Game Day 2012 - R19 Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne

[BulldogBelle]

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

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 7 points
BOG : Robert Murphy
Matthew Boyd to kick the first goal

[LostDoggy]

Heart: Dogs by 12
Head: Roos by 48
BOG: Boyd
First Goal: Dicko

[LostDoggy]

I reckon I should be optimistic, so:

North by 24 points
BOG: Griffen
Tory first goal

[Greystache]

I'm actually quite optimistic about this one

Norf by 6 points- I think we'll be in it late but a lack of experience will cost us
BOG- Griffen
First goal- Dickson

I think our style will make things difficult for Norf. We need to really crack in and disrpupt their free running handball heavy game. If we can make it a physical slog we should be right in it. If the effort is not there or not consistent we'll get hammered.

[SlimPickens]

North are playing some pretty good footy at the moment.
Hopefully we can be right in it for a lot longer this week.

North 42 pts
First goal Campbell
BOG Griffen

[Eastdog]

Dogs by 8 points
BOG: Liam Picken
First Goal: Tory Dickson

[DragzLS1]

I am in qld this week for a holiday, just won $1500 and now only need the dogs to make me proud! (and give it to my cousin if we beat his team north ;) )

So my predictions are:

DOGS: by 2 points (let it burn em)
BOG: after 2 mid 20 disposal weeks BOYDY to have a blinding 39 disposal game for BOG with Griff ending on 31 runner up :D
First goal: Dicko!! Very happy with Dickson this season :)

GO DOGS! I want to hear everybody screaming at this game that gets to go coz sadly I can't :(

[Eastdog]

I am in qld this week for a holiday, just won $1500 and now only need the dogs to make me proud! (and give it to my cousin if we beat his team north ;) )

So my predictions are:

DOGS: by 2 points (let it burn em)
BOG: after 2 mid 20 disposal weeks BOYDY to have a blinding 39 disposal game for BOG with Griff ending on 31 runner up :D
First goal: Dicko!! Very happy with Dickson this season :)

GO DOGS! I want to hear everybody screaming at this game that gets to go coz sadly I can't :(

Congrats DragzLS1.

[AndrewP6]

Norf by 52
BOG for us Willbur
First goal Dicko

[Eastdog]

Hoping we can beat North once again this year.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

North by 49 points
BOG: Boyd
First Goal: Gia

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Very good effort so far, let's hope we can maintain it.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

A bit of learning there for Talia, poor position and ended up getting pushed over the ball, with his opponent goalside of him and able to dish off to Petrie for the goal.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Our tackling pressure in our forward fifty has been the best it's been all year.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Well Done Talia, a terrible kick but it's a goal.

If we had anywhere near a semblence of a functional forward line we would be 3 or 4 goals ahead by now.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

A positive start to the game. If we can generate just a modicum of output from our forward line this will remain a close game and make a mockery of my pre-game prediction of an easy North victory.
If we can keep the level of intensity and effort up all day, and still lose I won't be disheartened. It's the lay-down low intensity blow-outs that are dispiriting and make it harder to see the long term picture.
Already in the first quarter, I am buoyed by the performances of our youth, and the promise shown in the first gamers Talia and Johannissen.

[LostDoggy]

Griffin is playing like a Chinese badminton player?

[Rance Fan]

Good signs early, at least they havin a go!

[Rance Fan]

Dickson and Addison forward pressue is great!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Griffin is playing like a Chinese badminton player?

Qhe?
Griffien is working extremely hard and having a great quarter.

[Rance Fan]

Roughie, Talia and JJ good future backline! Lookin good

[LostDoggy]

Qhe?
Griffien is working extremely hard and having a great quarter.

Is now. Some bad choices earlier.

[Rance Fan]

Wallis, Griff, Smith Midfields doing well!
Griff needed to kick the goals when got a shot on em

[LostDoggy]

Outstanding play by Skinner to keep the ball alive. Too many forwards are happy to see the ball out of bounds inside 50m now a days.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Reckon I'm seeing signs that Wallis has started to figure things out at this level and is now a bit more sure about the options he needs to take in order to make his possessions be more useful to the team.

