Game Day Round 17 2015 - Western Bulldogs V Collingwood

[Eastdog]

Margin: Dogs by 11 points - Another close one and will prevail again over the Pies

First Goal: Stringer to get our first this week - need to get a good game from him

Best On Ground: Macrae - Hope he has a good day

[boydogs]

Going early Easty :D

Collingwood by 14
First Goal Stringer
BOG Wallis

Just don't think a Bonti-Dahl-Macrae-Wallis midfield can go with the Pies for 4 quarters, love to be proven wrong

[bulldogtragic]

Dogs by 64
Redpath 1st
Grant BOG

[bulldogtragic]

With the results now, this is as good as a qualifying final. A loss here and we are back up against it.

[bornadog]

Dogs by 1 point

First Goal Dickson

BOG Wallis

[Eastdog]

With the results now, this is as good as a qualifying final. A loss here and we are back up against it.

Need to win and consildate our place in the 8.

[Eastdog]

Our percentage isn't as healthy either and if Collingwood win tomorrow they will go on top of us on percentage so we wouldn't want that.

[Jeanette54]

Margin: Just grateful for any win.

First Goal: Jake Stringer

BOG: Matty Boyd.

[Smads57]

Margin - Dogs by 15 pts
First Goal - Dicko
BOG - The Bont

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Too many key outs IMO. We're lacking in the midfield and we're lacking down back. Our forwards need to drastically lift if we're a chance.

Pies by 22
First Goal - Stringer
BOG Wood

[Remi Moses]

Dogs by I don't care as long as it's a win
BOG macrae
1st goal Dickson

[bornadog]

Patience


Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge urged Dogs fans to be patient with Tom Boyd after he dropped the high-priced recruit ahead of Sunday's clash against Collingwood.The former No.1 draft pick arrived from Greater Western Sydney at the end of last season carrying high expectations along with his seven-year, multi-million dollar deal.
Beveridge is satisfied that Boyd has largely lived up to those expectations but felt the young forward's development would be enhanced by a spell in the VFL.

"He's 19 years old, he's missed one game with a slight medial strain and he's been enormous for us," Beveridge said on Saturday.
"So we're rapt with his progress ... if it wasn't for the price tag no one would be talking about it.
"We're just looking at the player and the young man. He's a great asset for our football club and we're salivating over what sort of player he'll be in the future.

"With all of our young guys we're playing a long game and he'll just continue to improve week to week."
Just one game separates the Bulldogs in sixth spot and the ninth-placed Magpies going into the clash at Etihad Stadium, which Beveridge agreed was a big game in terms of each club's finals aspirations.

Will Minson missed last week's loss to Geelong with a shoulder injury but was unable to force his way back into the side, with Tom Campbell set to lead the ruck against Collingwood duo Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts.
"It's a big challenge ... he's played one game back and we're backing him in," Beveridge said. "Tom will put his best foot forward and we believe that's going to be good enough up against Witts and Grundy.
"It's going to be a big challenge but we're backing him all the way.

"Will's had a little shoulder issue so he didn't play last week, he was going okay but Tom is going really well at VFL level and it's his time to shine and his chance to get a run at it."
Both sides made further changes to the teams named on Thursday, with the Dogs replacing Jordan Roughead with Michael Talia and the Pies bringing in Darcy Moore in place of Paul Seedsman.
-AAP

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 11
First goal Hunter
BOG Wallis

[ratsmac]

Dogs by 64
Redpath 1st
Grant BOG

Wow. I wish I had your optimism!

[ratsmac]

Pies by 7

BOG - Dahl

First goal - Crameri

[The Pie Man]

Despite thinking we'll struggle today, I'm really looking forward to today - hoping for 40K + despite the weather and a good contest/atmosphere. The Bont was significant vs GC but has hovered around the teens in possessions for a while. If he and the likes of Crameri can have good days, we're a great chance, and a win would be massive

Just rapt we're in this position after the last few years and the youth of our squad. Great opportunity to experience a finals type game

[1eyedog]

Don't underestimate the omissions of Cloke and Elliot their two primary scorers. Seedsman out as well is good for us because he can play. Bringing in Moore for him is one less running player to worry about. Wish Hamling was playing...

