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Happy Days
15-04-2014, 01:11 PM
Match Preview - Vs Carlton

Last Time We Met

Bulldogs: 16.21 117
Carlton: 13.11 89

Probably my favourite game of last year. The GOD kicked 4 and absolutely ankle broke Josh Bootsma with a step around goal; it's not exactly easy to humiliate Josh Bootsma, he's usually already done the job himself pretty satisfactorily.

3 Reasons to Hate Carlton

Not that any of you really need them, but;

1. Malthouse, who has officially reached a 9 on the Kevin Sheedy "Just Retire" Scale in the last week. I think he's trying to get them to kick wide, but I also think that Mick thinks he still coaches Swan and Pendlebury. Wore a heart rate monitor a couple of weeks ago because the prospect of a Malthouse heart attack is immensely more interesting than watching Calrton play at the moment. Plus I hear he walked out on us once upon a time, so yeah, !*!* that guy.

2. Bryce Gibbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXYAazPJnA

^^couldn't attatch 2 videos (SPOILER), but this is relevant.

This guy is going to make ONE MILLION DOLLARS NEXT YEAR. I can only hope that Calrton are the ones to give it to him (under the table of course).

3. "If only we could clone Lachie Henderson..."

You know who they should clone? Someone who doesn't suck. They should find one of them!

(Henderson's actually not that bad, but I digress)

Selection Table

Us
Morris is an obvious out, which is a shame because if there's one area where we could be tested it's with their height up forward; Casboult might suck, but he can catch, and they're every chance to go against better judgement and play Henderson forward despite having no good match up for Crameri (more on that later). Despite this, if Talia can't go then I'd bring in Goodes and just back Young/Wood to be able to play past their size again. Dahl comes straight back in for Stringer, who despite being the undoubtedly sickest player on our list is giving us zero at the moment. I've seen calls for Jong to be dropped, but I think he can be used to curtail a Simpson or Gibbs (lol) if they get off the chain.

Them
Waite and Garlett will come back. It was blind arrogance to not play them last week and they won't make the same mistake twice. Menzel will come out with injury, and unfortunately for us I can't see Dre surviving the chop. Other than that, if Mick is truly planning to be more attacking this week (more on that later), then Robinson probably comes in for one of their legion of taggers.

Key Match Ups

Wallis Vs Murphy

I actually really like this one for us. Murphy's strengths do not overlap with Wallis' weaknesses. He's not super quick or elusive, the type of player that can give Wal trouble. Rather, he's a much more measured player, a good user and decision maker. These two strengths can instantly be curbed if we can cut his supply, something I'm really confident Wal can achieve. He doesn't have the ability to create the separation without assistance, and I think he can be shut down.

Picken Vs Garlett

I think Carlton made an egregious error in not playing Garlett and Waite last week; they never considered that they would actually lose the match, played swinging dicks at the selection table, and it cost them. Won't happen this week, expect both to come straight back in. Picken's brutal beating by Le Cras (and Walters in the pre season) are still too fresh in my mind to forget them completely, even after his excellent play the last two weeks. Garlett is really out of touch, but is still lightning quick and can cause problems if he can actually find the ball. If Picken can blanket him for the first quarter or so I don't think he'll be a factor, so important to keep him controlled early (duh).

Crameri/Jones Vs Jamison/Henderson

This is another one that I like for us. Fat Boy (said with love I swear!) has really shown a willingness to get on his bike and cover 90-100m out from goal, creating chances not just for himself, but for Liam "Steve Kerr in the 1998 Finals" Jones. It's all very impressive and something that I did not think possible after Round 2. I think they have to play Henderson back on Crameri; he's the only guy with enough tank to at least partly go with him, as well as the strength to compete with him one on one. Jones can take Jamison, but likewise has to be willing to work. I don't think he has the strength to compete with Jamison one on one, but definitely the pace to run him off his legs.

Knowing Mick, Henderson will play at Full Forward and kick 1.3, with Crameri giving Simon White or whatever hack they play on him a bath, but this is what I would do.

Griffen/Macrae Vs NO ONE

Tactical genius/football GOD Malthouse has come out and declared that there will be NO TAGGING this week;
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-coach-mick-malthouse-to-ditch-defensive-style-in-bid-to-trigger-response-from-blues/story-fni5f5nx-1226883872586

Look for Griffen, Boyd and Jack Mack to have no answers for the dynamic/silky/ELITE skills of Davy Ellard, Andrew Carrazzo and Ed Curnow after the game spreads from stoppages.