[MrMahatma]

Good to see a bit of run and carry. Mids doing well and so are rucks.

Having a fwd option would be nice, but if we're looking for positive signs for the future, there are a few to take out of today.

[azabob]

Outstanding play by Skinner to keep the ball alive. Too many forwards are happy to see the ball out of bounds inside 50m now a days.

Skinner is no where near fit enough, with him and Campbell in the forward fifty it is easily ran out.
Skinner was lucky not to be subbed out in the 2nd quarter.

[LostDoggy]

Reckon I'm seeing signs that Wallis has started to figure things out at this level and is now a bit more sure about the options he needs to take in order to make his possessions be more useful to the team.

Does this come with time and match experience? I read a lot of posts on here about
"the future looking dim" "we don't have anyone coming through" "at least in the Rohde years we had Boyd, Cooney Griff, we don't have that these times" etc etc.
Do we already have the next stars, they just need the time to figure out where they are and where they are going to fit?

[GVGjr]

Griffen misses the easiest of shots. His kicking especially for goals is very poor.

[LostDoggy]

Skinner is no where near fit enough, with him and Campbell in the forward fifty it is easily ran out.
Skinner was lucky not to be subbed out in the 2nd quarter.

Didn't say he was fit? Or that he should be there? Just merely pointing out what can happen if someone keeps the ball alive.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Said it earlier in the week, but Griffen's disposal is overrated. That miss deep into the second quarter was woeful.

Aside from that, it's been close to our best half of the year. Some really encouraging signs from our young players. JJ has been terrific; I really like the look of him. He's quick, he takes the opposition on and he's got a bit of strength too.

Talia has been pretty solid too and has smashed Hansen so far.

Roughead continuing to show improvements and Pearce has been promissing despite a few errors.

Skinner's applied some pretty good defensive pressure and has done a few nice things. Needs to hold some marks though.

[LongWait]

Griffen misses the easiest of shots. His kicking especially for goals is very poor.

Griffen always runs out to the right and kicks across his body when taking set shots. For a player of his quality this is just not good enough. It's technique but it requires more mental strength to think the shot through and will himself to run at the goals and kick through the ball, not across it.

[Hotdog60]

Addison is having a fair old match, looking very good early. Love Smith's endeavor and really has a go.
The guys are doing better than I thought they would.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Addison is having a fair old match, looking very good early. Love Smith's endeavor and really has a go.
The guys are doing better than I thought they would.

Both of these guys have been very good.

Smith will be a good player in years to come. His attack on the ball (and the man) is second to none. His tackling is animal-like.

[G-Mo77]

Some worrying signs in that 2nd quartet with fatigue. A lot of guys with hands on hips and North look to have a lot more run.

Id love to beat these tossers. CMON DOGS

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Does this come with time and match experience? I read a lot of posts on here about
"the future looking dim" "we don't have anyone coming through" "at least in the Rohde years we had Boyd, Cooney Griff, we don't have that these times" etc etc.
Do we already have the next stars, they just need the time to figure out where they are and where they are going to fit?

That may prove to be the case, I really hope so.
I must say that for the first time in a long time I'm seeing some tangible learning taking root in guys like Howard and Tutt.
I have been very vocal in my criticism of Howard, but today especially he looks alot more focused, and more aplomb in one on ones, and in his effort. Hope he continues his improvement.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Some worrying signs in that 2nd quartet with fatigue. A lot of guys with hands on hips and North look to have a lot more run.

Id love to beat these tossers. CMON DOGS

Yes, but as long as they don't break down completely I will be happy.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Those worrying signs G-Mo are continuing, 6 of the last 7 goals.
And we are not able to keep up the around the ground pressure, perhaps fatigue starting to kick in.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

North getting alot more seperation from their opponent at each contest.

[Rance Fan]

Nice goal Dickson thru Addison!

[Eastdog]

4 goals down 3qtr time can will still win? I just hope we don't fade away now in this last qtr.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

4 goals down 3qtr time can will still win? I just hope we don't fade away now in this last qtr.

