Game Day Round 1, 2018 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs at UNSW Canberra Oval

[Eastdog]

Our opening game of the new 2018 season. Let's get our predictions in - the crowd prediction is optional and not an essential one. Will put the venue name as well in the thread title each week.

Margin: Bulldogs by 4 points
First Goal: Josh Dunkley
Best On Ground: Jack Macrae with Bont and Libba close behind

Go the Mighty Bulldogs!!

[AndrewP6]

GWS by 45. Hate to do this in game 1, but can't see us getting up.
First goal Dahlhaus
BOG for us Trengove

[Daughter of the West]

I don't think I've been this pessimistic at the start of a season for a long time. And our team list for this game does nothing for me, sadly.

GWS by 36
First goal - A toe poke from the Honey Badger
BOG - The Bont

[Bulldog Joe]

While I am disturbed by the selected side I can never tip against us.

Bulldogs by 13
First Goal Trengove
BOG Libba

[Eastdog]

While I am disturbed by the selected side I can never tip against us.

Bulldogs by 13
First Goal Trengove
BOG Libba

Yep I am exactly the same Bulldog Joe.

[bornadog]

Dogs by 19
First goal: Mclean
BOG The Bont

[Rocket Science]

Giants by 57.
First Goal: Dale
BOG: Bontempelli

[ratsmac]

GWS by 54
First goal - Wood
BOG for us - Macrae

[1eyedog]

Giants by 38
Wood first goal
Bont our best

[Twodogs]

I never tip against us but I genuinely think we will win

Us by 31 points
First goal Dahl
BOG Macrae (as usual)

[SonofScray]

27 points in our favour would be Super.

Let's kick the year off well.

[GVGjr]

Dogs by 9 points in a fast finishing game.
BOG - Johanissen
1st goal Dahlhaus

How good would it be to get the win this weekend against quality opposition before our first home game?
We need a number of our better players to be switched on from the first bounce

[choconmientay]

Plastic by 23.
First goal by JJ
MacCrae BOG for us

[Eastdog]

6 of us so far predicting the win
6 of us so far predicting we lose

[Bulldog4life]

Dogs by 15 points
BOG - Libba
First goal- Dale

[boydogs]

GWS by 24
First Goal Bont
BOG Bont

[Twodogs]

27 points in our favour would be Super.

Let's kick the year off well.

I see what you did there.

A 27 point win would be worth a pretty Penny to see.

[Eastdog]

Any woofers heading to the game.

I believe Mantis is going and maybe Templeton31 who is a Canberra woofer.

[GVGjr]

I'm really looking forward to today's game. We have a great rivalry with GWS and I see our games as a real yardstick on how we should perform.

Playing English as the 2nd ruckman when we already have Trengove is an interesting move. I'm interested to see how that works out today

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 23
First goal Honeychurch
BOG Libba

Hope the conditions play to our strengths (they should) and we see a better indication of what changes to our ball movement and inside F50 entries we've been working on over summer. Biggest one for me is to see how our backline holds up with no Adams, Boyd, JJ, Murphy and Wood, and following this, how Wood goes up front. It doesn't need to be perfect today but we need to see some positive signs demonstrating how it improves our team.

[merantau]

Will be a good test first up. I think we'll win by 15 points. First goal JJ. BOG Libber.

[DOG GOD]

GWS by 63 pts
First goal - dunks
Bog - McCrae

Patton/Cameron/Greene to tear us a new one

With our fwd setup we will be lucky to kick 8 goals for the game (praying I'm completely wrong)

[Twodogs]

What are the conditions up there like?

[Go_Dogs]

No late changes.

Biggs, Dale, Dahlhaus and Dunkley named on the bench, so we must be starting English forward?

[Rocket Science]

http://i63.tinypic.com/2vifqt1.png

The ****ing galling irony of the AFEL completely dropping the ball on this incident then merrily trading off it to fan promotion for the game.

[bornadog]

http://i63.tinypic.com/2vifqt1.png

The ****ing galling irony of the AFEL completely dropping the ball on this incident then merrily trading off it to fan promotion for the game.

When I saw this I thought it was one of your brilliant photoshops. More reason to hate the AFL.

[Twodogs]

I'm not going to say anything just in case I say something.

[Go_Dogs]

Surprised they went with boxing gloves. Wouldn't a boot have been more appropriate?

[Twodogs]

Surprised they went with boxing gloves. Wouldn't a boot have been more appropriate?

