Team Round 1 vs WCE

[mjp]

That's unavoidable on Essendon's part. We have the luxury of choice in this area where they don't. I get your point that not having played a pre-season game doesn't mean Crameri can't play, the real question is merely whether he should.

Of course he should. He has been through all the prep...he is a proven (and our only proven) goal-kicker.

It isn't like there is a lot of competition for his spot - Crameri drives me crazy but you can mark him down for 2 goals, one goal assist and 4 inside 50's each week...we need that. To me we can win this game but without Crameri it would be sooooo much harder.

[westdog54]

Of course he should. He has been through all the prep...he is a proven (and our only proven) goal-kicker.

It isn't like there is a lot of competition for his spot - Crameri drives me crazy but you can mark him down for 2 goals, one goal assist and 4 inside 50's each week...we need that. To me we can win this game but without Crameri it would be sooooo much harder.

Agree Completely.

He adds to the team, irrespective of how long it's been since he played.

[boydogs]

Do you think thats about mindset and recalibrating him back to winning more of the footy and having an impact the other way?

I think this year will be the making of Wallis, his problem is he is perfectly suited to the Libba role but we already had a Libba
This is what he said about us replacing Libba and about tagging

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2015-04-01/ask-a-bulldog-mitch-wallis-rd1

[LostDoggy]

I am strongly in the 'play Crameri camp'. I cant wait to see the forward line of Boyd, Stringer, Crameri, Redpath, Lukey D etc

[Remi Moses]

One thing is for sure Crameri's tank will hold him in good stead when others are wilting

[G-Mo77]

One thing is for sure Crameri's tank will hold him in good stead when others are wilting

That's the difference right there. I do have some doubt about playing him but he's always been a workhorse with a huge tank so that would probably give him the nod. I doubt he's been sitting at home doing nothing until the verdict.


Noticed Hamling and CD not training today in what looks a fairly robust session, this all but rules them out for contention Saturday.

Talia there?

[Maddog37]

Twitter says C Daniel is out for a month with a miniscus problem.

[Mofra]

That's the difference right there. I do have some doubt about playing him but he's always been a workhorse with a huge tank so that would probably give him the nod. I doubt he's been sitting at home doing nothing until the verdict.
He would have slipped from getting the no 1 defender to getting 3rd or 4th this year - especially with Bonti's reputation growing and the likelihood he'll rest there.
Boyd, Redpath, Crameri & Stringer together will be amazing if they can work out a system of entry.


Jeez it's been a long time since we could be genuinely excited about our forwardline prospects.

[bornadog]

Twitter says C Daniel is out for a month with a miniscus problem.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Eastdog]

Twitter says C Daniel is out for a month with a miniscus problem.

That's a blow. An injury to one of the new draftees who has showed quite a lot so far hurts.

[Eastdog]

He would have slipped from getting the no 1 defender to getting 3rd or 4th this year - especially with Bonti's reputation growing and the likelihood he'll rest there.
Boyd, Redpath, Crameri & Stringer together will be amazing if they can work out a system of entry.


Jeez it's been a long time since we could be genuinely excited about our forwardline prospects.

How do you see Mofra our delivery to the forwards going this season. I'm hoping for improvement there. I think it's good that we had a good spread of goal kickers in our big win in our final nab game. Can't always rely on one man to do it. Quite similar to 09 with an even spread of goal kickers.

[bornadog]

A couple of Weagles Debutants


WEST Coast draftees Tom Lamb and Jackson Nelson will make their AFL debuts against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

[bornadog]

ROUND 1 - Western Bulldogs vs West Coast
Saturday April 2015, 7:20pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium




Full back
E Wood
J Roughead
D Morris


Half back
R Murphy
M Talia
M Boyd


Centreline
L Jong
J Macrae
L Picken


Half forward
T Dickson
J Redpath
S Crameri


Full forward
J Stringer
T Boyd
L Dahlhaus


Followers
W Minson
M Wallis
M Bontempelli


Interchange
J Grant
M Honeychurch
J Johannisen



B Goodes




Emergencies
N Hrovat
K Stevens
A Cordy

[kruder]

ROUND 1 - Western Bulldogs vs West Coast
Saturday April 2015, 7:20pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium




Full back
E Wood
J Roughead
D Morris


Half back
R Murphy
M Talia
M Boyd


Centreline
L Jong
J Macrae
L Picken


Half forward
T Dickson
J Redpath
S Crameri


Full forward
J Stringer
T Boyd
L Dahlhaus


Followers
W Minson
M Wallis
M Bontempelli


Interchange
J Grant
M Honeychurch
J Johannisen



B Goodes




Emergencies
N Hrovat
K Stevens
A Cordy



I knew it was either Goodes or Stevens. Expecting Stevens to be back soon with Honeychurch the sub. Only surpise for mine is Hamling. Looks a far better prospect than Talia for mine.