He can't be serious of course. I don't know if any of you realised, but Mick is a MASTER of mind games. We're all falling for his mind games, we've lost before we've even stepped out on the park. IT'S A TRAP~!

Seriously, I think we smash them through the middle. They're actually not a bad clearance team statistically, but I've got that pegged to a drastic overcrowding of stoppages (think us in 2012). They will win their share of clearances but they don't have a B to go to from A (particularly interesting given how much they favour possession football; it's almost like Malthouse doesn't know what he's doing!). Plus it's still early, and we all know what we did last year. We have a decided advantage in the ruck (Minson is out of form, but he trucks Warnock, who just isn't physical enough). Thomas is underdone and having zero influence unless he plays wide. Simpson is also severely out of touch, and far more outside anyway (look for him and Macrae to go head to head and Macrae to steal his soul). The three-headed hydra mentioned earlier can clear the ball to no one in particular, but can't go with us anywhere else.

Stylistically

I'm not 100% sold on the sweeping tactical change from Carlton, so expect more of the same; wide possession football. If we can crank up the pressure on them, then we will eventually create a turnover; they do not have the ability across the board to continually hit targets.

Where they can trouble us is if they ramp up the pressure on us leaving the back 50. As good as Wood has been, his ball skills still leave a lot to be desired (don't get me started on Goodes, the worst good kick of all time). If Garlett and Yarran can actually be bothered chasing this week then they could cause some headaches. We need to maximise the amount of times the ball leaves the back 50 with Higgins or Bob in control. For a point of reference, look to the ease with which Hawthorn can get the ball to The SUCK out of the back half and how much it helps them.

There will be a heavy reliance this week on Tom Williams, but his second half last week shows he's up to it, at least against the guys Carlton have up forward.

*Weeps openly reading this as Williams breaks femur kicking himself in the face, breaking his cheekbone*

In-Game Soundtrack


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3elPO-FSLoY

@ 36:50. Directed at Malthouse obviously.

Prediction

We got this. Dogs by 30

bornadog
15-04-2014, 01:19 PM
Excellent preview and couldn't agree more. We mustn't let this one slip like we did in 2012 when their reserves beat us.

The Bulldogs Bite
15-04-2014, 03:11 PM
Amusing read HD, nice work!

The most important aspect of this game are our concentration levels. They have ebbed and flowed throughout pre-season and the early part of the H&A season. It hasn't cost us in the last two weeks, but one would assume Carlton will throw caution to the wind and - as bad as they are - any side can be dangerous when they do that.

Axe Man
15-04-2014, 03:35 PM
Carlton are a good chance to come out firing from the first bounce with the pressure being poured on them this week. We need to match their intensity early (unlike our first quarter v GWS) and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.

Apparently Jamison is in some doubt with a leg injury which should further help our cause.

LostDoggy
15-04-2014, 04:01 PM
We're gonna have to win this one, if for no other reason than to prevent Malthouse equating his performance in engineering a victory with another famous event that occurred at Easter, around 2000 years ago. This abomination of a club has hit us hard when we've been down- it's time to return the favour.

Ozza
15-04-2014, 04:17 PM
There will be doubts around the fitness of Jamison, Thomas and Judd if they play him. I'd be happy for all three to be picked.

Expect McLean to come in with Menzel out. They'd also have to play Waite to stretch us.

Will be very interesting to see who will replace Morris - and whether the MC deems it necessary to play another tall. I would be considering Austin, if there is doubts on Talia (concussion).

always right
15-04-2014, 05:09 PM
Carlton are a good chance to come out firing from the first bounce with the pressure being poured on them this week. We need to match their intensity early (unlike our first quarter v GWS) and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.

Apparently Jamison is in some doubt with a leg injury which should further help our cause.

I thought it was his shoulder.

bulldogtragic
15-04-2014, 05:18 PM
Guys at this rate of awesome previews expectations on my round 24 preview will have be way higher than I can deliver. :)

Nice work.

Axe Man
15-04-2014, 05:43 PM
I thought it was his shoulder.

