Round 3 - Non Bulldog Games

[Eastdog]

Round 3 kicks off with the blockbuster Carlton v Collingwood. Should be a classic with a massive crowd.

[Remi Moses]

Carlton have to prove they can beat quality opposition.
Gotta think it's a good time to get the pies, really no excuses for Caaaaarlton.
The navy cheats need a tall to stand up in Sept .

[bornadog]

I really don't care about other games, other than for my tipping. I think Carlton have the form and relatively injury free so I have picked them.

[Eastdog]

I went for Collingwood to win by 13 points.

[Greystache]

I've tipped Collingwood comfortably. I see Carlton as one of those teams who beat the mid-range, flog the weak, and routinely lose to the top teams.

They may make the top 4 a couple of times so they basically walk into the prelim but they'll just be making up the numbers.

[Eastdog]

Going along with my brother to tonight's match as he is a Collingwood supporter. May get to 90,000. I reckon a lot of neutrals like myself tonight go to these kind of games.

[Remi Moses]

Carlton smash the pies. Carlton smugometer has hit 11, early days but it looks like the Blues have replaced Collingwood in the top 4.Painful, but they look good.
The Pies are in all sorts. Carlton win the price fixing cup

[AndrewP6]

The look on Eddie's face when the lead got out to 30 odd was gold.

[jeemak]

I've tipped Collingwood comfortably. I see Carlton as one of those teams who beat the mid-range, flog the weak, and routinely lose to the top teams.

They may make the top 4 a couple of times so they basically walk into the prelim but they'll just be making up the numbers.

Did it get to you when people were saying the same things about us?

Carlton are a lot like we were in 2008 and 2009, though they have Waite up forward who is a player that can straighten them up (if he can stay injury free and keep his head shots to a minimum and avoid suspension). They have a very good midfield like we did, and they rely heavily on smaller players who are dependant on volume in opportunity to kick a lot of their goals. What they don't have is a key defender of Lake's quality, supplemented by another one of Morris's quality.

At the pointy end of the season their back six will come under question I think, as Henderson and Laidler are not at the quality of many other key defenders. Their midfield will shield them to an extent, though if both of Judd and Murphy are kept relatively quiet supply to the oppositions forward line will be an issue.

Tonight's game was just another example of how important pace is. If we don't inject some serious pace and skill into our side at this draft then I'll be filthy.

[chef]

The look on Eddie's face when the lead got out to 30 odd was gold.

Yep, thinking what the #### have i done.

They could have had another 3 years pushing for a premiership under Malthouse, now they are right back in the pack.

[Hotdog60]

The core group of players in the wobbles have been brought up on Mick's philosophy and now Nathan (I quit the bears because they won't win a premiership) Buckley has his own ideas it's a bit like us, old dogs learning new tricks only their players are a little bit more advanced then ours.

[Sedat]

Nick Maxwell - worst premiership captain since Bruce Monteith. Complete and utter potato.

Their game plan in 2010-11 protected their defenders from having to defend one-on-on (similar to St Kilda in 09-10), and it is clear that the likes of Maxwell and Harry O are painfully out of their depth when isolated deep.

Carlton are a good team - parallel between us in 08 is a good one. We weren't that far away in 08 (awful QF notwithstanding) and they won't be far away this year.

[MrMahatma]

Will Neeld last the season? Gee the Dees are just horrendous. They're going to be fighting to not win the spoon.

[Remi Moses]

Just turned it over !:eek:
Incredible how bad Melbourne are

[ledge]

Will Neeld last the season? Gee the Dees are just horrendous. They're going to be fighting to not win the spoon.

Its pretty scary, this side struggles for years with getting it together on and off the field, have they picked a shocking coach or is it just a mess no matter what?

[azabob]

Its pretty scary, this side struggles for years with getting it together on and off the field, have they picked a shocking coach or is it just a mess no matter what?

Surely it's too early to judge Neeld. Melbourne are no worse off this year than last.

[GVGjr]

Will Neeld last the season? Gee the Dees are just horrendous. They're going to be fighting to not win the spoon.

Of course he will. I don't think the club is under any illusions on where the team really is.
As long as he can keep improving some of the emerging players on the list I think he will be regarded as doing his job.

I guess it's a big week for him (and us) when we play each other in round 4.

[Greystache]

I've said it before but Bailey ripped the heart out of Melbourne with his borderline obsession with having exclusively kids at the club. They have no leaders, no spirit, and virtually no culture. They argoing to spend a long time in the wilderness, and Neeld has a massive task on his hands to turn that place around.

[westdog54]

I've said it before but Bailey ripped the heart out of Melbourne with his borderline obsession with having exclusively kids at the club. They have no leaders, no spirit, and virtually no culture. They argoing to spend a long time in the wilderness, and Neeld has a massive task on his hands to turn that place around.

He's not Robinson Crusoe there, either. The club as a whole has some absolutely gigantic challenge ahead of them over the next 5 or so years. They've found a replacement for EnergyWatch fairly quickly which is a fantastic result but it is just the last thing they needed at the moment.

Bailey has painted the football department into a bit of a corner and they've got no option now but to try and completely re-build.

Brad Miller just keeps on keeping on, too.

[Remi Moses]

Just turned the Lion Freo game over to the news.
I think Freo have been Lyoned:eek:
Awful Awful game

[chef]

Just turned the Lion Freo game over to the news.
I think Freo have been Lyoned:eek:
Awful Awful game

Yeah, I turned it over to the A-League final.

[westdog54]

Yeah, I turned it over to the A-League final.

