2014 Game Day Round 17 - Western Bulldogs V Gold Coast Suns

[Eastdog]

Margin: Dogs by 21 points
First Goal: Hunter
Best On Ground: Libba

[boydogs]

Dogs by 13
First goal Dahlhaus
BOG Dahlhaus

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Dogs by 21 points
1st Goal - Cremeri
BOG the little Libba

[The Underdog]

Even without Ablett I'm not particularly confident. They carved us up last time around. Can't see that much changing.

Suns by 15
First Goal: Hrovat
BOG: Dahlhaus

[Eastdog]

Changed my best on ground from Griff to Libba as Griff is out and JJ is in.

[KT31]

Dogs by 10
BOG - Bonts
1st Goal - Crameri

[bornadog]

Sub Honeychurch, Griffen big loss

[Eastdog]

Sub Honeychurch, Griffen big loss

It hurts but at least Ablett is also out for them. I think we will be competitive again today. Hopefully we can win.

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 23
BOG Dahlhaus
First Goal Redpath

[Go_Dogs]

Looking forward to this one, think it should be a tight contest.

[Eastdog]

They have started better. Our defence is going to have a tough time coping with the GCS forwards.

[Eastdog]

Margin: Dogs by 21 points
First Goal: Hunter
Best On Ground: Libba

Great start as I get the first goal kicker.

[Go_Dogs]

Really sharp ball movement, Go Dogs!

[Eastdog]

Really sharp ball movement, Go Dogs!

Agree we have now found our mojo.

[Go_Dogs]

Agree we have now found our mojo.

Looking the best we have under Macca for mine, skill level strong.

[Eastdog]

We are on fire. Love the way we are using the footy and our attitude. Keep it up!!

[GVGjr]

Good quarter against a strong wind. It will be interesting to see if we can take advantage of it.

[G-Mo77]

Real exciting footy. Hope we can maintain it.

[Scorlibo]

Best quarter of football I've seen us play under Macca. Hrovat on fire, Stringer and Redpath with the presence up forward. What a grab from Bonts!! Cruelled slightly by the umps.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Listening online. Amazed at the crowd support for the dogs!

[Scorlibo]

That Morris spoil was brilliant, should be applauded, not penalised.

[Eastdog]

Bad miss from Dahl just then.

[GVGjr]

We need to kick a few goals...quickly

[bulldogtragic]

Darley... That hurts.

[G-Mo77]

Jeckyll and Hyde. What tripe this is

[kruder]

We need to keep our into the wind game plan full time! Just booming it.

[angelopetraglia]

Most disappointing quarter of the year and we have played some shockers. Just dumb, dumb footy. So disappointing.

[chef]

What a shit quarter. Gee we can play some dumb football.

[Scorlibo]

Most impressive quarter of football followed by the least impressive. So disappointed right now.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Seriously how dumb are our coaching team, yet another quarter were a lose man in our forward line can chop out and do what he likes.

Hey -news flash we are kicking with a 4 goal wind, if we are a team of contested animals why not play one on one like the first quarter.

[jeemak]

I'm sick of the millionaire attitude we seem to have once we've got our noses in front.

These guys get ahead of themselves far too easily.

[bulldogtragic]

Why the negativity? Aren't we developing which infers sporadic quarters of form? We are as likely to blitz the rest of the game than not.

[Bulldog4life]

Seriously how dumb are our coaching team, yet another quarter were a lose man in our forward line can chop out and do what he likes.

Hey -news flash we are kicking with a 4 goal wind, if we are a team of contested animals why not play one on one like the first quarter.

We play better man on man. Yes why don't we just man up their man with our spare man? Unbelievably simple.

[jeemak]

Seriously how dumb are our coaching team, yet another quarter were a lose man in our forward line can chop out and do what he likes.

Hey -news flash we are kicking with a 4 goal wind, if we are a team of contested animals why not play one on one like the first quarter.

