Game Day 2012 - R13 Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane

[BulldogBelle]

This is the discussion thread for our Saturday afternoon game against Brisbane at ES.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 28 points
BOG : Ryan Griffen
Daniel Giansiracusa to kick the first goal.

[SlimPickens]

Hopefully a more accurate kicking display.

Dogs 22pts
BOG: Wallis
First Goal: Jones

[DragzLS1]

Should be a cracking game! cant wait

Dogs by 23 points
BOG: Boyd
First Goal: Dickson

[Greystache]

Dogs by 35
BOG- Griffen
First Goal- Dickson

[LostDoggy]

Bulldogs by 8 points
BOG: Boyd
First Goal: Dahlhaus

[AndrewP6]

Dogs by 11 pts
BOG Murphy
First goal Dicko

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 40 points
Bog= Griffen
First goal = Gia

[bornadog]

Dogs by 26

BOG: Griffen

first goal: Gia

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 48
First goal Cordy
BOG Wallis

[1eyedog]

Brisbane will have a red hot go today.

Dogs by 11 points
Griffen BOG
Cordy first mark and goal

[The Underdog]

Bit worried about how the loss of Minson effects us around the contest but we should still have them covered

Dogs by 19 points
BOG Griffen
First goal Higgins

Thanks to a buggered power window on my car, I (and my small children) won't be going. :mad:

[GVGjr]

The size of the crowd will hopefully be a lot better than last week.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 34
BOG Boyd
first goal: Dahlhaus

[SlimPickens]

Smith the sub again.

No other changes

[The Underdog]

The size of the crowd will hopefully be a lot better than last week.

The AFL have their TV money, I don't think they're too concerned about attendances.

[SlimPickens]

The AFL have their TV money, I don't think they're too concerned about attendances.

I'd imagine the club would be reasonably concerned however.

[Greystache]

I'd imagine the club would be reasonably concerned however.

How's the crowd look?

[AndrewP6]

Another terrible start. :eek:

[AndrewP6]

Gia gets our first after about 15min

[LostDoggy]

Anybody unlucky enough to be listening to ABC coverage of this game? That Walshy from Adelaide is an A Grade knob

[bulldogsman]

Needed that. Dickson gets our 2nd goal after great attack on the ball from Jones.

[LostDoggy]

Inability to kick goals is killing this team this year.

[bulldogsman]

Getting plenty of the ball, but geez our ball use is bad.

[LostDoggy]

Nothing has changed. Winning more of the ball around the contest, getting smashed on the spread. Ball is pinging out of our forward line with ridiculous ease.

[Eastdog]

Not a good 1st quarter from us need to lift that intensity and score. Dahlhaus in the middle has been good once again.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Similar theme to many of our games this season, winning clearances, contested ball and inside 50's, but murdering the ball - especially inside 50 and also getting torched on the spread.
I guess coaches are assuming rightly that whilst we generate alot of forward 50 entries, we fail to score from them very regularly, and are also exposed for leg speed and mobility in our forward line
.
It remains to be seen whether the Lions can maintain such a taxing style of play, where they set up a quick counter attack out of defense, and run the ball through the lines.

[LostDoggy]

We just kicked a goal and it sounded like an away interstate game. What the....?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Good start to the quarter, especially by Gia, been involved in both goals, scoring one himself.

[bulldogsman]

Liking Campbell's game.

[LostDoggy]

Howard gaining a lot of confidence today

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Boy, Howard's right foot, isn't 'non-preferred' it's non-existent.

[GVGjr]

To win this it looks like we will need to kick more than 16 goals which will be a big ask for us.

We just aren't getting the run of the ball at the moment.

[bulldogsman]

All to easy, no pressure.

[LostDoggy]

Not being able to see this is killing me!

[GVGjr]

Inability to kick goals is killing this team this year.

Merrett has made all his goals look easy.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Not being able to see this is killing me!

I'm watching the game, and so far it's killing me!

[LostDoggy]

We really are a dumb football team.

When there's about to be a ball up 3 of our players dive into the pack to try and rip the ball out, it tumbles out to 3 opposition players on the outside.

[Ghost Dog]

Getting no inside 50s. Frustrating.

[LostDoggy]

I'm watching the game, and so far it's killing me!

Good point! The ABC radio coverage is almost unbearable.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

It's hard to tell by watching on TV, but it appears that our midfield workrate off the ball isn't up to scratch. A number of times I'm seeing Brisbane guys free and moving to space, whilst Doggies players just standing still, walking or slowly meandering without purpose?

[LostDoggy]

It's always bad when you just don't hear Bulldogs names mentioned on the radio

[Eastdog]

If we get a goal or 2 back unanswered we are back in but we really need to lift. Griffen is putting in a big effort.

[AndrewP6]

We just kicked a goal and it sounded like an away interstate game. What the....?

It's a pro Brisbane crowd and quite frankly it's embarrassing.

[AndrewP6]

My nephews sixth birthday party was more fun than this.

[LostDoggy]

It's a pro Brisbane crowd and quite frankly it's embarrassing.

That is a disgrace. I'd give my left one to be able to go to Dogs games regularly

[Ghost Dog]

God are we taking the long route to goal or what?

[LostDoggy]

Richmond have been terrible for 3 decades but their fans still turn up every week. We really have some fickle supporters.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Boy did we need that.

[LostDoggy]

Why do we miss so many goals??!!!

[LostDoggy]

Is Boyd out there playing today? Honestly haven't noticed him

[Eastdog]

Half time. Definitely got a bit more on top in that quarter.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

It will be an interesting second half. Brisbane not as zippy as that quarter went on and we started to gain some level of ascendency for a fair amount of time.
We could've been a bit closer if we would just find a way to convert opportunities on goal.

