more question on the Grand Final next weekend, there's a lot of talk about the final being between the two best midfields in the league. Bulldogs currently the number one team in the league for winning the ball at stoppages. And you're obviously a big part of that. But Melbourne are probably the best at actually scoring from stoppages. And they really proved that in the final on the weekend against Geelong where they actually scored over a hundred points directly from stoppages. What do you think is gonna make the difference in the final and how do you guys gonna look to combat Melbourne scoring from stoppages.
Jack
Yeah. I think every week it's a big part of the game, the midfield battle. And I know, yeah, in finals, especially, it goes a long way to deciding the victory. So obviously they've got some super players in there. They've got three All-Australians just in their midfield alone. And obviously Max Gawn had one of the great finals last week that you will probably ever see from a ruckman. So yeah, we're going to have our hands full in stopping them and doing what we do in there as well, and trying to get the ball in our forward half. So obviously we'll have plans that we probably haven't talked too much about it since it's still a week away, but we'll have plans to try and limit some of their impact, obviously Gawn. And having Stef Martin back in the team it goes a long way as well, in helping that, hopefully limiting his impact as well. So it's going to be an exciting battle in the midfield. And they're why you do all the hard work over the preseason, is to get to these moments and play in these big games that every player wants to play. And so we're all really looking forward to getting out there next Saturday night, and going to be so exciting to play in front of a full crowd and put on a show for everyone in Perth. So, yeah, it's really exciting. And unfortunately, I have to wait a few more days still, but it's going to be, yeah, hopefully a great game. And obviously, hopefully we get out on top as well.
Sam
Well, thank you for your time today Jack and obviously good luck next Saturday. We'll be cheering from back in Victoria for you guys.
Jack
No, thank you very much. Thanks for having me, Sam.
