2014 Game Day R1 - West Coast V Western Bulldogs

[Eastdog]

Dogs by 11 points
First Goal: Stringer
BOG: Libba
Crowd: 38,113

Decided to add another predictor for the game which is the crowd number.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Eagles by 15

first goal: Mc Crae

BOG: Priddis

Crowd: 38,112

Temperature: 34 ( with an overnight low of approx 19)

Mentality of Crowd: Biased ;)

[Hotdog60]

Dogs by 16
First goal Dickson
BOG: McCrae
Crowd 38,111 Mainly Freo supporters who didn't realise it was a split round.

[Scorlibo]

Dogs by 33
First goal to Cooney
BOG Liberatore

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Not too confident heading into this one. Worst possible time to play WC, who whilst they have some weapons, aren't as good as they'll probably be today - if that makes sense.

Eagles by 37 points
First goal to Stringer
BOG Libba

[Greystache]

Dogs by 10
BOG- Cooney
First Goal- Stringer

[Remi Moses]

Them by 28 pts
BOG Libba
First goal Crameri

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 17 points
First goal Lachie Hunter
BOG Adam Cooney

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 13
First goal Stewart Crameri
BOG Koby Stevens

[Eastdog]

Actually I think I'll leave the crowd predictor out as it really hasn't got anything to do with the matches so just the Margin, First Goal and BOG (Best On Ground). Any woofers going to the match today. I'm fortunate to have Foxtel so will be watching it at home. For Dogs fans in Melbourne who don't have Foxtel you can watch the game live at the Wharf Hotel near Docklands where there are Bulldog membership benefits or at the Pound Cafe at the Whitten Oval.

[Twodogs]

Dogs by 24 points
First Goal: Hunter
BOG: Steven
Crowd: Full House.

[bornadog]

Draw
First Goal Campbell
BOG: Murphy
Crowd: Bulldog supporters 500, the rest - who cares

[Mofra]

Crowd: Bulldog supporters 500, the rest - who cares
I heartedly endorse this prediction.

First goal: Stringer
Result: Bulldogs by 19
BOG: Macrae

[F'scary]

It will be a good result if we can keep them to a 36 point margin.

As the season progresses, a lot of sides will be absolutely buried there, arses up like bike racks.

[bornadog]

I was all primed to watch the match and now realise it is 4.40 WA time.

[F'scary]

Perth is 3 hours behind Melbourne in time. And a lot more than that in other respects.

[Twodogs]

I was all primed to watch the match and now realise it is 4.40 WA time.


Bugger dead, it is too! Now I've got 3 hours to fill in.

[Throughandthrough]

Hello from sunny perth

My prediction is beer, angst, moments of hope, some moments when I think it's going well, more beer, angst and them regret when I look at my wallet tomorrow

[Eastdog]

I was all primed to watch the match and now realise it is 4.40 WA time.

Yep 7:40pm start here. So basically its a twilight match for WA. Lucky it's not starting at 7:40pm WA time otherwise we would not be able to watch it until 10:40pm our time and it would finish well after midnight!

[Twodogs]

A few think that West Coast will be bolters this year?

[GVGjr]

Gee I'm looking forward to this. I'm expecting a surprise move from Macca. Not sure what that will be but I don't think it will be business as usual.

We berat them with run last time and I'm hoping for a repeat.

Dogs by 18 points.
BOG Stevens.
First goal Dahlhaus

[chef]

Dogs by 6(just like Chelsea:D)
BOG Cooney
First goal Dahlhaus

[bornadog]

We beat them with run last time and I'm hoping for a repeat.

Foxtel had the match from last year and the run came from guys like Tutt. We also had Griffen and Grant chipped in with 4.

I am really hoping we can win this and shut those WA fans up.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Looks very hot over there. Just can't see us getting over the line today. West Coast to be too strong. Gosh I hope I'm wrong.
Wet Toast by 7 goals.
BOG for Dogs: Libba
1st goal: Campbell

[LostDoggy]

Come on you Dogs!

[G-Mo77]

Yikes, couldn't have had a worse start

[LostDoggy]

Sounds as though it has started exactly the same as Round 1, 2012.

[Mantis]

Yikes, couldn't have had a worse start

Yep.. Worst nightmare.

Can't allow them to get clean ball going forward... Our small defence will struggle.

[LostDoggy]

Hunter with our first.

[LostDoggy]

Oh, that's why we bought a Crameri..

[G-Mo77]

Excellent by Macrae then.

[AndrewP6]

Hunter and Macrae both have poise beyond their years.

[Mantis]

Very impressive bit of play by Macrae.. Lachie should have kicked that one.

[LostDoggy]

Christ I wish I was watching this and not listening to MMM

[LostDoggy]

Intriguing contest strategically.

[G-Mo77]

Unlucky to Picken then, one of those situations were you have to leave your man.

[G-Mo77]

The Selwood duck/shoulder roll still wins in 2014. :rolleyes:

[Mantis]

Our ball use by hand & foot needs to improve.. Too many turn-overs.

[G-Mo77]

This could get ugly. We've gone in small and we've got to be precise with our disposal and sprint to find space coming out of the back half. We haven't done that at all. Disposal has been ordinary by hand and foot even without pressure.

[lemmon]

No clean ball going forward, going to struggle if we keep bombing it on the heads of our small forward line

[GVGjr]

Oh, that's why we bought a Crameri..

I think he might have tried to centre it but never the less we will take it.

[whythelongface]

Our ball use by hand & foot needs to improve.. Too many turn-overs.

This is a huge issue. Missing too many easy targets.

[GVGjr]

Our ball use by hand & foot needs to improve.. Too many turn-overs.

The Eagles are matching us with their foot speed and run if they slow down next quarter we might improve our skill level execution.

[always right]

Any chance of someone.....anyone playing in front? Sick of seeing scrappy kicks falling in the Eagle's arms.

[GVGjr]

Hunter and Macrae both have poise beyond their years.