[lemmon]

Pretty happy with that, Hamling is stiff but it's a tough side to squeeze him in to

[Remi Moses]

Disappointing for Caleb, as I reckon he would have debuted early.
No great shocks in the line up

[Remi Moses]

I knew it was either Goodes or Stevens. Expecting Stevens to be back soon with Honeychurch the sub. Only surpise for mine is Hamling. Looks a far better prospect than Talia for mine.

Are we a mid or two short? Team looks stacked with mid half forward types

[bornadog]

Cordy the only one I think is stiff

[josie]

Really surprised Hamling is not playing (instead of Cordy or Goodes). It will be interesting to see how well our backline copes. Hopefully Cordy can be a swingman and backup for defence in case we are under the pump.

Having said that, I have faith in Bevo.

Go Dogs !!

[Axe Man]

Competition on the club website:

Go into the draw to win a 2015 Western Bulldogs team-signed football, simply by selecting the team - in their correct positions - as they will line-up to the West Coast Eagles in Round 1.

Who starts in the middle? Who gets the green subs vest? Select your team now, and go into the draw to win.

Entries close 6:00pm Thursday 2 April, 2015.

Link (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/best22)

I got all the players correct in my entry, just a few positions wrong. :(

[kruder]

Agree I'd play Stevens over Honey

[kruder]

Are we a mid or two short? Team looks stacked with mid half forward types

Agree I'd play Stevens over Honey

[divvydan]

If you look at Hawthorn, they always seemed a mid or two short but made up for it by all of the others having stints through the midfield. Would be a decent philosophy for us given how many half forward types we have.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Based on the pre-season I like the team

Stevens and Hrovat will challenge when fit, but are a little underdone

[Eastdog]

Would you say that half forward types = attacking mids or is that not accurate.

[SlimPickens]

Agree I'd play Stevens over Honey

Honey had a very good NAB series. He deserves his place in the team.

[bulldogtragic]

I would've prefered Hrovat to Goodes. I think Stevens best work could be defensive forward and we are packed with forwards right now. I'm stoked Grant ticked the box of getting himself into the round 1 team.

[G-Mo77]

I used to have a weekly rant on the team but happy with whats been selected. One thing that disappoints me is how far Campbell has fallen back. Has he been injured?

[F'scary]

Match-ups? Roughead to take Lycett and Naitanui when they are resting forward? Talia on Kennedy? Morris at CHB on 1st gamer Lamb? You would think Morris would take him to pieces.

[SlimPickens]

I used to have a weekly rant on the team but happy with whats been selected. One thing that disappoints me is how far Campbell has fallen back. Has he been injured?

Coming back from a shoulder reconstruction. Not far away

[G-Mo77]

Coming back from a shoulder reconstruction. Not far away

Cheers. I've been out of the loop most of the preseason. Was starting to worry he'd fallen away.

[Webby]

Am I getting a bit "Richmond" here, or does that side look reasonably balanced and strong?.. Perhaps the backline is just a little short..?

[F'scary]

Am I getting a bit "Richmond" here, or does that side look reasonably balanced and strong?.. Perhaps the backline is just a little short..?

Because Darling is not playing, I don't think it is as big a factor as it could be. However, in the Collingwood NAB Cup Match, Hamling made a bit of a specialty of coming in for the third man up spoil, so perhaps we may be missing that.

West Coke's backline has issues. Glass retired, Schofield didn't pass fitness test. Fullback McGovern has only played 13 games and gives away height and weight to Tom Boyd. I can't see any obvious 3rd tall back for Stringer. It is important for us that Redpath keeps Brown occupied.

[Webby]

Yeah, you're reading my mind. Those exact two things entered my head:

1. No Darling
2. No Hamling

Hamling would have to be feeling a bit flat about heading back to an empty Kardinia Park rather than making his debut. Hopefully he puts in another good one and bashes the door down. However I must say, he and Talia kicking the ball out of defensive 50 will provide plenty of heart stopping moments in future!

[F'scary]

Yeah, you're reading my mind. Those exact two things entered my head:

1. No Darling
2. No Hamling

Hamling would have to be feeling a bit flat about heading back to an empty Kardinia Park rather than making his debut. Hopefully he puts in another good one and bashes the door down. However I must say, he and Talia kicking the ball out of defensive 50 will provide plenty of heart stopping moments in future!