[kruder]

Will be interesting on how morris goes about a tall again. I wouldn't be surprised at seeing Redpath down there at some stage. I have a bad feeling about this one particular ours mids look a tad too industrious for mine. Lets hope there are some goals in the game for us this week though,had enough of 30-20 at half time.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Not confident today. Filth haven't been bad but haven't won in a while. We've not been great for a few weeks despite only losing one of our last 5 weeks.
Think they might get us today.
Dogs by 1 point
First goal: Dahl
BOG: M. Boyd

[Mantis]

Will be interesting on how morris goes about a tall again. I wouldn't be surprised at seeing Redpath down there at some stage. I have a bad feeling about this one particular ours mids look a tad too industrious for mine. Lets hope there are some goals in the game for us this week though,had enough of 30-20 at half time.

If Redpath goes back who are our tall forwards?

Only having 3 players who are ruck & KPP in the team leaves us extremely if one gets injured or performs poorly.. Given they are all extremely inexperienced doesn't fill me with much confidence.

[1eyedog]

If Redpath goes back who are our tall forwards?

Only having 3 players who are ruck & KPP in the team leaves us extremely if one gets injured or performs poorly.. Given they are all extremely inexperienced doesn't fill me with much confidence.

I think we have to go small especially if Redpath fails to get involved.. Stringer, Grant, Hunter, Dahl and perhaps Dicko creates options but it's crucial we deliver well in order to optimize them, but there lies the problem with our midfield looking quite utilitarian. There are no go long get out clauses down there with Boyd out. The danger in going small is that Frost or Brown can go forward and create real problems.

I still think this is a 50 / 50 game and we have an excellent chance of winning it.

[Rocco Jones]

This will be a fascinating match up. A case study for whether to go with extra talls just to combat the opposition. Stacked up against us, Collingwood are playing an extra KP forward, ruckman and KP defender. White, Moore and Grundy/Witts don't strike fear into the opposition but will they be too much on height alone? The games of medium sized players Stringer, Crameri, Wood and Morris will be huge. Especially Wood and Stringer. Really need Wood's natural game to not be curbed by having to defensively mind talls. With Tom Boyd out and Redpath being more suited to leading up the ground as well as having to offer support in ruck (and possibly down back), we will need Stringer to add consistent competitiveness to his explosive style. We cannot afford for him to just dip in and out of the game as he so often does.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Dogs by 1 point
First goal: Crameri
BOG: Murphy

[Mantis]

Jarrad Grant is the sub.

Young and inexperienced line-up.. Hoping for a win, but not confident.

[GVGjr]

Jarrad Grant is the sub.

Young and inexperienced line-up.. Hoping for a win, but not confident.

Strange move, I certainly would have started him. I dont like our selections of late because I can't see the logic behind them.

[whythelongface]

Very strange move having Grant as sub. Don't understand it at all.b

[Twodogs]

Dogs by 24
BOG: the Bont
First Goal: Stringer.

[Bulldog4life]

Very strange move having Grant as sub. Don't understand it at all.b

Might be like Boomer being the sub. Might not be doing all that he is supposed to. Must be a reason.

[KT31]

Dogs by 10pts
First goal: Stringer
BOG: Dahl

[Bulldog4life]

Dogs by 20pts
First goal: Big Jack
BOG: Boyd

[F'scary]

I think the key is whether we can break even in the midfield, that is their strength. If we can, I think our rebounding back line will get plenty of run due to their top heavy but not too imposing forward line and that coupled with our multiple avenues to goal in the forward line will get us home.

Dogs by 24 points
BOG: Picken
1st Goal: The Package.

[bornadog]

Jarrad Grant is the sub.

Young and inexperienced line-up.. Hoping for a win, but not confident.
cant believe it, not sure what the MC is thinking

[F'scary]

hmmm, not a good start.

[jazzadogs]

Good start by Sandy Roberts, talking about the young talent we've unearthed this year...such as Easton wood and Liam Picken!!

[Webby]

Lachie Hunter quite good early. Bonus.

[F'scary]

Umps playing for Collingwood.

[Scorlibo]

Crammers!! That's what we want to see

[1eyedog]

Crameri lively

[GVGjr]

Its an open game but still there has been a lot of pressure. Murphy a surprise forward which perhaps might have happened due to the Biggs inclusion. Biggs has been okay.

[MrMahatma]

Think we look pretty good. Some poor ump calls and a couple of turn overs cost us, but apart from that we're in good shape.

[ReLoad]

Men of mayhem is back. Love it.

Wish we could have capitalised though.

[Go_Dogs]

Looking good so far but Collingwood have kicked a few easy ones out of the clearance.

Few soft free kicks being called.

[Mantis]

Its an open game but still there has been a lot of pressure. Murphy a surprise forward which perhaps might have happened due to the Biggs inclusion. Biggs has been okay.

You'd think that Murf would have got 'sat on' if in defence.