It was a shame that Hunter missed that shot. It was a perfect pass from Macrae

[always right]

Cooney needs to lift....went missing that quarter.

[Greystache]

Wallis is scary when he has the ball in traffic, no composure whatsoever.

[mjp]

Continuously second to the ball. No excuse for this - just need to compete a bit harder at the moment.

[LostDoggy]

Just listening to the radio but it seems we're handballing far more than we are kicking. Is this due to the Eagle's pressure?

[Mantis]

Just listening to the radio but it seems we're handballing far more than we are kicking. Is this due to the Eagle's pressure?

Yes.. but we are also hand-balling to players under pressure.

[AndrewP6]

Is it just me or are tackles going unrewarded? Seems that there have been a few that could easily have been HTB.

[LostDoggy]

Yes.. but we are also hand-balling to players under pressure.

Hmm. Sounds like they're all over us at the moment.

[Greystache]

It's hard to work out which team Crameri is playing for. Is he confused by the red?

[G-Mo77]

I'm going to watch the end of this one in bed. Night guys.

[whythelongface]

Crameri should have gone for goal. That was a huge turnover.

[whythelongface]

Nice work Dahlhaus. Great vision.

[Stevo]

We needed that one. He has some footy smarts

[LostDoggy]

Disappointing that we're down in the contested possies, would have thought we'd be all over West Coast in this area.

[mjp]

Crameri should have gone for goal. That was a huge turnover.
I think he was dropped on his head as a baby.

[GVGjr]

That's what we didn't need.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

There isn't much I like about our football today. Our midfield second to the ball, our decision making poor and still our delivery into the forward line poor.
And worryingly we're still going through 5-10 minutes at a time where we allow an avalanche of goals.

[LostDoggy]

Oh boy.

[AndrewP6]

Same old same old. Second to the ball, kicking poor, blaze away.

[bulldogtragic]

There's rusty, a few goal loss. But a spanking can not (should not) happen...

Crameri's pre season training seems better than form.

[LostDoggy]

Desperately need a couple before half time.

[Eastdog]

This is not looking good. Need to lift Dogs.

[MrMahatma]

Goodes is a liability.

Our disposal is poor. A real shame. We've had opportunities but keep messing it up.

[mjp]

Still second to the ball. Still fumbling the ball in tight.

I know, I know, don't over-react but this is so disappointing.

[Mantis]

Having Gia as sub in a game like this isn't ideal.. not that it's his fault, but what is he going to be able to add?

What is it 13 I50's so far... Pathetic.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We really need our skipper for the day Cooney to lead the way. He has been almost invisible.

[whythelongface]

Apart from Macrae this is bitterly disappointing

[LostDoggy]

Gaff is laying tackles, we must be struggling.

[Greystache]

Losing in nearly every area of the game- Work rate, contested possession, disposal, marking, awareness. Just awful across the board.

[Mantis]

We really need our skipper for the day Cooney to lead the way. He has been almost invisible.

Has had 15 touches (our equal most), but yes, his influence has been minimal.. Not alone.

[Greystache]

Is Stevens medicated??

[lemmon]

Skills are just so poor, Macrae stands out that much more just by being able to hit a target

[GVGjr]

It's a tough day at the office. We need a change of fortune after half time. Skill level is poor at the moment.

[LostDoggy]

Let us huddle in prayer.

[lemmon]

Crameri has been a huge disappoint. Yeah cool he can run but his decision making borders on the insane.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Has had 15 touches (our equal most), but yes, his influence has been minimal.. Not alone.

Wow. I hadn't really noticed him. His body language doesn't look like that of a skipper and that's probably the least influential 15 possies I've seen for some time.
Always going to be a very tough trip first up, but I thought we'd show more than we have so far and run out of steam later. As it sits right now, unless we can play out of our skins we are about to make this a most forgettable day for Murph

[bornadog]

We really need our skipper for the day Cooney to lead the way. He has been almost invisible.

16 disposals to half time.

[always right]

Has had 15 touches (our equal most), but yes, his influence has been minimal.. Not alone.

I don't think I've seen 15 more ineffective disposals. He's been pathetic when we needed him to lead. You have to wonder about his effort when he watches Priddis run away from him. I'll be watching him closely in the second half.

Very few positives so far.....Hunter, Crameri and McCrae the only ones who look like getting the ball.

[always right]

16 disposals to half time.

So what?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Disgusting.

The midfield, half forwards and half backs have been atrocious. No accountability whatsoever, no work rate moving forward, amateur skill errors.

Is this 2012?

[Go_Dogs]

Work rate is very disappointing so far. No excuses for that.

They're killing us on the spread too with their positioning.

[firstdogonthemoon]

I'm not enjoying this

[bornadog]

I don't think I've seen 15 more ineffective disposals. He's been pathetic when we needed him to lead. You have to wonder about his effort when he watches Priddis run away from him. I'll be watching him closely in the second half.

Very few positives so far.....Hunter, Crameri and McCrae the only ones who look like getting the ball.

Higgins has done well. Stevens continues his form of 2013, ie the worse disposer of the ball.

[bornadog]

So what?

I was answering a question thats what.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Seems pointless to single out players not putting in - besides Macrae, Higgins and Hunter the whole side is poor. Crameri is trying hard, but has made some silly errors.

The finger should be aimed at Libba (worst game he's ever played), Cooney (totally ineffective), Stevens (turn over machine) and the entire midfield group as a whole. They simply haven't turned up. We could have Carey, Dunstall, and Ablett in our forward line and it would count for nothing because of the midfield's refusal to work offensively OR defensively.

[LostDoggy]

We'll come back but gee it's hard to win from here.

[always right]

I was answering a question thats what.

Sorry....missed the question.

[G-Mo77]

Was hoping to watch this peacfully in bed but after that insipid quarter of footy I'm up and disgusted.I honestly thought we'd gut this out and make a fair contest of it.