The key is not to let opposition sides isolate them into being the rebounder as happened last season with Mark Austin (ouch, many cringeworthy memories there).

[The Underdog]

Cordy the only one I think is stiff

I just don't see how he fits into that team unless he takes the spot of Minson, Redpath or T. Boyd.

[Webby]

It'll be nice to have good users of the ball coming into that backline to surround Talia and Hamling in the coming years. That's where I think the draft class of 2014 was aimed. Lukas Webb looks especially good in that respect. As does McLean. Although M Boyd is a solid older head, he's a worry back there alongside Talia.

[Mantis]

Am I getting a bit "Richmond" here, or does that side look reasonably balanced and strong?.. Perhaps the backline is just a little short..?

Yeah the side looks solid enough.. But the midfield lacks quality & experience... It might be a very good in a few years time, but we are a fair way off that yet.

[Webby]

Yeah the side looks solid enough.. But the midfield lacks quality & experience... It might be a very good in a few years time, but we are a fair way off that yet.

I should temper my comment by pointing out that I've picked us to finish 17th this year... Just feeling like we'll do a tad better than that, now. Maybe 15th whilst getting game time into some young gun players.

[GVGjr]

It's a tall line-up in the forward line. Despite the versatility of a number of players we just look a bit top heavy.
Hrovat, Stevens, Hunter and Smith will add a bit in the coming weeks. Hamling a bit unlucky to miss out but there are a few others as well.

[Before I Die]

It's a tall line-up in the forward line. Despite the versatility of a number of players we just look a bit top heavy.
Hrovat, Stevens, Hunter and Smith will add a bit in the coming weeks. Hamling a bit unlucky to miss out but there are a few others as well.

I can't see this at all. Dickson, Stringer and Dahlhaus and all good below there knees and all good in traffic. Crameri not so much, but his place is safe. Redpath and Boyd also have clean hands both in the air and on the ground. All the above have shown a determination to chase and tackle.

Is your concern about speed, dexterity or evasiveness or just too many centimetres?

Even if fit and firing, guys like Hrovat and Hunter are going to have to force their way in as mid-fielders first, forwards second.

[GVGjr]

I can't see this at all. Dickson, Stringer and Dahlhaus and all good below there knees and all good in traffic. Crameri not so much, but his place is safe. Redpath and Boyd also have clean hands both in the air and on the ground. All the above have shown a determination to chase and tackle.

Is your concern about speed, dexterity or evasiveness or just too many centimetres?

Even if fit and firing, guys like Hrovat and Hunter are going to have to force their way in as mid-fielders first, forwards second.

It's a different look to what I think most of us are used to but while we have a number of versatile types I still believe we will look a bit better balanced with the likes of Hrovat and Stevens in there soon. Versatile players are a good option but I think we need a couple more of pure midfield specialists.

Despite the likes of Stringer, Dickson, Grant and even Crameri being able to play away from the 50mtr arc they are still in my opinion primarily forwards taking their turn in the middle more than being specialists midfielders. I probably still see Bontempelli in that light as well.

If they perform like they did against Collingwood I will quickly adjust to the new look ;)

[LostDoggy]

Hamling must have a small injury concern. Didn't train today and would be playing or atleast listed as an emergency if fit.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Good side listed.

Our depth has improved a lot - there's some quality players missing (Hrovat, Hunter, Stevens, C. Smith, Campbell, Hamling) even though a few are underdone or injured. Bodes well for the future.

Probably agree we are one mid short. Doubt Grant and Dickson will play many games together, unless both replicate their performances v Collingwood in being able to push up the ground.

There will be some selection headaches for the first time in a long time this season, but I think this is a good side we've named based on pre-season form.

[Go_Dogs]

Looks a good side on paper.

Really looking forward to crushing the Weagles tomorrow and sticking it up a few of my mates from Perth!

[F'scary]

Looks a good side on paper.

Really looking forward to crushing the Weagles tomorrow and sticking it up a few of my mates from Perth!

Yep, we are a show for tomorrow. Bookies have it wrong, we should be starting slight favourites.