It's the players you should be pissed with. The sooner they lower their eyes and use the ball properly the better we'll all be.

[The Underdog]

Why the negativity? Aren't we developing which infers sporadic quarters of form? We are as likely to blitz the rest of the game than not.

Isn't the next level of development 2 strong quarters in a row. We're as likely to be 7 goals down at 3/4 time as 7 points up.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

It's the players you should be pissed with. The sooner they lower their eyes and use the ball properly the better we'll all be.

Dont know about that, they must be playing as asked as it look pretty clear that the direction they have been given is kick it long into the forward 50. Same as last week and the week before that a spare in the back line kills us.

[bulldogtragic]

Isn't the next level of development 2 strong quarters in a row. We're as likely to be 7 goals down at 3/4 time as 7 points up.

I'm told to be more positive and understand where we are. Maybe we are not at that the next level of development yet, and maybe leaving a spare man in our 50 is meant to tell the players to lower their eyes and use our spare better and something went wrong??

Darley's intercepted handball and a few easy enough chances to goal hurt us, just a skillful opposition made us pay big time.

[jeemak]

Why would the coaching panel tell the players to kick long every week when the opposition always has a loose man there?

I'll bet if you, I and everyone else can see it there's no doubt the coaching team can.

Young teams with ordinary skills panic, don't think and bomb it long. We need to grow out of the habit quickly.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Poor and disappointing second quarter, yet not surprising. I expected it.

The loose man thing has been touched on a weekly basis, I've been very vocal about it, no idea why our coaches persist.

[bulldogtragic]

Who is our spare Man

[Eastdog]

Hoping we have a strong 2nd half now.

[Eastdog]

Good signs from Redpath today. Been satisfied with his game.

[bulldogtragic]

Plus 3 defenders is shutting us down.

[bulldogtragic]

Is Austin playing full forward??

[bulldogtragic]

Darley got one back, nice and smart kick.

[lemmon]

Needed that, dominating the term thus far but need it on the board

[Eastdog]

Needed that, dominating the term thus far but need it on the board

Absolutely Lemmon we need to capitalise and take control.

[lemmon]

Morris is the stereotypical wily old fox, every trick in the book as a defender

[The Underdog]

Morris is the stereotypical wiry old fox, every trick in the book as a defender

Absolutely. It's fantastic to watch him work

[GVGjr]

Free to Hunter missed?

[lemmon]

Poor defending, both flew and let it get over the back. That hurts, we should be 3 goals up based on this term. We lack the killer edge going forward, Gia would be very handy.

[bulldogtragic]

Where would be without Bont this year.

[GVGjr]

How comes JJ's beard isn't rating a mention?

[bulldogtragic]

Looking forward to see some fresh legs from Honey, who to sub though?

[GVGjr]

Looking forward to see some fresh legs from Honey, who to sub though?

Do we replace Austin with Honeychurch?

[AndrewP6]

Free to Hunter missed?

Add it to the long list.

[comrade]

Austin is honest but would much prefer to give Roberts a crack.

Nice hit up from JJ and some deft work from Macrae. I always feel good when he has the ball in hand.

[Topdog]

Austin is honest but would much prefer to give Roberts a crack.


I feel the same with Redpath (honest) and Jones

[lemmon]

That's class Hunter

[bulldogtragic]

Can't believe the negativity at half time. Cracking effort, now ice it boys.

[Topdog]

3 votes for Jackson

[Topdog]

Boom!! beautiful stuff

[Eastdog]

Yes!! I've really been happy with this performance today. Just need to finish this off now.

[comrade]

Anyone questioning the Jackson Macrae bake now?

[JohnGentStand]

Stringerrrrr!!!!

[kruder]

Reward for effort finally!

Love our youth. Wood the most improved player on the dogs list.

[Eastdog]

Love the way we are running. We're dominating now.

[The Underdog]

Hrovat'd have to be a big shot for a Rising Star nomination for this one

[bulldogtragic]

Why the negativity? Aren't we developing which infers sporadic quarters of form? We are as likely to blitz the rest of the game than not.