[Rance Fan]

Goodes is a liability.

Our disposal is poor. A real shame. We've had opportunities but keep messing it up.
Whys he playing up forward??
Surely Jones up there would be better!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

And yet he's still been disappointing. I hadn't really noticed him. And as skipper he's really not looked to stamp himself on the game nor inspire his troops.

[soupman]

How many basic skill errors can we make. Everyone we get it we turn it over cheaply with a pathetic pass/mark. Eagles are running in swarms and I can't find where our blokes are.

Campbellneeds to play in front, has struggled to neutralise our high kicks forward to their key backs. Goodes has been very poor as one of our supposedly better disposers.

Gia coming on might be a big help not for his run but for his composure and ability to help us retain possession and use it smartly.

[always right]

Whys he playing up forward??
Surely Jones up there would be better!

He's playing a defensive role on Hurn.

[lemmon]

Whys he playing up forward??
Surely Jones up there would be better!

I think we tried to be too clever by half with some of our selections, our skills aren't good enough to hit up small targets and that's on the rare occasion we are running forward with the footy. Minson needs a chop-out dragging Campbell away from the forward line leaving us far too small

[G-Mo77]

Having Gia as sub in a game like this isn't ideal.. not that it's his fault, but what is he going to be able to add?

What is it 13 I50's so far... Pathetic.

There was talk about this last year. IMO it would be ideal to have him subbing in if we were stronger and pushing teams right to the end. We're not there yet and we roll the dice by having him as a sub and bring him on when the game is done and dusted. Doubt it would have mattered to much tonight anyway.

[ReLoad]

Our defenders are holding up really well, with all the WetToast goals coming from thier mids.

There are a few guys in new positions that have me scratching my head (goodes and stringer)
But our midfield is inept, they look like kids again, no strength, no pack hunting and poor skills.

The only thing Campbell is going to get in the fwd line is a cold, delivery is non existent.

We are almost at mercy rule territory.

[Mantis]

Nice pressure Boyd.. That was too easy!!

[MrMahatma]

Handball happy!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What is with the hospital handpasses? Very unlike Libba to make such a poor decision.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Why are we so handball happy? It's ridiculous.

[G-Mo77]

Just go back to about the 15 minute mark of this quarter and look at the horrible spacing between our players coming out of defense. Safety in numbers is great but having 5 - 6 at one contest is dumb football.

[LostDoggy]

A good test for us now. Will we be flogged or will we show something? Only Round 1 (We flogged the Lions last year but lost the next 7). Fire up you Dogs!

[Mantis]

Dumb footy!

[whythelongface]

Well done Murph.

[lemmon]

Pressure has dropped right off, that was a training drill

[LostDoggy]

I'm not watching but this sounds pathetic.

[ReLoad]

Pressure has dropped right off, that was a training drill
The whole thing is a training drill.

One of the worst uncompetitive performances we've seen.

[mjp]

Watching Goodes refuse to run at the ball carrier and simply stay on Cox was horrible. Great - his man didn't kick the goal...but it doesn't matter who kicks them. When teams are struggling defenders stay with their men and don't help their team-mates...I guess it is official - the players are in self-preservation mode.

[lemmon]

Can we stop pretending Stringer is Kurt Tippet and put it to his advantage? He is never going to beat Glass with the footy on top of his head

[Greystache]

I think Crameri might be a spy

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I'm switching this crap off. A loss I expected but this is shameful.

[AndrewP6]

For a season opener, this is beyond woeful. No urgency, no smarts, no one willing to stand up and be counted. For a club needing to sell hope, this is as bad a letdown as you could expect.

[lemmon]

Higgins has been one of our better players, looks fit

[Mantis]

Boyd 5-15, Stevens 5-15, Wallis 1-11 .... Kicks:Handball... That's horrible!

[LostDoggy]

Worst nightmare.

[Eastdog]

Need to make sure keep it at least under 60 points.

[Greystache]

Boyd 5-15, Stevens 5-15, Wallis 1-11 .... Kicks:Handball... That's horrible!

Wallis is a very very limited player. If he can't lockdown an opponent he's a liability. Skills and decision making are awful.

Stevens is a clumsy player, in a skilful team his hardness would be a bonus, but in a team like ours it's more of what we don't need.

[bulldogtragic]

Man. This just sucks.

This is a one off, because we have surely not over estimated our list.

[bornadog]

The excuse = it was too hot to play footy :D

[Greystache]

The excuse = it was too hot to play footy :D

Maybe we're mentally and physically shot. So it's all fine :D

[Scorlibo]

This is just disgusting. There's no intent, no desire.

[soupman]

Geez we have been the worse side, but we have also been wasteful. Nearly every time we miss a glaring opportunity Eagles kick a goal and that kills you.

Disappointed by so many tonight. Cooneys snap under no pressure was disgraceful, he has been absolute crap tonight. Crameri's bizarre shot on the run was also pathetic.

Boyd, Higgins, Hunter and Macrae have been our best.

[bornadog]

Man. This just sucks.

This is a one off, because we have surely not over estimated our list.

There are several players not up to it. Tom Campbell is one, Dickson on pre-season should never have been picked, the jury is still out on Stevens, Goodes should just be a backup not best 22. We need Jones up there as a target, and Talia in the backline.

[SonofScray]

This is as bad any of our dismal performances over the past few years. As massive step backwards, I feel sick.

[always right]

Geez we have been the worse side, but we have also been wasteful. Nearly every time we miss a glaring opportunity Eagles kick a goal and that kills you.

Disappointed by so many tonight. Cooneys snap under no pressure was disgraceful, he has been absolute crap tonight. Crameri's bizarre shot on the run was also pathetic.

Boyd, Higgins, Hunter and Macrae have been our best.

Minson has been respectable.

[G-Mo77]

There are several players not up to it. Tom Campbell is one, Dickson on pre-season should never have been picked, the jury is still out on Stevens, Goodes should just be a backup not best 22. We need Jones up there as a target, and Talia in the backline.

