R18 Match Preview and Game Day Thread Western Bulldogs V West Coast

[Eastdog]

Dogs by 14 points
First Goal: Gia
BOG: Libba

[boydogs]

West Coast by 36
First Goal Stringer
BOG Boyd

[Remi Moses]

Dogs by 5 pts( I smell an upset)
BOG Griffen
1st Goal Dahlhaus

[Scraggers]

First, my apologies for the tardiness of this thread, my intention was to have this up on Wednesday, but I have lost internet at home, so I am using my iPad to load the thread :(

Second, instead of having a match preview thread and a game day thread, I have tried to combine the two into one ... this match preview is a tad more interactive; and we can use the same thread to discuss events during the game.

With all that in mind, here we go ...

Match Preview – Round 18 Western Bulldogs Vs West Coast Eagles
When and Where
Sunday 28th July 2013
Etihad Stadium
3:20pm AEST

Ladder Position
Western Bulldogs – 15th
4 Wins 12 Losses – 76.9%

Western Coast Eagles - 10th
7 wins 9 losses- 104.3%


Last 5 games head-to-head
Round 6 2013 – West Coast defeated Western Bulldogs by 70 points
Round 1 2012 – West Coast defeated Western Bulldogs by 49 points
Round 19 2011 – West Coast defeated Western Bulldogs by 8 points
Round 9 2011 – West Coast defeated Western Bulldogs by 123 points
Round 13 2010 – Western Bulldogs defeated West Coast by 60 points

Teams

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Likely outs
Brett Goodes (arm) Nathan Hrovat (soreness)

Likely ins
(from) Matthew Boyd, Mark Austin, Christain Howard, Jake Stringer, Tom Young

West Coast Eagles
Likely outs
Darren Glass (soreness), Adam Selwood (omitted), Mark LeCras (foot), Nic Naitanui (soreness), Luke Shuey (hamstring)

Likely ins
Sam Butler, Ashton Hams, Matt Rosa, Scott Lycett, Blayne Wilson, Fraser McInnes, Brad Sheppard, Scott Selwood

Milestones
Libba (jnr) playing his 50th

Recent Form
Western Bulldogs
LLWLL

West Coast
LLWLL

Scuttlebutt
West Coast have put the cue in the rack?
West Coast have got Gold Coast in Perth, Essendon at Etihad, Geelong in Perth, Collingwood at the G, then Adelaide in Perth … you would think they would have to beat us and win 3 or 4 of those to make finals … Have Wet Toast put the cue in the rack … look who is “rested” !!
The Eagles again decided not to risk midfielder Daniel Kerr who had a swollen knee after playing for East Fremantle in the WAFL last Saturday. Shannon Hurn, Beau Waters and Mark Nicoski have long-term injuries. Andrew Embley and Patrick McGinnity are suspended and selectors dropped veteran Adam Selwood. Waters has decided to have his surgery now …
Whats your opinion … do West Coast want this win?

Glass will retire at the end of the year ?
Scuttlebutt over here is Glass will retire, seasons end … speculation was rife when Mitch Brown signed a 3yr deal … Brown is seen as Glass’ replacement and (as you’d know) St. Kilda went really hard at getting Brown to return to Melbourne and play for them next year.
Worsfold is expected to assess the immediate playing futures of ageing premiership stars Darren Glass, Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley and Adam Selwood as well as to identify top priority recruiting targets that he wants injected to bolster Eagles premiership hopes.
Your opinion, will Glass retire?

Worsfold will re-sign … but a loss may stymie that?
Worsfold has given the best indication yet that he wants to coach on next year, stating he will present his plan to the board in the coming weeks. He was quoted to say ''I'm in the process of giving really serious consideration around my role at the footy club as senior coach and what I can offer the club, what I need to be able to coach this club to the best of my ability,'' he said.
''So I'm putting a plan in action to present to the footy club.
''I'm establishing what it would need to look like. ''So in a nutshell, I will be very clear on where it's all at inside a month, and we'll go from there.''
He also indicated that some significant changes would be a part of his presentation to the board. He said that his presentation would centre on him remaining as senior coach beyond his eleventh season and it would not include any addition of a new role for himself, such as director of coaching.
''I don't think I'm just going to walk in and sign a contract,'' he said.
''I think I'm going to walk in and show them what my thoughts are about my direction I think the coaching group can head in.
''And I would assume that it won't be just rubber stamped. The board would have to consider that.''
Radio scuttlebutt is that a loss to the Bulldogs this week would mean Worsfold’s head is on the block … the CEO denies this … regardless of where the Eagles finish this year, Worsfold is a wanted man. He has coached the Eagles since 2002.


