Game Day - R2 Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle

[Eastdog]

Match discussion for our Round 2 clash against Fremantle at ES.

Dogs by 15 points
BOG: Ryan Griffen
First Goal: Robert Murphy

[Greystache]

I'm looking forward to this match, it should give us a good idea to how much progress we've made.

Dogs by 16 points
BOG Libba
First goal Higgins

[Hotdog60]

It will be good to see how Macca follows up this week

Dogs by 23 points
BOG Cooney
First goal Dickson

[bornadog]

Dogs by 25 points
BOG Griffen
First goal Dickson

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 19 points
bog Griff
First goal Gia

[Remi Moses]

Freo by 7 PTs ( just think it will be tougher)
BOG Morris
First Goal Dickson

[Bulldog Joe]

Dogs by 16
BOG Minson
First Goal - Cordy

Come on Dogs!!!

Lets really announce our arrival.

[whythelongface]

Freo by 17 points
BOG Libba
First Goal - Higgins

[Ozza]

Freo by 18 points (pretty genuine side, the Dockers)
BOG Libba
1st Goal - Cordy

[Hotdog60]

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle
Etihad Stadium, Saturday April 7, 2.10pm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: Unchanged
Out: Unchanged

FREMANTLE
In:Hayden Crozier
Out: Hayden Ballantyne (Suspension)

[LostDoggy]

Even sans-Ballantyne and Sandilands, I think Freo might just pip us. However, if we play like we did last week that's all I want to see. The score is irrelevant beyond that. The last thing we want to see is Freo get a run on and our boys shrink back into their shells.

Freo by 12.
BOG Wallis — it's the type of game he excels at.
First goal Dickson

[AndrewP6]

As good as last week was, Freo are a different kettle of fish. Just can't see us putting in another four quarters like that.

Freo by 23
BOG Murph
First goal Mitch Wallis

[Ghost Dog]

Edit! like others, the rest factor and another week to do homework on us. Hard to tip against that.

Freo by 10 points
BOG Adam Cooney
First goal, Dollhouse.

[F'scary]

I think we can get up in a low scoring game.

Dogs by 9 points
BOG: Wallis (his ego will drive him on as he was overshadowed by a couple of other peers last week).
First Goal: The Ayce-in-the-Pack.

[Hotdog60]

The Scientific side of me says Freo will win. But the Creative side says we are in for a chance, because we we have a side with a bit more variety in style of play. I'll go with that.

Freo are far more predictable than us. With very careful match ups, a fearless take the game on attitude, and a strong half back that attacks, breaking down their system and using our small forwards especially - maybe we can do this.
Banking on that, some "Geelong - like flair" and the fact that the WA Derby last week, in addition to the travel may take a few goals from them.

Dogs by 10 points
BOG Adam Cooney
First goal, Dollhouse.

That was 2 weeks ago, they have had plenty of rest.

[DragzLS1]

Anybody else notice that this game will be played at 11:10am Perth time? Will this play a part in the game as I'm sure Fremantle are not used to playing soo early (or at least their body clocks will be telling them its too early).

Hoping for a fast start first half until freo bring it back to a close game

Dogs by 1 point

Bog murphy

First goal jones

[LostDoggy]

That was 2 weeks ago, they have had plenty of rest.

Would that help them? Or hinder their preparations for this match do you think?

[Eastdog]

Would that help them? Or hinder their preparations for this match do you think?

It depends it can go both ways in terms of how a team comes out.

[Ghost Dog]

That was 2 weeks ago, they have had plenty of rest.

Good god, yes. Easter has played with my sense of time.

[Hotdog60]

Would that help them? Or hinder their preparations for this match do you think?

It may have the advantage of players getting over any niggles from the Eagles game but like when a team has a bye it can have a negative effect for constant flow. At this stage of the season I don't think it would have any downside in their preparation for the game.

[LostDoggy]

It may have the advantage of players getting over any niggles from the Eagles game but like when a team has a bye it can have a negative effect for constant flow. At this stage of the season I don't think it would have any downside in their preparation for the game.

Agree. I think we're clutching at straws aren't we?

[DragzLS1]

THey won a big derby and had a week off and may come into this game a little more laid back then when they played West Coast.. Think they will come out a little slow in the first qtr which is where we need to capitalise.. We get our confidence up and its on, they get the jump on us then we may be in for a hard day in teh office.. Fortunately I think we match up well on Freemantle, smaller ground and Minson in the ruck.. We need to come out hard just like the Brisbane game to have a chance

[Hotdog60]

THey won a big derby and had a week off and may come into this game a little more laid back then when they played West Coast.. Think they will come out a little slow in the first qtr which is where we need to capitalise.. We get our confidence up and its on, they get the jump on us then we may be in for a hard day in teh office.. Fortunately I think we match up well on Freemantle, smaller ground and Minson in the ruck.. We need to come out hard just like the Brisbane game to have a chance

Ross Lyon said this on the AFL site:

Minson's 34 hit-outs and 18 possessions gave the Bulldogs a key edge in the midfield battle.