[Eastdog]

Is Boyd out there playing today? Honestly haven't noticed him

Not sure how many possies his had but he has been quiet.

[LostDoggy]

Not sure how many possies his had but he has been quiet.

8 to half time. He's not as quiet as this crowd. Could hear a pin drop in the dome

[Eastdog]

8 to half time. He's not as quiet as this crowd. Could hear a pin drop in the dome

Not much atomsphere which is disappointing. How many do you think are there.

[LostDoggy]

Too many blokes cannot kick the ball at the required standard. That's the Dogs in a nutshell. Part-time forwards for the Lions looking like champions

[LostDoggy]

Embarrassing today, ah well, we knew there'd be some off days this season

[MrMahatma]

Kicking is awful

[bulldogsman]

Don't even look like scoring, just bombing the ball inside forward 50.

[LostDoggy]

Taken steps backwards today. Disappointing. Getting sick of hearing "handball misses it's target", "kick falls short", "puts his team mate under pressure", "kicks a high ball"

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

5 goals 10, with only a few minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, against a side like Brisbane is unacceptable.
We're 5 goals down, and in most cases you'd think it's only a goal or two away from us getting back into it, but we're a mile a way and don't look remotely like scoring when we go inside 50. In fact, at the moment Brisbane look more likely to score when we go forward, as they kill us on the rebound.
With Goose Maguire gone early, I expected one of our tall forwards to take some marks. Unfortunately, our ball users have not given them.
Our midfield today bar Griffen have been insipid.

[The Pie Man]

Flat day

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Make that 6 goals down, and game officially over.
Austin has had a dirty day, along 2 thirds of our team.

By the sound of the crowd, you'd think this was being played at the GABBA.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Flat day

an unacceptable, abyssmal day.

[Eastdog]

Just hasnt been our day. We just cannot get opportunities inside 50 to score. It's going to take a really good comeback for us to have any chance being optimistic but realistically it looks like the Lions will win.

[The Pie Man]

Why leave an immobile big man deep? Surely Jones would offer more coming out of the square than Cordy right now?

I just don't get some of the coaching group's calls at times. Only positive has been Howard and a game into Campbell

[bulldogsman]

I'm not looking forward to the Essendon game next week, it could get very ugly.

[bornadog]

Not enjoying this one bit

[LostDoggy]

That Mark McClure is such a negative, grumpy cockhead. Pump I'd up before the game and then trash us as though we've been ordinary all year. Actually likes it when teams and players perform badly do he can beat his chest and point out all the flaws. Last week he would have been pumping up our young talls, this week he's written them off.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Just hasnt been our day. We just cannot get opportunities inside 50 to score. It's going to take a really good comeback for us to have any chance being optimistic but realistically it looks like the Lions will win.

can't get opportunities? WE've had plenty of opportunities, unfortunately, we have shown we have the ability to dispose of the ball with the efficiency of someone who has had lime rubbed in their eyes?

[bornadog]

Why leave an immobile big man deep? Surely Jones would offer more coming out of the square than Cordy right now?

I just don't get some of the coaching group's calls at times. Only positive has been Howard and a game into Campbell

I am going to say it but jones should be dropped. I would give Panos a go next week

[AndrewP6]

Just hasnt been our day. We just cannot get opportunities inside 50 to score. It's going to take a really good comeback for us to have any chance being optimistic but realistically it looks like the Lions will win.

5.10 - we have opportunities we just don't have the skill to convert them.

Another insipid effort.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

That Mark McClure is such a negative, grumpy chead. Pump I'd up before the game and then trash us as though we've been ordinary all year. Actually likes it when teams and players perform badly do he can beat his chest and point out all the flaws. Last week he would have been pumping up our young talls, this week he's written them off.

Normally I would agree with you, I can't stand McClure, however today we have been disgusting.
We've had very similar inside 50's to Brisbane, unfortunately our disposal efficiency is at 50% whilst Brisbane are at 70 plus %

[The Pie Man]

Jones was poor no doubt, and Panos perhaps a worthy elevation, but from my view Cordy's getting off pretty lightly from the MC. He's been terrible today, and I've got massive concerns about his capacity to 'make it'

[The Pie Man]

If we drop completely away and get done by 10 + goals Macca just HAS to get into them. They need a massive bake for this effort. I want to hear something from him in the presser

[LostDoggy]

Normally I would agree with you, I can't stand McClure, however today we have been disgusting.
We've had very similar inside 50's to Brisbane, unfortunately our disposal efficiency is at 50% whilst Brisbane are at 70 plus %

Agree we've been terrible but McClure has this mentality that every team and every individual should be brilliant each and every game. If they're not he smashes them

[Eastdog]

Probably didn't say it right we have had the opportunities but we just cannot convert. Lions kick another one. Embarrassing now.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What really irks me is that we've shown a distinct lack of teamwork today, lot's of individual efforts. And in a week where we've been attacked by all sections of the media, I expected us to come out fired up and to show our true colours as a 'tribe'.
We've shown nothing.

[bulldogsman]

Wow another behind. I'm turning the tv off

[AndrewP6]

If we drop completely away and get done by 10 + goals Macca just HAS to get into them. They need a massive bake for this effort. I want to hear something from him in the presser

Don't hold your breath.

[Mantis]

I'm not looking forward to the Essendon game next week, it could get very ugly.

Today isn't ugly enough?

Brisbane are a bottom 6 team and are owning us... at home.