Final verdict
West Coast have not beaten a top eight side all year … we are far from a top eight team. They play Etihad well, so do we. Both sides have been ravaged by injury. We’ve got the best ruck in the league and our small fleet brigade will run rings around Wet Toast’s BUT … they use the ball better than us.

Conspirators will have you believe that both teams want the loss … better draft picks etc.; but for those of us that live here and have to deal with the worse fans in the AFL week-in week-out, this is our grand final.

What do I want the result to be? Bulldogs by 24points
What do I think the result will be? Eagles by 24 points


What’s your opinion … will the Eagles ‘tank’? Will glass retire? Will Woosha re-sign or resign?
Do we have a shot?

Give me your prediction as well !!

[Ghost Dog]

Tutt needs to play well down back, while JJ is out. Take your chances.

[ratsmac]

Dogs by 24pts
First Goal Grant
BOG Libba

[Ghost Dog]

Sons of the West will be sung to the tune of 10 pts
First Goal will be kicked by a certain Mr Liberatore
BOG ditto.

[AndrewP6]

Eagles by 19
First goal Jones
BOG Libba

[chef]

I can really feel an upset coming on.

[azabob]

I can really feel an upset coming on.

I want to also feel it, but in theory we have put in two good performances in a row, and I really feel we will get put to the sword tomorrow.

[LostDoggy]

Feel your pain, Scraggers. Five years in the land of the heathen.

Dogs by a point after West Cast have led all day. Jones mark on the siren to seal the win.

[Greystache]

Dogs by 25 points
BOG- Griffen
First goal- Dickson

[Scraggers]

Feel your pain, Scraggers. Five years in the land of the heathen.

Dogs by a point after West Cast have led all day. Jones mark on the siren to seal the win.

Wet Toast Weasels would have to have the worst supporters in the league. Limited knowledge and 'holier than thou' attitude make for a shocking mix. Watching them miss the finals this year will be my only satisfaction for this season.

[Maddog37]

We owe these bastards a good flogging or two. I hope the boys are up and about.

[Eastdog]

Feel your pain, Scraggers. Five years in the land of the heathen.

Dogs by a point after West Cast have led all day. Jones mark on the siren to seal the win.

That would be fantastic. All Dogs fans would be out of their seats.

[bornadog]

What do I want the result to be? Bulldogs by 24points
What do I think the result will be? Eagles by 24 points


What’s your opinion … will the Eagles ‘tank’? Will glass retire? Will Woosha re-sign or resign?
Do we have a shot?

Give me your prediction as well !!

Great job Scraggers, I think we will actually win this one, rarely have I felt that this year.

Its our best chance and will depend on the coach and his match ups. We have really stuffed this up this year with the Melbourne match a disaster and GWS almost beating us.

With the eagles losing so many players, this is a real opportunity at our home ground. Kennedy and Darling have always kicked a few against us so we need to stop the players up the field feeding them.

Dogs by 10 points,
Libba BOG
Dahl first goal

[boydogs]

West Coast by 36
First Goal Stringer
BOG Boyd

Jake played VFL so I'll go Grant

[Eastdog]

Jake played VFL so I'll go Grant

Jake not in the team for tomorrow. He has been named as an emergency.

[boydogs]

Jake not in the team for tomorrow. He has been named as an emergency.

That's what I meant ;)

[1eyedog]

Dogs by 21
Griff I spose
Grant first goal

[LostDoggy]

Wet Toast Weasels would have to have the worst supporters in the league. Limited knowledge and 'holier than thou' attitude make for a shocking mix. Watching them miss the finals this year will be my only satisfaction for this season.

In 2005, I spent Grand Final Day at the Port Kennedy pub — decked out in Swannies gear. It's the closest I've ever come to Grand Final glory :)

[LostDoggy]

Wet Toast Weasels would have to have the worst supporters in the league. Limited knowledge and 'holier than thou' attitude make for a shocking mix. Watching them miss the finals this year will be my only satisfaction for this season.

You just described crows supporters.

[Twodogs]

Dogs by 26 points

First goal: Dickson

BOG: Dalhaus

[Go_Dogs]

You just described crows supporters.

I thought the exact same thing. :D


Really looking forward to the game today, and agree with others that we're a real chance to cause an upset if we apply ourselves the way we have for the past couple of weeks.