We look tired.
In the first half we were able to stick close to our opponents all over the ground, which slowed North's ball movement, especially denying them the opportunity to move the ball downfield by foot. Now when North have the ball in our forward line, they are able to find the kick to a player downfield with increasing ease as our guys are consistently a critical 1 or 2 metres behind their opponent.
I can live with this, it's a fitness thing and the abundance of young guys in our team just don't have the fitness base to maintain it for 4 quarters.
I just want to see the effort remain, and when we're in close quarters, to make sure we have a go.

[GVGjr]

Really poor quarter with a lot of errors. We needed to have a score of around 9 or 10 goals at 3 quarter time to have a chance to win it.
I don't think we can kick enough goals this quarter to win it

[AndrewP6]

Free kicks really letting us down. In other words, senior players letting us down

[AndrewP6]

DJ subbed in for Tutt. Skinner apparently staying on until he literally blows up :confused:

[Eastdog]

Getting a bit blown away now. Our fitness is not 100 percent.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Getting a bit blown away now. Our fitness is not 100 percent.

And it's funny how fitness can also manifest into other areas such as decision making, tackling, disposals and concentration. In the last 10 minutes young guys in Pearce and Howard in particular have made some poor decisions in positioning, marking and tackling.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I know they play'ed together alot as junior's and probably looked out for each other on the field, but a couple of times today Wallis and Libba have both tried to find each other, when the option wasn't there, and it's hurt us.

[Rance Fan]

Hope we have a big preseason! Fitness is poor

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Very disappointing second half for us. I would've liked to have seen us keep the score closer. But having said that, I've seen more positive's out of today's game than I've seen in several weeks.

[Eastdog]

Hope we have a big preseason! Fitness is poor

Absolutely we need to start our pre season early. We just can't play 4 quarters of football.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Reckon Griff has absolutely given everything he's got today. Yes he's let himself down with a kick on goal, but 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50's and alot of heavy work in close, he's really played well.

[Rance Fan]

1st half was positive again. Then they have slowed to a walk.
Scoring goals difficult again

[Eastdog]

Addison in the half forward line was fantastic today. Dickson and Roughead were also very good. Tahila and JJ had good debuts.

[bornadog]

1st half was positive again. Then they have slowed to a walk.
Scoring goals difficult again

We got our two. Goals in he second half

[bornadog]

We had virtually 7 first year players including Skinner, plus Tutt with less than 6. A very inexperienced team

[azabob]

Addison in the half forward line was fantastic today. Dickson and Roughead were also very good. Tahila and JJ had good debuts.

Agree Eastdog, PS it is spelt Talia (no H)

Dickson is a very smart footballer, very happy and impressed with his progression.

[angelopetraglia]

Yes we were young today. But not that much younger than North. North had 12 players with less than 50 games.

Average Attributes

Western Bulldog North Melbourne
186.2cm Height 186.7cm
84.7kg Weight 85.3kg
23yr 9mth Age 24yr 7mth
58.5 Games 72.5


Total Players By Games

Western Bulldogs North Melbourne
14 Less than 50 12
2 50 to 99 5
2 100 to 149 1
4 150 or more 4

[Eastdog]

What's the verdict on Jarrad Grant. Today he didn't really impact the game very much.

[azabob]

What's the verdict on Jarrad Grant. Today he didn't really impact the game very much.

He didn't, but I think he is showing glimpses, problem is he should be showing more than glimpses.

[Eastdog]

He didn't, but I think he is showing glimpses, problem is he should be showing more than glimpses.

Do you think he needs to put more meat on.

[Desipura]

What's the verdict on Jarrad Grant. Today he didn't really impact the game very much.
After so many years at the club, we still do not know what his best position is. Only thing going for him is his pace. His skills are ordinary, his decision making is not much better, I think he has a short life span left in the AFL.

[Eastdog]

After so many years at the club, we still do not know what his best position is. Only thing going for him is his pace. His skills are ordinary, his decision making is not much better, I think he has a short life span left in the AFL.

Will he play on in 2013.

[bornadog]

Yes we were young today. But not that much younger than North. North had 12 players with less than 50 games.