Lyon said it was crucial for Dockers duo Jon Griffin and Kepler Bradley to limit the influence of the 27-year-old.

"I always thought it was won and lost in the midfield. It gives you supply and protects your defence," Lyon said on Thursday.

"Will's a big, strong, competitive ruckman. He plays a real robust game.

"He can push forward and kick a goal and take contested marks.

"So we'll have to match that and spread offensively to give him something to worry about as well."

The Bulldogs flew under the radar during the pre-season, but Lyon is impressed with their squad and has done extensive analysis on them.

"We've gone to school on them. We've prepared like we would as if it was a Grand Final," he said.

I think they will go hard early to get the ascendancy.

[LostDoggy]

@TonySheahan: Freo Captain Matthew Pavlich unlikely to line up against the Western Bulldogs. Hamstring strain said to be cause.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Tough game to predict, but I think Fremantle is a premiership contender, and realistically should be able to account for a younger developing side.

Freo by 27 points
BOG: Griffen
First Goal: Dickson

[SonofScray]

Not sure how this will play out, the surprise performance of last week has my hopes up but it is at complete odds with the NAB cup result, Freo's form and general form expectations heading into the season. Would love a win, but can't see it happening.

That being said:
Dogs by 10
BOG: Minson
!st goal: Higgopotamus.

[The Underdog]

I think Freo's extra week off will be huge in influencing the result.
Freo's by 28
BOG - Liberatore
First Goal - Higgins

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 12
First Goal Jones
BOG Cooney

[bulldogsman]

Freo by 15
First goal Gia
BOG Libba

[ratsmac]

Freo by 23 points
BOG Cooney
First goal Jones

[Ghost Dog]

Pav didn't do much last week, so not sure how his out will affect their side.

[The Pie Man]

Got some genuine butterflies for this one - absolutely loving being engaged with our results again.

Just compete today Dogs - still expecting Freo to win by 2 goals

[soupman]

Pavlich playing. Stevens and Sutcliffe the subs.

[LostDoggy]

Pavlich playing. Stevens and Sutcliffe the subs.

Can't imagine him being very effective today...he has a bad hand and an apparent dodgy hammy.

[Greystache]

Can't imagine him being very effective today...he has a bad hand and an apparent dodgy hammy.

It's days like that they normally kick a bag against us.

[Ghost Dog]

THey won a big derby and had a week off and may come into this game a little more laid back then when they played West Coast.. Think they will come out a little slow in the first qtr which is where we need to capitalise.. We get our confidence up and its on, they get the jump on us then we may be in for a hard day in teh office.. Fortunately I think we match up well on Freemantle, smaller ground and Minson in the ruck.. We need to come out hard just like the Brisbane game to have a chance

If they do get on top of us, I hope we just show we can hang in there.

[Ghost Dog]

Ross Lyon talks about our skipper " Brad Boyd " (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2GR_p2hLVw&feature=player_embedded)

He talks about Lower a bit. Pav's hand is a non issue they reckon.

Crozier played for peel and kicked four last week I think.

[GVGjr]

In for a tougher day today

[LostDoggy]

Pressure is good. But disposal has gone to last years standard, probably because of the pressure we are under.

[firstdogonthemoon]

In for the long haul. As long as we are competitive...

[LostDoggy]

Bigger, stronger, quicker and a better system...

[Mantis]

Pressure on the ball carrier and our skills are poor... Could be a long day.

[Sedat]

Goodesy - chocolates to boiled lollies

Result is immaterial today, we will get a serious lesson from a well drilled defensive machine. Just need to learn the lessons and cope with this defensive heat much better

PS - pretty shit umpiring, almost at 2009 PF levels

[lemmon]

Cooney been our best by so far

[LostDoggy]

We need about 10 taggers.

Great hit by Goodes.

[Greystache]

Midfield getting smashed both offensive and defensively. Need a big lift.

Higgins is about our only viable forward option so far.

[Go_Dogs]

Goodesy - chocolates to boiled lollies

Result is immaterial today, we will get a serious lesson from a well drilled defensive machine. Just need to learn the lessons and cope with this defensive heat much better

PS - pretty shit umpiring, almost at 2009 PF levels

Umpires have smashed us.

Goodes' hit at the end was nice. Looks like we'll be in for a tough day - just need to be a bit more composed and try to control some clean ball. Lets hope we can close in a bit before half time.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Goodesy - chocolates to boiled lollies

Result is immaterial today, we will get a serious lesson from a well drilled defensive machine. Just need to learn the lessons and cope with this defensive heat much better

PS - pretty shit umpiring, almost at 2009 PF levels

A real jolt back to reality for the boys. Will be very interesting to see how quickly they can learn from a tight outfit like Freo.
No doubt many of the kids were on a buzz after last weeks performance and have no doubt been shown just exactly what is required against a top 4 side.