Hopefully Dahl gets to wear the boxing gloves. Might make ball handling a bit difficult.

[Eastdog]

Carn the Dogs!

[Rocket Science]

When I saw this I thought it was one of your brilliant photoshops. More reason to hate the AFL.

Oh it was. Here's the AFEL's tasteful version.

http://i66.tinypic.com/2nr1qvo.png

[bornadog]

Oh it was. Here's the AFEL's tasteful version.

http://i66.tinypic.com/2nr1qvo.png

I haven't stopped laughing

[Eastdog]

Defence!

[Rocket Science]

I haven't stopped laughing

Oh watching the game will fix that quick smart.

Patton, Cameron, bang, bang ... while we don't have target after Gower's good work.

[Webby]

Garry Lyon commentating the Fox broadcast.... just not my day!

He’s always been so negative about us. Geez, I’d target Dwayne Russell..

[G-Mo77]

How much will we lose by? Terrible, just terrible

[Rocket Science]

Garry Lyon commentating the Fox broadcast.... just not my day!

He’s always been so negative about us. Geez, I’d target Dwayne Russell..

Lyon predictably enjoying it too but we're giving him plenty to work with unfortunately.

[Eastdog]

Cmon!

[Sedat]

Suckers 2 turnovers by foot. Expect that from Jayson Daniels

[ratsmac]

All my fears before tgis game are all warranted

[1eyedog]

Lol we are a debacle on and off the field ATM.

[AndrewP6]

The pessimism was well and truly justified. This is just horrific.

[1eyedog]

No structure, bad selections.

[MrMahatma]

Horrible start.

Just what I feared.

Can't win with no fwd line.

[Axe Man]

This is atrocious

[AndrewP6]

Garry Lyon commentating the Fox broadcast.... just not my day!

He’s always been so negative about us. Geez, I’d target Dwayne Russell..

He is not wrong about us at all.

[Eastdog]

Where is our forward line?

[1eyedog]

Easton Wood lone forward lol with no 1 and 2 in the shed.

[Rocket Science]

Long bombs forward. DRINK.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

And looks like Libba has done a knee

[AndrewP6]

Now Libba down. I might get some housework done.

[1eyedog]

Libba done

[lemmon]

Libba looks like he's hurt a knee. Could we have had a worse start?

[Sedat]

That's an ACL. Mechanism is classic ACL. Poor Lib.

Hope I'm wrong.

[Rocket Science]

What good's a flogging without another key injury to wash it down with?

[G-Mo77]

Yep knee and looks bad.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

On a positive note English and Gowers have looked good

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We're fighting harder now at least.

[Rocket Science]

Gowers rewarding the faith. Really involved.

[Sedat]

Good last 10 mintues (except for Libba's injury)

[AndrewP6]

I like Gowers, showing intent greater than many of his more senior teammates.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

At some point will our coaches ever address our bombing the ball inside 50?

[Before I Die]

I hate to go against the trend, but selections looks justified. Playing Wood forward? Not so much.

[Eastdog]

We are back!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Awesome effort Roughy. GWS have owned most of the play, but we've worked much harder and are scrapping hard.

[Rocket Science]

At some point will our coaches ever address our bombing the ball inside 50?

Does it really matter who's up forward when we insist on delivering so poorly to them?

Wood's completely wasted up there.

[bornadog]

Better last 10 minutes, a bit of pressure and the plastics crumble

[Rocket Science]

GWS get visibly lairy when they get their tails up which allowed us to scrap back a bit.

[Sedat]

Mitigating circumstances today with such a swirly wind. But yeah, need to hit our targets inside F50.

[MrMahatma]

Solid last 10. We looked good, apart from no fwd line. Gowers showing some heat.

[whythelongface]

That was looking ugly but well done lads for hanging in there. Only 5 points down is a fair effort considering their dominance in possession.

Horrible news for Libba (assuming it is his knee). Impressed with Gowers and English

[ReLoad]

crikey....... Libba :(

Put a fork in us........ We're cooked!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Gutted about libba. The more things change they stay the same.

I hate Wood forward. It’s such a diabolical waste.

[Go_Dogs]

Can’t believe Libba, looks a certain ACL. So devastated for him after such a big preseason.

English and Gowers look good, HC done some good things and great to see Hunter getting plenty of ball in space on the wing.

We’re well and truly in this even though we haven’t played well in a lot of areas.