Jones and Talia are starters next week IMO.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Bont debut either.

[mjp]

Minson has been respectable.

Morris has been brilliant vs Kennedy. Just amazing.

[1eyedog]

Goodes just has too many bad games. We miss Griff badly and we are two talls short.

[GVGjr]

Morris has been brilliant vs Kennedy. Just amazing.

Almost unnoticed

[Greystache]

There are several players not up to it. Tom Campbell is one, Dickson on pre-season should never have been picked, the jury is still out on Stevens, Goodes should just be a backup not best 22. We need Jones up there as a target, and Talia in the backline.

Tall players don't reach their best until their late 20's, people should give him a chance before writing them off. Or does that only apply to 23 year old Cordy.

Looking forward to the Dickson scapegoating every week again this year.

[LostDoggy]

You have to wonder about the selections. Very short down back. Having said that, our midfielders have woeful overall.

[G-Mo77]

You have to wonder about the selections. Very short down back. Having said that, our midfielders have woeful overall.

Our defence, while undersized have done a pretty good job.

[Greystache]

Morris has been brilliant vs Kennedy. Just amazing.

We've done well on the talls, if we hadn't we could be looking at 123 again.

[Eastdog]

This is as bad any of our dismal performances over the past few years. As massive step backwards, I feel sick.

Just unacceptable. We can only hope this is an aberration. We better come out firing next week.

[lemmon]

Tall players don't reach their best until their late 20's, people should give him a chance before writing them off. Or does that only apply to 23 year old Cordy.

Looking forward to the Dickson scapegoating every week again this year.
He is one of many that has been poor today and its tough as a permanent forward but what has he added to the side tonight? Why shouldn't he be spoken about?

[Scorlibo]

I love you Murph.

[Eastdog]

Murph: What a legend.

[Greystache]

He is one of many that has been poor today and its tough as a permanent forward but what has he added to the side tonight? Why shouldn't he be spoken about?

It's every week from the same couple of posters. He kicked a pile of goals at the end of last season and they were still calling for him to be dropped every single week. It's like the Gia bashers.

[Mantis]

Looking forward to the Dickson scapegoating every week again this year.

Are you happy with his performance?

[Mantis]

This is demoralizing.... We have been talking it up all pre-season and this is the shit we produce 1st up.

Disgusting!

[Greystache]

Are you happy with his performance?

He's been as bad as about 12 others. Gia has played the same role for almost the same amount of time and been just as invisible, in fact worse. He can't be mentioned obviously.

Stringer has been even worse again.

[G-Mo77]

It's every week from the same couple of posters. He kicked a pile of goals at the end of last season and they were still calling for him to be dropped every single week. It's like the Gia bashers.

You're only as good as your last game. I completely agree that some posters unfairly call for him week in, week out, this week I'd agree with them. He wouldn't be in my 22 next week.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Wallis is a very very limited player. If he can't lockdown an opponent he's a liability. Skills and decision making are awful.

Stevens is a clumsy player, in a skilful team his hardness would be a bonus, but in a team like ours it's more of what we don't need.

These type of players will always struggle when your more experienced players are down.Without Griffen Grant Talia Jones and Young this was a poorly selected team that was always going to struggle. I wasn't surprised by the defeat but thought it might have been closer.

[bulldogtragic]

As I've said in another thread 1,000 people or more resistant to off season success stories were waiting to see a few games if they were to buy a membership. They've saved a couple of hundred dollars after tonight, this result justifies in their own mind to not do what we do.

[whythelongface]

Well at least we can only get better. One hopes, at least.

[Scorlibo]

Johannisen hasn't hit a target tonight.

[GVGjr]

These type of players will always struggle when your more experienced players are down.Without Griffen Grant Talia Jones and Young this was a poorly selected team that was always going to struggle. I wasn't surprised by the defeat but thought it might have been closer.

That's how I see it. We were probably very unlikely to win but it should have been a lot closer contest than what we have seen.

Big shame for Robert Murphy as well as the fans

[lemmon]

These type of players will always struggle when your more experienced players are down.Without Griffen Grant Talia Jones and Young this was a poorly selected team that was always going to struggle. I wasn't surprised by the defeat but thought it might have been closer.

Agree I don't want to bash Wood because he has battled it out but why was he selected to play on Darling with Talia in the wings? At least Talia can match him physically. Same for Jones, Campbell was always going to have to spend a significant amount of time in the ruck to chop out Minson, so why didn't we go in with the extra tall forward? Even if it meant leaving out Stringer or Dickson who at this stage offer nothing other than being handy mid sized forwards.

It wouldn't have made much difference with the way our midfield has been smashed but I feel like we shot ourselves in the foot at the selection table to begin with.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Wallis is a very very limited player. If he can't lockdown an opponent he's a liability. Skills and decision making are awful.

Stevens is a clumsy player, in a skilful team his hardness would be a bonus, but in a team like ours it's more of what we don't need.

These type of players will always struggle when your more experienced players are down.Without Griffen Grant Talia Jones and Young this was a poorly selected team that was always going to struggle. I wasn't surprised by the defeat but thought it might have been closer.

[GVGjr]

Eagles have been relentless. It's a shame we have let them kick a couple in the last few minutes

[Greystache]

Our tackling has been woeful, have we managed to prevent a player from offloading ask night? They get their arms free every time.

[Twodogs]

Back from watching the game. Very disappointing midfield performance. From the first bounce when they took it away without us laying a hand on them they owned us at stoppages and running bounces and all the other measures.

The defence held out well but the constant barrage meant it still rained goals.

[LostDoggy]

With half of the worlds air force search planes in Perth ATM, any chance they can be deployed over Subiaco? Cause the Bulldogs have gone missing!

[F'scary]

I'm heading for the B&A. I want to know: who's responsible.

[always right]

He's been as bad as about 12 others. Gia has played the same role for almost the same amount of time and been just as invisible, in fact worse. He can't be mentioned obviously.