[SquirrelGrip]

Watch Liam Jones handwork - both goals this quarter were taps from him.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Much better application so far in the second quarter. Will be very happy if we can maintain this, irrespective of the result.

[Ghost Dog]

Two and a bit goals in it now. To the boys credit, back in it.

[Go_Dogs]

Good response early in the 2nd.

[lemmon]

Nice to see the boys smacking into Crowley, need more from griff

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Freo changing to another gear again. Boys need to respond again. Freo should've kicked another 3 goals this quarter. Poor kicking, and free kicks plus Roughy's defensive smother have saved us from being further behind.

[Ghost Dog]

Lower having a good game against his former club.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Pity we couldn't nail one of those two last shots at goal. Both gettable, and would've given the team a big boost going into half time.
Massive 3rd quarter. If we can keep the margin at worst, the same as it is now, and not let it blow out, then this team will have taken a massive step forward from last year.
Furthermore to do so will give the guys a measure of confidence that they are in fact improving.

[chef]

Score please. Hard to get on the AFL site at this resort in Borneo.

[LostDoggy]

Missed opportunities by both teams but we deservedly, marginally won the quarter.

Great to see the boys keeping the chins up so far, can't let them win the 3rd quarter.

Roughy continues to grow and learn, probably shaded by the great pav but winning a share of contests.

Dahl just seems to know where the footy will be.

Roo is a knob.

[LostDoggy]

Score please. Hard to get on the AFL site at this resort in Borneo.

60 to 35 freos way

[whythelongface]

60 v 35

[LongWait]

Score please. Hard to get on the AFL site at this resort in Borneo.

WB 5 5 35
FRE 9 6 60

Half Time

[Ghost Dog]

Score please. Hard to get on the AFL site at this resort in Borneo.

Dogs 5 5 35
Dockers 9 6 60

Dockers were denied a goal owing to a great smother by Roughy. Goodes gave away a free to Pav, who posted it - luckily.
We should have got a few more as well. Need those chances in a game like this. Fact is, we are still in it, which is a credit to the boys so far.

Dockers are allowing us an extra bloke at the stoppages, then using that man in their defensive spread, turnover, get it up to their forward line. Hopefully the coach can sort it out at half time.

Libba has had 9 clearances in the first half. Cooney 19 possessions.

[whythelongface]

Good effort in the 2nd qtr let's hope they can keep this up for the remainder of the game

[PedroArvy]

It's a lovely warm day to be watching the footy, who cares about the score?

[Go_Dogs]

Better effort that quarter just need to keep the pressure on and hope we can burst it open.

Cooney impressive so far and I've rated Roughead too. Goodes and JJ a little down on last week and we're struggling to move the ball efficiently from our back half and get enoug run and link up when we have possession. All credit to Freo who are very strong defensively across the entire field.

[lemmon]

Anyone have a crowd? Looks impressive from where I'm sitting

[bornadog]

We need Griffen to lift this quarter

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We need Griffen to lift this quarter

I think he needs some support from his fellow midfielders at stoppages. Crowley is wearing him very closely

[Greystache]

Much better quarter, need to keep up the effort.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Freo much more switched on than us after the break. Margin in jeopardy of blowing out very quickly.

[Mantis]

Clay Smith v Hill on a wing isn't going to end nicely.

This is going to get ugly.

Poor goal umpire... Stretcher!!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Absolute terrible passage of play from us in defense resulting in a goal to Freo..and also it looks as if the goal umpire has had his lower leg broken in a sickening accidental clash with Picken.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I hope Macca highlights that passage of play this week. All parties involved were to blame.
Of course the whole thing shouldnt've occurred as Griffen should've got a free.
However the kick from Higgins switched across the backline should've hit the target. Secondly Cross was way too laconic and had to anticipate he was going to be hot.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

WE've done well to staunch the flow, and have kicked the last two goals. Need a couple more to get the margin back under 5 goals at 3 Qtr time.

Minson and Libbe have been great all day for us.

[Mantis]

Clay Smith has some good attributes, but playing on the wing doesn't help him showcase any of these.

Will is having a howler.

[LostDoggy]

Clay Smith v Hill on a wing isn't going to end nicely.

This is going to get ugly.

Poor goal umpire... Stretcher!!

Smith is getting a lesson on how to play his own game style.

[comrade]

WE've done well to staunch the flow, and have kicked the last two goals. Need a couple more to get the margin back under 5 goals at 3 Qtr time.

Minson and Libbe have been great all day for us.

I reckon Minson has been woeful. Beaten around the ground and let their mids get first use.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Clay Smith has some good attributes, but playing on the wing doesn't help him showcase any of these.

Will is having a howler.

What? Will looks, on TV anyway, to be having a great game in the ruck, giving us first use at pretty much every ruck contest.

Agree on Smith.