[The Underdog]

On a positive note English and Gowers have looked good

Roughy and English ruck combo looks a winner. Gowers is playing the role Easton Wood is meant to be, but well.
Gowers strong hands are clearly a plus considering our appalling ball use forward

[Eastdog]

Libba Knee

That sucks

[LostDoggy]

Being optimistic here but they don't give out 4 points until the end and they fought back. But today isn't shaping up as a good day, first the cricket now Libba all I need is Ricardo's engine to blow up in the starting grid and my weekend is shot lol

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Much better ball movement. Well done guys..

[Rocket Science]

So the Wood back experiment lasted a quarter.

[Eastdog]

Much better ball movement. Well done guys..

That transition from the midfield to Dale before in the forward line was good. Just didn't convert.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Just a class difference right now. We work hard but we have more guys who's limitations outweigh their positive attributes. GWS have more elite skills.

[lemmon]

Has there been an update on Libba? My Foxtel has been patchy.

[Axe Man]

My god phil Davis is a germ

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

So Gowers, tough and hardworking but doesnt strike me as being highly skilled. We've quite a few in that category

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Has there been an update on Libba? My Foxtel has been patchy.

Knee. Done.

[MrMahatma]

Put Wood back fwd. :)

[Axe Man]

Horrible management of Wood. Why put him back after 1 quarter after committing to him forward all pre season. Just baffling

[Sedat]

Was that Suckers who was tackled in the centre square thst resulted in that turnover goal? Having a mare.

[The Underdog]

There’s no way we’re winning this game.
You’d think with a whole team dressed in hi-viz that you’d be able to track them around the ground

[MrMahatma]

This has all the signs of a very dark day now.

[lemmon]

Naughton having a tough debut

[Sedat]

Ball movement differential is stark between the two teams. GWS is elite and ours is ordinary

[ledge]

We are a shadow of two years ago.
I have no idea where we are heading , our talls all playing reserves, same old story of bombing it and no forward line structure.
I just hope gws are a mile ahead of the rest of the competition.

[AndrewP6]

So Gowers, tough and hardworking but doesnt strike me as being highly skilled. We've quite a few in that category

Not sure we've got that many hard-workers today.

[GVGjr]

We have a bity of work to do in the 2nd half. Just want to see some of our boys lift.

[G-Mo77]

What an embarrassment our team has become.

[SquirrelGrip]

Horrible management of Wood. Why put him back after 1 quarter after committing to him forward all pre season. Just baffling
Crozier was off getting his knee checked out.

[Rocket Science]

Consistency (or lack thereof) of effort + application is the most troubling aspect of a showing like this.

We switch on and off like a flickering fluoro light.

[ledge]

I'm seriously disgusted in our set up up forward and the way we go in.
It's appalling and we are in for a scary year.
Also question our team selection and we don't have a second game plan.
We aren't a team it looks like it's players playing for themselves.

[1eyedog]

It will be 12 goals today.

[lemmon]

So Honeychurch streaming forward and manages to hit Phil Davis on the chest is picked ahead of Caleb Daniel - who can actually kick the thing.

[Eastdog]

Dunks!

[Eastdog]

And we undo all that hard work

[Sedat]

Bont had been insipid. Kelly and Shiel are bossing him today.

Guys like Honeychurch are easy fodder but we are getting smashed because our elite senior mids are getting schooled.

[bulldogtragic]

Going to be a long year.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Pathetic; we are an awful team.

[whythelongface]

So Honeychurch streaming forward and manages to hit Phil Davis on the chest is picked ahead of Caleb Daniel - who can actually kick the thing.

At least HC is having a crack

[AndrewP6]

If I was a neutral fan watching, I'd be unsure who our senior players are. We have regressed.

[Sedat]

At least HC is having a crack
And that kick was Roughy's fault for falling over. We aren't 8 goals down because our 22nd best player is missing the occasional target.

[Rocket Science]

We need to spend more time practicing our tap-dancing with the pill while we wait for something ahead to present.

Because we're going to be doing a LOT of it this year.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

WTF is our game plan? Can somebody tell me?

[Sedat]

Bont, Macrae, Dahl, Hunter and McLean have apparently all had double-digit possessions. Their collective impact has been negligable on this contest.

Appalling half of football by our core midfield group. No two-way running at all and horribly exposing our backline.

[Sedat]

WTF is our game plan? Can somebody tell me?
It certainly doesn't comprise of any two-way running

[bornadog]

Let's face it, GWS are just too good. They are a well balanced team, athletic team, with great disposal skills. They move the ball well from one end to the other and have the targets to hit. Kelly is the best mid in the comp, yes better than Dusty or Danger.

