Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

[BulldogBelle]

This is the discussion thread for our Saturday evening game against Essendon at ES.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 4 points
BOG : Matthew Boyd
Luke Dahlhaus to kick the first goal.

[AndrewP6]

Bombres by 48
BOG for us Griffen
First goal for us Dicko.

[Greystache]

Essendon by 55
BOG- Griffen
First goal- Higgins

[Maddog37]

Dogs by 28

Bog Boyd

First goal Tom C.

[1eyedog]

Dogs by 11 points (just the type of game we'll win:p)
Griffen BOG
Higgins first goal

[Scraggers]

I love the optimism here today ;)

I don't think we stand a chance ... Essendon by 4 goals, our BOG Murph, our first goal Big Tom Campbell.

[Go_Dogs]

Essendon by 60 points
BOG Picken
First goal Howard

[bornadog]

Bombers by 1 point:D

BOG: Murphy

First Goal - Dahl

[Eastdog]

Dogs by 3 points
BOG: Griffen
First Goal: Dahlhaus

[comrade]

I hate Essendon but I think we may get whupped tonight *

Bombers by 10 goals
FG: Dickson
BOG: Picken



* But we'll win the contested possession count

[Ghost Dog]

Going for an Upset - against all odds
Hoping having Sherman back in gives us a little something extra. Minson is a quality 'in'
Dogs by a goal
FG: Dahl
BOG: Boyd

[LostDoggy]

Not optimistic tonight!

Bombers by 48
BOG Murphy
First Goal Dickson

Prove me wrong boys!

[LostDoggy]

Even though I don't really believe it, I can't tip against my team.....

Dogs by 11 points
Bog = Murph
First goal = Dickson

[LostDoggy]

Anybody else watching the game on TV tonight?

[Rocco Jones]

Still tossing over whether I am going or not! Anyone know what are my chances of getting a seat on level 3 if I rock up at 7?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Anybody else watching the game on TV tonight?

Yep.


Dons by 48 points
First Dogs goal - Higgins
Best Dogs player - Griffen

[SlimPickens]

No late changes

Roughead to be the sub

[F'scary]

I hate Essendon but I think we may get whupped tonight *

Bombers by 10 goals
FG: Dickson
BOG: Picken



* But we'll win the contested possession count

* too funny :D:D:D

[F'scary]

Dogs by a point after Esserdon reverts to their Dees form
BOG: Team effort
FG: Jones (first of 8)

[Eastdog]

Has the sub been announced for us?

[LostDoggy]

Yep.


Dons by 48 points
First Dogs goal - Higgins
Best Dogs player - Griffen

Cool, someone to chew the fat with on Woof during the breaks!

[westdog54]

No late changes

Roughead to be the sub

Bizzare call I think, gives us little flexibility.

Bombers by 50, Dickson First goal. Boyd BOG

[Eastdog]

Roughead the sub. Silly me didn't realise that post. I was thinking that there could be a late change to the sub.

[Mantis]

Endeavour good... Kicking going forward isn't.

[LostDoggy]

Haven't paid those all year

[LostDoggy]

Jett's forgot to fall over like he'd been shot

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We certainly start with the greatest of endeavour, but I can't help but think that as our disposal lets us down, it just kills the confidence of the team.
Already tonight, we must've gifted at least 7 or 8 unforced turnovers, and right at this moment the urgency has dropped and Essendon are looking very dangerous.

[LostDoggy]

This looking shithouse. We don't seem to go forward with any system

[LostDoggy]

Sick of all this play up the boundary line too

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Every time we lose possession Essendon look likely to score, we are just so slow and they are murdering us on the spread.

[LostDoggy]

Can't get the ball, rare times we do we cough it up, can't get inside 50

[Mantis]

I would love our captain to sacrifice his own game a little to try and shutdown one of the competitions form players... doubt it will happen though.

[LostDoggy]

100+ coming our way people.

[jeemak]

Essendon are first to it, though that's probably easier when you're playing with 21 players on the ground rather than the standard 18.

Our midfielders really lack leadership, and in some cases I think pride.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think we all expected it to be bad, but this is looking to be so far at the extreme end of our worst fears.
Unless something happens fast, this is going to be a 100 point pumping.

[kruder]

The difference in decision making and kicking efficiency is scary

[LostDoggy]

I'm loyal as they come but I think I need to turn this off for the sake of my mental health! We are f****d

[LostDoggy]

Defenders work Jones under the ball every time

[Scraggers]

Who had Minson for the first ???

[Remi Moses]

Watching the Sydney GWs game.
Another pathetic insipid effort in our "Refresh" :rolleyes:

[Mantis]

In the intro Luke Darcy said B-Mac is doing a great job in his first year.. Is that still the case Luke?

We are a rabble.