[comrade]

I love Cross but his kicking under any kind of pressure is just...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

It looked like almost Cooney of old. I thnk he was so surprised at the zip in his legs he just didn't want to stop. Pity he ran himself into trouble.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Shocking kick at goal by Picken. We needed that goal and it should've been a soda for an AFL player.
Very frustrating we've had all the play the last 15 minutes but have not been able to score, blowing repeated entries into our forward 50.

[Mantis]

It looked like almost Cooney of old. I thnk he was so surprised at the zip in his legs he just didn't want to stop. Pity he ran himself into trouble.

He had nothing to kick to up-field.. Nothing!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

He had nothing to kick to up-field.. Nothing!

That's what I thought.

[chef]

Thanks for the scores, keep em coming

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Very frustrating that term. We owned the general play for the last 15 minutes, but could not manage a goal. Quite a few times it's looked as if we had noone to kick to in our forward line when we did move the ball inside 50 and other times we either butchered the kick or the ensuing shot at goal, or missed a mark. If we had've put our dominance into scoreboard pressure we actually could've still been in this game as opposed to being 37 points down and one feels only 1 Freo goal away from the damn wall bursting.

[LostDoggy]

What? Will looks, on TV anyway, to be having a great game in the ruck, giving us first use at pretty much every ruck contest.

Agree on Smith.

Agree, Will has been good.

[Greystache]

Cooney is playing a sessional game but some of our other experienced players have been pretty poor.

Minson is getting a bath, Cross has been really laconic several times with ball in hand, Griffen has been shut down, and everything Picken touches has gone to shit.

The effort is there and we're competitive except for some brief lapses in concentration and some costly errors. If we can win the last quarter it will be a pretty reasonable effort against a very good team.

[Greystache]

Cordy could close to the worst set shot for goal I have seen play for the bulldogs.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Cordy... what an amatuerish shot for goal. He's done nothing today, and when his moment to do something arrived, he fluffed it. Like Picken's last quarter, an absolute soda of a kick for an AFL player.

[LostDoggy]

Very frustrating that term. We owned the general play for the last 15 minutes, but could not manage a goal. Quite a few times it's looked as if we had noone to kick to in our forward line when we did move the ball inside 50 and other times we either butchered the kick or the ensuing shot at goal, or missed a mark. If we had've put our dominance into scoreboard pressure we actually could've still been in this game as opposed to being 37 points down and one feels only 1 Freo goal away from the damn wall bursting.

Some similarities with last year but we were all saying we wanted better efforts for longer, besides the shell shocked majority of the first quarter, we have seen that. They sure hit us hard and kept it tight from the first bounce. Thought we might get get blown away in that third quarter and last year we would of.

Freo will win a lot of games.

[MrMahatma]

Fumbling and not hitting targets. Lots of turn overs and freo goals on the counter.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Some similarities with last year but we were all saying we wanted better efforts for longer, besides the shell shocked majority of the first quarter, we have seen that. They sure hit us hard and kept it tight from the first bounce. Thought we might get get blown away in that third quarter and last year we would of.

Freo will win a lot of games.

Agree with all of that. Having said that, we still should be critical because ultimately where he are now is not good enough, as evidenced by the scoreline.
I accept where we currently are at, but will still hold the 22 that run out there accountable.

I don't get why some think Minson has been poor today. He has been great at the hit outs today giving us first use most times.

[comrade]

Picko has had a mare.

We've given them too much way ball into their 50. Twice as many inside 50 marks.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Our best passage all day! :D from fullback to full foward without Freo, or us touching it.. courtesy of free kick, plus 50 and then a downfield one to Cordy.

[LostDoggy]

Minson and Libbe have been great all day for us.


Will is having a howler.


I reckon Minson has been woeful.


Agree, Will has been good.




Minson is getting a bath,.

??????
Well which is it?

[Ghost Dog]

Great. Two goals.
But are Freo making us look good in Junk time?

As disappointing as the skills are, at least we have had plenty of shots on goal. Had our chances.

[Greystache]

That was pathetic, Jones, Dahl, Libba and Lower just watched each other as Freo ran that out of half back. That goal was purely lack of work rate.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

??????
Well which is it?

Well, Minson 40 hit outs, and 6 clearances. The reason Libba has 12 clearances I would put down many of those to Minno's ruckwork.
As I said, on TV Minson looks like he's been great. I don't know how well he is moving off the ball when the camera is not on him.

[bulldogsman]

Higgins.. Terrible

Our set shot kicking has been terrible.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Sheez.. now Higgins has missed an easy one right in front. Between his poor miss, Cordy's and Picken's, plus Jones missing a couple. Our goalkicking really, really needs to improve if we are to get reward for our hard work.

[bulldogsman]

Sheez.. now Higgins has missed an easy one right in front. Between his poor miss, Cordy's and Picken's, plus Jones missing a couple. Our goalkicking really, really needs to improve if we are to get reward for our hard work.

We would actually be a chance of winning if we took our chances.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What has been pleasing, is that with 7 minutes on the clock to go, we've got the margin under 5 goals. Another goal or two and this performance can actually be a good learning experience going forward, and one that will only help the youngs guys confidence that they can compete with the better clubs.