[Eastdog]

Very poor. Our skill level is crap and our forward set up crap.

No intensity whatsoever that quarter. Only good in the 2nd half of the 1st quarter the rest terrible.

Libba getting injured :(

[Grantysghost]

Three tall KPFs and we aren’t playing any of them, but we have a game plan that looks for them. JJ won a norm smith off half back and with Bob and Boyd gone he’s not playing there and hasn’t impacted the game at all. The effort isn’t there seem defeated before they even started. English is a positive at the very least .

[G-Mo77]

WTF is our game plan? Can somebody tell me?

Let your opponent run away into space to create options so our stellar defence can get some good practice at defending.

Forwards resting for next season.

Is the 2019 draft class going to bea good one?

[bornadog]

Trengove hasn't touched the ball, Wood 3 touches, Biggs 5, JJ 7

[dukedog]

Yep. Libba knee done. Pulled and hopped exactly how he did in the preseason when he did it....don't be fooled. The Giants are clinical.... There long kicks to targets has been phenomenal.... Dogs need a tall target. Well done English. Jeep it up kid.

[Sedat]

Let's face it, GWS are just too good. They are a well balanced team, athletic team, with great disposal skills. They move the ball well from one end to the other and have the targets to hit. Kelly is the best mid in the comp, yes better than Dusty or Danger.
Cop-out post. Their mids have worked MUCH harder both ways than our mids. It's not a talent issue being 7 goals down, it's a workrate issue.

[bulldogtragic]

Let your opponent run away into space to create options so our stellar defence can get some good practice at defending.

Forwards resting for next season.

Is the 2019 draft class going to bea good one?

Super draft in 7 months time.

[bornadog]

Cop out post. Their mids have worked MUCH harder both ways than our mids. It's not a talent issue being 7 goals down, it's a workrate issue.

they are premiership favourites, and just too good. We overrate our players, because we are supporters. It is a talent issue.

[Grantysghost]

Cop-out post. Their mids have worked MUCH harder both ways than our mids. It's not a talent issue being 7 goals down, it's a workrate issue.


Spot on - if you can’t bring the intensity in the first half of the season you’ve got bigger problems than talent.

[dukedog]

Cop-out post. Their mids have worked MUCH harder both ways than our mids. It's not a talent issue being 7 goals down, it's a workrate issue.

Spot on post tho....

[Sedat]

they are premiership favourites, and just too good. We overrate our players, because we are supporters. It is a talent issue.
Sorry BAD but that's complete garbage. Their talent wasn't any different in the 2016 PF but the result most certainly was.

We have let the likes of Kelly, Shiel and Coniglio waltz through the middle without any pressure whatsoever. Terrible lack of defensive pressure from our mids.

[bornadog]

Spot on - if you can’t bring the intensity in the first half of the season you’ve got bigger problems than talent.

Yes they are working harder, but they have a super talented team, gifted to them by the AFL and they are now in the 100 to 150 games bracket.

[Go_Dogs]

Well, after all the concerns about our selections, English is perhaps our best player today. HC and Gowers more intent than the rest of the side combined.

Our ball movement, our hands, our disposal, our inability to read when and where to spread offensively and defensively all a concern.

Given we had stated Wood remains forward as the injuries piled up, its disappointing we lacked the fortitude to continue it for more than 30 minutes of football (even if I agree Wood back makes more sense). We need a tag on Kelly and can someone please wear Toby Greene in the second half too.

Could become a very long year.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Only positive is English - will be a super player. Great to see him compete with intensity.

Agree on work rate calls - beyond poor. I truly questions Bevo and the coaching group, it’s worth a separate thread. I still don’t understand why we would change so much after 2016.

[bornadog]

Sorry BAD but that's complete garbage. Their talent wasn't any different in the 2016 PF but the result most certainly was.

We have let the likes if Kelly, Shiel and Coniglio waltz through the middle without any pressure whatsoever. Terrible lack of defensive pressure from our mids.

Who is as good as Kelly, Shield and Congilio in our team other than The Bont? Those three do it week in week out. Prelim, that was two years ago, this team is now experienced and the talent is shining through.

[Grantysghost]

Yes they are working harder, but they have a super talented team, gifted to them by the AFL and they are now in the 100 to 150 games bracket.

Agree with that their list is like the Harlem Globetrotters all peaking together, and they’ve plugged holes with good recruiting . Hope we can show some resilience, lift the intensity and not cop a 15 goal hiding . Game’s gone, let’s get something out of this second half to use for the rest of the season . Go dogs !