[Eastdog]

An awful quarter by us. If it keeps going at this rate we will get done by 100 points. We need to pull our socks up fast.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I am starting to wonder whether the 'honourable' losses we had earlier in the year, is more down to the fact that our focus on 'cracking in' caught some sides a bit unaware, and they hadn't planned for us to turn the ball over as terribly has we have done, nor had they cottoned onto the total disfunction that masquerades as our forward line.
Now teams have had a chance to see our weaknesses in our game plan, are they adjusting their tactics accordingly and we are now seeing the results?
Is that too simplistic an assessment?
It just seems as if we are getting opened up alot more as the season progresses.

[LostDoggy]

In the intro Luke Darcy said B-Mac is doing a great job in his first year.. Is that still the case Luke?

We are a rabble.

I'm not sure I'd point the finger at Bmac, we don't have the cattle and we don't have strong leadership on the field.

[azabob]

Our midfielders really lack leadership, and in some cases I think pride.

Unfortunately this is a very accurate call.

[LostDoggy]

Defenders work Jones under the ball every time

Not sure if it is Jones running under the ball or defenders working him under, but if I was kicking to Jones I'd be dropping it short everytime.

[LostDoggy]

I am starting to wonder whether the 'honourable' losses we had earlier in the year, is more down to the fact that our focus on 'cracking in' caught some sides a bit unaware, and they hadn't planned for us to turn the ball over as terribly has we have done, nor had they cottoned onto the total disfunction that masquerades as our forward line.
Now teams have had a chance to see our weaknesses in our game plan, are they adjusting their tactics accordingly and we are now seeing the results?
Is that too simplistic an assessment?
It just seems as if we are getting opened up alot more as the season progresses.

Certainly merit in that theory but I also think some young bodies are getting tired. Lack of leadership is a worry for mine.

[F'scary]

this is comedy capers - keystone cops by our guys. Oh the pain, the pain...

[LostDoggy]

better pressure in the forward 50 but can't take opportunities

[comrade]

How often do we hear how much Macca loves the hard stuff - Ling even made the comment that the Bulldogs players need to put their heads over the ball to avoid his wrath.

We win the *!*!*!*!ing contested possession count every week, even when we get smashed. Putting our head over the ball is not the issue. Football analysts are just sheep.

[Eastdog]

Effort lifted barely for us.

[LostDoggy]

Addison is having a shocker

[comrade]

Embarrassing start to the game from Boyd. Head to head with Watson and was given such a trouncing that Picken has to take over.

Is it any wonder we're rudderless on field?

[LostDoggy]

We just cannot keep the ball inside 50. How's that "refresh"?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We would have to be close to the worst team to watch play, we are bereft of skill, run, composure, and finish.

[LostDoggy]

Does Jones actually watch the bal?

[LostDoggy]

F*****g soft, soft, soft Dogs. Sick to death of this shit.

[Eastdog]

We would have to be close to the worst team to watch play, we are bereft of skill, run, composure, and finish.

From what I'm seeing at the moment this is true. We need a spark and at the moment there is nothing for us.

[Mantis]

Have these commentators seen us play this year?

We are playing like we do most weeks.

[comrade]

Does Jones actually watch the bal?

He's either the worst leading forward in the competition or we're the worst kicking team in the competition.

It's probably a little from column A and a little from column B.

[LostDoggy]

We would have to be close to the worst team to watch play, we are bereft of skill, run, composure, and finish.

Yep, it's almost embarrassing to see this team fumble and stumble their way through games at the moment.

[Rance Fan]

How many times do we bomb it high into the forward line! Arrhhhh 100pt lose coming up

[LostDoggy]

Minson for the Coleman

[Eastdog]

Minson get our 2nd goal and is has our 2 goals so far tonight. We needed that one.

[comrade]

Lake is taking the piss tonight.

What a pathetic, soft effort under a little bit of pressure to gift the Bombers a goal. We deserve better from one of our highest paid players.

[LostDoggy]

Even Murphy has lost his poise

[FrediKanoute]

we are pretty awful though. Lake loses footing and leaves Marko in a footrace he wont win...bombers goal

[w3design]

This is the worst game we have played this year.

[1eyedog]

Lake is playing like he has a $100 on the Bombers

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

It seems so long ago now, and maybe the pain has faded somewhat over time, but I just don't recall us being this disgusting to watch during the Rohde years.
Win Loss might've been worse, but I remember alot of close losses, and there always seemed to be some positives in terms of emerging talent to get exicted about.

Even under Rohde we had both genuine talent and emerging talent on the list.
I just don't see much talent in our list right now.
I don't know how the club could say 'refresh' with a straight face, when you look at how bereft we are of genuine talent.

[Rance Fan]

Perfect tackle on watson ...play on?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

This is the worst game we have played this year.

It almost seems like we say that every week now.

[jeemak]

I have no idea how Watson wasn't done for holding the ball or incorrect disposal just before Hocking's goal.

[Eastdog]

100 points is the way this is going. Unless they slow it down a bit.