[AndrewP6]

I'm not often truly ashamed of my team, but today...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

The sameness in our midfield is a real worry, all apart from Griffen have no leg speed and are hardly the types who will hurt you with the pill in their hands.
If we do not address this at the end of the year, then I think we can expect to sink even further into the muck going forward.
And I don't care how much we love the Cooney of old, he sure looks like one cooked goose. It's very sad, but it looks very unlikely he can be expected to be a contributor.
His confidence looks cooked and his skills are a fraction of what is acceptable.

[The Pie Man]

Don't hold your breath.

No I won't - but who else wants to hear some Neeld in round 1 type emotion after tripe like this?

[bulldogsman]

Today isn't ugly enough?

Brisbane are a bottom 6 team and are owning us... at home.

Obviously it is, but I fear we could get beaten by 150 points against Essendon.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Today isn't ugly enough?

Brisbane are a bottom 6 team and are owning us... at home.
Yep and if this is the level of performance we dish up at home then, as one who lives in Brisbane I'm not looking forward to going to see us play the Lions up here in rnd 22.
It's going to be bad enough going to work this week, and having all of the 'silent' Lions supporters in the office suddenlyfind their voice to hammer me.

[Mantis]

The sameness in our midfield is a real worry, all apart from Griffen have no leg speed and are hardly the types who will hurt you with the pill in their hands.
If we do not address this at the end of the year, then I think we can expect to sink even further into the muck going forward.
And I don't care how much we love the Cooney of old, he sure looks like one cooked goose. It's very sad, but it looks very unlikely he can be expected to be a contributor.
His confidence looks cooked and his skills are a fraction of what is acceptable.

The sameness across the board is horrible.

A bunch of plodders....

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Do we even practice forward play at training. We would be the most labour intensive team with ball in hands going forward in the league. It's painful to watch.

[LostDoggy]

I'm really disappointed today(obviously) as I thought we were heading in the right direction but we seem to have taken steps backwards today and there doesn't seem to be anyone capable of stopping the rot, coaches or players...

[LostDoggy]

Didn't think after the St Kilda game I would see 2 more embarrassing efforts than that game by round 13.

[AndrewP6]

No I won't - but who else wants to hear some Neeld in round 1 type emotion after tripe like this?

Me, but I've wanted it all year and it hasn't happened. He'll go on about learning, working together, blah blah blah.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Wallis seems to have a 9 iron stuck on the end of his boot whenever he kicks it, it almost goes higher than further.

[Eastdog]

Lions score again. Did not expect this today. The effort now is non exustent. Very much like the Sydney and St. Kilda games.

[LostDoggy]

I don't care they got beat I'm just happy they didn't hurt anyone's feelings today. The club should be proud, the AFL will be happy. They are not there to show heart and battle, they are there to tread lightly and piss off their supporters, before the league moves them interstate.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I don't care they got beat I'm just happy they didn't hurt anyone's feelings today. The club should be proud, the AFL will be happy. They are not there to show heart and battle, they are there to tread lightly and piss off their supporters, before the league moves them interstate.

Well they've hurt my feelings. Its my 11th Wedding Anniversary today, and there will no doubt be an expectation for me to 'perform'.
Hopefully I can respond, and unlike the Dogs today, show some spirit...and some composure to find the target up forward with some regularity, or else I might find myself in the two's!

[bulldogtragic]

Well they've hurt my feelings. Its my 11th Wedding Anniversary today, and there will no doubt be an expectation for me to 'perform'.
Hopefully I can respond, and unlike the Dogs today, show some spirit...and some composure to find the target up forward with some regularity, or else I might find myself in the two's!
Just harden up and blow away... any competition that is.

[Hotdog60]

Can I ask the question would our dedicated forwards play better than our dedicated ruckmen playing forward?

Should we be putting games into Panos and Hill who were recruited as forwards and if they don't cut the mustard by years end we cut them loose.

[Ghost Dog]

Well, the only upside of such a shocking loss is this. With such wide cracks in the foundations, the staff and administration have no choice but to urgently assess what's going on.
I'm away from Melbourne today ( so not sure of the exact numbers at the game ) , but very disappointed to hear about the low turn out. Then, to be pasted so badly on home turf really puts us under the hammer. Embarrassing.

[LostDoggy]

Well they've hurt my feelings.

Of course!
You are a supporter, you are low on the priority.
I'm talking about the opposition, I'm happy they didn't hurt the opposition's feelings. That is the way the dogs need to come across, as a team that won't upset other clubs.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

just harden up and blow away... Any competition that is.

haha!!!:D

[GVGjr]

Huge turnaround since the last time we played them.
We simply got out coached and out played today. Brisbane just worked us over.

A lot of passengers and the win last week meant a few missed being put under the microscope. That shouldn't be an issue this week though

I know I have been banging on about this for years but we must address our approach to goal kicking. It's just embarrassing that we are so inept in front of the sticks.

[Remi Moses]

Just hasnt been our day. We just cannot get opportunities inside 50 to score. It's going to take a really good comeback for us to have any chance being optimistic but realistically it looks like the Lions will win.

Not our day? Should be embarassed for a totally unacceptable performance.

[ReLoad]

And I don't care how much we love the Cooney of old, he sure looks like one cooked goose. It's very sad, but it looks very unlikely he can be expected to be a contributor.
His confidence looks cooked and his skills are a fraction of what is acceptable.

What sadly doesn't show up is the amount of times an opposition player runs off him because they know he cannot chase, its like a free kick or handball receive, EVERY single coach/player knows this and exploits it. He offers no forward pressure at all.