[1eyedog]

ROUND 1 - Western Bulldogs vs West Coast
Saturday April 2015, 7:20pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium




Full back
E Wood
J Roughead
D Morris


Half back
R Murphy
M Talia
M Boyd


Centreline
L Jong
J Macrae
L Picken


Half forward
T Dickson
J Redpath
S Crameri


Full forward
J Stringer
T Boyd
L Dahlhaus


Followers
W Minson
M Wallis
M Bontempelli


Interchange
J Grant
M Honeychurch
J Johannisen



B Goodes




Emergencies
N Hrovat
K Stevens
A Cordy



Wow a spine with KPP 194cm or over!

[bornadog]

Wow a spine with KPP 194cm or over!

and a centre man over 191cm :)

[1eyedog]

and a centre man over 191cm :)

Yes.

West Coast have a good side on paper but Crameri and Stringer look like huge concerns down back as I can't see who can cover off on them. The beauty of having a true FF and CHF.

[F'scary]

Wow a spine with KPP 194cm or over!

Such a change from last year. And it is a pretty beefy team all round, which is another significant change particularly if you compare to 3 years ago (McCartney's first year). The challenge now is more about skill and teaming together to move the ball effectively and cover adequately on the turnover.

[bornadog]

We need someone to match up on LeCras. Last year he kicked 5 in the opening match.

[F'scary]

We need someone to match up on LeCras. Last year he kicked 5 in the opening match.

He is a real danger to any opposition side. Good in the air, elusive on the ground, brilliant technique on the lead. But we have some options: Wood and Picken come to mind first. I don't think we will have the luxury of playing Morris on him (which would be a great option) as there is a fair chance Morris may have to take Kennedy.

[1eyedog]

We need someone to match up on LeCras. Last year he kicked 5 in the opening match.

Wood?

[kruder]

Yes.

West Coast have a good side on paper but Crameri and Stringer look like huge concerns down back as I can't see who can cover off on them. The beauty of having a true FF and CHF.

Yeah bang on.This could be the best bulldog forward line in a long long time. Winning the footy is my biggest concern but I'm really bullish on Wallis this year and with Jong, Stevens and Smith's help if we can win the inside footy the forward line will go to town in a few matches thats for sure.

[Bulldog Joe]

When you look at the midfield we have a lot of size on the Eagles.

Feel that we will have them under pressure. Who in their mids can match Bonts and Macrae in the air.

Really like our chances more and more.

[1eyedog]

Such a change from last year. And it is a pretty beefy team all round, which is another significant change particularly if you compare to 3 years ago (McCartney's first year). The challenge now is more about skill and teaming together to move the ball effectively and cover adequately on the turnover.

Agreed. We probably are a mid down even if Dahl moves through there but I haven't seen as well a balanced Bulldogs team for a long time, if ever.

[boydogs]

We need someone to match up on LeCras. Last year he kicked 5 in the opening match.

I'm thinking Morris. If that leaves us short, we should have picked Hamling

[bornadog]

Wood?

Don't think he is much chop one on one


I'm thinking Morris. If that leaves us short, we should have picked Hamling

I would go with Morris as well.

[bornadog]

Bevo press conference for season opener.

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2015-04-03/beveridge-previews-season-opener

[1eyedog]

Don't think he is much chop one on one



I would go with Morris as well.

Wood to play tall again then

[bornadog]

Wood to play tall again then

Yeah don't like that either. I guess Morris has to take Lamb. Le Cras is a problem.

[Greystache]

Don't think he is much chop one on one



I would go with Morris as well.


I'm thinking Morris. If that leaves us short, we should have picked Hamling

Lecras has kicked goals for fun on Morris in the past. I'm really hoping we try something new this tIme.

[always right]

I'm most concerned about the centre bounce where Nicnat traditionally jumps all over Will. Huge effort needed from the big fella Saturday night....up against the two big eagles ruckman with only an inexperienced youngster for support.

Hoping we don't have a reenactment of last years opening bounce for the season.......Nicnat to Selwood? to Darling....first goal in 20 seconds.

[F'scary]

I'm most concerned about the centre bounce where Nicnat traditionally jumps all over Will. Huge effort needed from the big fella Saturday night....up against the two big eagles ruckman with only an inexperienced youngster for support.

Hoping we don't have a reenactment of last years opening bounce for the season.......Nicnat to Selwood? to Darling....first goal in 20 seconds.

Thanks for the memory :eek:

[mjp]

When you look at the midfield we have a lot of size on the Eagles.


I am not certain I agree with this. You are right of course in that Bontempelli and Macrae are taller - but how many one-on-one marking contests are forwards involved in, let alone mids. Priddis and Scott Selwood are both strong bodied, elite stoppage players (Selwood was poor in 2014 admittedly) and our guys are - with the exception of Boyd who has been playing back - basically unproven players in the first 3-years of their careers and don't really have the strong bodies of the Eagles crew.