[LostDoggy]

We have the worst on field leadership in the AFL. I'll get smacked for saying that but where does our inspiration come from out there?

[Eastdog]

Minson has been ok tonight with those 2 goals. Dahlhaus has had 14 possies so far. Otherwise no positives from us at all.

[Rance Fan]

Howard what were u doin !

[LostDoggy]

Minson has been ok tonight. Dahlhaus has had 14 possies so far.

That's because he is playing the lead up forward role.

[FrediKanoute]

Howard???? Is a *!*!*!*!ing liability.....how could we ever think this guy was worth a 2nd round pick on?

[LostDoggy]

No composure in anyone out there. THIS IS *!*!*!*!ING EMBARRASSING DOGS

[comrade]

I'll get smacked for saying that

Why?

Many have been saying the same thing for a while.

[Scraggers]

Surely we are tanking ???

This is deplorable !!

[Drunken Bum]

WTF was that by Howard? wow, two really bad signs from him tonight so far

[Mantis]

Howard???? Is a f*cking liability.....how could we ever think this guy was worth a 2nd round pick on?

1st rd pick.

[w3design]

I have no idea how Watson wasn't done for holding the ball or incorrect disposal just before Hocking's goal.

So right borked a player then got caught has to be a free.

[Desipura]

Who are our leaders? Cross (battler at best) Lake hot and cold, Boyd..........turn over merchant.

[FrediKanoute]

How is Howard keeping Vez out of the team?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Minson has been ok tonight with those 2 goals. Dahlhaus has had 14 possies so far. Otherwise no positives from us at all.

Will has been very good. With all he has had to endure this past two weeks, he is one of the only guys out there who can hold his head up high.

[comrade]

Roughy on for Murphy?

God help us.

[Eastdog]

Campbell takes a good contested mark and kicks his first goal in the AFL. Murphy having some hamstring troubles. Roughy may come on soon.

[Mantis]

At least our sub will add some zip.. :eek:

[LostDoggy]

Boyd front and centre and then a rubbish kick for a turnover

[LostDoggy]

Even Griff is just being knocked off the ball easily tonight.

[comrade]

Boyd front and centre and then a rubbish kick for a turnover

But he's had 19 touches!

[Desipura]

We do not have a group of leaders that top sides have that say I ain't taking this $hit, let's make a statement, instead they all hide in their shells.

[LostDoggy]

Can you send 16 players back to Willi?!!

[LostDoggy]

We do not have a group of leaders that top sides have that say I ain't taking this $hit, let's make a statement, instead they all hide in their shells.

Absolutely agree with you

[azabob]

Howard???? Is a *!*!*!*!ing liability.....how could we ever think this guy was worth a 2nd round pick on?

First round Fredi- ;)

[LostDoggy]

Can you send 16 players back to Willi?!!

Minson, Dollhouse, Hargrave, Griffen, Libba and Higins to keep their spots?

[LostDoggy]

Minson, Dollhouse, Hargrave, Griffen, Libba and Higins to keep their spots?

Yep, pretty much it!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

At least our sub will add some zip.. :eek:

I really don't get the idea of Roughy as a sub at all? What the heck happens if, as nearly looked like happening for a minute with Murph pulling up, we get an injury to a running player?

[Rance Fan]

Griff strugglin!
Probably is our number 1 man in the middle., having no effect

As for the Boyd, Cross etc, any chance of hurting the opposition with one of your disposals

Same ol story!

[comrade]

I really don't get the idea of Roughy as a sub at all? What the heck happens if, as nearly looked like happening for a minute with Murph pulling up, we get an injury to a running player?

A treacle slow team gets slower.

Macca has a fascination with loading up on talls. I wonder if it's part of his long term game plan, or if he just wants to see which ones he should keep on the list while expectations for wins are low.

[jeemak]

I'm absolutely gutted by how inept our club is showing itself to be tonight.

Shameful is the word that immediately springs to mind.

[F'scary]

We are playing with no passion or commitment since the first bounce. Why?

[jazzadogs]

I don't understand...before the season started, the overwhelming consensus was that our list was going to struggle, we lacked quality and speed, and that contested ball would be our strength. Everyone seemed fairly happy with that (with some exceptions, AndrewP6 being one off the top of my head). Having just had a look over the 'Predictions' thread, the majority picked us to finish 12th-14th with a few 'lucky' 7ths and 8ths.

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

We're slow.
We lack spread, which ties into our lack of speed.
Our forward line is dysfunctional.
Our skills are poor.
We have poor on-field leadership.

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

[azabob]

A treacle slow team gets slower.

Macca has a fascination with loading up on talls. I wonder if it's part of his long term game plan, or if he just wants to see which ones he should keep on the list while expectations for wins are low.

Two talls are required to win finals, so I guess its a little from both columns.

[w3design]

What about campbell ?