[Sedat]

Who is as good as Kelly, Shield and Congilio in our team other than The Bont? Those three do it week in week out. Prelim, that was two years ago, this team is now experienced and the talent is shining through.
Bont, Macrae, JJ, McLean, Hunter all supremely talented players - not working anywhere near hard enough the other way

[Rocket Science]

Exclaiming the bleeding obvious that GWS are talented is pure deflection in the face of this.

We look unprepared and horribly disorganised and saying gee, well the opponents go alright does nothing to remedy it.

[Eastdog]

Roughy gets a vital goal. A little better up forward at the start of the 3rd.

[AndrewP6]

You know your team is going well when you can give Sam Reid a lifeline and games. :eek:

[ratsmac]

How we have more i50 and still 40 points down is alarming to the way we use the footy. No improvement whatsoever from last year.

[Sedat]

Bailey Williams. I don't see it at all.

[G-Mo77]

Bailey Williams. I don't see it at all.

Neither do I mate.

[MrMahatma]

Neither do I mate.

Same

[Sedat]

Apparently the supreme talents of De Boer, Langdon, Himmelberg, Lloyd and Sam Reid are too much for us to handle - it's not a workrate issue at all

[The bulldog tragician]

The lack of spirit is disturbing.

[Eastdog]

Johnno saying play our players back into their positions.

[Eastdog]

The lack of spirit is disturbing.

So not like us.

[bornadog]

Apparently the supreme talents of De Boer, Langdon, Himmelberg, Lloyd and Sam Reid are too much for us to handle - it's not a workrate issue at all

Please don't take the piss.

There are always soldiers in a team that are required to do their job. I am just being realistic. :D

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Will be turning this off shortly.

Embarrassing. What has Beveridge and co done to this side?

[ratsmac]

Our foot has no idea what our hand is doing. Which is stark contrast to GWS who all work as one unit. Bevo has to find answers because the buck stops with him. We are bottom 4 atm

[bornadog]

Patton shit his pants

[MrMahatma]

From Premiers to irrelevance in 18 months.

[Eastdog]

From Premiers to irrelevance in 18 months.

Yeah just what happened

[AndrewP6]

So not like us.

It is fast becoming our trademark.

[dukedog]

It's gonna be a long winter.

[Eastdog]

What a sh*t day

[Rocket Science]

Being a rotation down and chasing tail all day hasn't helped but our mids all look completely gassed.

[bornadog]

Two goals in two minutes resulting from turnovers in the backline

[Sedat]

Please don't take the piss.

There are always soldiers in a team that are required to do their job. I am just being realistic. :D
I'm seeing Kelly, Shiel, Coniglio, Taranto and others bust their arse to apply pressure on us when we have the ball, which creates the haphazard F50 entries we've had. I see absolutely none of the same from any of our mids, hence why a cat like Cameron has kicked 6 of the easiest goals you'll see.

You can talk about the draft concessions and the talent levels they have assembled till the cows come home - it didn't help them at the pointy end of 2016 or 2017. Today, they have worked light years harder than we have. Have a look at marks (-41) and uncontested possessions (-67) differential today if you want to see a team bludging vs a team working hard. Also 70 points down and we've laid less tackles - but yeah, it's all about the talent.

[bornadog]

Being a rotation down and chasing tail all day hasn't helped but our mids all look completely gassed.

One of our issues is our mids are all slow, they can't cover the ground their mids cover.

With Libba out, who do we have to cover him? Another slow mid in Wallis.

[kruder]

Predictable result just got off a plane from Sydney. I’s Wood still forward?

[Rocket Science]

One of our issues is our mids are all slow, they can't cover the ground their mids cover.

With Libba out, who do we have to cover him? Another slow mid in Wallis.

Indeed, so that's where we can compensate with precise, purposeful ball movement oh wait ....

[G-Mo77]

Predictable result just got off a plane from Sydney. I’s Wood still forward?

I don't know. I haven't seen him all day

[Go_Dogs]

One of our issues is our mids are all slow, they can't cover the ground their mids cover.

With Libba out, who do we have to cover him? Another slow mid in Wallis.

We need speed and players who can use the ball.