Stringer has been even worse again.

Gia....really?

[LostDoggy]

It's only Round 1. Very disappointing, no doubt. But the AFL season is a marathon, not a sprint.

[bornadog]

Looking forward to the Dickson scapegoating every week again this year.

I DO NOT SCAPEGOAT, the guy had no form and he should not have been picked.

[always right]

Agree I don't want to bash Wood because he has battled it out but why was he selected to play on Darling with Talia in the wings? At least Talia can match him physically. Same for Jones, Campbell was always going to have to spend a significant amount of time in the ruck to chop out Minson, so why didn't we go in with the extra tall forward? Even if it meant leaving out Stringer or Dickson who at this stage offer nothing other than being handy mid sized forwards.

It wouldn't have made much difference with the way our midfield has been smashed but I feel like we shot ourselves in the foot at the selection table to begin with.
Agree. Campbell had to play to give some respite but he was always going to struggle up forward on the big ground with so much space. Jones should have played instead of Dickson.

[bornadog]

Gia....really?

I thought Gia was very good when he came on.

[Greystache]

I DO NOT SCAPEGOAT, the guy had no form and he should not have been picked.

Just like every game last season? Despite 18 goals in the last 7 games. Even calling for him to be delisted if I remember correctly.

[Ghost Dog]

Well, last year we came out steaming and fell into a heap. Let's hope it's a reversal. Stumble and pick ourselves up and get on with SKILLS work.

[LostDoggy]

I DO NOT SCAPEGOAT, the guy had no form and he should not have been picked.

I love Koby Stevens hardness,but god his decision making can be terrible. Hand passes so many times to guys in worse position or handballs at there feet.

[Greystache]

Gia....really?

He came on early in the 3rd and with 5 mins left in the game he'd had 5 disposals and no goals. Got a few touches in junk time and finished with 11... The same as Dickson funnily enough.

[bornadog]

Just like every game last season? Despite 18 goals in the last 7 games. Even calling for him to be delisted if I remember correctly.

That is utter rubbish. The only time I have called for him to be dropped is when he played poorly, just like I do for any poor performances.. You have selective memory

[F'scary]

Who was on Le Cras? Don't tell me it was Higgins.

[always right]

I thought Gia was very good when he came on.

Agree

[bornadog]

I love Koby Stevens hardness,but god his decision making can be terrible. Hand passes so many times to guys in worse position or handballs at there feet.

Same as last year. As I said early for me the jury is still out with Stevens.

Young Macrae showed him how a midfielder should play. He was damaging, kicked goals and did something with the ball.

[Remi Moses]

I'll preface this by saying haven't seen the game, but we needed to dominate the mid contest.
We failed, and by the sound of it ( hard to get anything than a west coast parochial view)
and played to conservatively. Got plenty of the ball, but butchered it as well.
Very very disappointing start

[always right]

He came on early in the 3rd and with 5 mins left in the game he'd had 5 disposals and no goals. Got a few touches in junk time and finished with 11... The same as Dickson funnily enough.

He had an impact with virtually every possession....sorry but I don't recall any Dickson possession of consequence.

[GVGjr]

The game of Shaun Higgins would have to be a positive wouldn't it?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Wow that was deplorable. I did predict it was coming, though. The lack of a quality spine kills you in away games such as these. We are desperate for a quality CHB, CHF and FF. Fit and in form Williams, Jones and Talia helps this but we are certainly lacking some genuine stars in these positions. It means that the midfield has to dominate and, if they don't, results like these become regular.

In terms of tonight, the lack of effort was disappointing. The stats will say Cooney/Libba/Stevens got the ball, but they were all very very poor.

One positive was Macrae - going to be a genuine star. His composure, vision, decision making and improved foot skills are a delight to watch. I also thought Higgins was pretty good, moved well and generally used it well.

Interesting week at the selection table. There would have to be at least 10 with their position in jeopardy.

[Eastdog]

The game of Shaun Higgins would have to be a positive wouldn't it?

Big positive for us tonight. Lets hope he does not get injured again. He is a great asset to our side.

[bornadog]

The game of Shaun Higgins would have to be a positive wouldn't it?

I thought he played well till he got that knock on the head. Kicked a lovely goal in the last, but yes a positive comeback.

[SonofScray]

Higgins return to senior footy was decent, I'd be one of his biggest knockers but he finished his chances and looked like he knew what to do when he had the footy. I still get frustrated at the sloth like efforts to a contest under adversity but that was a minor part of his game and reflected across the whole squad tonight.

His scoreboard value is going to be important. Hopefully he can perform across the HFF and pinch hit as a loose man if he is struggling to get in the game.

[Happy Days]

Isn't anyone going to mention how terrible we were on transition between the arches? Rosa pretty much did what he wanted outside all game. ROSA.

And please no more Picken as small defender, ever again. Imagine if we try that junk on Lindsay Thomas next week.

The backline was good but damn was pretty much everyone else awful. Mid size madness was garbage but I dont think Jones helps. Structure wasn't the issue, more never being able to hit the target by foot or hand.

That was so so so bad.

[boydogs]

We looked slow in terms of both leg speed and reaction time. We persisted with trying to handball out of trouble but really struggled to work it through to a free player. As a result, the times we did go forward were really rushed and did our forwards no favours. I haven't seen this be a problem for us before so I'm hopeful it was some round 1 rustiness and the trip to Perth, and we will be back to our best next week.

[SonofScray]

It is ridiculous to complain about the umpiring given how deplorable we were but I wanted to point to a few instances where we might have had a raw deal. I made an effort to watch the 'Laws of the Game 2014' DVD and make sense of the baffling language and logic applied to how free kicks are adjudicated and either I was way off the mark on some, or it is actually a shambles.