I'm afraid, as Adam cannot play the way he used to that its time for him to pull the plug.

Such a shame, one of the best game and line breakers I've ever seen in the red white and blue cut down.

I would love to know those finals he played with his stuffed knee if they had any long term effect.

[Dog54]

What sadly doesn't show up is the amount of times an opposition player runs off him because they know he cannot chase, its like a free kick or handball receive, EVERY single coach/player knows this and exploits it. He offers no forward pressure at all.

I'm afraid, as Adam cannot play the way he used to that its time for him to pull the plug.

Such a shame, one of the best game and line breakers I've ever seen in the red white and blue cut down.

I would love to know those finals he played with his stuffed knee if they had any long term effect.

Sad to say but I agree Cooney should do the right thing by the club and retire. Free up more money in the cap. We should aggressively target a beams from collingwood boak from port adelaide and some gold coast players. Let's be aggressive and bring some quality ball users into the club.

[angelopetraglia]

I have missed the last few games in Melbourne due to some overseas travel. Could not believe what I witnessed today. We have so many weaknesses.

At one stage during the last quarter, we had more inside 50s, more clearances and more hard ball gets yet were trailing by more than 10 goals!

Yes we are a team of plodders. But today we were smashed on the inside and the outside. We are not clean with our hands on the inside while they were. When the ball went to the outside they made it look like a training drill.

How many times did we have passages of sustained effort where we dominated field position and possession only for the Lions to get one clean possession and take it coast to coast for a goal? I lost count. Early, this just killed us. Later when they got on top in general play it was very ugly.

Some very serious concerns. I know after a big loss it feels like there is no future. But watching today's effort and skill level, it is very hard to see how this group of players is going to take us anywhere.

I really worry for how the club is going to sell any hope for next year. This year we had a new coach to sell to the membership base. Good luck to the membership department next year, they are going to need it.

[chef]

Am I over reacting in thinking that was the worst performance I've seen since the Rohde years?

[angelopetraglia]

Am I over reacting in thinking that was the worst performance I've seen since the Rohde years?

No. I said the same thing.

[angelopetraglia]

Macca: We didn't have enough concerted, consistent, ruthless effort.

For me, effort was not the difference today. The effort up until late was there. It was out total lack of game plan, skill and ability to convert that was the difference.

[bornadog]

Am I over reacting in thinking that was the worst performance I've seen since the Rohde years?

The Saints and Swans matches were worse.

[angelopetraglia]

The Saints and Swans matches were worse.

Disagree. The opposition were better in the other losses. We were playing a team that were below us and had only won 4 games from 11 starts. They also had to travel nearly 2,000km for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. This was our worst loss.

[Mantis]

Disagree. The opposition were better in the other losses. We were playing a team that were below us and had only won 4 games from 11 starts. They also had to travel nearly 2,000km for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. This was our worst loss.

Agree.

We didn't fire a shot against a poor team.

[giaco]

The sameness across the board is horrible.

A bunch of plodders....

Even worse, most of the team are plodders who can't kick!

[G-Mo77]

Am I over reacting in thinking that was the worst performance I've seen since the Rohde years?

Not sure about that but it's easily our worst this season. Apart from Campbell there is nothing positive I can take out of that game.

[Scraggers]

We simply got out coached

Agree totally ... And unfortunately, it's not the first time this year that I am thinking this.

I refused to pass judgement on McCartney early on; I wanted to give him every chance, but I am quickly coming to the conclusion that he is not up to this job. Yes, he is a great teacher and yes our contested possession is up ... But this means nothing when we are getting wiped off the park by teams like Brisbane.

I did not see any moves made by the coach today to stop Merrett or McGrath. I didn't see him do anything to stop the likes of Rich or their midfield's run and carry.

McCartney was a good assistant coach ... A good teacher of the game; but it's a big step to the big chair. He needs to lift his gameday performance, an area he is very much lacking in at this early stage of his senior coaching career. (And before I get shouted down here ... I am very aware that his senior coaching career is only 12 weeks old ... Three of those games we have been wiped off the park ... There has been no strategy from the coaches box to stop or slow that ... What's that teaching the players ???)

[chef]

The Saints and Swans matches were worse.

Not for me. We just got smashed by a very average team that were 1700KM's from home.

[AndrewP6]

Agree totally ... And unfortunately, it's not the first time this year that I am thinking this.

I refused to pass judgement on McCartney early on; I wanted to give him every chance, but I am quickly coming to the conclusion that he is not up to this job. Yes, he is a great teacher and yes our contested possession is up ... But this means nothing when we are getting wiped off the park by teams like Brisbane.

I did not see any moves made by the coach today to stop Merrett or McGrath. I didn't see him do anything to stop the likes of Rich or their midfield's run and carry.

McCartney was a good assistant coach ... A good teacher of the game; but it's a big step to the big chair. He needs to lift his gameday performance, an area he is very much lacking in at this early stage of his senior coaching career. (And before I get shouted down here ... I am very aware that his senior coaching career is only 12 weeks old ... Three of those games we have been wiped off the park ... There has been no strategy from the coaches box to stop or slow that ... What's that teaching the players ???)

Thank you for reading my mind. I thought the appointment was the wrong one when it was made, I've yet to see anything that alters that view. Not up to it for mine.

[Dancin' Douggy]

After todays performance I would suggest, and this not a personal attack, they have both been great players, Cooney and Gia are cooked. It's tragic for Adam and for us, that such a brilliant talent, is crippled at an age he should be absolutely dominating. I feel like crying again Chops.

[Sedat]

Even worse, most of the team are plodders who can't kick!But gee they all crack in...