You're so positive.

[GVGjr]

Anyone questioning the Jackson Macrae bake now?

The coach made an error in the public statement but it hasn't impacted Jack Mac.

[JohnGentStand]

Finally putting a side away .....

[lemmon]

What a win, now who's irrelevant?

[angelopetraglia]

Super effort and belief to hang in there when we were not getting the results for out effort and dominance. Great win and especially when consider no Cooney or Griff.

[comrade]

The coach made an error in the public statement but it hasn't impacted Jack Mac.

Seems it has had an impact on JM. A very positive one.

[GVGjr]

Seems it has had an impact on JM. A very positive one.

Inspired.

[G-Mo77]

Anyone questioning the Jackson Macrae bake now?

Yeah I wonder if that's good enough for the coach.

[kruder]

The coach made an error in the public statement but it hasn't impacted Jack Mac.

I liked the public statement from the coach and Higgings being dropped(should be been done years ago). Our senior players have been one way players for years time to stop the rot.

[GVGjr]

Yeah I wonder if that's good enough for the coach.

He's done a few smart things in the back line as well. Played both ends.

[G-Mo77]

Great win, thought we were gone after the first quarter. Keep that attacking footy going and we'll cause a few problems for some teams. We still struggling to maintain it. We're getting there

[lemmon]

I absolutely love Macrae's post match interview "I wasn't doing what the team required and rightly copped a spray". Extremely proud, that is maturity far beyond his years.

[GVGjr]

I absolutely love Macrae's post match interview "I wasn't doing what the team required and rightly copped a spray". Extremely proud, that is maturity far beyond his years.

Spot on. Words and efforts right in synch.

[jeemak]

Great win. Excellent effort to wrestle it back after an horrendous second quarter.

So happy we took control and kicked away.

[The Underdog]

Yeah, great work after an awful 2nd quarter. Great to see big games from Macrae, Hrovat, JJ & Dahl.
Well done boys.

[azabob]

The coach made an error in the public statement but it hasn't impacted Jack Mac.

In all seriousness which public statement - the one after the game one during the week?

[chef]

Yeah I wonder if that's good enough for the coach.

Certainly worked and I guess he knows what he's doing. Keep challenging the players Macca.

[chef]

In all seriousness which public statement - the one after the game one during the week?

Yep. Some people had a problem with it. Me, I loved the honesty and in an seriousness if a player couldn't handle that then he's not going to end up being an AFL footballer.

[Topdog]

Certainly worked and I guess he knows what he's doing. Keep challenging the players Macca.

There is never 1 set way of doing things. Different players react differently to these things.

Without knowing the individuals we have to trust that the staff at the Bulldogs know the players well enough and choose the appropriate "bake"

[azabob]

Yep. Some people had a problem with it. Me, I loved the honesty and in an seriousness if a player couldn't handle that then he's not going to end up being an AFL footballer.

Totally agree.

Sounds like a great win by the boys. I wasn't able to watch or listen today. Got my updates via Twitter.

Can't wait to catch the replay off the afl website.

[G-Mo77]

Certainly worked and I guess he knows what he's doing. Keep challenging the players Macca.

Yes that was the only reason why Macrae played the way he did.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Good performance in the end. GC looked tired but we buried them, which was nice to see. The young players were very, very good whilst I also thought that Boyd and Murphy had strong games.

We still lack players with the ability to take a mark in the forward half - it's glaringly obvious as we all know, but we'd probably be a 4 or 5 goal better side with a quality KPF as not only would he kick a couple, but he'd bring it to the ground for our abundance of quality smalls. At the moment, we're consistently out-marked.

Find a quality KPF and another key defender, we'll be an extremely good side in 2-3 years.

[chef]

Yes that was the only reason why Macrae played the way he did.

Did I say that?

Lets not make stuff up.