Dogs by 23 points
BOG Cooney
First Goal Dickson

[bornadog]

No Changes, Macrae sub and Cale Morton for them

[The Underdog]

My body is rejecting this bizarre optimistic feeling, still

Dogs by 7
BOG - Libba
First Goal - Grant

[LostDoggy]

Tutt did 3 outstanding things in a row before that Kennedy goal. Good to see!

[LostDoggy]

How is Kennedy on his own?

[ledge]

Wtf is with them being all on their own twice all the way down the ground?

[Mantis]

Surely allowing Gaff to run around by himself isn't going to end well.

[AndrewP6]

Josh Hill celebrates like he's kicked the winning goal after kicking a nice goal from a free. Must be well at home with the West Coat Wankers

[AndrewP6]

Upgraded my GA membership, to find someone in my spot, and I'm surrounded by West Coast Wankers. Thrill.

[GVGjr]

A bad miss from a set shot by Boyd hurts us that quarter.

[Ghost Dog]

Predicting we will run over them.
"West Coast flirting with danger letting Adam Cooney cun around free " ( Fox )

Morris gone to Kennedy giving away lots of height. 7cm and 10 Kilos (fox )

Ryan Griffen holds Cox out of a marking contest to give them a free.

Our backs are not being clean enough to give our forwards a chance. young is impressive the way he holds the ball in one hand.

Can't clear the ball from the back half cleanly.

[LostDoggy]

Gee they are getting some good luck with their goal kicking.

Stevens lots of possessions but questionable decisions.

[Ghost Dog]

Some better work and a nice kick from Picken to Gia. That's much better.

The kick is wide and another miss hurts us badly.


Adam gets a goal after a rather messy chain of handpasses. A good straight kick. We really needed that. A good cut off from Murph that set it up.

Jarrod Grant sprinted 60 Meters to get a mark, quick hands to Dixon for a goal. Great work Grant.

[LostDoggy]

Has Gia been drinking??

[Scraggers]

Gia's got the yips !!

[LostDoggy]

How does Kennedy run down lukey?

[GVGjr]

How good was that kick by Stevens?

[cinder]

Best effort I've seen by Grant for a long time ...

[EasternWest]

Upgraded my GA membership, to find someone in my spot, and I'm surrounded by West Coast Wankers. Thrill.

That's the exact reason why I cancelled my gold reserve seat. Ten rows back and the seats in the rows in front taken by opposition supporters.

Griffen taken high, no free. Selwood taken high, free. Don't have a problem with the Selwood free, but be consistent.

[GVGjr]

Best effort I've seen by Grant for a long time ...

This is what he is capable of. We shouldn't accept a lot less.

[EasternWest]

Best effort I've seen by Grant for a long time ...

Sensational. Just bloody what we need to see.

And Dahlhaus gets away with a dropping the ball goal. Kismet.

[LostDoggy]

A proud moment for Grant, seems to have desire.

There are some things we are doing very well. Ferocious tackling.

Wallis broke Masten in every way.

[Scraggers]

This is what he is capable of. We shouldn't accept a lot less.


Best effort I've seen by Grant for a long time ...

First time I screamed out GRANT in quite a long time !!!

[Ghost Dog]

Murphy is cutting them off beautifully.

[ledge]

Why do we let them just run through the middle as free as they want to be ?

[EasternWest]

Why can't Minson mark, ever?

[LostDoggy]

Some fantastic efforts from Grant and Dahl.

Need to lock down on Gaff

[GVGjr]

Some fantastic efforts from Grant and Dahl.

Need to lock down on Gaff

Gaff and Cooney are running free.

[Ghost Dog]

Was poor that nobody called out to Dahl to alert him of the chase.

For those that tipped the Eagles, are you surprised we are ahead at half time?
They have a bad injury, and we are getting our share of entries. I'm confident we can make a game of this.

[AndrewP6]

Was poor that nobody called out to Dahl to alert him of the chase.

We've had about three like that. Need to help each other more.

[bulldogtragic]

102 handball receives to half time!!

2013 match averge, 128 HBR's.

Boys busting pooper valve.

[bornadog]

West Coke are truly the dropping g the knees specialists

[LostDoggy]

As much as I love Jones, how does someone play in the AFL when they have zero second effort ability?

[LostDoggy]

Lukey having a day out!

[Twodogs]

As much as I love Jones, how does someone play in the AFL when they have zero second effort ability?



The one on the boundary near the wing?

[LostDoggy]

They are comparing lukey to ablett on fox!