Wrong thread, but surely Daniel, Jong and Richards must be in the frame.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We are a complete rabble in all facets on and off the field. We are destined to be bottom four this year. What side has ever capitulated like this 18 months after a flag? Who’d have thought that long awaited flag would prove to be so disastrous 18 months on. What a shambles. I’m afraid Bevo also has a lot to answer for. The players are useless and acting like they don’t give a dam. But it’s every single one of them and the buck stops with the coach. Absolute disgrace today

[ratsmac]

We are shadows of our best. I struggle to see wear the improvement will come from and that's saying something because we couldn't get any worse. Our fitness at round 1 is well below par. Our conditioning has to be questioned with injury after injury. Our game plan is ........ well you tell me.

[bornadog]

We need speed and players who can use the ball.

Wrong thread, but surely Daniel, Jong and Richards must be in the frame.

Spot on, our disposal is woeful. Macrae has 26 disposals but none are damaging, same with Dahl 25

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I know it’s been done to death but when do you start to question all these injuries? 3rd year in a row and we already have 3 long term injuries and round 1 hasn’t even finished.

[GVGjr]

Being a rotation down and chasing tail all day hasn't helped but our mids all look completely gassed.

Are we really a rotation down? Both sides have the same limit with rotations.
We are down midfielders on the list

[ratsmac]

Haha at least lauchie gave me a laugh with that juggle

[AndrewP6]

No tackles from Wood, Suckling, Johannisen, Roberts. NONE.

1 from Dale, 1 from Biggs, 1 from Dale, 1 from Roughead.

Hard to tackle when you're nowhere near an opponent I guess.

[MrMahatma]

GWS do this thing where they have forwards in the F50 who start close to goals and run up at the ball carrier.

Seems evolutionary.

[Go_Dogs]

Spot on, our disposal is woeful. Macrae has 26 disposals but none are damaging, same with Dahl 25

We must be watching a different game. Macrame has been one of our better users IMO.

[Sedat]

Men of Mayhem wasn't a bad game plan, didn't hurt Richnond last year.

Today has been the bipolar opposite of that.

[Eastdog]

Men of Mayhem wasn't a bad game plan, didn't hurt Richnond last year.

Today has been the bipolar opposite of that.

We need to get something back that's for sure.

[bornadog]

We must be watching a different game. Macrame has been one of our better users IMO.

Agree in that he hits his targets, but he is not damaging enough. Needs to kick a couple and I would be happier.

[Eastdog]

How do we rate Roughy's game?

Dale and HC with the last 2 goals. Honey has tried hard.

[bornadog]

One of the most disappointing has been Trengove, an experienced player. Yes he has won a few tap outs but hasn't got his hands on the ball.

He really needs to go to Fullback in future games.

[MrMahatma]

Combative preseason.

[Twodogs]

GWS do this thing where they have forwards in the F50 who start close to goals and run up at the ball carrier.

Seems evolutionary.

I'm trying to imagine what you're saying but I just can't picture it. Next you will be tiring to tell us that they play tall players in the forward line! Ha imagine that.

[Rocket Science]

Are we really a rotation down? Both sides have the same limit with rotations.
We are down midfielders on the list

Point taken but we are with regards to the workload being spread amongst fewer once someone goes down.

Anyway, I'm not defending our application, it's been dismaying.

[G-Mo77]

One of the most disappointing has been Trengove, an experienced player. Yes he has won a few tap outs but hasn't got his hands on the ball.

He really needs to go to Fullback in future games.

Why he hasn't been there to start with his just madness. We've got 2 other rucks and our backline are either in hospital or in nappies. Why wait until the game is dead to move him back there.

[GVGjr]

One of the most disappointing has been Trengove, an experienced player. Yes he has won a few tap outs but hasn't got his hands on the ball.

He really needs to go to Fullback in future games.

I'm not sure why he is getting a special mention because there would have to be 8 players down. He's had a shocker but Wood has been bad as well

[DOG GOD]

I'm heading overseas between rounds 3-10
Doesn't look like I'll be missing much

[Sedat]

I'm not sure why he is getting a special mention because there would have to be 8 players down. He's had a shocker but Wood has been bad as well
Agreed.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Here i was thinking i might have been a tad pessimistic in my prediction we'd only win 9 games this. On today's mess I might've been a tad optimistic.
How does a team go into free fall like this so quickly from a premiership?

[bornadog]

I'm not sure why he is getting a special mention because there would have to be 8 players down. He's had a shocker but Wood has been bad as well

I have already mentioned Wood and Tregove throughout the thread. He has been useless today as was Wood.

[LostDoggy]

I’m very interested in hearing Bevos post game.