[merantau]

We are ON today. Best quarter we've played for a while. Four set shots and an very getable snap missed - scoreboard does not tell the story of our dominance.

[AndrewP6]

Cracking goal by Dicko, he has three.

[whythelongface]

Hunter is playing well.

We are giving away some easy goals. Keeping the Pies in the game.

[GVGjr]

Credit to the Pies for lifting. How soft was that Redpath dropped mark? Needs to redeem himself now....missed

[GVGjr]

Good goal to Redpath. We need to make sure the Pies don't get a late one

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Not confident today. Filth haven't been bad but haven't won in a while. We've not been great for a few weeks despite only losing one of our last 5 weeks.
Think they might get us today.
Dogs by 1 point
First goal: Dahl
BOG: M. Boyd

This moron clearly has no idea what he's talking.....oh wait a minute...D'oh

[always right]

We will win if we stop gifting them goals. Best turnout of dogs supporters in three years. Hunter on fire.

[ReLoad]

I wonder if we can keep that up for 4 quarters.

[LostDoggy]

Love Hunters game.

Playing really good footy but making a few very bad errors and the Pies are making us pay everytime.

Daniel and Dale struggling. Would pull the sub during the third.

Prudden and Biggs contributing really well.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Best half of footy this season for some of our younger guys like Hunter, Biggs, Prudden.
A lot of work to do but we're clearly playing with a lot more energy than we have the past 5 or so weeks

[G-Mo77]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

[jazzadogs]

A swap of Dale/Daniel for Jarrad Grant could quite seriously rip this game open.

[Go_Dogs]

Biggs has been impressive albeit a few errors.

If we can rub out a few soft errors with our disposal we should win this. We're using the ball well heading inside 50 and seem to have too much run for Collingwood at the moment.

I'd sub out Daniel for Grant at this stage, maybe early third.

[chef]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

Thats why they're on here and not on the MC.

[GVGjr]

I think we are going to need some Jarrad Grant magic in the 2nd half.

[jazzadogs]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

His vision early to handball inside to Bont was more the Lachie Hunter that we all know is there but hadn't seen this year. Let's hope he can keep it going.

The reverse has been Easton Wood, strangely out of sorts...

[G-Mo77]

Thats why they're on here and not on the MC.

Not really talking about here. More about crowds at AFL and VFL games.

[Go_Dogs]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

Yep. Couldn't agree more - played a good first half and is going to become a good player for us in time. We just need to be patient with him and accept a bit of bad with the good at times as he looks to create with his disposal. His kicking has been very controlled today and his vision by hand in congestion impressive. Just need a big mark and we've seen the whole bag of tricks.

[GVGjr]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

He has the ability perhaps the rumours of his old man shopping him around dont help him. I want him to finish off the game with another goal.

[bulldogtragic]

I haven't seen the first half, but Hunters output at AFL level has been so very, very poor. I'm happy he's playing well, but he's deserved criticism. I hope he plays a blinder second half.

[merantau]

We are well on top and there will be no excuses if we don't go on with it. Players are showing a lot of confidence, using the ball well, running hard. Our mistakes have kept them in it so far. Hunter excellent. Would get Grant on early. Expect to win.

[bulldogtragic]

Wasted that.

[bulldogtragic]

Cmon Jake. Clutch goal needed.

[Scorlibo]

Glorious Tory

[bulldogtragic]

Welcome back Stewie.

[bulldogtragic]

It's Grant O'Clock now.

[GVGjr]

Despite tgat late goal we still need to keep tge scoreboard ticking over. That missed goal by Stringer hurt

[merantau]

Crameri has been very solid today. This is a good team performance. Dickson - DAMAGING.

[stefoid]

Yep, Grant for Dale. Daniel hasnt had a heap of it, but he has the tank to keep going whereas Dale I think must be running on the spot by now.

I want to see Grant on the end of two coast to coasts with his running ability should be twice as fast as any player who has already played 3 quarters.

[Drunken Bum]

Gee Morris has been good

[bulldogtragic]

Land the knock punch already boys. Cmon.

[bulldogtragic]

Talia you knob.

[bulldogtragic]

Amazing Granty. Amazing.

[GVGjr]

Struggling with the run at the moment. Need to settle this down with smart decision making. Pies look dangerous

[GVGjr]

We need a spark badly. Poor decision-making at the moment.

[Scorlibo]

Umpires think the game's about them at the moment

[GVGjr]

Umpires think the game's about them at the moment

Very true.

[GVGjr]

Great goal to Wally then Dale. Phew we needed that

[chef]

Great win.