[LostDoggy]

What about campbell ?

Yes I would add him to the keeps

[LostDoggy]

I don't understand...before the season started, the overwhelming consensus was that our list was going to struggle, we lacked quality and speed, and that contested ball would be our strength. Everyone seemed fairly happy with that (with some exceptions, AndrewP6 being one off the top of my head). Having just had a look over the 'Predictions' thread, the majority picked us to finish 12th-14th with a few 'lucky' 7ths and 8ths.

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

We're slow.
We lack spread, which ties into our lack of speed.
Our forward line is dysfunctional.
Our skills are poor.
We have poor on-field leadership.

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

You're correct but I think the problem is that we've shown signs this year that perhaps we're not cooked, which has in turn falsely raised our expectations a little. Now we look poo again so people are dissapointed.

[Desipura]

Interesting that Gia is talking to Boyd in the rooms at half time.
I would have thought one of our leaders could offer some words of wisdom to some of our youngsters.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

Personally I'm over the education piece, I thought it is easy get the ball or get a man.

I cant understand why players like Lake, Cooney, Higgins, Boyd, Cross cant make something happen, It seems IMO that the only boys having a crack are the kids, yes they are making a few mistakes but at least they are having a go! If you want the big bucks you should earn them.

As far as I'm concerned these guys need to stop this education #@$% and get back to the basics and get on a man.

[soupman]

Interesting that Gia is talking to Boyd in the rooms at half time.
I would have thought one of our leaders could offered some words of wisdom to some of our youngsters.

I thought Gia was talking to someone sitting against the pole out of sight, and Boyd was to the side and talking to a non-player. Mind you I woulnd't mind if Gia could tell Boyd how to hit up a target.

[LostDoggy]

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.


Jazza, I'm not surprised with the loss, it's more the effort the players are putting in. Watching Essendon play is the supporters job, not the bulldog players job.

[LostDoggy]

Personally I'm over the education piece, I thought it is easy get the ball or get a man.

I cant understand why players like Lake, Cooney, Higgins, Boyd, Cross cant make something happen, It seems IMO that the only boys having a crack are the kids, yes they are making a few mistakes but at least they are having a go! If you want the big bucks you should earn them.

As far as I'm concerned these guys need to stop this education #@$% and get back to the basics and get on a man.

I disagree in part. I'd say BMac and what he brings was probably an integral part of Geelong's success. BUT, at Geelong he had players with superior skills and far better leaders at his disposal.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I don't understand...before the season started, the overwhelming consensus was that our list was going to struggle, we lacked quality and speed, and that contested ball would be our strength. Everyone seemed fairly happy with that (with some exceptions, AndrewP6 being one off the top of my head). Having just had a look over the 'Predictions' thread, the majority picked us to finish 12th-14th with a few 'lucky' 7ths and 8ths.

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

We're slow.
We lack spread, which ties into our lack of speed.
Our forward line is dysfunctional.
Our skills are poor.
We have poor on-field leadership.

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

All valid points. For mine though, it still doesn't make it any easier or pleasing to watch.
I think alot of the cynicism is tied to the snow-job the club tried to pull on it's members with the whole 'refresh' line, when they decided on turfing out our previous coach for a new coach.
I think our previous coach may've given the club an assessment of our list that they refused to accept at the end of the year. When it is plain to see that our list was heading towards a crash. Yet instead of acknowledging the hard road that was ahead, and trying to galvanise the supporters around a longer term plan, they've tried to patronise supporters with belief that we are not engaging on a lengthy list overhaul.
The fact that the majority of predictions of our ladder position here at the start of the season were for a low finish, I think most supporters were not fooled by line of a quick turnaround, which begs the question - If the majority of fans could see this, why would the club try and peddle such an unrealistic view of our immediate fortunes?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Murph subbed out for Roughy....
Could we have been anymore tactically unwise with our choice of sub?

[Drunken Bum]

Disgusting kick from Boyd and then another pisspoor effort from 2 defenders, Howard being one of them again :/

[LostDoggy]

Sherman murders it, turns over on the spread and thenMarko looses badly a foot race.......the pain..

[Desipura]

Markovic way too slow. Jones kicks it out on the full whilst trying to kick to a lead. Smith dobs it.
I think we need to cut really deep into our list and gain even more picks inside the first 3 rounds at the National draft.

[LostDoggy]

Are we the worst kicking for goal team in the comp now? Both general play and set shot?

[Mantis]

Murph subbed out for Roughy....
Could we have been anymore tactically unwise with our choice of sub?

Especially with Campbell not have the miles in the legs to run out a game yet... Hopefully they have a power failure shortly because the last qtr could messy... or messier.

[Rance Fan]

Dicksons goal well done

[Eastdog]

Dickson scores the first of the 3rd quarter. Cooney has been a highlight in a terrible display.