I do believe that its going to help make him a better player and it showed in tonights effort.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Yes that was the only reason why Macrae played the way he did.

Yep - he was playing so poorly before this game. :rolleyes:

Kudos to him for his post match comments though, and it was his best game for the club, but to suggest/imply he played so well because of last week's comments is stretching it a bit.

He's had a great year.

[craigsahibee]

JohnGentStand

This is Dizzy Stuff.

Somehow the thugs in the scallop industry may be responsible.

[G-Mo77]

Yep - he was playing so poorly before this game. :rolleyes:

Kudos to him for his post match comments though, and it was his best game for the club, but to suggest/imply he played so well because of last week's comments is stretching it a bit.

He's had a great year.

We're fighting an uphill battle here TBB. :)

[LostDoggy]

We absolutely dominated that game for 85% of it. I'm glad we piled in some late goals to bury them but the game should have been done and dusted well before that.

Its still our biggest weakness, not capatalising when we have all the momentum.

Great win though. Macrae superb. Hrovat, Hunter and Dal very dangerous and classy.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

JohnGentStand

This is Dizzy Stuff.

Somehow the thugs in the scallop industry may be responsible.

Go Dogs!

[kruder]

Yep - he was playing so poorly before this game. :rolleyes:

Kudos to him for his post match comments though, and it was his best game for the club, but to suggest/imply he played so well because of last week's comments is stretching it a bit.

He's had a great year.

Surely you understand why the coach said it? He has one chance to mold him into a two way player.. Kudos to the coach tonight I like his tuff stance and after 3 weeks of poor defensive efforts he finally had the balls to drop a senior player. Welcome to the new bulldogs and the younger kids are all the better for it.

[Eastdog]

So happy with that performance. One of our best this year. I just loved our run and our confidence in our ball use and execution today. Stringer, Macrae, and Dahlhaus just to name a few were great for us. Macca looks like his plans are coming into action.

[boydogs]

I made it down around 10 minutes into the 2nd quarter. Weather wasn't too much of an issue, bit of wind in the first half but died right down in the second. Heat & humidity were down, 21.7 degrees and 58% humidity at 4:30. Showed in the game, was easily the best quality match up here skill wise with few handling errors, and we kicked the highest score at the ground.

We played a very defensive game style. Numbers around the ball to stop them winning it, more concerned about being ready to tackle to stop them getting it on the outside than doing so ourselves. When we got the ball it was either a rushed kick forward, or a turnover from a tackle which gave us more space, we were very poor at getting it out into space ourselves

Going forward though our forwards play like defenders, they don't lead at the ball carrier to create space, they stand in the one place in groups to ensure they can spoil and bring the ball to ground. It makes for a very stop start game that's very hard work, low scoring, and not exciting to watch. We are good at it, but we have to be really good at it for it to work because we need to win the ball so many times for us to score, but if the opposition get it they can go coast to coast. In the second quarter we had a few chances but blew them and Gold Coast made us pay, you could see the players drop their heads after they had worked so hard to keep winning the ball and getting it forward for no reward whilst it was so easy for the opposition.

If we're going to continue down this path, then we can recruit all the contested ball and 175cm players we like and they will all do well, but it will always be easier for the opposition to score than it is for us which makes it very hard to win games even when the midfield is on top for 3 quarters. It's like playing basketball only being able to score with slam dunks.

I think the last quarter showed we can use the ball well in open play. Gold Coast clearly tired and our workrate allowed us to get the ball in space, and we managed 6 goals. We've got the personnel now - particularly Bonts, Macrae & Hrovat - we should be setting up to try and get them the ball in space to make it easier for us to score.

I will put another post up with reviews of how I saw each player

[jeemak]

Thanks gogriff.

[jeemak]

I certainly think Bmac's comments had an impact on Macrae and his subsequent output today. However, he's been accumulating a lot of the ball for a while now and I'm not surprised he's put such huge numbers together.