[bulldogtragic]

King Wally now resides in the AFL, not NRL anymore.

[GVGjr]

Great win.
C'mon chef. Talk it up.

[Hotdog60]

Talia had a shocker, We Hamling or Roberts back.

[chef]

C'mon chef. Talk it up.

This was a final for me, a must win to keep our finals dream alive. All the pups stood up and we held on against a gallant Pies.

Go Dogs.

[ReLoad]

Talia had a shocker, We Hamling or Roberts back.

Yup, Hamling, Roberts or Roughead, would have saved us probably 3 or 4 goals.

I also wish we could kick straight, we could have buried that game.

[merantau]

Great team win today. We were far superior and it was only our poor kicking for goal and some silly mistakes that kept it close for as long as it did. I was impressed with our run which we sustained for the entire match. We had a lot of good players - a very even spread which is a good sign. Campbell rucked practically the entire match - credit to him. Daniel continues to use the ball well - clean hands and dangerous near goal. Biggs was very impressive in his first game. We played good football today. Congratulations to all concerned.

[Dry Rot]

Listened to the game on ABS radio.

How did Daniel go? What was the great pass he gave?

[Dry Rot]

And how did Biggs go?

[bornadog]

And how did Biggs go?
Great game very impressive. Picked up 28 disposals and was pretty solid down back

[merantau]

Yup, Hamling, Roberts or Roughead, would have saved us probably 3 or 4 goals.

I also wish we could kick straight, we could have buried that game.
I counted six set shots missed (2 posters) and four very getable snaps.

[GVGjr]

This was a final for me, a must win to keep our finals dream alive. All the pups stood up and we held on against a gallant Pies.

Go Dogs.

Great to hear, lets all get excited

[G-Mo77]

Maybe it's just me but it's a great feeling after a game when these lippy specimens can't even look you in the eye.

[Hotdog60]

Biggs played a good especially early on. Daniel was quiet but did some nice things

[jazzadogs]

Hunter awarded the Sutton-Rose medal for bog.

[Hotdog60]

Reports: Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs) reported for rough conduct on Brayden Maynard (Collingwood) in the last quarter.

This looked like nothing on the TV, does he have a problem?

[Mantis]

Maybe it's just me but it's a great feeling after a game when these lippy specimens can't even look you in the eye.

Most of them were gone before the siren sounded.

[AndrewP6]

Reports: Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs) reported for rough conduct on Brayden Maynard (Collingwood) in the last quarter.

This looked like nothing on the TV, does he have a problem?

Doubt it, nothing much in it.

[Go_Dogs]

Great win today.

Some impressive individual performances and a great team effort.

[AndrewP6]

Great win. Could have been by more, plenty to work on, but I just love beating Carringbush. Especially travelling home on the train with them, saying "If Cloke played, we would have won that game"

[AndrewP6]

I should start a thread titled "Dumb things Collingwood supporters say"...

"I don't think the Bulldogs can kick a winning score"... No, this wasn't said before the game, just now.

[merantau]

Great win. Could have been by more, plenty to work on, but I just love beating Carringbush. Especially travelling home on the train with them, saying "If Cloke played, we would have won that game"
Yeah, and if my aunt had whiskers she'd be my uncle. They are delusional.

[SlimPickens]

He has the ability perhaps the rumours of his old man shopping him around dont help him. I want him to finish off the game with another goal.

If that is the case, then this is how you want Lachie to perform.

[Go_Dogs]

How did others rate Prudden today? I didn't notice him hugely on the telecast, but he didn't appear to do a lot wrong and his opponent had little influence. Does that sound about right?

Morris was immense in the back half. I really hope he plays on in 2016.

[Twodogs]

Great win. I loved how the boys quitely took control of the game with five minutes to go and we had just kicked the two goals to get four in front. We played footy for a while, we were lucky not to have a couple of goals kicked on us but then a Collingwood player couldn't get his hand on it four four minutes until just before Moore took that mark at 55 seconds. We ole'd without interruption almost for four minutes.

[Go_Dogs]

If that is the case, then this is how you want Lachie to perform.

It was really interesting at the Trainers Function a few months back where father and son were on stage. It's always hard to read these things, but it seemed to me that Mark was a pretty strong critic on Lachie's game. Today provides Lachie a good platform to launch his career from and reinforcement that doing the team things produces the results.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

How did others rate Prudden today? I didn't notice him hugely on the telecast, but he didn't appear to do a lot wrong and his opponent had little influence. Does that sound about right?