I got it from the AFL website

Matthew Watson or Andrew McInnes would be in line to replace Michael Jamison if the experienced key defender does not recover in time from a leg injury.

Of course that doesn't mean it is correct, it probably is his shoulder knowing the numerous errors the media make. This morning on Triple M they reported that 'Bulldog Daniel Cross' had been suspended for 1 week for tripping!:confused:

LostDoggy
15-04-2014, 07:19 PM
Embrace the love of 16 other AFL clubs supporter bases just begging us to take Carlton down. We will likely never see as many western bulldogs "supporters" as will get behind us this weekend again! Important for our brand that we come out fighting like rabid wild animals!

soupman
15-04-2014, 08:29 PM
Guys at this rate of awesome previews expectations on my round 24 preview will have be way higher than I can deliver. :)

Nice work.

Has been an awesome standard so far this season. Puts the paid "experts" stuff to shame. More entertaining, witty and most importantly accurate.

FrediKanoute
16-04-2014, 10:43 PM
love it! Great summary!

LostDoggy
17-04-2014, 08:31 AM
Great preview!

I'm feeling a bit nervous about this one. As mentioned, they will come out breathing fire so concentration and energy needs to be up from the get go. That passion that teams can display early when they've been under the pump doesn't usually last forever so if we can absorb the early pressure and deliver it back at an even higher intensity I think we'll come through ok.

always right
17-04-2014, 11:43 AM
This will be a big test for us and give us an indication as to how much we have developed. Carlton will get a lift from Judd's returns regardless of how he performs personally. I expect they will also bring back Waite and Robinson for his hardness. Not that we should fear any of these blokes but this game is going to be played above the ears. If Carlton believe they can win and we are not 100% switched on, we will quickly find ourselves in trouble. This one is going to be all about the first quarter and we need to get the game on our terms from the first bounce.

LostDoggy
17-04-2014, 11:48 AM
I'm certain our major focus going into this game would be getting off to a really solid start given our first quarter last week. I'm expecting a really hot contest in the first quarter and then for Carlton to wilt when they realise they're gonna have to run hard both ways all day.

bornadog
17-04-2014, 12:03 PM
I'm certain our major focus going into this game would be getting off to a really solid start given our first quarter last week. I'm expecting a really hot contest in the first quarter and then for Carlton to wilt when they realise they're gonna have to run hard both ways all day.

Yes, good point, we need a good start like the Richmond game, but we need to go on with it. I would love to absolutely thrash this mob and put Malthouse under more pressure.

jeemak
17-04-2014, 12:17 PM
Great preview, well done.

I'm very much concerned it will be an open game where Carlton front runners will be given an opportunity to run all over us, if we don't concentrate from the outset.

If we keep them accountable and counter attack like we have in recent weeks then think we should take it home.

BornInDroopSt'54
17-04-2014, 02:58 PM
Hope we don't leave it until the last quarter to put them away. Hope Bontempelli and Roberts get a game and acquit themselves well in a victory. This game is a great opportunity to consolidate our improvements and a winning culture.

The bulldog tragician
17-04-2014, 05:16 PM
A terrific preview Happy Days but I take it space restrictions limited you to only three reasons to hate Carlton?

Maddog37
17-04-2014, 05:32 PM
If Griff fires we will look a totally different side. If Griff and Cooney fire then look out. If Griff,Cooney and Libba all play well we will thump them.

Lots of ifs but we are better than them. Curnow will tag Cooney. Could see Robinson trying to annoy Griff or Libba. Wallis on Murph, Picken on Jeffy and Jong(the new Cross) on Simpson until he gets blown up and is subbed.

Would love to see a big game from Minno.

ratsmac
17-04-2014, 10:28 PM
Great review! My wife was staring at me while I was chuckling reading this.

I'm glad to see no one rates Carlton because I don't either. They are a bunch of hacks. If it wasn't for Judd they would of won half as many games last year. He gets them going. However we must bring our best pressure to worry them out of it and eventually they will fold like a deck of cards.

Waite always worries me, so we must stop the supply. He can cause headaches if he gets his tail up and he can clunk them so Williams or Talia (if he plays) will have to stop him jumping at the ball.

If our defence play like they did in the second half last week helping each other out, we should be ok.

Dogs by 27

GVGjr
18-04-2014, 05:30 PM
The team has been confirmed.