[MrMahatma]

??????
Well which is it?
I reckon he's been good in the ruck but freo big men taking lots of grabs around the ground.

[Ghost Dog]

Will be a lot of kicking at goal at training this week!

Anyone else starting to doubt Freo's claim to finals ascendancy?
Good teams don't take their foot of your throat.

We've won just about every stat in this game!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We would actually be a chance of winning if we took our chances.

I almost wrote as much, but then I thought, if Freo had've taken the easy chances they missed it would probably negate ours misses.

[lemmon]

Best thing I'm taking out of this is Cooney. This is a 2009 vintage game.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Best thing I'm taking out of this is Cooney. This is a 2009 vintage game.

Absolutely. It's been great to see him back at a high level of performance.

[chef]

Score please.

[Rance Fan]

Who had Lower and Picken gone too?

[Ghost Dog]

Score please.

71 to 100


Q4 20:55
GOAL DOGS
Dixon is called to play on in the pocket and shorts the pass over the
top to a running Cross who marks, plays on and knocks through the goal. Bulldogs reduce the margin to 29 points.

[LostDoggy]

Agree with all of that. Having said that, we still should be critical because ultimately where he are now is not good enough, as evidenced by the scoreline.
I accept where we currently are at, but will still hold the 22 that run out there accountable.

I don't get why some think Minson has been poor today. He has been great at the hit outs today giving us first use most times.

Absolutely, 4-6 from set shots, I would have put money on Higgins slotting that one, no excuse, but freo have upped the pressure 5 notches over the lions.
Will has also won the contest around the ground but maybe not the aerial battles.

[Greystache]

Is that another hit out for Minson?

He looks like his confidence is shot today.

[LostDoggy]

I know I shouldn't swear but...... Another set shot missed! A five goal loss is about right.

[Ghost Dog]

Dockers Goal. 106 to Bulldogs 71

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Final score. 106-78. Murph goaled on the siren.
Notwithstanding our shooting for goal, and some lapses in concentration and execution. It's actually been a big improvement. We would've got steamrolled last year in the second half. But every time Freo looked to pull away, we worked harder to at least keep our heads above water.
I'm never happy when we lose, but I can accept that in relation to Freo we are a long way behind in our stage of development and all things being considered it's a good result for us right now.
If only we could develop a few more players who could kick straight.

[Rance Fan]

Is that another hit out for Minson?

He looks like his confidence is shot today.

Looks like he gave it his all.
Dominated hitouts

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Big Will, 48 hit outs, 7 clearances (second most from the Dogs behind Libba's 12).
He's definitely off to a great start for the year.

[Mantis]

That's about where we are at early doors ( maybe worse later on).. Still about 6 players off having a good side, hopefully we can develop from within.

[LostDoggy]

Final score. 106-78. Murph goaled on the siren.
Notwithstanding our shooting for goal, and some lapses in concentration and execution. It's actually been a big improvement. We would've got steamrolled last year in the second half. But every time Freo looked to pull away, we worked harder to at least keep our heads above water.
I'm never happy when we lose, but I can accept that in relation to Freo we are a long way behind in our stage of development and all things being considered it's a good result for us right now.
If only we could develop a few more players who could kick straight.

5 goals off atop side at home. We are better than last year. Did Dickson score? Cross second best forward says a bit.

After tipping 2 last week I'm 3 from 3, go the lions!

[Ghost Dog]

Our blokes missed a few very gettable goals from straight in front last week and this week. Wonder if it's tiredness, technique or composure? I'd really like to know because it's so frustrating on a perfect day, no wind, inside a dome like Etihad.

Not sure about the Dockers. maybe they were coasting a fair bit at the end.

Just goes to show how misleading stats can be. We won or drew just about every one.

[Rance Fan]

With or two big forwards and number of smalls having average games, Im OK with the result.
Main thing is we fought it out.
Gia, Higgins, Dickson, Cordy, Jones - not great

[LostDoggy]

The crowd was 19000.

[Twodogs]

Just got back from the game. If Ray Chamberlain had been at the end we kicked to in the first quarter we would have won the game. That preposterous little man's will to make the game all about him is plain pathetic.

[Hotdog60]

Freo like to attack from the half back line and our team helps them do that. They could set easily by running off Higgins, Cordy and Gia.

Jones is quick enough if he commits and of course Dahlhouse but thats it.

We need to find some more leg speed in our forward line for teams that like to create from defense.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Pleasing that we didn't get blown out of the water, but there is no doubt Fremantle took their foot off the pedal halfway through the third. Having said that, last year we copped many beltings so it was nice that we avoided that today.

Libba and Cooney were enormous. Very, very impressed by their games. Libba had something like 12 clearances and kept us competitive for large parts of the game when we looked really shaky. Cooney found plenty of the ball, looked composed and used his pace on a number of occasions.

Minson was again a colossal figure in the ruck. He's made huge improvements since becoming the number one ruckman, and again did really well today. Some nice combinations with Libba. I also thought Will competed well around the ground.