Average Attributes

Western Bulldog North Melbourne
186.2cm Height 186.7cm
84.7kg Weight 85.3kg
23yr 9mth Age 24yr 7mth
58.5 Games 72.5


Total Players By Games

Western Bulldogs North Melbourne
14 Less than 50 12
2 50 to 99 5
2 100 to 149 1
4 150 or more 4

That doesn't tell the full picture. As I said we had 7 first year players as it was Skinners first full game.

[Go_Dogs]

Yes we were young today. But not that much younger than North. North had 12 players with less than 50 games.

A key point though, is that we had 9 with less than 25 games, they had 3.

[LostDoggy]

What's the verdict on Jarrad Grant. Today he didn't really impact the game very much.

What do you expect from a someone who is given an extended non playing break. Normally played forward then back one week then at both ends the next.
He hasnt been great but nothing has been done to help him.

[Eastdog]

A key point though, is that we had 9 with less than 25 games, they had 3.

That is a big difference from that stat right there.

[jeemak]

Can anyone tell me what Petrie's free at 3/4 time was for?

[bornadog]

Can anyone tell me what Petrie's free at 3/4 time was for?

I have no idea and similiarly the one in the first quarter, which was soft as anything. Its moments like those that kill a game.

[westdog54]

A key point though, is that we had 9 with less than 25 games, they had 3.

SS and Chops' 20 game rule at work.

Disappointed with the blowout but loved what I saw of JJ and Talia on debut. Saw enough out of our younger players to make me think we've got the cattle for the long term.

[bornadog]

North are the biggest snipers in the AFL with blokes like Fartitto.

How was that incident in the last quarter when Lake was on his knees and Petrie walks up from behind and just pushed him over (after a goal was scored). Lucky it wasn't Bazza.

[G-Mo77]

Hope we have a big preseason! Fitness is poor

This was something I really looked for today. Just before half time we were shot. North ran so much harder into space and we just couldn't stay with them. We did well to weather the storm but they had another gear, we didn't.

[bornadog]

This was something I really looked for today. Just before half time we were shot. North ran so much harder into space and we just couldn't stay with them. We did well to weather the storm but they had another gear, we didn't.

and that's why I believe we stuffed up our preseason - or we always knew we were going to just have a development year , so went for a weights programme and sacrificed fitness.

[G-Mo77]

North are the biggest snipers in the AFL with blokes like Fartitto.

McMahon, 19 I think his name is Wright, Thompson and I saw that little rat Campbell whack Wallis at one stage. Don't care for it personally but would like to see a few of our boys fly the flag. When Bazza was mugged by these tools a few years back no one came to help out. Still a pretty laid back attitude today, their kids but they can't get punched by people bigger than them in the modern game. Fly the flag!

[LongWait]

and that's why I believe we stuffed up our preseason - or we always knew we were going to just have a development year , so went for a weights programme and sacrificed fitness.

We had an eye on the longer term - of that I'm quite sure. Anybody who thought we would challenge for the top 8 this year was delusional.

[LongWait]

What do you expect from a someone who is given an extended non playing break. Normally played forward then back one week then at both ends the next.
He hasnt been great but nothing has been done to help him.

We have done everything for Grant this year, including helping him to build his body and trying to find roles he can play while he puts in the development work that should have been done over the past three years, but wasn't. Some clubs would have sent him to the VFL never to return.

[azabob]

Can anyone tell me what Petrie's free at 3/4 time was for?

I guess it was for Lake impeding his run back to goal? He kind of was holding him but not. Soft.

[jeemak]

I guess it was for Lake impeding his run back to goal? He kind of was holding him but not. Soft.

Oh, ok. Thanks.

[Desipura]

Yes the coach is to blame for playing 3 rucks today (Roughy was very good at chb), Jones poor form and now Grant playing forward and back is the reason for their ordinary form.
Addison was also very good as a defensive forward due to the coach and the MC

[AndrewP6]

McMahon, 19 I think his name is Wright, Thompson and I saw that little rat Campbell whack Wallis at one stage. Don't care for it personally but would like to see a few of our boys fly the flag. When Bazza was mugged by these tools a few years back no one came to help out. Still a pretty laid back attitude today, their kids but they can't get punched by people bigger than them in the modern game. Fly the flag!