Can we all just get over it now? Some of us think Bmac wasn't too harsh, some of us think he was. Some of us apportion more impact to his comments than others.

None of us really know.

[Dry Rot]

Thoughts on Hrovat's game please? And Redpath?

[GVGjr]

Thanks gogriff, looking forward to your report

[Hotdog60]

Thoughts on Hrovat's game please? And Redpath?

Hrovat was busy and done some nice things but wasn't a standout for me. Deserves his spot in the team.
Redpath looks good when he's on the move. Kicked a nice goal into the wind early but like most of our forwards they went too him often when he was well covered. He will be safe as the coach has said he will get a few chances to prove himself.

[SonofScray]

Thoughts on Hrovat's game please? And Redpath?

Hrovat put himself about, he is a good player. Had a horror 25 mins where his hustle was up but everything he did got smothered, or turned over. He had a good stoush near the boundary that really got everyone fired up and probably helped a few Suns players along their journey to cramps and a late game fade out.

Angry ant.

[Remi Moses]

Surely you understand why the coach said it? He has one chance to mold him into a two way player.. Kudos to the coach tonight I like his tuff stance and after 3 weeks of poor defensive efforts he finally had the balls to drop a senior player. Welcome to the new bulldogs and the younger kids are all the better for it.

Couldn't agree more . Players just can't play on their own terms in this era.
Clearly the coach and the MC think Jack wasn't two way running sufficiently enough, and hence why he was nearly dropped.
I'd firmly believe they dissect every one of our games to an inch of its life and can then make the call.
Tough love for a bloody tough sport. An interesting fact is Jack is the youngest player ever to accumulate 40 touches.

[jeemak]

Couldn't agree more . Players just can't play on their own terms in this era.
Clearly the coach and the MC think Jack wasn't two way running sufficiently enough, and hence why he was nearly dropped.
I'd firmly believe they dissect every one of our games to an inch of its life and can then make the call.
Tough love for a bloody tough sport. An interesting fact is Jack is the youngest player ever to accumulate 40 touches.

Yeah but apparently to some they get out coached each week because we keep bombing the ball to the opposition's spare man.

[boydogs]

Morris - Very good 1 on 1, but beaten in the air. The new generation of athletic 195cm+ forwards can expose someone like Dale, as they can get to a lot of balls and use their height and reach to outmark him. The Suns have Lynch, Dixon & Day which stretch defenses and will mean a tough assignment for Dale whenever we play the Suns

Wood - Great game. Terrific leap to compete in the air, good at ground level, fast on the rebound and a long kick. Kept Aaron Hall to 7 touches and no score

Redpath - I don't think he will make it. Doesn't lead enough, struggled to hold his marks and didn't look like taking a mark in a contest. He has all the tools - good height, strength, acceleration and kick - but is lacking in forward craft and isn't up to scratch as a tall marking target. Disappointing considering his marking has been so good at VFL level. I could blame the humidity but others didn't seem to have a problem with it. Does enough to bring it to ground most times but I think we need more than that and get more from Jones. Got pushed off it in the ruck several times too

Macrae - Outstanding game, one of the memorable Bulldogs player performances. 43 disposals are one thing but he doesn't miss with them. Great at finding a target and great at hitting it. One of the few who looked to do more than just go long to the next contest and make it a 50/50 ball again. Kicked 2 difficult clutch goals when the game was on the line, brought his own ball today

Stringer - Good contributor. Very quick off the mark, good hands on the lead, good defensive pressure. Needs to lead more, he's good at creating separation and holding his marks but doesn't do it often enough. Was buggered towards the end of the game, still has more work to do on his fitness to reach his potential

Johannisen - Good game, offered run and long kicking out of defense as we've seen glimpses of before. Hopefully he can bring that every week now

Roughead - One of our best. Does a lot of work around the ground you might expect a ruckman to do to help Will get through the game, and does it well. Things like a marking option for kickouts or kicks down the line, or standing on the goal line for shots on goal. Pretty athletic for a 200cm player, had to sprint back towards goal against Lynch a couple of times and kept pace pretty well