The first one is how they are opting to call those physical tussles in the marking contest and the ruck. I think NicNat might have entered the protected species group on this front. Played from behind Minson in most of the boundary throw ins and in his efforts to leap over the top regularly had his arms hanging over his shoulder or was reaching around for a hold. Played from behind in most of the marking contests and used his hands to account for the smaller defender pushing back hard. Might have only been 3 missed calls in the end from my count but fair dinkum, whats the point of producing the DVD if the explanation is no where near what is put unto practice?

Darling got the home crowd decisions a few times as well but you have to expect that unfortunately.

The other one was 'forceful contact below the knees,' you can see the players are on their feet more often and that desperate dive for the footy has gone out of the game already. However in the 4th, Cooney was taken out below the knees by an Eagles player who lunged across his legs and then sat on the footy while everyone piled on him. No call. It was to my count the only instance of forceful contact below the knees all game and they missed it.

FWIW, that rule in particular is absolutely putrid. It has takeaway from the spectacle of the game, killing off that Daniel Cross like play where in a contested situation a player desperate for the footy will take a hit to get there first and keep the footy moving. Now we et everyone on their feet, bending down and the ball getting bottled up. All because of a knee jerk reaction to a few specific individuals sliding in feet firs and kicking in danger.

[bornadog]

It is ridiculous to complain about the umpiring given how deplorable we were but I wanted to point to a few instances where we might have had a raw deal. I made an effort to watch the 'Laws of the Game 2014' DVD and make sense of the baffling language and logic applied to how free kicks are adjudicated and either I was way off the mark on some, or it is actually a shambles.

The first one is how they are opting to call those physical tussles in the marking contest and the ruck. I think NicNat might have entered the protected species group on this front. Played from behind Minson in most of the boundary throw ins and in his efforts to leap over the top regularly had his arms hanging over his shoulder or was reaching around for a hold. Played from behind in most of the marking contests and used his hands to account for the smaller defender pushing back hard. Might have only been 3 missed calls in the end from my count but fair dinkum, whats the point of producing the DVD if the explanation is no where near what is put unto practice?

Darling got the home crowd decisions a few times as well but you have to expect that unfortunately.

The other one was 'forceful contact below the knees,' you can see the players are on their feet more often and that desperate dive for the footy has gone out of the game already. However in the 4th, Cooney was taken out below the knees by an Eagles player who lunged across his legs and then sat on the footy while everyone piled on him. No call. It was to my count the only instance of forceful contact below the knees all game and they missed it.

FWIW, that rule in particular is absolutely putrid. It has takeaway from the spectacle of the game, killing off that Daniel Cross like play where in a contested situation a player desperate for the footy will take a hit to get there first and keep the footy moving. Now we et everyone on their feet, bending down and the ball getting bottled up. All because of a knee jerk reaction to a few specific individuals sliding in feet firs and kicking in danger.

Couldn't agree more, the umpires just let the play go on where there were obvious frees, in particular incorrect disposal of the ball. This has gone out the window in the past few years. NicNat took a mark over Wood, but had his arms wrapped around his waste just before he took it - result, goal. Similarly in a ruck contest close to goal when the ball was tapped to a WC player, NikNat over Minson. Umpiring wasn't the difference in the game, but yet again they don't seem to give the frees when they are there and the game is accepting it.

[always right]

It is ridiculous to complain about the umpiring given how deplorable we were but I wanted to point to a few instances where we might have had a raw deal. I made an effort to watch the 'Laws of the Game 2014' DVD and make sense of the baffling language and logic applied to how free kicks are adjudicated and either I was way off the mark on some, or it is actually a shambles.

The first one is how they are opting to call those physical tussles in the marking contest and the ruck. I think NicNat might have entered the protected species group on this front. Played from behind Minson in most of the boundary throw ins and in his efforts to leap over the top regularly had his arms hanging over his shoulder or was reaching around for a hold. Played from behind in most of the marking contests and used his hands to account for the smaller defender pushing back hard. Might have only been 3 missed calls in the end from my count but fair dinkum, whats the point of producing the DVD if the explanation is no where near what is put unto practice?

Darling got the home crowd decisions a few times as well but you have to expect that unfortunately.

The other one was 'forceful contact below the knees,' you can see the players are on their feet more often and that desperate dive for the footy has gone out of the game already. However in the 4th, Cooney was taken out below the knees by an Eagles player who lunged across his legs and then sat on the footy while everyone piled on him. No call. It was to my count the only instance of forceful contact below the knees all game and they missed it.

FWIW, that rule in particular is absolutely putrid. It has takeaway from the spectacle of the game, killing off that Daniel Cross like play where in a contested situation a player desperate for the footy will take a hit to get there first and keep the footy moving. Now we et everyone on their feet, bending down and the ball getting bottled up. All because of a knee jerk reaction to a few specific individuals sliding in feet firs and kicking in danger.

Despite me doing my usual routine during the game about how hard done by we were, I actually thought the umpiring was reasonable. The only blatant exceptions were a couple of blatant throws (one each side) and the non-decision against Natanui when he cleaned up Higgins with an unrealistic atempt to mark. I always understood that if you recklessly jump on top of someone and fail to touch the ball, it was generally a free kick.

Other than that I'm liking the way they are umpiring so far this season. No tiggy touchwood frees for incidental high contact and an appreciation of the difficulty in laying a perfect tackle with players' forward momentum.

[Mofra]

The backline was good but damn was pretty much everyone else awful. Mid size madness was garbage but I dont think Jones helps. Structure wasn't the issue, more never being able to hit the target by foot or hand.
I thought the lack of options up field at times led us to overuse the ball by hand whcih is in some respects reflective of structure.

It seems so much of our performance depends on the draft class of 2012 - is it perhaps unfair to expect so much, so early?

Replace Macrae, Hunter & Stringer with any three other players from our list and that was a 100 point flogging.