Morris was immense in the back half. I really hope he plays on in 2016.
Thought Prudden looked good in the first half, his most confident game so far

[azabob]

Great win by the guys.

Going on the visual alone and not looking at stats, I thought Campbell played a really strong game and got better as the game went on.

He seems to thrive on being the number one ruck man and looks fit and lean.

I thought Hunter cost us the first goal by player watching and letting his player lead him to the ball but after that he was brilliant. Not only was he creative but he actually seem to use the football well and make the right decision.

Michael Talia on the other hand has a long way to go. Seems to panic when the ball comes into his area, and that fifty meter he gave away in the last, is inexcusable. I was so disappointed in that. He was a poor teammate in that instance, a very poor one.

[merantau]

How did others rate Prudden today? I didn't notice him hugely on the telecast, but he didn't appear to do a lot wrong and his opponent had little influence. Does that sound about right?

Morris was immense in the back half. I really hope he plays on in 2016.
Re Prudden, I think you've nailed it. Re Morris (and Boyd) I want to see both of them at the club for another two years or more if possible. Both are playing great football. Morris gives our defence so much flexibility and is such a cool head. Similarly Boydy. His ball use off half back has been superb this season. Both of them are always in the contest.

[SlimPickens]

It was really interesting at the Trainers Function a few months back where father and son were on stage. It's always hard to read these things, but it seemed to me that Mark was a pretty strong critic on Lachie's game. Today provides Lachie a good platform to launch his career from and reinforcement that doing the team things produces the results.

Mark is his biggest critic but also his biggest fan. Not sure it's a great mix to be honest. Lachie is still a kid who needs proper guidance.

[Go_Dogs]

Mark is his biggest critic but also his biggest fan. Not sure it's a great mix to be honest. Lachie is still a kid who needs proper guidance.

Agreed re guidance. Hopefully it's something the coaching group are continuing to work on and Lachie is listening to their advice and feedback on his game, rather than anyone else.

[hujsh]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

I was pretty critical of him after the GCS game (I called him dumb multiple times) but the performance today was a total 360 of that. He was so composed and seemed to always find the right option when he had the ball, especially near the forward 50. When a player can show that kind of class and get 32 touches it goes a long way to winning the game.

That said this more free-flowing game probably suited a player like Hunter. Hopefully he can back it up in more of a slog.




Going on the visual alone and not looking at stats, I thought Campbell played a really strong game and got better as the game went on.

He seems to thrive on being the number one ruck man and looks fit and lean.


Campbell let his game down with a couple of horrendous decisions (bad handpasses, playing on etc)

[Happy Days]

Agreed with all that's been said, but a special shoutout to Wallis for his 4th quarter. Kicked the goal and won two straight centre clearances just as the Pies were working back into it.

Morris' intercept marking was better than I've ever seen it today.

What did people think of Stringer's game? Really liked having him line up at CHB and charge into the centre at bounces, looked incredibly dangerous when doing so.

[Remi Moses]

If Cloke had played you'd have to factor his 1 goal 4 and 3 on the fulls.
If Libba and Stevens had played, and three of our backs , and if your aunty had......

[Remi Moses]

Great win by the guys.

Going on the visual alone and not looking at stats, I thought Campbell played a really strong game and got better as the game went on.

He seems to thrive on being the number one ruck man and looks fit and lean.

I thought Hunter cost us the first goal by player watching and letting his player lead him to the ball but after that he was brilliant. Not only was he creative but he actually seem to use the football well and make the right decision.

Michael Talia on the other hand has a long way to go. Seems to panic when the ball comes into his area, and that fifty meter he gave away in the last, is inexcusable. I was so disappointed in that. He was a poor teammate in that instance, a very poor one.

The second term when he commited to a contest ( over committed ) ball got out the back, and a pie goal.
Fundamentals right there

[bornadog]

How did others rate Prudden today? I didn't notice him hugely on the telecast, but he didn't appear to do a lot wrong and his opponent had little influence. Does that sound about right?

Morris was immense in the back half. I really hope he plays on in 2016.

I thought he played well, and was surprised he was subbed out. Bevo said he was unlucky as well and they just had to pick some one based on match ups.

[Go_Dogs]

I thought he played well, and was surprised he was subbed out. Bevo said he was unlucky as well and they just had to pick some one based on match ups.

It looked like a discussion re who to sub was happening before the side huddled at 3/4 time, with Bevo and Monty doing the talking (from the TV vision). Given Dale was possibly the other contender and had a bit of impact in the last it was probably the right decision.

[Flamethrower]

I thought he played well, and was surprised he was subbed out. Bevo said he was unlucky as well and they just had to pick some one based on match ups.