[LostDoggy]

Good sheperd from Coons to assist Smith's goal

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Smith has been busy this quarter. Actually looked to have another gear when he was running forward too.

[Eastdog]

Smith it was who scored my mistake. Here we come as we score another one through Boyd.

[LostDoggy]

When they get it cleanly out of the middle we are all over the place

[comrade]

Dahl is a beauty. His pressure work puts the senior players to shame.

[LostDoggy]

How was Boyd's kick to Jones to advantage?

[Eastdog]

Dahl is a beauty. His pressure work puts the senior players to shame.

He is going to be great for us.

[Rance Fan]

Was Dicksons chase that that created the turn over

[LostDoggy]

I Like watching Dickson's first, second and third efforts. Don't like watching three of his team mates watching his first, second and third efforts.

[kruder]

I'm not sure If Liam Jones has shown any AFL attributes this year. He has been awfull.

[Rance Fan]

Gee Roughy is soft and slow

[LostDoggy]

Obviously Watson can dispose of the ball any way he wants, Howard goes unrewarded

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Playing better now, pity the horse has bolted.
4 of the last 5 goals.

[LostDoggy]

Seem to be taking some risks or something this quarter?? At least we're giving ourselves a chance to score

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Boy we are getting murdered by the umpires tonight.

[comrade]

Libba and Dahlhaus are just about the best things about the Bulldogs at the moment.

[Desipura]

Dahl is a beauty. His pressure work puts the senior players to shame.

We need to recruit more of these type of players, we do not have enough with the same appetite as Dahl.
Our leaders look like they are just seeing their final years out knowing they tried and failed a number of times to climb the mountain.
Libba, Wallis, Smith and Dahl, that is the future, we still have a number of youngsters that we do not know if they will be any good.

[Rance Fan]

playing better cos Essendon has swiched off

[comrade]

Addison has had a stinker tonight.

[Ghost Dog]

Not for long. Watson swats one. Why do they give them so much space? Frustrating

[Eastdog]

Smith been good this quarter. Cooney, Libba and Dahlhaus have been other good players for us tonight.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Gee, Howard is having a very dirty night. Seems to have very poor skills below his knees.

[comrade]

Does Jones need his vision checked? I've never seen a CHF lead himself under the flight as much as he does.

[Ghost Dog]

Gee, Howard is having a very dirty night. Seems to have very poor skills below his knees.

Why is it when they get it on the rebound they have so many options free? So much space and freedom to do what they want.

[Rance Fan]

Lake should of kicked that one for him

[LostDoggy]

Keep Shermo in the team, play Vez. Drop Addison and trade or delist (great guts rtc but terrible skills and no footy brain)

[soupman]

Does Jones need his vision checked? I've never seen a CHF lead himself under the flight as much as he does.

The kicking to him has been shocking. He does lead under it a bit but tonight every kick to him has been atrocious. Give him somthing he can run into, or at the very least pick up.

[Desipura]

Does Jones need his vision checked? I've never seen a CHF lead himself under the flight as much as he does.

Agree, and how clumsy does he look?

[LostDoggy]

Really poor by Jones again in not holding the bal into the 50, then the rebound and open space kils us

[comrade]

The kicking to him has been shocking. He does lead under it a bit but tonight every kick to him has been atrocious. Give him somthing he can run into, or at the very least pick up.

I think he turns decent kicks into shockers and shocking kicks go completely over his head.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Why is it when they get it on the rebound they have so many options free? So much space and freedom to do what they want.

It's hard to tell watching on TV, but at a guess I'd say it's a combination of both leg speed, and poor work rate from our guys?

[LostDoggy]

Lake should of kicked that one for him

I think it's that problem Lake has when he plays on someone he considers to be a lesser player

[Eastdog]

Been said over and over again our work in the forward line is so poor.

[Rance Fan]

Hockings owned Griffen

[LostDoggy]

How many of our guys are carrying injury?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Thank goodness for Luke Dahlhaus is all I can say.

[comrade]

Dahl into the leadership group next season?

[Desipura]

How many of our guys are carrying injury?

How many of Essendons? That's no excuse

[Rance Fan]

Lets back the backs as forwards and vice versa

[Desipura]

Dahl into the leadership group next season?

I see no reason why not, good call.

[LostDoggy]

Tweet saying Boyd 24 touches like he's been damaging or something!

[soupman]

I think he turns decent kicks into shockers and shocking kicks go completely over his head.

I don't disagree but I just don't remember seeing us actually put the ball out in space in front of him at below head height at all.

[LostDoggy]

Dahl into the leadership group next season?

Second that!

[soupman]

Dahl into the leadership group next season?

Co-president with Grant?

[comrade]

I don't disagree but I just don't remember seeing us actually put the ball out in space in front of him at below head height at all.

Because he runs under everything :D

It's like we need to kick it at his feet so it'll end up on his chest :)

[Mantis]

Tweet saying Boyd 24 touches like he's been damaging or something!