[chef]

Despite me doing my usual routine during the game about how hard done by we were, I actually thought the umpiring was reasonable. The only blatant exceptions were a couple of blatant throws (one each side) and the non-decision against Natanui when he cleaned up Higgins with an unrealistic atempt to mark. I always understood that if you recklessly jump on top of someone and fail to touch the ball, it was generally a free kick.

Other than that I'm liking the way they are umpiring so far this season. No tiggy touchwood frees for incidental high contact and an appreciation of the difficulty in laying a perfect tackle with players' forward momentum.

Yep agree, its a much more enjoyable game to watch when they take out the incidental and ticky touch wood frees. Well done AFL.

[soupman]

Bloody hell that was poor. Delivered on pretty much nothing we promised this preseason.

Most disappointed with our midfield this week. Macrae was easily our best, but aside from Minson and Boyd, who both were decent, everyone else in there was very poor. Wallis and Stevens are so wasteful with the ball and haphazard under pressure and Libba for the first time in a long time wasn't influential.

Cooney however was atrocious. I don't care how many possessions he had, in a match where we needed some of our older players to fight back Cooney, our captain, was missing. Had no influence whatsoever.

Across the ground we had too many non-contributors. For much of the game you could be forgiven for thinking guys like Wood, Wallis, Cooney, Stevens, JJ and Picken weren't playing, while guys like Goodes were noticeable purely through the quantity of errors they provided. We had way too many basic skill errors, from scuffed kicks, shanked kicks, OOF's, dropped marks and missed tackles and some of the handballing was in no way to our teammates advantage (Stevens is a serial offender in this respect).

Also our insistence on the handball marathons was very frustrating. I understand part of this would have been due to a lack forward options to kick too, but too many handballs were not constructive and instead were just an exercise in making it someone elses problem. When Gia came on I thought his composure helped with these chains as he slowed them down and made the handballs more deliberate in searching out someone in a better position. I thought he was solid as the sub.

The forward line was difficult to assess as there was barely any chances for them to take. Crameri does look dangerous, both powerful and quick, but his disposal, whether he miskicked it or just chose the wrong option was poor. I hope that isn't the norm. Hunter was very good though, and showed some of the poise and composure that Gia has, and he and Macrae will be very good players.

Down back Roughead and Morris were both decent, with Dale's effort on Kennedy being impressive under adverse conditions.

The selection panel really screwed up this week.

Jones needed to play to give our forwardline a long option that can lead up. Campbell struggles away from the goals and on a big ground like Subiaco got caught out continually playing from behind.

Dickson was ok in the first half, but shouldn't have been picked. He is not suited to a big ground where he has to push up away from goal and his form in the pre-season was very average.

We had too many half backs with Higgins, Goodes, JJ, and Murphy. One of Goodes and JJ shouldn't have been picked.

I like Wood, but at this point in time Young offers more. Wood tried hard and got screwed over by sheer size a few times, but Young is just as solid defensively and actually gets the ball enough to be useful going the other way. Wood breaks lines but only twice a match.

We needed Talia in the side for his size, and i would have liked Tutt on the wing to give us a long kicking runner who could try and give us an alternative to the chip kick way forward.

Also our gamble on backing our runners in didn't work, as we looked buggered at quarter time and they ran rings around us despite carrying 3 ruckmen and about 19 other kpps.

[bornadog]

I think we will be lucky to be within 5 goals

At the end of the day, we won't be the first team to be flogged in the West, so I am not too worried.

The game went exactly how I expected it to go. Lets learn from this game and come out firing against North.

[Ozza]

I wanted to note one thing about Jackson Macrae. A couple of times last year - and again yesterday - I've noticed him hold onto the footy as long as he possibly could - so that the overlap handball can be its most effective. The result for him is that he gets smashed by the bump, but he is accepting this when he deliberately holds on to the footy. Its a really tough thing to do. His toughness is probably understated at this point - but I think it will emerge more and more. He's a special player.

[KT31]

At the end of the day, we won't be the first team to be flogged in the West, so I am not too worried.

The game went exactly how I expected it to go. Lets learn from this game and come out firing against North.

Was a very tough ask first game up and we were playing IMO a top four side.
Still disgusted with the six day break coming back from WA and playing a fresh and rebounding North.
With key players coming back the next week or two the next few games will give us a better gauge of were we are at.

[Eastdog]

Was a very tough ask first game up and we were playing IMO a top four side.
Still disgusted with the six day break coming back from WA and playing a fresh and rebounding North.
With key players coming back the next week or two the next few games will give us a better gauge of were we are at.

Yeah will be tough next week too in our first home game coming of a 2 day less break compared to North. The worry is we may come out flat (but that's just another excuse) but I'm hoping we don't and really take it up to a team that is vulnerable at the moment. A few more inclusions as well this coming match will help. Missing Griff is a big loss for us.

[azabob]

I wanted to note one thing about Jackson Macrae. A couple of times last year - and again yesterday - I've noticed him hold onto the footy as long as he possibly could - so that the overlap handball can be its most effective. The result for him is that he gets smashed by the bump, but he is accepting this when he deliberately holds on to the footy. Its a really tough thing to do. His toughness is probably understated at this point - but I think it will emerge more and more. He's a special player.

Thanks for pointing that out Ozza.

[SonofScray]

Yep agree, its a much more enjoyable game to watch when they take out the incidental and ticky touch wood frees. Well done AFL.

Sitting on the fence a bit, but, I agree with you and always right as well about the general quality of umpiring over the game and the round. They didn't pluck too many out of thin air at all and seemed to be more accepting of incidental high contact. Particularly in tackling contests.

When I look back at the replay though, the Cooney one still baffles me about what is will take to win a free for "forceful contact below the knees." It'll end up like "deliberate out of bounds," a rule that is applied rarely and only ever to make a point rather than to enforce the laws of the game.