[Flamethrower]

When does the heat get turned up on Beveridge and the MC for the questionable team selections.

Some of his moves are like entering a Corolla into a F1 Grand Prix and expecting to compete.

[bornadog]

When does the heat get turned up on Beveridge and the MC for the questionable team selections.

Some of his moves are like entering a Corolla into a F1 Grand Prix and expecting to compete.

not after round 1

[The Underdog]

When does the heat get turned up on Beveridge and the MC for the questionable team selections.

Some of his moves are like entering a Corolla into a F1 Grand Prix and expecting to compete.

Just after the heat about the non existent forward and defensive structure.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

not after round 1

Why?

He’s had all of 2017, a preseason, two JLT games and round one.

The ‘don’t question Bevo’ stuff is rubbish IMO.

[merantau]

I only saw the first half - thankfully. It was the sort of performance that we cobbled together in 2013, 2014. Very insipid. No hard running, no pressure acts, no running into space. And, players played out of position.
Why, when the defence has been decimated would you play Wood and JJ forward.
Why didn't Daniel play? He can deliver a decent pass. Dickson-an emergency. Should have been running up to Heath Shaw and giving him a mouthful.
Jong has pace. Would have been handy in the midfield today.
Tom Boyd. We recruited him as a forward/occasional run in the ruck. We now need to get him in the side and leave him forward all the time. English showed a bit today and will be a player.
Not too many positives but let's not go into a brawl armed with a lettuce leaf.
Libber is a big loss. I can't believe the on-going cruelty of our injury run. Let's hit back big time next week. Go Dogs.

[The Underdog]

Why?

He’s had all of 2017, a preseason, two JLT games and round one.

The ‘don’t question Bevo’ stuff is rubbish IMO.

He’ll forever be a *!*!*!*!ing hero at Whitten Oval but Bevo and the coaching panel are clearly struggling and have been for a while.

[bornadog]

He’ll forever be a *!*!*!*!ing hero at Whitten Oval but Bevo and the coaching panel are clearly struggling and have been for a while.

You can only work with the cattle you have.

Today's team was inexperienced, (average 68 games compared to 93) and we tried things that didn't work. What will be telling is how we respond and change up again.

[bornadog]

Why?

He’s had all of 2017, a preseason, two JLT games and round one.

The ‘don’t question Bevo’ stuff is rubbish IMO.

Because it's round 1. JLT means nothing, 2017 we lost 4 less games than 2016, hardly a reason to start getting rid of coaches like you want.

[Eastdog]

I’m very interested in hearing Bevos post game.

Me too.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

You can only work with the cattle you have.

Today's team was inexperienced, (average 68 games compared to 93) and we tried things that didn't work. What will be telling is how we respond and change up again.

You do realise Beveridge is part of the MC which picked a side not including a whole host of experience? Regardless of that I don’t mind losing if I see our players at least working hard offensively and defensively for each other. We were spiritless. Bevo and the MC couldn’t get us going last year and they couldn’t get us up for round one of a new season.

Sorry but the buck stops with him.


Because it's round 1. JLT means nothing, 2017 we lost 4 less games than 2016, hardly a reason to start getting rid of coaches like you want.

Reads like absolute blind faith.

A simple eye test will tell you we were pitiful in 2017 and carried that on today.

[ledge]

Anyone remember where we ended up 2 years after our 1954 win?
I feel déjavu coming on .

[merantau]

Anyone remember where we ended up 2 years after our 1954 win?
I feel déjavu coming on .

Yes, we made the finals and got smashed in the Prelim. by the Pies. Ken Smale kicked six. I was in short pants but I can never forget it. Childhood memories vivid and painful.

[always right]

Mark my words......the worst thing to come out of today is the injury to Libba......it just completely saps the spirit of the club. What do we now build from?

We still have a lot of youth/quality to come back from injury I’m optimistic about. Unfortunately this was the round where things combined to produce the result it did. I actually expected it.

Unlike others......and certainly the commentators......GWS are apparently the new elite. I’m not convinced. I think they’re front runners and over rated and they beat a team well down on firepower.

What I am mostly concerned about is our general lack of pace, the falloff in form from Wood since 2016, the continued injury run from Adams.

[bornadog]

You do realise Beveridge is part of the MC which picked a side not including a whole host of experience? Regardless of that I don’t mind losing if I see our players at least working hard offensively and defensively for each other. We were spiritless. Bevo and the MC couldn’t get us going last year and they couldn’t get us up for round one of a new season.