I thought Young was the best performed defender, although his disposal was a little loose at times. Goodes struggled a little, particularly in the first half with a number of turnovers. JJ got a bit of a lesson today.

Dahlhaus was lively and did his job once again. Dickson tried hard but some of his disposals and decision making was ordinary. Unfortunately, Jones/Cordy were poor and need to be MUCH better.

Might get shot down for this a little, but the biggest disappointment for mine was the senior core of Griffen, Higgins, Murphy and Giansiracusa. Griff still struggles to shake tags which is incredibly disappointing, Higgins was close to worst on ground, Murphy wasn't a factor and Gia was quiet with a couple of bad turnovers. In games like this against much seasoned opponents, it's not good enough. These guys should be leading the way.

Overall, I think it's a good learning experience for us. I was pleased with the likes of Libba, Cooney, Wallis, Young, Dahlhaus, Smith, Minson and Stevens but our senior and best players were ordinary and that really hurt us.

[whythelongface]

Best thing I'm taking out of this is Cooney. This is a 2009 vintage game.

He was superb

[PedroArvy]

It will be interesting to see how long the coach persists with Jones/Cordy. Can either of these guys mark a ball or show some real presence? Even last week when we dominated they weren't much good. Look like thirds players to me.

[boydogs]

Really liked the way we stuck at it today, but we had nowhere near the number of contributors this week compared to last week. Griffen, Gia, Higgins, Murphy, Dickson & JJ were much better last week.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

It will be interesting to see how long the coach persists with Jones/Cordy. Can either of these guys mark a ball or show some real presence? Even last week when we dominated they weren't much good. Look like thirds players to me.

Campbell Roberts and Williams would all be better options. Dahlhaus was our only effective forward. Great games by Liberatore and Cooney. I guess giving Freo 5 goals start and being beaten by a similar margin indicated that we at least although under manned fought it out.

[lemmon]

The engine room was very good, Libba will be the best inside mid in the comp in a few years, dominated the clearances and they all won plenty of ball. Sit Cooney on a wing for the year and let him run and carry, easily our most creative player, all pace and skill today. Lower was underrated, first half job on Mundy was excellent.

The forwards were individually pretty poor, Dalhaus was opportunistic but you'd like to see more of him in the middle. Jones and Cordy were awful, worst thing was they didn't compete, Cordy simply won't attack the ball. Higgins was LAZY, really poor, just wouldn't work. Gia and Murph were well held, Dickson was sloppy.

[always right]

The bottom line is that very few players won or broke even in their position. Thank goodness for our centre clearance work otherwise this could have been far worse. Worst game from Dickson since he joined us......he was the turnover king today.

[bornadog]

Its amazing, Barlow and Mundy did not influence the game and were well held, Minson dominated the ruck, and Cooney, and Libba accumulated possessions, yet we were done by 5 goals.

Freo kicked too many easy goals all due to their game plan of bottling up the game and then a quick break and catching out our backline. Crowley did a great job on Griffen and took him right out of the game and stopping one of our senior ball getters.

I think in the end our skills let us down badly as once more we were found out when the pressure was on.

[always right]

Its amazing, Barlow and Mundy did not influence the game and were well held, Minson dominated the ruck, and Cooney, and Libba accumulated possessions, yet we were done by 5 goals.

Freo kicked too many easy goals all due to their game plan of bottling up the game and then a quick break and catching out our backline. Crowley did a great job on Griffen and took him right out of the game and stopping one of our senior ball getters.

I think in the end our skills let us down badly as once more we were found out when the pressure was on.

No excuse for some of our errors today. How many times did we kick into the man on the mark?

Dickson was horrendous today, Jones and Cordy inconsistent with their effort and Dahl needs to stop taking off without the ball. Really disappointing game today from all of our forwards.

Hate to say it but Morris also seemed to really labour out there today. Seems to have lost some of his zip which shouldn't surprise.

On the plus side, we realy hung in there today. Last year we would have lost that match by 12 goals.

[Twodogs]

Higgins was LAZY, really poor, just wouldn't work


I watched him for ten minutes in the third quarter. He stood and watched play from a position about 30 metres away from our bench and very occasionally jogged 10 or 15 metres and then stood and watched play again.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Its amazing, Barlow and Mundy did not influence the game and were well held, Minson dominated the ruck, and Cooney, and Libba accumulated possessions, yet we were done by 5 goals.

Freo kicked too many easy goals all due to their game plan of bottling up the game and then a quick break and catching out our backline. Crowley did a great job on Griffen and took him right out of the game and stopping one of our senior ball getters.

I think in the end our skills let us down badly as once more we were found out when the pressure was on.
Lack of skills for sure but also a very poor forward line. Our tall timber also struggled to take an overhead mark. We have improved from last year but are still 3-4 players away from matching it with the top 8 sides.