[bulldogtragic]

They are comparing lukey to ablett on fox!
Jnr or Snr :)

[LostDoggy]

The one on the boundary near the wing?

That one inspired the post but you see it constantly. The one on the wing had time for second third and forth efforts.

[Twodogs]

Can someone at he ground go up to the commentary box and ask Bruce and Dennis to stop saying that our players will kick goals from set shots please?

Every time they do we miss by miles. If the commentators could just say something like "he is a shit kick at goal" we'd be a lot further in front.

[LostDoggy]

Jnr or Snr :)

Haha, junior at the same age.

[EasternWest]

We got lucky then. Darling should have got about 3 frees.

[LostDoggy]

Hunter and Young have done well.

12 tackles for Libba, 3 marks and 21 possies.

Wallis was on Masten and now Priddis, his opponents would have under ten possies total whilst he has been on them. 20 of his own.

[chef]

Loved Morris yelling at Boyd for closing up the space.

[bornadog]

Murphy outstanding today as is Dahl. Boyd really not finding much of the ball but with a fractured cheek bone and no protection it's understandable.

Mus go on and win this

[LostDoggy]

Grant again!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Fantastic game, admittedly against a depleted Wet Toast. Some real positive signs from a number of players that we've been waiting to show something.

[FrediKanoute]

Doggies need to hold on. Big test being the hunted rather than the hunters.

[Scraggers]

Bragging rights now !!

[FrediKanoute]

Well done doggies. 5th win of the season. May mean Tom Boyd is now beyond us, but I like the way the team is coming together. Since the Melbourne game we have showed steady improvement.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Well deserved win. Depleted west coast but I thought we were by far the better team without playing great

[Twodogs]

That one inspired the post but you see it constantly. The one on the wing had time for second third and forth efforts.



Yep he just stopped and was standing there with his hands on his hips before the ball had even gone out of bounds.

[azabob]

Fantastic game, admittedly against a depleted Wet Toast. Some real positive signs from a number of players that we've been waiting to show something.

Anymore depleted than us? I don't think so.

[Twodogs]

Does anyone still think that Mitch Wallis won't make it as a a player after today?

[Ghost Dog]

Some stand out players today. Morris, Wallis, Liberatore, Picken, Young, Minson, Griffen, Gia, Murphy, Roughy, Talia, Stevens, All did a great job.

How about Morris giving the captain a bake for not blocking space? "There's a bloke pretty confident in his spot when he can give the captain a bake like that". ( Fox )

We could have been a lot better in front of goal, but at the end of the day, it was an even contribution.
The coach; liked the way he mixed it up with some of the selections. Was worried by the Morris Cox match up, but it turned out o.k.
Every single player in the team had some highlight they could be proud of today. That's what teams like Sydney and Geelong are like. Great stuff.

And to all the Mitch Wallis naysayers, if you think he won't make it, just ask Mr Priddis.

[bornadog]

Does anyone still think that Mitch Wallis won't make it as a a player after today?

Macca said he will be a ten plus year player for us

[Twodogs]

Dogs by 26 points

First goal: Dickson

BOG: Dalhaus


*cough* ;)

[Rance Fan]

Like the lesser likes today- Tutt, Addison etc...
Make the odd error but the run and contest!

Great result today and reward for a good last few weeks.

Cant wait to beat Carlton in a few weeks! HEHEHE

[Twodogs]

That was a 7 goal turnaround from halfway through the second quarter.

[LostDoggy]

Some stand out players today. Morris, Wallis, Liberatore, Picken, Young, Minson, Griffen, Gia, Murphy, Roughy, Talia, Stevens, All did a great job. .

Love the guy and he's does enough to wear the red white and blue each week. But my god my hair line can't handle anymore hand passes to players with opposition half an inch away.
Why give the ball to someone worse off than you???

[Go_Dogs]

Great game by the team tonight, very proud of such a spirited and ruthless performance.

Macca's template for a successful side has been on display the past 3 weeks, we've been ruthless at the contested ball, our tackling and attack on the contest has been first rate. We're really now able to bully sides and make it tough for them to play the game on their own terms for extended periods of the game. We're now also starting to see the spread and ability to move the ball into space which has been something we've lacked for a while. Today was as good a performance as I've seen in the past 3 years, with every player on the team contributing, everyone working hard and willing themselves to the next contest.

Dahlhaus was a standout performer and looks to have regained his mojo - he's so clean below the knees and so quick to recover when he has to lose his feet to win a ground ball. Besides the run down from Kennedy, it was a near faultless performance by a very small man playing an incredibly tough role.