Don't you recall Coons' jumping on them like a crazed orangutan? Or Stacky dangerously hovering in the vicinity :)

[G-Mo77]

Don't you recall Coons' jumping on them like a crazed orangutan? Or Stacky dangerously hovering in the vicinity :)

I remember Cooney and Stack was close by so was forced. Didn't see anyone else rushing to help him.

[Desipura]

How good was it seeing all his teammates go up to Talia and congratulate him on kicking his very first goal in the AFL in his first game?

[FrediKanoute]

What do you expect from a someone who is given an extended non playing break. Normally played forward then back one week then at both ends the next.
He hasnt been great but nothing has been done to help him.

Really? I think Grant has had considerable effort put into him by 2 coaches. He was promoted to the senior side by Eade when he wasn't really playing wel and then supported through his first season. The fact he has disappointed in the last 2 is in part because he hasn't worked hard enough.

Its time guys like Grant, Jones, Vez, Sherman, DJ etc made a decision as to whether they want to go on wasting everyone's time or become AFL footballers. They ALL have the talent what they need now though is the right attitude. Sadly I don't think any of them will wake up fast enough and smell the coffee.

[Hotdog60]

We lack our Drew Petrie. Petrie is a dedicated FF and he doesn't venture outside the forward fifty that much and as a result he had 14 disposals, 5 Marks and 5 goals.

Between Big Will and Cambell they had 19 Disposals, 1 Mark and 1 goal but 49 Hitouts.

49 hitouts was a very good display but up forward when resting they were a non event.

Would we be happy with either a Hill or Panos having Petrie's stats for the game. People say that Forwards need to have more than one string to their bow but if they are a 80 to 100 goal kicker does it matter. They will have their quite patches but this is when these players open things up for the resting ruck in the pocket or the medium sized forwards.

It sounds like old style football but is it still relevant, granted Hill and Panos may not be the answer but I still still think we need a dedicated forward.

[AndrewP6]

Really? I think Grant has had considerable effort put into him by 2 coaches. He was promoted to the senior side by Eade when he wasn't really playing wel and then supported through his first season. The fact he has disappointed in the last 2 is in part because he hasn't worked hard enough.

Its time guys like Grant, Jones, Vez, Sherman, DJ etc made a decision as to whether they want to go on wasting everyone's time or become AFL footballers. They ALL have the talent what they need now though is the right attitude. Sadly I don't think any of them will wake up fast enough and smell the coffee.

I'm not sure Jones, Vez, DJ and Sherm have the wrong attitude. Perhaps they're just not great footballers?

[MrMahatma]

Really? I think Grant has had considerable effort put into him by 2 coaches. He was promoted to the senior side by Eade when he wasn't really playing wel and then supported through his first season. The fact he has disappointed in the last 2 is in part because he hasn't worked hard enough.

Its time guys like Grant, Jones, Vez, Sherman, DJ etc made a decision as to whether they want to go on wasting everyone's time or become AFL footballers. They ALL have the talent what they need now though is the right attitude. Sadly I don't think any of them will wake up fast enough and smell the coffee.
Wasn't most of the football world saying the Cats should stop wasting time on Hawkins a few years back? He's come good, but is 26 now.

Jones needs time.

[Mofra]

Wasn't most of the football world saying the Cats should stop wasting time on Hawkins a few years back? He's come good, but is 26 now.

Jones needs time.
Hawkins is only 23 - still quite young as a KPP who has stamped his mark on the game.
We only need one of Jones/Hill/Cordy etc to develop to near that level to give our F50 a completely different look.

[bornadog]

I remember Cooney and Stack was close by so was forced. Didn't see anyone else rushing to help him.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/207931.jpg

[FrediKanoute]

Wasn't most of the football world saying the Cats should stop wasting time on Hawkins a few years back? He's come good, but is 26 now.

Jones needs time.

Agree, he needs time, but he also needs to develop the attitude that when he is out of the contest he works hard to remain relevant. They all do ,because successful AFL footballers compete, and compete and compete, they remain relevant.

Wallis is a great example.

[AndrewP6]

Wasn't most of the football world saying the Cats should stop wasting time on Hawkins a few years back? He's come good, but is 26 now.

Jones needs time.

He recently turned 24.