Stevens - Dumb footballer. Doesn't mind the hard stuff, has solid skills and a good mark, but terrible in a chain of handballs in open play. He will either give a hospital handball or run into trouble himself. He can execute all the skills of the game well but his awareness and decision making let him and the team down

Hunter - Smart player. Has the forward craft that Redpath lacks, while Stringer, Redpath and Austin were happy to stand in the square he was leading to the right spot at the right time. Uses the ball well and takes his chances

Picken - Poor game. Has good speed and workrate to receive the ball in space but then butchers it. There's a reason he made his name as a tagger and not a defender

Dahlhaus - Played well, used as a marking target up around half forward and through the midfield. Puts his body on the line to protect the ball which helps him outmark larger opponents and earned him 5 frees today. Important he can continue to do well in the midfield for team balance so we aren't overloaded with small forwards

Bontempelli - A little quieter than recent weeks but a good game. Spent a fair bit of time up forward, where he was our tallest player. A huge weapon being a marking target as well as having great skills and endurance

Austin - Poor, not sure why he got another chance after being subbed off at half time last week. Sent forward for the second half where he just got in the way. Can see him being delisted with Talia, Roberts & Young in the VFL plus Roughead, Morris & Wood in the seniors

Boyd - Worked hard all day to get back and defend and present as an option going forward. Typical Boyd game. Disposal wasn't too bad today

Honeychurch - Helped setup a couple of goals coming on as sub, can't ask for much more

Wallis - I think he will make it, he's too smart with his positioning and work inside the contest not to. Better with his disposal this week but noticeably preferred to handball rather than kick with 8 kicks & 20 handballs

Hrovat - Very active through the midfield and half forward area, always looking to make something happen. He and Macrae were the only ones who showed the vision and awareness to look for another option instead of bombing it long, kicking across the ground to find a target. Best game for the club

Murphy - Invaluable pace and ball use in defense. Cut off numerous attacks and was penetrating with his run on the rebound. Doesn't look close to retiring

Darley - Played OK, unlucky to be subbed off. Probably should have gone for Austin at half time again instead of shifting him forward. Solid in defense and good disposal. Could finally be the next Lindsay Gilbee we have been looking for in so many others since he retired

Crameri - Quiet game. Up the ground a lot but only 14 touches and 3 marks. Expected more from someone with his workrate

Liberatore - Good inside the contest. Finds a way to get good purchase on quick kicks whilst being tackled, 16 kicks and 12 handballs which is not what you would expect from a ruck rover

Minson - Better followup work today to work as an extra midfielder, with 17 possessions. Doesn't bring the same effort and energy to the contest as he used to, probably due to the amount of time he spends rucking. He's not going to be able to keep this up as he gets older, needs to work on his forward craft to remain in the side as part of a ruck/forward duo

[jeemak]

Next time put some effort in mate! :)

Great posting, thanks.

[boydogs]

Other notes

- We will need the 8 day break. Coming off a 6 day break and a wet weather game then playing in Cairns was a big ask. At one stage 5 players ran for the interchange and one had to be turned away. Stringer went off several times in the last and was crouching down trying to get his breath, and Roughead was cramping. It was good to see us outrun the Suns though

- Our marking was much better this week, 78-61 to us after being smashed 25-85 last week. We've had 15 less marks than our opponents on average this year so it was good to see this turn around

- The crowd was allowed onto the field before the players left. Stevens, Austin & Stringer were still on the far side of the field high fiving the crowd whilst there was kick to kick all over the ground. Seemed to go off without incident, but was surprised this was allowed. This is a unique shot I took of the players going off the ground from 20 metres behind them

http://puu.sh/a83sG/f5244b8998.jpg

[boydogs]

Thought I would post my other shots up, excuse the blurry one

http://puu.sh/a840u/e2d4eee1be.jpg

http://puu.sh/a841r/91ab37c68a.jpg

http://puu.sh/a8424/8f5f6c824d.jpg

[LostDoggy]

Glad we won, even at the last few minutes was afraid we'd let it slip.