Mitch Wallis was sensational today. His attack on the contest is huge, he shares a lot of attributes with young Clay Smith in that regard. He really gave Masten a bath early and completely shut Priddis out of the game in the second half. He was also vital in a number of our goals with clever ball movement, either by hand and foot. Another who looks to be getting his mojo back and it was been a great move by the coaching staff to give him some more defensively minded roles which allows him perhaps a narrower focus on the field - he's been very good the past 2 weeks.

Griffen and Cooney are both playing great footy. I changed my signature today to something Bob Murphy wrote in his article this week - Griff is just a machine these days, such an inspiration. Cooney is getting back to his better form from earlier in the year too, his side step today and ability to take off was a real highlight.

Stevens had a very good game, still made a few poor errors with his disposal to players under pressure, but showed a great ability overhead with his marking and generally was a very solid contributor. Also thought both Dickson and Addison did well up forward.

Perhaps the best highlight of the day for mine was Grant's effort early on to fly for that mark and take a heavy hit in the process. He got reward for effort today with 3 goals. His composure with the ball in hand was outstanding, very impressed and was great to see all the boys get around him after he took the big knock. I know there was a bit of criticism about how he was handled earlier in the year but it appears the approach is really paying dividends and I'm just about as confident as I've ever been about Grant having a long, successful career in Dogs colours.

Hard to not be anything but happy today, amazing what a good result can do for the mental state of a Dogs supporter. :D

[LostDoggy]

I'm in tears. 2013 = success for me.

[Eastdog]

Really enjoyed that win today. The team really put in. Got nervous when the Eagles were coming but we held firm which was great to see. Murph, Libba and Griff I thought were great.

[Scraggers]

Today is going to be such a good day at work :D :D :D

[Doc26]

Today is going to be such a good day at work :D :D :D

Well overdue for you Scraggers. Was thinking after the win that you would be looking forward to the week. Enjoy the day.

[Eastdog]

Today is going to be such a good day at work :D :D :D

Will certainly be happy supporters this week as the last time we won at home in Victoria was against St. Klida Round 9.

[bornadog]

Will certainly be happy supporters this week as the last time we won at home in Victoria was against St. Klida Round 9.

Scraggers lives in WA so it will be all the more sweeter.

I am off to Perth tomorrow on business, I bet the footy is not brought up (unless they are Freo fans):D

[Twodogs]

Today is going to be such a good day at work :D :D :D



Give them one from me too Scraggers! :D

[Ghost Dog]

We still molest the ball, only slightly less than GWS and Melbourne.

"At 30.6 disposals per goal, they rank ahead of only Melbourne and GWS and a light year off the pace of leader Hawthorn at 21.4." (http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-end-west-coasts-finals-hopes-at-etihad-stadium/story-fniv6fwe-1226687110481)

[Bulldog Joe]

We still molest the ball, only slightly less than GWS and Melbourne.

"At 30.6 disposals per goal, they rank ahead of only Melbourne and GWS and a light year off the pace of leader Hawthorn at 21.4." (http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-end-west-coasts-finals-hopes-at-etihad-stadium/story-fniv6fwe-1226687110481)

We were better this week though and those stats are season average.

This week 26.9 disposals per goal. Plenty of improvement still required.

[always right]

We still molest the ball, only slightly less than GWS and Melbourne.

"At 30.6 disposals per goal, they rank ahead of only Melbourne and GWS and a light year off the pace of leader Hawthorn at 21.4." (http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-end-west-coasts-finals-hopes-at-etihad-stadium/story-fniv6fwe-1226687110481)

The positive I take out of this is how this illustrates the work ethic intrenched in this group. Yes we need to be much more efficient but the attitude amongst our players can't be faulted. The rewards will come....although we do need to continue focusing on getting quality ball users into our club in the next draft.

[KT31]

If we actually had a quality full forward who was accurate at goal, with the amount of inside 50's we have, would this stat not be greatly reduced.

[LostDoggy]

If we actually had a quality full forward who was accurate at goal, with the amount of inside 50's we have, would this stat not be greatly reduced.

Big if.

[westdog54]

If we actually had a quality full forward who was accurate at goal, with the amount of inside 50's we have, would this stat not be greatly reduced.

Not sure it would be greatly reduced but as Jones and Grant become more confident in their set up and their leading I think it will certainly have an effect. Having the forwards lead to the right spots is certainly part of the equation