[Go_Dogs]

One thing the commentators highlighted (and I can't really comment on from watching on tv) but all Freo players were making sure to give Griff a bump or elbow at every opportunity and really helped Crowley with his tag. We need to get better at continually applying blocks and creating space to help Griff beat his man.

[Ghost Dog]

Said the same thing on ABC radio. Taggers need more attention from our bigger blokes.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I watched him for ten minutes in the third quarter. He stood and watched play from a position about 30 metres away from our bench and very occasionally jogged 10 or 15 metres and then stood and watched play again.

I had to hold myself back in my original post, but that was close to the worst game I have seen Higgins play.

It was bordering on pathetic.

[lemmon]

I watched him for ten minutes in the third quarter. He stood and watched play from a position about 30 metres away from our bench and very occasionally jogged 10 or 15 metres and then stood and watched play again.

I've accepted there's no way to get through to him, we wanted a Trent Cotchin but he looks like he's leveled out as an Angus Monfries. Good, ordinary player

[lemmon]

One thing the commentators highlighted (and I can't really comment on from watching on tv) but all Freo players were making sure to give Griff a bump or elbow at every opportunity and really helped Crowley with his tag. We need to get better at continually applying blocks and creating space to help Griff beat his man.

I don't think that's accurate, saw them all getting into Crowley, Cross looked like he made it a special mission at one point to get into him

[bornadog]

I will say on the positive side, after Freo kicked the first 5 goals in the first 15 minutes, from then on we matched them for the rest of the day. We cannot afford to give teams big starts like that.

[Go_Dogs]

I don't think that's accurate, saw them all getting into Crowley, Cross looked like he made it a special mission at one point to get into him

Good to hear, thanks.

[LostDoggy]

Even sans-Ballantyne and Sandilands, I think Freo might just pip us. However, if we play like we did last week that's all I want to see. The score is irrelevant beyond that. The last thing we want to see is Freo get a run on and our boys shrink back into their shells.

Freo by 12.
BOG Wallis — it's the type of game he excels at.
First goal Dickson

As I said before the match, happy that we didn't shrink into our shells and let Freo run over us, 28 points is about right to me, about where I see us in the grand scheme of things, so I'm not disappointed any more than any other loss.


Will be a lot of kicking at goal at training this week!

Anyone else starting to doubt Freo's claim to finals ascendancy?
Good teams don't take their foot of your throat.

We've won just about every stat in this game!

I saw it as a team not wanting to kill themselves in Round 2. If it was Round 18 I'd agree.

[G-Mo77]

It was hard not to get excited about last week but we really got put back down to Earth against a much better team. One thing I noticed was the speed of Freo on both ends. The way they created space was impressive and they closed the space quickly when we managed to find some.

Not disgraced today by any means which was alright. Got jumped early and didn't really recover.

[Hotdog60]

Ross Lyon said this on the AFL site:

Minson's 34 hit-outs and 18 possessions gave the Bulldogs a key edge in the midfield battle.

Lyon said it was crucial for Dockers duo Jon Griffin and Kepler Bradley to limit the influence of the 27-year-old.

"I always thought it was won and lost in the midfield. It gives you supply and protects your defence," Lyon said on Thursday.

"Will's a big, strong, competitive ruckman. He plays a real robust game.

"He can push forward and kick a goal and take contested marks.

"So we'll have to match that and spread offensively to give him something to worry about as well."

The Bulldogs flew under the radar during the pre-season, but Lyon is impressed with their squad and has done extensive analysis on them.

"We've gone to school on them. We've prepared like we would as if it was a Grand Final," he said.

I think they will go hard early to get the ascendancy.

Pretty much what happened

[Mantis]

We've won just about every stat in this game!

Go and ask Hawthorn if this means anything.

Only stat that matters is the score.

[soupman]

I've come out of that game a little dissapointed, but mostly positive. I think that was a big improvement to last year. We were competitive, fought the game out and I think there's a lot to take out of that.

Our forwardline was the worst performed portion of the team. Struggled to find space and possessions and didn't take chances when it needed to. Freo are a much better defensive team that most of the AFL and it showed in their ability to get numbers back and block up our options. Higgins, Dickson and Giansiracusa were all poor today, particularly the first two. Struggled to find the ball and didn't use it well when they did. Cordy at times continued last years trend of being half a metre away from where he needs to be, and thus not impacting contests. He needs to start doing this, but even so he is moving better than last year and I'm happy to persist with him. Jones does make a contest and his defensive efforts are very good. Also had a hand in a couple of our earlier goals. This year he is going to have quiet games, but he will have games where he gets more involved and I can forgive him for struggling to get possessions under a defence that strangles the supply and outnumbers our forwards. Dahlhaus was good in bits, but I thought today at times he didn't quite put as much effort into stuff as usual.

The good thing to see with our forwardline was that structurally we always had numbers up there, it contested well and it chased well. Unlike last year there were no bombs to an empty forward 50 and Freo had to work it out instead of stroll out of defence.