That's why I hate the sub rule.

Fantastic game of high octane football at Etihad today. Had a finals feel to it.

Loved the games of Lachy Hunter and Shane Biggs.

Michael Talia had one to forget.

Anyone see the huge brawl on level 1 at the Footscray end? The Collingwood scum who had left and then came back to king hit the WB supporter is a disgrace to humanity and should be banned for life. Thankfully the law has him in custody.

[bornadog]

Agreed with all that's been said, but a special shoutout to Wallis for his 4th quarter. Kicked the goal and won two straight centre clearances just as the Pies were working back into it.

Morris' intercept marking was better than I've ever seen it today.

What did people think of Stringer's game? Really liked having him line up at CHB and charge into the centre at bounces, looked incredibly dangerous when doing so.

Bevo doesn't mind mixing it up does he. Stringer started back and Murphy in the forward line. I thought it got Stringer into the game.

[always right]

On paper that was our easiest team for the year. In reality it was our most exciting performance. Exhilarating game to watch.

[azabob]

On paper that was our easiest team for the year. In reality it was our most exciting performance. Exhilarating game to watch.

What do you mean by easiest?

[always right]

What do you mean by easiest?

Damn autocorrect. Should have been "weakest".

[merantau]

Bevo doesn't mind mixing it up does he. Stringer started back and Murphy in the forward line. I thought it got Stringer into the game.
Agree with your observation. Murphy very cool wherever he plays and he creates opportunities. Stringer: barnstorming. He really took the game on and though never quite busting it open he was a real presence when he got forward. Was crucified in the last quarter in that marking contest when he was dragged to the ground by the shoulder when trying to complete the mark. And I liked Redpath too. He has that little bit of mongrel that the more refined refer to as 'controlled aggression' I think we need that at times.

[Eastdog]

Had a good day at the footy today. Went with my brother who is a Pies fan.

Thought our forward line functioned a lot better today. Liked Crameri game up there today and thought Redpath despite his critics still was a good presence up there. Loved our ball movement today but at times our skill level still lets us down and we play around with it still quite a bit. Murph and Picken are great and are great examples for our youngsters. Loving Caleb Daniel and what he can do. He may be short but gee he gets in there and tries hard.

[anfo27]

If we beat the filth nest week, does anyone recall when was the last time we went undefeated against the big 4?

[ledge]

The big 4 is a myth.
Essendon pull lower crowds than us nowadays,haven't won a final in 12 years ? if Carlton Is still rated big 4 Someone's delusional
Collingwood are 11th and haven't won a game for over a month .

[G-Mo77]

Great day. Thought we were really good today. Sloppy errors and misses allowed Collingwood back, even when they got close I knew we'd get over the line. I had confidence in them to finish it off.

Some real wild cards came to play today. Hunter, Biggs, Prudden and Crameri I thought were very good. All 4 have spent a lot of time at VFL recently and they stepped up when it was needed. Really happy for Lachie, he's been a whipping boy for some time now and good on him for shoving it up a lot of supporters.

Campbell held out pretty well. He's got to clunk some of those marks though. Same goes with Redpath. They get to teh right position but just can't hold them.

Umpires were absolutely deplorable. I'm a pretty subdued fan at the footy now but I can barely speak tonight after some of those decisions. First quarter they were disgusting!

Now onto those Bombres!

[F'scary]

I had a look at the replay of the Macrae report. There was nothing in it. The Collingwood player took a dive, a really obvious one.

[G-Mo77]

I had a look at the replay of the Macrae report. There was nothing in it. The Collingwood player took a dive, a really obvious one.

Weak free, weak 50, weak report, weak umpires.

[hujsh]

Weak free, weak 50, weak report, weak umpires.

So a week or 2 off?

[G-Mo77]

So a week or 2 off?

For the umps I'd give them a week. Macrae's got nothing to worry about.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Was anyone in the vicinity of the brawl on level one and see what actually happened? Used to happen every second week but is pretty rare these days.

[G-Mo77]

Was anyone in the vicinity of the brawl on level one and see what actually happened? Used to happen every second week but is pretty rare these days.

There is a video on one of the Bulldogs facebook pages. I think there is a run down of what happened as well.