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I have to say, I am very underwhelmed by the performance of our coaching staff -- particularly in recent weeks.

Too top heavy up forward, the slowest fielding of football sides since the game's inception and a refusal to make necessary changes throughout matches.

Leaving Addison on McGrath for as long as we did was painful to watch, and extremely frustrating. I must have commented on this 36 times before he was eventually shifted.

The fact that we are without Sherman, Veszpremi, DJ and Grant (all for various reasons) is irritating too; we are incredibly slow, flat footed and devoid of skill.

Campbell looekd OK though.

[G-Mo77]

You'd think, barring injury, most of those guys you listed would be a good chance to come in.

[Remi Moses]

Huge turnaround since the last time we played them.
We simply got out coached and out played today. Brisbane just worked us over.

A lot of passengers and the win last week meant a few missed being put under the microscope. That shouldn't be an issue this week though

I know I have been banging on about this for years but we must address our approach to goal kicking. It's just embarrassing that we are so inept in front of the sticks.

Watched the 08 game at the Gabba last night.
We had 11 gone from that side and the Lions had an incredible 16!
Quite a turnaround, it's just so imperative we recruit well this year and next.

[SonofScray]

Just a shocking day out. We were outgunned, out coached and out supported at home. By an interstate team that we had some small rights to expect an even contest against.

It is looking worse as the season goes on from here.

[Eastdog]

It was certainly a bad performance and we have a lot of work to do that's for sure. We are a shadow of the team we were a couple of years ago.

[firstdogonthemoon]

I'm not a tear up my membership sort of person, but if i was i would be doing that.

[Maddog37]

Today was complete trash. Lack of chase with intent. Lack of poise with ball in hand. Lack of spirit. Lack of heart. I *!*!*!*!ing hated every second of it.

Weak as piss.

We are clearly still trending downwards and I hope the coach will cut deeply at years end. Not before time as many have said in the past on here.

[The Underdog]

I'm not a tear up my membership sort of person, but if i was i would be doing that.

It's heaps harder since they became plastic. Use a guillotine...satisfying.
One day your membership will be a barcode on a smartphone and then you'll need to smash your phone to tear up your membership.

On that note, I don't think teams should tank but reckon Griff should spend some time in a back pocket rotating through the bench and that Boydy would be great at FF for the rest of the year. And Hooper deserves a shot in the firsts, on the ball...

[BulldogBelle]

I have to say, I am very underwhelmed by the performance of our coaching staff -- particularly in recent weeks.

Too top heavy up forward, the slowest fielding of football sides since the game's inception and a refusal to make necessary changes throughout matches.

Leaving Addison on McGrath for as long as we did was painful to watch, and extremely frustrating. I must have commented on this 36 times before he was eventually shifted.

The fact that we are without Sherman, Veszpremi, DJ and Grant (all for various reasons) is irritating too; we are incredibly slow, flat footed and devoid of skill.

Campbell looekd OK though.



^^^

Anyone think that McCartney needs a senior mentor in the coaching box on game days???

He is surrounding by junior assistants in King, Grant and to a lesser extent Monty

In the way that Rocket would be working with Buckley

McCartney seems to make some tactical errors on gameday, that may be remedied with greater experience, but our structures, selection and matchups at times is puzzling

Addison on McGrath was painful as Dylan just didn't have the pace to go with McGrath
Brown took Lake on a tour around the ground, whereas Lake would have been better suited to playing deep e.g. on Merrett when he was down there
Murphy again was dragged to deep - smart move by Voss
Cordy, Roughead and Cooney were ran around like witches hats on our full forward line - add to them Gia and Higgins and our forward pressure was non existent

[LostDoggy]

I don't care they got beat I'm just happy they didn't hurt anyone's feelings today. The club should be proud, the AFL will be happy. They are not there to show heart and battle, they are there to tread lightly and piss off their supporters, before the league moves them interstate.

This.

Did we expect anything else from a team that just had their administration tell them, in no uncertain terms, that telling 'yo mama' jokes at your opponents expense was a hanging offence, worth more than a win, and that they would not come to your defense no matter what was said about you.

Did we expect anything else from a club that just had its brand TRASHED in the media this week without raising so much as a peep of dissent?

We have proven without a doubt this week that we are soft as horseshit off the field, why would players go the extra mile to support an administration that has shown itself incapable of supporting itself, or that has shown its willingness to hang out one of our best performers and long-term servants at the whim of a soft Port player and his bogan family?

We've just seen what a team without a heart looks like today. Forget skill, structure or any other crap like that -- we're just going through the motions now.

ps. I've said this in another thread, but I will take a bet at any money that Will will be gone at the end of the year. Forget what you saw at the presser, he may actually be a bit contrite, but no way he's staying. You can bet that inside he will have felt completely betrayed by the higher ups.

pps. I said that I was giving up football if Will got suspended. The reality is that the Dogs gave up on itself a long time ago, long before we did. I don't care about success as much as I do about self-respect. This last seven days has shown that we have absolutely none. As a team, as a club, as an administration. This week, we saw the start of the long death of a football club. With our membership declining etc. I have no confidence that we will exist as a club in our current form 15 years from now.

[Eastdog]

We are just in a bad patch in terms of our progression. We need to draft well get some kids and I'm sure in a few years time will get back up the ladder.

[Ghost Dog]

This.

Did we expect anything else from a team that just had their administration tell them, in no uncertain terms, that telling 'yo mama' jokes at your opponents expense was a hanging offence, worth more than a win, and that they would not come to your defense no matter what was said about you.