Freo posed a much better challenge for us as an opposition than Brisbane. They are well drilled and very good defensively, and have a number of attacking outlets. I was impressed. I hope we learn a bit from playing them, and we should benefit from playing against a side that gives you very little time and space. We actually acquitted ourselves very well after quarter time and if it wasn't for a few minor errors in execution at times the scorebaord could have been a lot closer (Freo also got some very questionable frees early on that helped them). Having said that we did give up a few soft goals including a training drill one at the start of the 3rd.


One thing the commentators highlighted (and I can't really comment on from watching on tv) but all Freo players were making sure to give Griff a bump or elbow at every opportunity and really helped Crowley with his tag. We need to get better at continually applying blocks and creating space to help Griff beat his man.

Just prior to that patheitc Pavlich free Crowley had to run into about 6 bulldog players on his way back to the middle.

[Ghost Dog]

Go and ask Hawthorn if this means anything.

Only stat that matters is the score.

Right! well said

It's a concern for us when our young blokes are the ones putting in the big effort, and our more senior players like Higgins and Dickson, are having bad days. Onwards.

[Eastdog]

Really liking my reserved seat. Came out of the match today disappointed like most on here. The way we kept on going in the end proves our fitness is a lot better. I don't think we were terrible today and at least we didn't lose by 10-12 goals. Our midfield in a few years time is going to be hard to compete with. The umpiring was awful at times.

[Mantis]

Really liking my reserved seat. Came out of the match today disappointed like most on here. The way we kept on going in the end proves our fitness is a lot better. I don't think we were terrible today and at least we didn't lose by 10-12 goals. Our midfield in a few years time is going to be hard to compete with. The umpiring was awful at times.

Our midfield today was very hard to compete with... The midfield, well at least the centre square, isn't an area in which we need great improvement, our areas of concern are elsewhere.

[Eastdog]

Our midfield today was very hard to compete with... The midfield, well at least the centre square, isn't an area in which we need great improvement, our areas of concern are elsewhere.

Forward line and defence Mantis?

[SonofScray]

Freo are a good side, the way they set up had our players tripping over their brains trying to figure out where to deliver the ball. A stark contrast to last week.

[always right]

Forward line and defence Mantis?

Process of elimination young man.

[Eastdog]

Process of elimination young man.

Both need work.

[boydogs]

I think in the end our skills let us down badly as once more we were found out when the pressure was on.

They were worst early on when the speed and intensity was at its peak. DE% was 46 to 74 around quarter time, then 66 to 70 near the end.

[Eastdog]

They were worst early on when the speed and intensity was at its peak. DE% was 46 to 74 around quarter time, then 66 to 70 near the end.

That's a positive with that stat.

[Ghost Dog]

The goal umpire! Get well soon buddy. That looked very very painful. I heard on the radio he's actually a doctor and diagnosed his own ACL. Bloody Picken, who else :)

[Bulldog Revolution]

Pleasing that we didn't get blown out of the water, but there is no doubt Fremantle took their foot off the pedal halfway through the third. Having said that, last year we copped many beltings so it was nice that we avoided that today.

Might get shot down for this a little, but the biggest disappointment for mine was the senior core of Griffen, Higgins, Murphy and Giansiracusa. Griff still struggles to shake tags which is incredibly disappointing,

Overall, I think it's a good learning experience for us. I was pleased with the likes of Libba, Cooney, Wallis, Young, Dahlhaus, Smith, Minson and Stevens but our senior and best players were ordinary and that really hurt us.

Good post TBB

I thought JJ fought back well in the second half, as did Goodes

Jones was patchy - did some good things but hasn't clunked any of the forward 50 grabs I though he would have yet, but he is creating goals through attacking the ball so well most of the time, and is generally jumping at the footy.

I liked the switch of Morris onto Pav - I think the coaching staff got the timing right on this one, even though Morris wasnt in great touch today

I spent quite a lot of time watching Griffen and Crowley and really couldn't question Griffens work rate, he just came up against one of the best stopper going around, against a team that were very good defensively. Keep in mind that Crowley is so good that G.Ablett jnr feels the need to trash talk him on twitter.

A lot of our players struggled with the pressure of Freo, our decision making and skill execution, but like many others I liked that we hung in the game, and never quit. Minson, Libba, Smith, Wallis, Stevens consistently put their heads over the footy and competed. We werent disgraced and would have beaten a few other sides today was my feeling. There is still plenty of work to do. We need to find some superstars but we look closer to having a better functioning team.

[westdog54]

The goal umpire! Get well soon buddy. That looked very very painful. I heard on the radio he's actually a doctor and diagnosed his own ACL. Bloody Picken, who else :)

Looked very untidy on the replay. Umpires just aren't built to withstand that kind of collision.

[always right]

Looked very untidy on the replay. Umpires just aren't built to withstand that kind of collision.

Is anybody?

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Round 2 consolidated the perception of round 1 as a turning point. We now need to turn players over to give everyone on the list a season's chance to prove or hang themselves.