The only relevance of this tweet is for Fantasy Footy gamers.

[comrade]

Co-president with Grant?

Nah, Dahl can replace Garlick as CEO :D

[Rance Fan]

Need to draft another Dahl at end of year. desperately ...no talls,hard at its....we need speeeeeeeed!

[soupman]

Because he runs under everything :D

It's like we need to kick it at his feet so it'll end up on his chest :)

Surely there's a distance that he can't run faster than the ball can make. There just has to be. He can't be that quick, he plays for us.:D

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Hockings owned Griffen

TO be fair, Griff has run himself ragged all night, perhaps if the workrate of the rest of our midfielders was up to scratch he'd have more reward for his effort.
At the moment the easiest decision for an opposition coach to make when deciding who to stick a tag on in our midfield, it's Griffen every time.

[LostDoggy]

Ok Woofers, I'm putting a rival ticket together, who wants in?

[LostDoggy]

How many of Essendons? That's no excuse

Wasn't looking for an excuse. A lot look as if they haven't got any burst, looking to find a reason. Griffen as an example is being well held but even when he has had some time isn't able to do what we would normally expect of him.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

How is it, that at the centre bounce, with Essendon starting the quarter with a spare man at CHB, they also somehow have a free man forward of centre? Where the heck is our spare man that Dempsey being the defensive loosey should create for us?

[Rance Fan]

Hope we watch and learn from this, The bombers are showing how it should be done

[Scraggers]

Disgraceful ... McCartney's a teaching coach ??? What are we learning ??? How to get spanked week-in, week-out ???

[Rance Fan]

100pt lose here we come!

[comrade]

Deer in headlights handball from Higgins to Griffen. Surely we should expect more?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Shaun Higgins, what a terrible lapse of judgment. Sets Griffen up to get run down. Griffen had no idea the Bomber was zeroing in, Higgins was facing the direction the Bombers player was coming yet still gives it off.
If he had've been more positive he would've seen Cooney was free ahead of the play.

[Desipura]

Surely BMac will change his philosophy with playing so many talls in the forward line?
Panos, Vespa and possibly DJ to come in.
Oh to have some creative midfielders come into the side.

[Rance Fan]

Deer in headlights handball from Higgins to Griffen. Surely we should expect more?

Agree!

[Ghost Dog]

Our spread is like cold treacle.

[Rance Fan]

Roughead! No idea
Jones runs under another

[LostDoggy]

Disgraceful ... McCartney's a teaching coach ??? What are we learning ??? How to get spanked week-in, week-out ???

Mate, you can't teach a dumb dog to do tricks as much as you want it to do them, it's just not a good enough dog.

[LostDoggy]

Does Jones actually watch the bal?


He's either the worst leading forward in the competition or we're the worst kicking team in the competition.

It's probably a little from column A and a little from column B.


I'm not sure If Liam Jones has shown any AFL attributes this year. He has been awfull.


Really poor by Jones again in not holding the bal into the 50, then the rebound and open space kils us


I think he turns decent kicks into shockers and shocking kicks go completely over his head.
I think it is overly stated that Jones runs under the ball. What I can't understand is how no one has mentioned that when the ball goes over his head or he doesn't mark it, the play is over for Jones. His follow up effort and ground work is non existent.

[Rance Fan]

Well done Libba
Nice tap from Campbell

[Ghost Dog]

Good goal from Libba. Well done lad. Smith, Dahlhaus, Libba - doing their best IMO

[LostDoggy]

Libba - tick, Dahl - tick

[Desipura]

Can we add Libba to the leadership group next season?

[comrade]

Libba - tick, Dahl - tick

Add Smith to that.

With Wallis to come back in, there is an inkling of a platform to build on.

[Eastdog]

Libba - tick, Dahl - tick

Agree there. They have been positives tonight for us.

[LostDoggy]

Can we add Libba to the leadership group next season?

King oath we can!

[LostDoggy]

Add Smith to that.

With Wallis to come back in, there is an inkling of a platform to build on.


Agree there. They have been positives tonight for us.

Yep should have had Smith as a tick too. Liked Wil tonight too.

[Rance Fan]

Fwd line next week - Minson,Campbell,Cordy
Then we can bomb it long!

[Eastdog]

Minson goals. 3 goals for him tonight.

[Desipura]

Add Smith to that.

With Wallis to come back in, there is an inkling of a platform to build on.

They are the other 2 I was going to mention.
Wallis will get the vest out of himself due to his attitude, I have no doubt about that!
Dahl, Libba, Wallis, Boyd and Murphy our 2013 leadership group, are we in agreeance?

[Ghost Dog]

Have no confidence. Only seem to use the corridor by accident. Foot skills are really woeful.

[Desipura]

Markovic looks quick.............when the sting has gotten out of the game.