[kruder]

Kudos to Crameri and Hunter for mine. They both needed a really solid performance and added that extra element we needed in which as people said looked like our weakest side for the year. Hunter went for the first option and ran hard all day while Crameri was well Crameri the 2014 version which is a good thing for the most part :)

Absolutely thrilled to get the win really solid team effort all round.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Considering their lack of top level footy, i thought Prudden and Campbell did quite well today in what was quite a frenetic game. Tom had much more of a pack presence than Will ever has and injury aside, should hold his spot for next week. Biggs was very good. Talia had one to forget. But given his early season form and with another key back in the team, could still have a future.

[firstdogonthemoon]

I watched this on twitter and on bad internet at ballina airport and it still looked pretty good. We are a thing!

[LostDoggy]

Loved our use of Murphy. If Biggs can perfrom at that level along with Boyd and JJ we can afford to throw Murphy anywhere.

He is so smart on the lead, times his leads perfectly and noone can go with him. A couple of times today it reminded me of his years at CHF constantly leading up and playing on straight away into forward 50.

[Happy Days]

I watched this on twitter and on bad internet at ballina airport and it still looked pretty good. We are a thing!

We're trending! Congrats to the marketing division

[Twodogs]

I'm still feeling pretty stoked about winning this one. That was a pretty young team we put out. It had no defence to speak of. But they held it together and got the result. And led pretty much all day too. Except for the first five minutes we spent the game increasing the lead and apart from a little brain fart in the last quarter it was vini vidi vici.

[Bulldog4life]

As my daughter says Bevo is going to lead us to the promised land:)

[bornadog]

I'm still feeling pretty stoked about winning this one. That was a pretty young team we put out. It had no defence to speak of. But they held it together and got the result. And led pretty much all day too. Except for the first five minutes we spent the game increasing the lead and apart from a little brain fart in the last quarter it was vini vidi vici.

Based on average games, we were the youngest over round 17 at 73.1 games, just below GWS and Carlton.

[merantau]

As my daughter says Bevo is going to lead us to the promised land:)
Yesterday, showed that we have more depth. We won well despite the absence of some key figures. The blokes who came in all played their roles. There is serious competition for a spot in the 22 and when players get a chance they don;t want to blow it. I think there would be quite a debate around who are our best 22 at the moment.

[bulldogtragic]

I just watched the replay again, but the pregame this time. The young person tossing the coin was in a wheelchair and who tossed the coin did so having the coin on the end of a plastic ruler being held in their mouth. In a bygone era that probably wouldn't have been allowed. It was also good seeing them decked out in their and our colours and Bobby being genuinely warm.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Yesterday, showed that we have more depth. We won well despite the absence of some key figures. The blokes who came in all played their roles. There is serious competition for a spot in the 22 and when players get a chance they don;t want to blow it. I think there would be quite a debate around who are our best 22 at the moment.

The bonus for me was the performance of both Hunter and Biggs and improvement of Crameri after an ordinary year. Considering who was out of the team this was a gutsy win. We will be further strengthened with the return of Hamling Roberts Roughead and Stevens.

[Mantis]

Have spoken to 5 pies supporters this morning and all that want to talk about who they had out.

Gracious lot aren't they?

[Mantis]

Yesterday, showed that we have more depth. We won well despite the absence of some key figures. The blokes who came in all played their roles. There is serious competition for a spot in the 22 and when players get a chance they don;t want to blow it. I think there would be quite a debate around who are our best 22 at the moment.

Will be a fair bit more come Rd 1 2016.

[1eyedog]

Have spoken to 5 pies supporters this morning and all that want to talk about who they had out.

Gracious lot aren't they?

What reason did they give when you asked them why they had lost the previous 4 with Elliot and Cloke in?

[G-Mo77]

Have spoken to 5 pies supporters this morning and all that want to talk about who they had out.

Gracious lot aren't they?

Oh yeah. I'm waiting for that excuse coming from a couple of workmates tonight.

[Mofra]

Have spoken to 5 pies supporters this morning and all that want to talk about who they had out.

Gracious lot aren't they?
They must have had their best player and reigning B&F out, because...

... oh no, that was us :cool:

[Mantis]

What reason did they give when you asked them why they had lost the previous 4 with Elliot and Cloke in?

They played the best 3 teams in the comp plus Port who were never going to lose as a tribute to Phil Walsh...Meh!

They said they would have beaten us yesterday with Cloke and Elliott playing because we 'ain't that good'.. I said no we aren't, but were good enough to comfortably beat you guys with our 3 first choice tall defenders not playing, but they don't care about that.

[Twodogs]

What a pack of toothless grinners.

[1eyedog]

They played the best 3 teams in the comp plus Port who were never going to lose as a tribute to Phil Walsh...Meh!