Did we expect anything else from a club that just had its brand TRASHED in the media this week without raising so much as a peep of dissent?

We have proven without a doubt this week that we are soft as horseshit off the field, why would players go the extra mile to support an administration that has shown itself incapable of supporting itself, or that has shown its willingness to hang out one of our best performers and long-term servants at the whim of a soft Port player and his bogan family?

We've just seen what a team without a heart looks like today. Forget skill, structure or any other crap like that -- we're just going through the motions now.

ps. I've said this in another thread, but I will take a bet at any money that Will will be gone at the end of the year. Forget what you saw at the presser, he may actually be a bit contrite, but no way he's staying. You can bet that inside he will have felt completely betrayed by the higher ups.

pps. I said that I was giving up football if Will got suspended. The reality is that the Dogs gave up on itself a long time ago, long before we did. I don't care about success as much as I do about self-respect. This last seven days has shown that we have absolutely none. As a team, as a club, as an administration. This week, we saw the start of the long death of a football club. With our membership declining etc. I have no confidence that we will exist as a club in our current form 15 years from now.

That's very worrying to read. We had every reason to play hard tonight. Where has our heart gone? We didn't look that bad against Port.

[SonofScray]

I've been a Lantern fan boy in recent discussions and the reason is, what is getting putting up cuts very close to the bone. We are in dire straits, the actual fabric of the Club has been eroded massively in recent years. The pride and value we had in what we are has been surpassed by the loathing for what we are not. What I mean is that the failure to score that elusive Premiership has been put squarely on our identity (name change, working class roots etc). There is a real sense of identity cringe and self loathing that permeates through our Admin and unfortunately even our fan base.

In the quest to be "better," we've become a weak, bland and ultra conservative organisation that doesn't value our roots (poor history, loser culture) or our fans (not enough, not the right ones). Its driven significant change and delivered nothing tangible. The books might look healthier, with AFL assistance, but thats a poisoned chalice in itself that prevents us from ever correcting our path and breaking away from this weak, yes man, conservative approach to participating in the game. We are completely impotent. Toothless.

We threw Minson to the wolves this week rather than muscle up and protect our player, our reputation against the outrageous, in genuine moral panic generated by the likes of John Ralph and Caro. Rather than raise the ire of the AFL, our pimp daddy. The idea of Cede Nullis has been irreparably damaged, we have no capacity or will to dig in. Yield to None has given way to Yield to All if it means survival.

I don't like that. It hurts. It annoys. It reflects poorly on me as an individual who associates with the Club. I can't imagine why anyone would put themselves in that position. It isn't the Club I grew up with, or the one that my Nan fought for in 89 or claimed she'd crawl on her hands and knees to see one more time before passing away. I hate the feeling, the drama it brings up but it is real to me and has grown exponentially since 09 in particular. I can't walk away because my family history and own personal investment is too closely knitted into things but it is making me angry and bitter.

Mac's message about ruthlessness on the field really stirred something up I think, a promise to be true to the idea of Bulldog Tenacity has us all sucking it up for another roller coaster ride and it is brilliant that this language is finding a place in the Club again, we love it. But we need to see it. It needs to be a feature of the whole Club's life. This week was an example of it not happening at all.

[Eastdog]

I've been a Lantern fan boy in recent discussions and the reason is, what is getting putting up cuts very close to the bone. We are in dire straits, the actual fabric of the Club has been eroded massively in recent years. The pride and value we had in what we are has been surpassed by the loathing for what we are not. What I mean is that the failure to score that elusive Premiership has been put squarely on our identity (name change, working class roots etc). There is a real sense of identity cringe and self loathing that permeates through our Admin and unfortunately even our fan base.

In the quest to be "better," we've become a weak, bland and ultra conservative organisation that doesn't value our roots (poor history, loser culture) or our fans (not enough, not the right ones). Its driven significant change and delivered nothing tangible. The books might look healthier, with AFL assistance, but thats a poisoned chalice in itself that prevents us from ever correcting our path and breaking away from this weak, yes man, conservative approach to participating in the game. We are completely impotent. Toothless.

We threw Minson to the wolves this week rather than muscle up and protect our player, our reputation against the outrageous, in genuine moral panic generated by the likes of John Ralph and Caro. Rather than raise the ire of the AFL, our pimp daddy. The idea of Cede Nullis has been irreparably damaged, we have no capacity or will to dig in. Yield to None has given way to Yield to All if it means survival.

I don't like that. It hurts. It annoys. It reflects poorly on me as an individual who associates with the Club. I can't imagine why anyone would put themselves in that position. It isn't the Club I grew up with, or the one that my Nan fought for in 89 or claimed she'd crawl on her hands and knees to see one more time before passing away. I hate the feeling, the drama it brings up but it is real to me and has grown exponentially since 09 in particular. I can't walk away because my family history and own personal investment is too closely knitted into things but it is making me angry and bitter.

Mac's message about ruthlessness on the field really stirred something up I think, a promise to be true to the idea of Bulldog Tenacity has us all sucking it up for another roller coaster ride and it is brilliant that this language is finding a place in the Club again, we love it. But we need to see it. It needs to be a feature of the whole Club's life. This week was an example of it not happening at all.

I like the sentiment SonofScray. Do you think David Smorgon since coming in as our President from 1996 has done a good job. At the time when he came in we were in real dire straits and he is passionate about the club and trying too put it in the right direction.

[SonofScray]

I like the sentiment SonofScray. Do you think David Smorgon since coming in as our President from 1996 has done a good job. At the time when he came in we were in real dire straits and he is passionate about the club and trying too put it in the right direction.