[LostDoggy]

They are the other 2 I was going to mention.
Wallis will get the vest out of himself due to his attitude, I have no doubt about that!
Dahl, Libba, Wallis, Boyd and Murphy our 2013 leadership group, are we in agreeance?

I'm down with that

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Sherman really has not shown anything that would make the coach feel good about giving him a run tonight. Must be getting close to having his cards stamped.

[LostDoggy]

Sherman really has not shown anything that would make the coach feel good about giving him a run tonight. Must be getting close to having his cards stamped.

I think he's done ok with limited opportunities tonight.

[Desipura]

Dickson has not touched it.

[comrade]

Hurley has destroyed Lake, who's happy to give him 3 or 4 metres.

[Ghost Dog]

going to blow out to 70 points. Grestache, you were spot on the money.

Our players don't trust the forwards they have. Giving away stupid frees.

[Rance Fan]

Will Jones ever be like Hurley?
Strong lead, mark...goal!

Ok be handy if wecould kick it into the lead nicely

[Desipura]

Hypothetical question, Hawks offer us a 3rd round at seasons end, do you take it?

[comrade]

Hypothetical question, Hawks offer us a 3rd round at seasons end, do you take it?

For who?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think he's done ok with limited opportunities tonight.

Looks like a headless chook, lots of aimless running around.

[Scraggers]

Mate, you can't teach a dumb dog to do tricks as much as you want it to do them, it's just not a good enough dog.

The problem is he's not teaching them any tricks ... As far as I can see, he's teaching how to roll over and get your belly scratched !!

[azabob]

Hypothetical question, Hawks offer us a 3rd round at seasons end, do you take it?

3rd for the entire team?

[Desipura]

For who?

Lake

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Hypothetical question, Hawks offer us a 3rd round at seasons end, do you take it?

What, for nothing? Yes please.

[Desipura]

Who is going to Freo next week? Hehe

[Rance Fan]

Why doesnt the teacher... coach put Jones on Hurley?
Learn Jones Learn!

[comrade]

Lake

I'll reserve judgement until the end of the season.

BUT...when he plays games like tonight, I'd rather the cash he's on going to a player that actually gives a crap every week.

[Rance Fan]

Watson from dud to star!
May be some hope for most of our team yet!!

[Desipura]

I'll reserve judgement until the end of the season.

BUT...when he plays games like tonight, I'd rather the cash he's on going to a player that actually gives a crap every week.

Well that's my point, if we were able to free up all that money AND get a 3rd round, it would be hard to say no.
The sad thing is when we cop these hidings, Lake is almost always one of the worst players on the ground, he is not alone.

[Rance Fan]

Disgrace!

[LostDoggy]

The problem is he's not teaching them any tricks ... As far as I can see, he's teaching how to roll over and get your belly scratched !!

Yeah I didn't mean tricks literally! I'm trying to say that some of the cattle have limited capacity to get much better.

[Eastdog]

Another disgraceful effort.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

On the performances dished up of late, tanking isn't going to even need to be discussed, we're already deplorable enough as it is.

[LostDoggy]

Most teams have leaders who are damaging and inspirational and I just think we lack that at our club. We need to uncover a player with confidence and real star quality to lead this team in the future.

[LostDoggy]

On the performances dished up of late, tanking isn't going to even need to be discussed, we're already deplorable enough as it is.
Ha.
Tanking by default.

[LostDoggy]

On the performances dished up of late, tanking isn't going to even need to be discussed, we're already deplorable enough as it is.

Bingo! We just need to turn up each week and the good picks will be coming our way!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Bingo! We just need to turn up each week and the good picks will be coming our way!

I wish it wasn't true, The thought of getting pounded each week does not sit at all well with me. I'd much rather us be a better team that was in each game most weeks, and have us finish even marginally better on the ladder, than to have to endure the horrible feeling in my guts every weekend, that comes with watching us on the park at present.
I dread the coming of each weekend at present. And looking at our draw the next few weeks, it's not going to get any rosier.

[The Underdog]

On the performances dished up of late, tanking isn't going to even need to be discussed, we're already deplorable enough as it is.

We're a poor football team. They are the team's that get the early draft picks. Tanking isn't in the discussion. We're just bad.
We need to find some quality support for Griff. He's getting killed because there is nobody else in the middle that is particularly worth worrying about as a damaging player.

[Ghost Dog]

We're a poor football team. They are the team's that get the early draft picks. Tanking isn't in the discussion. We're just bad.
We need to find some quality support for Griff. He's getting killed because there is nobody else in the middle that is particularly worth worrying about as a damaging player.

McCartney needed to put Dahlhaus in the middle or just try something different.

[bornadog]

Maybe we need to start thinking whether we have the right coaching staff

[The Underdog]

Maybe we need to start thinking whether we have the right coaching staff

The offseason review will be interesting. I'm worried about the level of complexity in our planning.