They said they would have beaten us yesterday with Cloke and Elliott playing because we 'ain't that good'.. I said no we aren't, but were good enough to comfortably beat you guys with our 3 first choice tall defenders not playing, but they don't care about that.

Plus no Libba and no Stevens. Many supporters (especially Collingwood and Essendon ones), don't understand that its not the outs that count its the depth to cover them that's important. We brought players in from the cusp who performed and they couldn't.

We are ahead of them.

[Sedat]

Have spoken to 5 pies supporters this morning and all that want to talk about who they had out.

Gracious lot aren't they?
How would they go with Pendlebury out for the entire season, because that's what we've done with Libba? They are a good young team but their depth has shown to drop away more sharply than most pundits and media scribes thought.

[Happy Days]

How would they go with Pendlebury out for the entire season, because that's what we've done with Libba? They are a good young team but their depth has shown to drop away more sharply than most pundits and media scribes thought.

We were also missing all of our KPDs, so the Cloke arguement (?) doesn't wash.

[bornadog]

They played the best 3 teams in the comp plus Port who were never going to lose as a tribute to Phil Walsh...Meh!

They said they would have beaten us yesterday with Cloke and Elliott playing because we 'ain't that good'.. I said no we aren't, but were good enough to comfortably beat you guys with our 3 first choice tall defenders not playing, but they don't care about that.

Tell them we were the youngest team to play on the weekend in terms of average games played.

[Greystache]

Hunter has been tarred and feathered by a lot of our supporters I hope they can start to get behind him after a good start to this game. I don't think Ive heard a younger player bagged so much like Hunter has.

I'd say his toughest critics have been the coach and the MC. They suspended him for a month, dropped him after 2 games, and then wouldn't promote him despite regularly racking up 30+ touches and kicking multiple goals. Even yesterday the coach couldn't bring himself to describe Hunter's game as more than "solid". Supporters haven't been nearly as tough.

Seems like it might have been the right approach too.

[craigsahibee]

Amazing Granty. Amazing.

Was that in response to the contest where he was outnumbered 3 -1 and threw himself on the footy and dubiously handballed it clear? That one piece of play encapsulated the change in Grant over the last 18 months.

[azabob]

I'd say his toughest critics have been the coach and the MC. They suspended him for a month, dropped him after 2 games, and then wouldn't promote him despite regularly racking up 30+ touches and kicking multiple goals. Even yesterday the coach couldn't bring himself to describe Hunter's game as more than "solid". Supporters haven't been nearly as tough.

Seems like it might have been the right approach too.

And the coach said that's the benchmark!

[jeemak]

Just reviewing the stats, and they tell a story about the helter skelter nature of the game compared to previous weeks.

We had Boyd, JJ, Crameri, Dale and Dickson not registering tackles, while Hunter, Murphy, Wallis, Prudden, Talia, Redpath and Grant (sub) only managed one each.

How often do you win when over half of your team registers seven tackles between them?

Matt Boyd's only registered one tackle these past three weeks, and that was against the Suns.

[bornadog]

Just reviewing the stats, and they tell a story about the helter skelter nature of the game compared to previous weeks.

We had Boyd, JJ, Crameri, Dale and Dickson not registering tackles, while Hunter, Murphy, Wallis, Prudden, Talia, Redpath and Grant (sub) only managed one each.

How often do you win when over half of your team registers seven tackles between them?

Matt Boyd's only registered one tackle these past three weeks, and that was against the Suns.

We have been averaging over 70 tackles per game. Against Collingwood we had only 43, however we had almost 100 more disposals than Collingwood.

[Greystache]

Just reviewing the stats, and they tell a story about the helter skelter nature of the game compared to previous weeks.

We had Boyd, JJ, Crameri, Dale and Dickson not registering tackles, while Hunter, Murphy, Wallis, Prudden, Talia, Redpath and Grant (sub) only managed one each.

How often do you win when over half of your team registers seven tackles between them?

Matt Boyd's only registered one tackle these past three weeks, and that was against the Suns.

What would be interesting is to see whether pressure acts were up while tackle numbers were down. There was pressure on the ball carrier most of the time, but the fast ball movement nature of both teams meant there wasn't huge numbers of stop play tackles.

[Twodogs]

There was a lot of unrewarded tackling too. And we don't gang tackle anymore. Often the contest will be a tackler, a tacklee and players watching waiting for the ball to spill free.

[comrade]

While the tackle numbers were down, it didn't feel like our pressure was down. It was just that sort of game.

Hawks and Eagles are 15th and 16th for average tackles this year. If you win the ball and move it correctly...and score heavily, like we did this week, tackling is less important.