Leuengberger off injured early against Freo, first gamer Billy Longer has been thrown to the wolves against Sandilands, who has amassed a lazy 54 hit outs and counting.

[Eastdog]

Close so far between Gold Coast and Essendon.

[Remi Moses]

Gold Coast fairly good tonight.
Bombres in for a mother of a hiding next week

[LostDoggy]

Watching GWS v West Coast makes me even angry at the compensation we recieved for Ward.

Ward is trying his guts out. Scully is running around like the overrated fairy he is.

[angelopetraglia]

Ward was easily their best. It almost makes you sick losing a player of that ilk.

[The Coon Dog]

Ward was easily their best. It almost makes you sick losing a player of that ilk.

It ripped the heart out of it for me!

Finding it hard to be enthused about the AFL now, happier being involved in the WRFL.

[comrade]

It ripped the heart out of it for me!

Finding it hard to be enthused about the AFL now, happier being involved in the WRFL.

After last night's performance, watching Ward run around for them is just a kick in the guts.

Can you blame any Doggies fan for being disillusioned?

[angelopetraglia]

Harbrow. Then Ward. It absolutely kills you. They were part of our next generation.

The only consolidation is that compensation for Ward will probably be a decent pick in this years draft. However with our recent strike rate in the draft there is absolutely no guarantee that you will get a player of similar quality.

[comrade]

Harbrow. Then Ward. It absolutely kills you. They were part of our next generation.

The only consolidation is that compensation for Ward will probably be a decent pick in this years draft. However with our recent strike rate in the draft there is absolutely no guarantee that you will get a player of similar quality.

Exactly.

Ward was one premium pick that we actually nailed in the last 10 years (along with Cooney and Griffen).

Based on our deplorable drafting record, it's much more likely we'll pick up a significantly inferior player. IMO, we probably should have used it to trade in a gun youngster who is proven at this level, such is my lack of faith in the ability of our recruiting department* to draft the right player in the first round.

The AFL can get *!*!*!*!ed :D

* which I believe is one of the smallest/least funded department in the league which might explain a lot

[GVGjr]

Harbrow. Then Ward. It absolutely kills you. They were part of our next generation.

The only consolidation is that compensation for Ward will probably be a decent pick in this years draft. However with our recent strike rate in the draft there is absolutely no guarantee that you will get a player of similar quality.

We should have gone harder at signing Ward before we did which just allowed GWS and his manager to get into his ear. We were in the drivers seat for keeping but didn't read the play that well.

[GVGjr]

My boss pleaded with me to put some money on North and I'm kicking myself I'd didn't back them

[Eastdog]

I just sense Geelong will come close to North right at the end. Who knows the Cats could snatch but North have played well today and will hang on I think. I tipped Geelong.

[Eastdog]

Here come Geelong. North would be cut if the lost from here.

[AndrewP6]

Norf get the choccies in the battle of the Scott Bros. 8 goals to Bastinac and Ziebell, in the 17 point win.

[Sedat]

Can you blame any Doggies fan for being disillusioned?At the AFL or at our head of football operations?

[comrade]

At the AFL or at our head of football operations?

All of the above.

[Remi Moses]

Ward was easily their best. It almost makes you sick losing a player of that ilk.

The club got bent over big time!!!
How we didn't get a first and second rounder is beyond words:mad:

[Remi Moses]

Norf get the choccies in the battle of the Scott Bros. 8 goals to Bastinac and Ziebell, in the 17 point win.

Throughly deserved win from Norf.
Although listening at work to their fans talking up top 4!
Giddy metre has hit 11, get on Sydney next week.
Hawks beat up the Crows (expected) Bombres get lucky against the Suns( umps ok this week)

[Sedat]

Throughly deserved win from Norf.
Although listening at work to their fans talking up top 4!
With their draw, it is achievable - GWS and GC twice each is a great head start

[LostDoggy]

With their draw, it is achievable - GWS and GC twice each is a great head start

Draw plays well into their hands, especially % wise. Having GWS last round doesn't hurt especially if fighting for a home final.

But I think Geelong,West Coast, Hawthorn and Carlton will be well head of them. 6th at absolute best for mine.

[Sedat]

Draw plays well into their hands, especially % wise. Having GWS last round doesn't hurt especially if fighting for a home final.

But I think Geelong,West Coast, Hawthorn and Carlton will be well head of them. 6th at absolute best for mine.
I think you are right in that they are still behind the pecking order of quite a few teams. But they would not need too many more upsets like yesterday to put them into calculations for 4th spot. All depends on the level of drop-off that 1-2 of the top 4 'certainties' might possibly have in 2012 - Collingwood already look in some bother with 3 knee recos on the list affecting depth, interrupted preparations for their key defenders (who are both injured again), and early struggles adapting to the new game plan. I would say Hawthorn, WC and Carlton are top 4 certainties, and Geelong should win enough games on talent alone to get up to 15+ wins as well.

Losing after the siren to Essendon in Round 1 will hurt Norf down the stretch I suspect.

[azabob]

The club got bent over big time!!!
How we didn't get a first and second rounder is beyond words:mad:

At least Geelong got bent over as well.

I think we did ok out of the Harbrow compensation, it was what we did with it that was the mistake.

[azabob]

. I would say Hawthorn, WC and Carlton are top 4 certainties, and Geelong should win enough games on talent alone to get up to 15+ wins as well.



I am thinking West Coast will finish top two. Only injuries will hurt them. If they manage to beat Hawks in Perth this round they will be 2 games and % clear of Hawks, Pies and Cats.