[F'scary]

thanks Gogriff - I missed the match completely - really appreciate your report and great candid photos.

[Twodogs]

Great pics GoGriff.

[azabob]

Did JJ play in defence or more midfield?

[Scorlibo]

Great effort gogriff.

Are you a little harsh on Redpath? The marks weren't always sticking but he looked a lot more likely to clunk them than Liam ever has in 1v1s. He knows how to use his body. For mine his forward leading patterns are improving every time I see him, he's athletic and generally pretty good with ball in hand. There's potential there.

[Go_Dogs]

Really good game yesterday, played some very good football.

Few observations:-
Stevens - despite usually copping a whack, I thought he was good yesterday. His opponent did a bit but Stevens stuck to his task well, did a few good things with his disposal and his courage going back with it was great.

Wallis - thought he had some very important little touches and is quickly getting back on track, he's been very good the last month or so.

Wood - I think we can officially label him a consistent performer. Outstanding season.

Hrovat - great decision maker, but just missed out on the execution which prevented his good game being a standout one. Like his energy and everything he offers though, going to be a good long term player.

Smothers - not sure if it was because we were trying to keep the ball low due to the wind, but we got smothered a number of times.

If Roberts and Talia come on next year, I think we can play finals. We're one key forward short too, but I still wonder if a mix of Campbell, Jones, Crameri, Stringer, Grant and our malls I still hold hope that mix can develop and get it done.

[lemmon]

Great effort gogriff.

Are you a little harsh on Redpath? The marks weren't always sticking but he looked a lot more likely to clunk them than Liam ever has in 1v1s. He knows how to use his body. For mine his forward leading patterns are improving every time I see him, he's athletic and generally pretty good with ball in hand. There's potential there.
I didn't mind big Jack's game, looks like he has a fair few physical tools and uses the footy pretty well. He isn't great below his knees but there is something to persist with.

[Maddog37]

I thought Redpath had an almost game. He needs to get fitter but seems to put himself in good spots and thinks his way through the game. There is something there to work with but maybe I have my bulldog coloured glasses on.

[azabob]

I thought Redpath had an almost game. He needs to get fitter but seems to put himself in good spots and thinks his way through the game. There is something there to work with but maybe I have my bulldog coloured glasses on.

Especially when it is a big forward our bulldog glasses a fully on!

[lemmon]

Did JJ play in defence or more midfield?
From what I could tell on the box he played as a wingman more than anything. His run outside the contest was really important at times and his disposal and decision making was the best it had been for some time. There was one point he had the ball in the forward pocket, stopped, propped and hit Macrae in a better position. Displayed more composure than I thought he had.

[azabob]

From what I could tell on the box he played as a wingman more than anything. His run outside the contest was really important at times and his disposal and decision making was the best it had been for some time. There was one point he had the ball in the forward pocket, stopped, propped and hit Macrae in a better position. Displayed more composure than I thought he had.

Thanks Lemmon. Just watched the last quarter and the highlights. From what I saw he did show composure and used his pace effectively and kicked goals.

Great to see the players grabbing their opportunities when they came ala JJ, Stinger & Hunter after 3-4 weeks in the VFL and kudos to the match committee making the players work and earn their spots.

[boydogs]

Did JJ play in defence or more midfield?

I'd have to say wing, he had 5 inside 50's & no rebound 50's


Are you a little harsh on Redpath? The marks weren't always sticking but he looked a lot more likely to clunk them than Liam ever has in 1v1s. He knows how to use his body. For mine his forward leading patterns are improving every time I see him, he's athletic and generally pretty good with ball in hand. There's potential there.