We have to get our hands dirty tomorrow to be successful and it will be attitude not size that carries the day.

[bornadog]

Lecras has kicked goals for fun on Morris in the past. I'm really hoping we try something new this tIme.

Not true.

Last year Macca had Picken on Le Cras and he was toweled up.

We have had to play Morris on either Darling, or Kennedy in the past.

[divvydan]

Assuming Roughy and Talia take JJK and the resting ruck, then that leaves Lecras, Lamb and Cripps to pick up. Lecras is easily the most dangerous, so Morris should take him, Wood will be okay on Lamb, leaving Cripps to Murphy. Boyd can play against whichever midfielder is rotating forward at the time. Wood would be undersized on Lamb but Lamb is a first gamer and is more of a runner than a big marker so the height difference won't be that important.

Problem occurs if we need Morris to take JJK which then leaves Wood taking Lecras (Talia on Lamb) which would be a concern for me.

They'll have a size issue down back as well and Yeo might be needed to play in a key position role, like he did in the last preseason game on Pavlich.

[Eastdog]

Bevo press conference for season opener.

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2015-04-03/beveridge-previews-season-opener

Thanks for that BAD. Been really impressed with the new coach so far. Lets hope he has a good first season.

[Greystache]

Not true.

Last year Macca had Picken on Le Cras and he was toweled up.

We have had to play Morris on either Darling, or Kennedy in the past.

He's played on Lecras a number of times and never stopped him cutting us up.

[F'scary]

Assuming Roughy and Talia take JJK and the resting ruck, then that leaves Lecras, Lamb and Cripps to pick up. Lecras is easily the most dangerous, so Morris should take him, Wood will be okay on Lamb, leaving Cripps to Murphy. Boyd can play against whichever midfielder is rotating forward at the time. Wood would be undersized on Lamb but Lamb is a first gamer and is more of a runner than a big marker so the height difference won't be that important.

Problem occurs if we need Morris to take JJK which then leaves Wood taking Lecras (Talia on Lamb) which would be a concern for me.

They'll have a size issue down back as well and Yeo might be needed to play in a key position role, like he did in the last preseason game on Pavlich.

Yeo to Stringer? (which would take Yeo out of the midfield).

[divvydan]

Yeo to Stringer? (which would take Yeo out of the midfield).

Certainly a possibility unless WCE realised it didn't work and won't do it again. At the moment they have Brown and McGovern to take the key roles. Hurn, Butler and Sheppard are all around the 186-187cm mark and running players. Rosa is more naturally a midfielder and not known for his defensive work. Yeo is around the 190cm mark and has played as a defender at Brisbane so he's the most reasonable person to play that third tall role. At a guess, WCE will try and use Yeo and someone else on Stringer and Crameri and look to run off them at every opportunity. Key thing for us will be making sure we separate their defenders and use our size advantage. The reason I like Picken playing forward is that with our bigger forward line, having players who can work hard defensively really complements that and there's no one who works harder than Picken.

[F'scary]

Certainly a possibility unless WCE realised it didn't work and won't do it again. At the moment they have Brown and McGovern to take the key roles. Hurn, Butler and Sheppard are all around the 186-187cm mark and running players. Rosa is more naturally a midfielder and not known for his defensive work. Yeo is around the 190cm mark and has played as a defender at Brisbane so he's the most reasonable person to play that third tall role. At a guess, WCE will try and use Yeo and someone else on Stringer and Crameri and look to run off them at every opportunity. Key thing for us will be making sure we separate their defenders and use our size advantage. The reason I like Picken playing forward is that with our bigger forward line, having players who can work hard defensively really complements that and there's no one who works harder than Picken.

A major opportunity for Dickson to prove the defensive aspect of his game that he's worked hard to develop since he joined us. He did well against the 'pies.

[Jeanette54]

there's no one who works harder than Picken.

You are preaching to the choir there, Divvydan. :cool:

[Greystache]

A real positive for me is if there were two players at the start of preseason you hoped would force their way into the team for round one it would be Jong and Redpath. The fact they have is fantastic.

[ledge]

Dicksons game was huge against collingwood if you watch him throughout the game.. He is very capable of winning games

[bornadog]

Dicksons game was huge against collingwood if you watch him throughout the game.. He is very capable of winning games

Tonight's game goes up several notches, let's hope he can play with the same intensity.

[G-Mo77]

Grant sub. Hmmmm.