Of course he has done a good job, but I'd like that measured against the idea that trying and achieving are not the same thing. That was a real sentimental rant, I realise but just feeling down on the week and the club and the AFL juggernaut right now.

[Doc26]

I'm not a tear up my membership sort of person, but if i was i would be doing that.

Funny. I'm not the type not to show up to our games but if I was .....

[Sedat]

Could not agree more with Lantern and SoS - we have had a wretched week as a club.

20k this week, 16k last week. Meanwhile Collingwood draw over 70k against an interstate club - I remember a game between these 2 teams that drew 27k at the same venue not all that long ago (when Tranquilli kicked a bag), so the 'it's Collingwood, they are a big club' wears thin. There is a real smell about us right now that is undeniable - it is beyond time for a complete overhaul of our admin and board. Time for a fresh set of ideas and perspectives to be implemented by a new board..

[LostDoggy]

First game I've gone to this year. Disappointing spectacle but I enjoyed the social aspect of chatting to the members I've got to know over the years in the same seats and it felt good to yell and carry on like I can't do in any other social situation. Skill levels were poor but effort not. Saw Austin take a mark with Brown thundering towards him from behind, didn't bat an eyelid - love that stuff. Higgins was filthy when the final siren sounded. I don't believe there is no heart amongst the players. It has been a shitty week in what was always going to be a tough season and it often feels like we (the club) are always up against it but to me that's more about the AFL manipulating things.

[immortalmike]

I've been a Lantern fan boy in recent discussions and the reason is, what is getting putting up cuts very close to the bone. We are in dire straits, the actual fabric of the Club has been eroded massively in recent years. The pride and value we had in what we are has been surpassed by the loathing for what we are not. What I mean is that the failure to score that elusive Premiership has been put squarely on our identity (name change, working class roots etc). There is a real sense of identity cringe and self loathing that permeates through our Admin and unfortunately even our fan base.

In the quest to be "better," we've become a weak, bland and ultra conservative organisation that doesn't value our roots (poor history, loser culture) or our fans (not enough, not the right ones). Its driven significant change and delivered nothing tangible. The books might look healthier, with AFL assistance, but thats a poisoned chalice in itself that prevents us from ever correcting our path and breaking away from this weak, yes man, conservative approach to participating in the game. We are completely impotent. Toothless.

We threw Minson to the wolves this week rather than muscle up and protect our player, our reputation against the outrageous, in genuine moral panic generated by the likes of John Ralph and Caro. Rather than raise the ire of the AFL, our pimp daddy. The idea of Cede Nullis has been irreparably damaged, we have no capacity or will to dig in. Yield to None has given way to Yield to All if it means survival.

I don't like that. It hurts. It annoys. It reflects poorly on me as an individual who associates with the Club. I can't imagine why anyone would put themselves in that position. It isn't the Club I grew up with, or the one that my Nan fought for in 89 or claimed she'd crawl on her hands and knees to see one more time before passing away. I hate the feeling, the drama it brings up but it is real to me and has grown exponentially since 09 in particular. I can't walk away because my family history and own personal investment is too closely knitted into things but it is making me angry and bitter.

Mac's message about ruthlessness on the field really stirred something up I think, a promise to be true to the idea of Bulldog Tenacity has us all sucking it up for another roller coaster ride and it is brilliant that this language is finding a place in the Club again, we love it. But we need to see it. It needs to be a feature of the whole Club's life. This week was an example of it not happening at all.
Post of the year SOS mate. Agree 100 percent. The problem is that I'm having real trouble finding the passion that you've expressed. All the passion was knocked out of me after the Minson debacle. I was like a zombie at the game yesterday. Quiet as a mouse, no barracking, very little interest in the result. This is a worry because I've never felt that way and it seems the players took their cues from me.

I'm really beginning to agree with Sedat. A new admin with a fresh set of ideas looks to be what we need. Or at least it's what I need because I've lost all faith in the one we have. Keep Garlo and Chris but replace the rest with people who care about the FFC not the "Mission Foods Western Bulldogs AFL Football club". What is really sad is that it took two days for our admin to piss away all the goodwill and passion stirred up with Charlie passing.

Just a question but does anyone feel we have no real leaders at the club. Boydy tries but seems more interested in his own game. Gia has trouble impacting a game, good off-field though. Murphy has the passion but too much of a good bloke. Smorgon looks burnt out, Fantasia...haha no, Garlick maybe? Grant is a part timer, Macca...closest thing we have?

I think on-field we miss Johnno and off-field we miss Rose.

[Dazza]

A major worry for me is that when a side gets 3 goals up I consider it a match winning lead that we won't get back at the moment.

[LostDoggy]

Come on guys. The boys got out and had a run around yesterday, instead of being stuck inside the house playing computer games and watching TV. No body picked on anybody. Although Boyd (with some help from the club) should get rubbed out for that fair bump, that looked like it winded that poor Lions player. Oh and Picken clearly head butted Blacks elbow so we could be short a tagger next week. Geeze we are a dirty club.

Don't worry too, I'm aware of next weeks fixture, and I believe The club is looking into getting the game against Essendon changed to the Sunday twilight spot. What is the AFL thinking? Bulldogs Saturday prime time? ..................

You guys sick of my sarcasm yet?

[SonofScray]

Come on guys. The boys got out and had a run around yesterday, instead of being stuck inside the house playing computer games and watching TV. No body picked on anybody. Although Boyd (with some help from the club) should get rubbed out for that fair bump, that looked like it winded that poor Lions player. Oh and Picken clearly head butted Blacks elbow so we could be short a tagger next week. Geeze we are a dirty club.