[LostDoggy]

Maybe we need to start thinking whether we have the right coaching staff

I think it's a list problem more than anything else

[Dancin' Douggy]

I Blame Scott Clayton. For someone with such a great reputation he has failed comprehensively at building our list.

[LostDoggy]

I think it's a list problem more than anything else

We've stuffed up too many early picks and we're paying the price

[Ghost Dog]

Maybe we need to start thinking whether we have the right coaching staff

Well first thing's first. We looked very slow. So coaching is not going to help with that.
I didn't like how we didn't go man up until the horse had truly bolted.
The midfield group just can't damage by foot. Just don't have the skills.
Can't see how the coach can be blamed for these things.

In terms of coaching gaffes, we were always going to be overrun in our own forward line. A slow, lumbering backline. Why wasn't Vezpremi in the side?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Maybe we need to start thinking whether we have the right coaching staff

If a review highlights this being even remotely the case, then the powers that put hired the coaching teame should be shown the door.

[Remi Moses]

I Blame Scott Clayton. For someone with such a great reputation he has failed comprehensively at building our list.

Just have a look at the number of front runners picked up.

[angelopetraglia]

Just got back from the game.

Another non-competitive performance. We are going nowhere in a hurry. We didn't even look like it at any stage tonight.

I thought, well at least we are playing lots of young players ..... so are the Bombers!

Average Attributes
Essendon Attribute Western Bulldogs
188.0cm Height 187.5cm
87.2kg Weight 87.8kg
24yr 9mth Age 24yr 10mth
76.7 Games 84.0

Total Players By Games
Essendon Games Western Bulldogs
10 Less than 50 10
6 50 to 99 3
3 100 to 149 3
3 150 or more 6

So we are older. We have the same players who have played under 50 games. Players under 100 games was Bombers 16 Vs our 13.

Where are we going? I hope someone knows.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Just have a look at the number of front runners picked up.

And 'project' players.

[Eastdog]

I Blame Scott Clayton. For someone with such a great reputation he has failed comprehensively at building our list.

I wish we had a clone of that Collingwood recruiter.

[bulldogsman]

I couldn't believe some of our defensive efforts both from our young players and older players tonight. I shouldn't be surprised, but I am at least at how bad some of them were.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Just have a look at the number of front runners picked up.

I don't blame it all on Clayton, we seem to have made some poor recruiting decisions post Clayton as well, in consecutive drafts too, and also with trades.
We wasted the Harbrow pick, - who did Brisbane end up selecting with the Harbrow pick we sent there way for Sherman.
It makes me sick to see Hill performing well for West Coast, and last week seeing Everitt sink a clutch shot at the death to give Sydney the win is making me feel very nervous indeed.
Why is it other clubs seem to do well with our discards?

[GVGjr]

They are the other 2 I was going to mention.
Wallis will get the vest out of himself due to his attitude, I have no doubt about that!
Dahl, Libba, Wallis, Boyd and Murphy our 2013 leadership group, are we in agreeance?


Whats the fascination with the leadership group?

[GVGjr]

Maybe we need to start thinking whether we have the right coaching staff

We don't have. FWIW, I don't rate Shannon Grant, Montgomery or King.

[The Underdog]

We don't have. FWIW, I don't rate Shannon Grant, Montgomery or King.
Grant and King are Macca's boys so he had to know what he was getting.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Just got back from the game.

Another non-competitive performance. We are going nowhere in a hurry. We didn't even look like it at any stage tonight.

I thought, well at least we are playing lots of young players ..... so are the Bombers!

Average Attributes
Essendon Attribute Western Bulldogs
188.0cm Height 187.5cm
87.2kg Weight 87.8kg
24yr 9mth Age 24yr 10mth
76.7 Games 84.0

Total Players By Games
Essendon Games Western Bulldogs
10 Less than 50 10
6 50 to 99 3
3 100 to 149 3
3 150 or more 6

So we are older. We have the same players who have played under 50 games. Players under 100 games was Bombers 16 Vs our 13.

Where are we going? I hope someone knows.

What I think those stats say is we are at the tipping point with our senior players.
Gia, Shaggy, Gilbee I think should bow out. Higgins I've been a strong supporter of due to his injuries, but this year was the year for him. He just hasn't made himself an important,
or integral part of the team. Unless Higgins does something dramatic between now and the end of the season, I will have to find myself agreeing with a lot of people I've been disagreeing with. COME ON HIGGO I'VE BEEN IN YOUR CORNER DON'T LET ME DOWN !!!!

[Remi Moses]

Don't know what's worse listening to Wallace's list analysis or the result.
It's like the Taliban preaching Women's Rights

[bulldogsman]

We don't have. FWIW, I don't rate Shannon Grant, Montgomery or King.

Do you rate McCartney?

[GVGjr]

Do you rate McCartney?

Yes I do. I've seen King and Grant at the VFL games and they are nowhere near focused on proceedings.