[Dancin' Douggy]

I wanted to note one thing about Jackson Macrae. A couple of times last year - and again yesterday - I've noticed him hold onto the footy as long as he possibly could - so that the overlap handball can be its most effective. The result for him is that he gets smashed by the bump, but he is accepting this when he deliberately holds on to the footy. Its a really tough thing to do. His toughness is probably understated at this point - but I think it will emerge more and more. He's a special player.What I love about Macrae is he plays like he CARES. He's busting a gut out there to win the ball, or provide an option. Captain material stamped all over him.

[The Pie Man]

FWIW, that rule in particular is absolutely putrid. It has takeaway from the spectacle of the game, killing off that Daniel Cross like play where in a contested situation a player desperate for the footy will take a hit to get there first and keep the footy moving. Now we et everyone on their feet, bending down and the ball getting bottled up. All because of a knee jerk reaction to a few specific individuals sliding in feet firs and kicking in danger.

I couldn't agree with you more on this - have been on more than one loungeroom rant re: this rule change

Not relevant to the game, but had to post agreement to the above.

RE: the game - got outworked. Running without the ball to provide options non-existent. Disappointing. Need a response against a stung North.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I wanted to note one thing about Jackson Macrae. A couple of times last year - and again yesterday - I've noticed him hold onto the footy as long as he possibly could - so that the overlap handball can be its most effective. The result for him is that he gets smashed by the bump, but he is accepting this when he deliberately holds on to the footy. Its a really tough thing to do. His toughness is probably understated at this point - but I think it will emerge more and more. He's a special player.

Good post.

That one piece of play where he simply refused to kick it blindly into our forward line was a prime example. Sadly, whilst Macrae was doing this, Campbell remained bolted to the ground 70m away. He needed to present and provide an option. Frustrating.

Macrae has been outstanding so far, even his disposal has significantly improved from last year.

[bornadog]

Campbell remained bolted to the ground 70m away. .

His pre-season form has been rubbish and showed nothing yesterday. Needs a good stint in the VFL. He is young, tall and solid but needs to learn more in the two's at this stage. We need Jones as the number one target up forward.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

His pre-season form has been rubbish and showed nothing yesterday. Needs a good stint in the VFL. He is young, tall and solid but needs to learn more in the two's at this stage. We need Jones as the number one target up forward.

No argument from me, he's been a big disappointment in these early games. I went down to training a few times in January and he was impressive then, but it hasn't translated across.

The only thing is, if we drop Campbell, it means Jones will have to do 20-25% of rucking and I am not sure that's a good option.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

His pre-season form has been rubbish and showed nothing yesterday. Needs a good stint in the VFL. He is young, tall and solid but needs to learn more in the two's at this stage. We need Jones as the number one target up forward.
I agree on the need to bring back Jones but Campbell is a ruckman being expected to play as a full forward. We must be the only team in the competition that continues to go with one ruckman in Minson, which I find absurd. I would start with Campbell on the interchange and use him more frequently around the ground. His ruck work is in fact sound when given the opportunity.

[LostDoggy]

He had an impact with virtually every possession....sorry but I don't recall any Dickson possession of consequence.

Why are we even talking about Gia. The game was done and dusted when he came on and I thought he did ok. Ridiculous.

[Mantis]

I agree on the need to bring back Jones but Campbell is a ruckman being expected to play as a full forward. We must be the only team in the competition that continues to go with one ruckman in Minson, which I find absurd. I would start with Campbell on the interchange and use him more frequently around the ground. His ruck work is in fact sound when given the opportunity.

You can't tie up one of your bench spots with a ruck... You just can't.

[boydogs]

Thought the umpiring was good, a few let go both ways that let the game play out on its merits

[The Underdog]

I haven't been able to watch the game yet, but I assume it didn't go well. Nice of the AFL to hide it away like that though.

[KT31]

I haven't been able to watch the game yet, but I assume it didn't go well. Nice of the AFL to hide it away like that though.
Save yourself some time and watch the McCrae and Hunter highlights on Western Bulldogs TV, then just make this weekends game against North the start of the season.

[bornadog]

West Coast’s Sharrod Wellingham decided not to contest his reprimand for tripping Western Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen.Wellingham was charged with a level one offence which drew 80 demerit points.

Why JJ didn't get a 50 metre penalty is beyond me and the tribunal is weak as water.

Deliberate tripping should be an automatic one week.

[jeemak]

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Why JJ didn't get a 50 metre penalty is beyond me and the tribunal is weak as water.

Deliberate tripping should be an automatic one week.

I thought deliberate tripping was a reportable offence that carried a 50m penalty on game day to accompany the free kick?

Maybe I'm wrong.

[bulldogtragic]

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Why JJ didn't get a 50 metre penalty is beyond me and the tribunal is weak as water.

Deliberate tripping should be an automatic one week.

I don't understand this defence of 'reaction'. Tripping is tripping, and should be at least a week.

[Mantis]

I thought deliberate tripping was a reportable offence that carried a 50m penalty on game day to accompany the free kick?

Maybe I'm wrong.

Did the umpires see the trip?... Not sure that they did.

[always right]

Did the umpires see the trip?... Not sure that they did.

So why did they pay the free kick?

[LostDoggy]

So why did they pay the free kick?

The way I read it, the umpire believed the free kick was warranted, but the trip unintentional. Perhaps that's why. Wo knows these days?

I ran into Libba, Griff and Minson in Seddon this morning. They were all wearing towels, so I'm guessing they had a session in the pool/ocean.

I had a good chat with Will. He doesn't think he performed very well against the Eagles, said Cox was just on top of him all day. I told him I thought he was being a bit harsh on himself, against three ruckmen pretty much singlehandedly. They are all very disappointed in the team's performance and really looking forward to Sunday. I think we're going to see a bit of a hunt for redemption.

He did acknowledge that the heat played a massive factor. “it was hot” with a few expletives deleted.

[Murphy'sLore]

Does this mean Griff is definitely playing this week?

[DragzLS1]

Does this mean Griff is definitely playing this week?


Please say yes!

[Eastdog]

Does this mean Griff is definitely playing this week?

And you are right. Griff is selected for this week.