Don't worry too, I'm aware of next weeks fixture, and I believe The club is looking into getting the game against Essendon changed to the Sunday twilight spot. What is the AFL thinking? Bulldogs Saturday prime time? ..................

You guys sick of my sarcasm yet?

http://images.thevine.com.au/resources/IMGRELATED/tumblr_lzd16jBXjW1ql5uppo1_500_220612121417.jpg
Know how you feel mate.

[Bulldog4life]

..........

You guys sick of my sarcasm yet?

Yep.

[Sedat]

I'm really beginning to agree with Sedat. A new admin with a fresh set of ideas looks to be what we need. Or at least it's what I need because I've lost all faith in the one we have. Keep Garlo and Chris but replace the rest with people who care about the FFC not the "Mission Foods Western Bulldogs AFL Football club". What is really sad is that it took two days for our admin to piss away all the goodwill and passion stirred up with Charlie passing.I made the suggestion a while ago that Chris Grant would be the ideal replacement for David Smorgon as our next president. I'm very much still of that view. Despite the respectful and measured exterior, he would never have allowed our club to be chewed up and spat out like it was last week. He commands unconditional respect from the Bulldogs faithful and the wider football community, he is a canny businessman and he is a contemporary figure who also possesses a rich understanding and respect for the history of our great club. David has done everything he can but he is clearly spent and has been for a couple of years - it is well over time to pass the baton over to the next generation to mould and shape the direction of the club for the crucial next 10 years. And if the likes of Dimma and Beaser want to get involved and bring their enthusiasm and business acumen to our board, they can stop shouting from the cheap seats and come to the table as well. I want to see a bloodless coup like Smorgo was able to construct with Peter Gordon at the end of 1996 so that we can bring a wave of excitement and a fresh approach to all of our off-field operations.

[Greystache]

I'm not a tear up my membership sort of person, but if i was i would be doing that.

But on a positive note at least we had a bad loss so you could post something. Those few wins we had must have been disheartening. :rolleyes:

[LostDoggy]

Brisbane did have a real day out yesterday though. They couldn't do anything wrong. They were really fired up and had lots of quick players. We couldn't do much correct even when we had the ball from free kicks etc. We do need to put a lot of effort into goal kicking under pressure. I don't think we picked the right team to play Brisbane - coaches obviously didn't rate Brisbane's pace. I agree with whoever said it previously that we don't spread very well. We all rush to the ball like a pack of school kids and have been doing so all year!!!

[LostDoggy]

It was a hard game to watch and enjoy thats for sure. I was a bit dissapointed with Huddo being booed but I have a soft spot still clearly. After the event, I see despite the new coach I think his insider trading knowledge surely fed into this loss. He gave Brisbane a hell of a more info than Shermo gave us in his trade.A post match interview by a brisbane player highlighted it for me

[chef]

It was a hard game to watch and enjoy thats for sure. I was a bit dissapointed with Huddo being booed but I have a soft spot still clearly. After the event, I see despite the new coach I think his insider trading knowledge surely fed into this loss. He gave Brisbane a hell of a more info than Shermo gave us in his trade.A post match interview by a brisbane player highlighted it for me

I guess every team has some moron supporters.

[The Coon Dog]

Apart from how awful & insipid we were, how good did the 'Fitzroy' jumpers look that Brisbane wore?

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/06/20/1226403/527386-jonathan-brown.jpg

[bornadog]

Apart from how awful & insipid we were, how good did the 'Fitzroy' jumpers look that Brisbane wore?

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/06/20/1226403/527386-jonathan-brown.jpg

Brisbane have absolutely butchered the old Fitzroy jumper. I can't see why they couldn't use the above, but just change the F to a B.

[Rocco Jones]

Apart from how awful & insipid we were, how good did the 'Fitzroy' jumpers look that Brisbane wore?

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/06/20/1226403/527386-jonathan-brown.jpg

Awesome. It was hard wanting bad things to happen to guys wearing such an awesome jumper!

[Greystache]

That jumper is a quantum leap over the Paddle Pop Lion.

[bornadog]

That jumper is a quantum leap over the Paddle Pop Lion.

Also the colours are great

[Doc26]

Apart from how awful & insipid we were, how good did the 'Fitzroy' jumpers look that Brisbane wore?

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/06/20/1226403/527386-jonathan-brown.jpg

Love it. Why does the bleeding obvious so often elude those charged with pitching / marketing football jumpers ?

[Murphy'sLore]

Hate hate hate the paddle pop lion, in fact loathe all those animal pictures that look as if they should be spray painted on the side of a panel van.

[whythelongface]

Apart from how awful & insipid we were, how good did the 'Fitzroy' jumpers look that Brisbane wore?

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/06/20/1226403/527386-jonathan-brown.jpg


Absolutely marvellous. One of the best football jumpers that I have seen.

As for the game - right from the get go they were hungrier, faster and had much slicker skills than us. I am really not sure what to make of the game. Are we that slow? Is our decision making that bad?

At the moment it is hard to determine just where we are at and just where we are headed. We seem to put in some good performances followed by absolute shockers. There is obviously an issue with consistency in the way that the team is playing. I realise it is a long haul to try and develop a certain style of play and this will lead to the occasional poor performance, however 2 of the last 3 weeks have been insipid. Can't say that I am really looking forward to the Essendon game.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Beautiful jumper, easy to change the F to a B.
If they wear a dignified jumper like that because it's an important game,
what does that say about the rest of the games they play?

AREN'T THEY ALL IMPORTANT?