In's Talia, Bontempelli and Dahlhaus
Out's Morris (inj) Hunter and Tutt

Very surprised that both Hunter and Tutt have been dropped.
I wonder how we will use Stringer and if we will try him as a defender?

soupman
18-04-2014, 05:56 PM
Feel sorry for Tutt. Thought he deserved his spot ahead of a few others.

The Bulldogs Bite
18-04-2014, 06:33 PM
The team has been confirmed.

In's Talia, Bontempelli and Dahlhaus
Out's Morris (inj) Hunter and Tutt

Very surprised that both Hunter and Tutt have been dropped.
I wonder how we will use Stringer and if we will try him as a defender?

I don't mind Hunter being omitted. He's begun to look a little tired, especially v GWS. I would think he'll be back in very soon.

Tutt getting dropped I actually don't agree with and it surprises me. As I said in the other thread I don't exactly rate him, but he was very good when he came on and deserved to stay in the side.

Both Jong and Stringer shouldn't be playing IMO. The former doesn't have a point of difference and we're a side that requires more skill, whilst the latter is horribly out of form. They certainly seem intent on pumping games into Stringer more than most, which I can understand, and maybe he'll play as a defender? He is lucky either way.

MrMahatma
18-04-2014, 09:02 PM
Certainly seems harsh on Tutt. He's quick enough, kicks well enough… we need more skilled players so I'd have thought he's worth persisting with for a few weeks to give him a real go.

It's been the story of his career so far. In and out with no continuity.

LostDoggy
18-04-2014, 09:53 PM
Happy days... Sensational preview, loved and laughed every paragraph. Sign him up for one liners first dog.

Dogs by 36. Macrae to scare people with his holy goodness this Easter Sunday.

1eyedog
18-04-2014, 10:43 PM
Great preview, well done.

I'm very much concerned it will be an open game where Carlton front runners will be given an opportunity to run all over us, if we don't concentrate from the outset.

If we keep them accountable and counter attack like we have in recent weeks then think we should take it home.

X2. Carlton's crappy players have a knack of tin-arseing good football. If Simpson is left unchecked at half back and Yarran and Garlett get into the game early we could find ourselves chasing their skirts. Plus Judd will give them +10% mojo as well. Very nervous.

Remi Moses
18-04-2014, 11:00 PM
We must must play on our terms. Tough contested footy

1eyedog
18-04-2014, 11:03 PM
We must must play on our terms. Tough contested footy

Agreed but we have not learnt how to play tempo footy and we still struggle to stop or slow down half decent teams from scoring quickly.

LostDoggy
19-04-2014, 12:22 AM
Who starts the sub this week?

Does Gia have to start on the field given Hunter has been omitted? I'm not sure we can afford to start with neither Gia or Hunter. Need there smarts forward of centre.

Does Bonts start sub? I'm not a fan of starting a first gamer as sub. But he could be a very handy sub.

Maybe Dahl will be sub? Jong isn't really suited to the role. Plus he is probably the ideal bloke to give the red vest too (barring injury) because he tends to run out of petrol tickets.

Go_Dogs
19-04-2014, 11:37 AM
Great preview HD.

It's going to be a tough game, I suspect M Murphy to get a number of frees after the attention on tagger this week, whilst our ball players get none.

Very excited for Bonts, wonder if he'll start as the sub?

Need another big week fron Jones and Crammers too.

Go Dogs.

LostDoggy
19-04-2014, 12:13 PM
Well done and good luck to Bonts. Stringer wants a big game - hope he kicks a couple this week and gets some confidence.

Exciting game that I think we can win. Will be there with 4 Carltank supporters so we had better!!!!

Twodogs
20-04-2014, 03:31 PM
A big game from Stringer.would be great.

bulldogtragic
12-05-2016, 05:49 PM
Bump.

Looking for volunteers to do match previews, based on this format or larger if you have more time:

Round 9: Bulldogtragic
Round 10: Happy Days
Round 11:
Round 12:
Round 13:
Round 14:
Round 15: Bye (Not Essendon, but a week off)
Round 16:
Round 17:
Round 18:
Round 19:
Round 20:
Round 21:
Round 22:
Round 23:

Happy Days
12-05-2016, 05:55 PM
I'll do r10

bulldogtragic
12-05-2016, 06:52 PM
I'll do r10

Cool!