He was pretty well anchored in the goal square, and couldn't outmark his opponent. He seemed focused on not being outmarked and bringing the ball to ground to bring our smalls into the game. If that's all we expect of him, then we may as well get a second ruck in who can do the same job.

When he was on the move, he seemed to struggle to hold his marks at full pace or with body pressure from his opponent. The Ash Hansen video praised his ability to use his bulk to hold his position and take the mark but he hasn't been able to replicate that against AFL defenders.

Watch Stringer in this video - he leads, then when it's kicked out in front of him but not by enough, he holds his opponent off the ball and protects the ball drop so he can take the mark. Redpath doesn't show any movement or direct the kicker, just waits for it to be kicked on his head

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2014-07-12/dogs-storm-home-beat-suns

[Scorlibo]

I saw him on a number of occasions hold his opponent out really well. He didn't take the grabs but let's hope that will come.

[ReLoad]

JohnGentStand

This is Dizzy Stuff.

Somehow the thugs in the scallop industry may be responsible.

I was so happy I almost threw up my Dixie drumstick! Still, the girls happy, she got the money, I got my rocks off.

(Secret Get This code for those going WTF!)

[Murphy'sLore]

It was especially pleasing that we were able to dominate another young side who will be mature and challenging at around the same time as we do.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

thanks Gogriff - I missed the match completely - really appreciate your report and great candid photos.

Me too but you can watch a full repaly on the AFL site, it's awesome and unlike some here, enjoyed the commentary, particularly from Ricciuto.
Well that was the game I'd been waiting for, the breakout game in which our potential is manifested. We saw what the young guys can do and the benefits of the three years of Macca's and our coaching group's development. This game put a lot of the pain of getting belted, feeling underresourced and abandoned by fate into perspective.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Not sure this has rated a mention yet, but how good was Bonti's one hand grab?

Stuck it out and it just landed in the palm of his hand - amazing stuff.

Kouta like.

[LostDoggy]

Not sure this has rated a mention yet, but how good was Bonti's one hand grab?

Stuck it out and it just landed in the palm of his hand - amazing stuff.

Kouta like.

It's a mark of the round nom on the AFL website

[Go_Dogs]

Not sure this has rated a mention yet, but how good was Bonti's one hand grab?

Stuck it out and it just landed in the palm of his hand - amazing stuff.

Kouta like.

Kouta was the first word that popped into my head.

That whole passage was great, Stringer takes a one hander on the chest ending with Dahl slotting the goal.

[Before I Die]

He was pretty well anchored in the goal square, and couldn't outmark his opponent. He seemed focused on not being outmarked and bringing the ball to ground to bring our smalls into the game. If that's all we expect of him, then we may as well get a second ruck in who can do the same job.

When he was on the move, he seemed to struggle to hold his marks at full pace or with body pressure from his opponent. The Ash Hansen video praised his ability to use his bulk to hold his position and take the mark but he hasn't been able to replicate that against AFL defenders.

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2014-07-12/dogs-storm-home-beat-suns


Arrived back from overseas last night and just watched the game after reading the posts on WOOF. I though Redpath showed a lot of potential. I hadn't been too impressed with the limited VFL vision I had previously seen, however, I felt he wasn't far away from having a very good game against GC. He presented well and generally had clean hands off the deck, except for a couple of critical fumbles in the goal square. He still hasn't picked up the intensity and speed of the game at AFL level, hopefully this will come in the next few weeks.

[ratsmac]

Just watched the replay and correct me if I'm wrong but did Libba crack a smile after kicking that goal in the last quarter ;). A very rare event.

[comrade]

Just watched the replay and correct me if I'm wrong but did Libba crack a smile after kicking that goal in the last quarter ;). A very rare event.

Yep, he seemed to enjoy. Boydy lost his shit over it too. The boys must love it when Libba kicks one.

[Go_Dogs]

Yep, he seemed to enjoy. Boydy lost his shit over it too. The boys must love it when Libba kicks one.

Yep, it was a great reaction, loved it.