Sorry but the buck stops with him.



Reads like absolute blind faith.

A simple eye test will tell you we were pitiful in 2017 and carried that on today.

As I said you can only work with the cattle you have on the park. Last year we started off well, 5 wins 2 losses by round 7 and dropped off towards the end of season with a spate of injuries to key position players that we couldn't cover. WE lost the last 3 winnable games. We didn't look pretty but we had our chances and couldn't do it.

Today's team was picked from the players that are match ready but were not good enough for a more experienced talented team. Yes I agree we should have worked harder and that is the challenge now to get these players up.

[Eastdog]

Bevo so far:

2015: good home and away season going out in the first week of the finals but great year considering the turmoil at the end of 2014 with Griffen, Macca etc

2016: Still a good home and away season but 2015 home and away season very slightly better. 2016 final series unbelievable ending up in a premiership.

2017: very poor premiership defence no were near the levels in the HA seasons of 15 and 16

2018: Shocking start but hoping to play finals again.

[GVGjr]

Why?

He’s had all of 2017, a preseason, two JLT games and round one.

The ‘don’t question Bevo’ stuff is rubbish IMO.

12 months ago sluggish performances in the early part of the year were often blamed on the 'late start' we had with the season.
We don't have that as a realistic excuse now.
We denied a hangover, we denied the players weren't focused so it now has to come back to if the coaches have the right tactics and if they are making the right decisions.

[Eastdog]

On the game today:

One of our worst performances under Bevo.

No forward line where we have guys taking contested marks and kicking goals

Our defence totally walked over

Our mids did not work hard enough

I agree English and Gowers did show something

No Bulldog spirit

Need to come out much better next week in our first home game of the year at Etihad Stadium.

[bornadog]

12 months ago sluggish performances in the early part of the year were often blamed on the 'late start' we had with the season.
We don't have that as a realistic excuse now.
We denied a hangover, we denied the players weren't focused so it now has to come back to if the coaches have the right tactics and if they are making the right decisions.

Last year we started the season with 5 wins and 2 losses. We really had a bad run from round 8 to 16 losing 6 and only winning 2.

[Mofra]

You can only work with the cattle you have.

Today's team was inexperienced, (average 68 games compared to 93) and we tried things that didn't work. What will be telling is how we respond and change up again.
Caleb Daniel is arguably our best ball user and our ball use today was putrid.
We got smashed on the spread and Jong, for his faults, is a big bodied mid who is quick and is a threat forward.

Gowers had a terrible JLT game and gets rewarded with a game - fine he's a mature ager and we need to find out if he can play but surely he needs to bang the door down to get that chance?

Wood is a very good backman but is clueless as a forward. The experiment is over, get him back now.
Williams looks great when rebounding but his ability to defend is non-existent.

[GVGjr]

As I said you can only work with the cattle you have on the park. Last year we started off well, 5 wins 2 losses by round 7 and dropped off towards the end of season with a spate of injuries to key position players that we couldn't cover. WE lost the last 3 winnable games. We didn't look pretty but we had our chances and couldn't do it.


We won winnable games but we were far from convincing in fact I'd say the 5 / 2 result flattered us. Our form was poor early in the season.



Today's team was picked from the players that are match ready but were not good enough for a more experienced talented team. Yes I agree we should have worked harder and that is the challenge now to get these players up.

Don't we forfeit the right to play the young card when we went in with what we thought was our best side?
At what point do we start to sensibly ask the reasons why we have slipped back?

Our skills level was supposed to be a focus under Bevo and it doesn't look like it's improved, we played hard at it football in 2016 and we have lacked 100% effort all too frequently since.

It's not all doom and gloom but we can't accept performances like today and not start to ask some hard questions of the coach.

[Bullies]

One positive is we are not going to play a better side throughout this year. they are super quick and so skilful. they were ready to play. We had players who were not up to it and are not AFL standard.

[bornadog]

Caleb Daniel is arguably our best ball user and our ball use today was putrid.
We got smashed on the spread and Jong, for his faults, is a big bodied mid who is quick and is a threat forward.

Gowers had a terrible JLT game and gets rewarded with a game - fine he's a mature ager and we need to find out if he can play but surely he needs to bang the door down to get that chance?

Wood is a very good backman but is clueless as a forward. The experiment is over, get him back now.
Williams looks great when rebounding but his ability to defend is non-existent.

Gowers is 21 and played his first AFL game. For the chances he had, I thought he at least tried hard, and created some chances, so not too worried about him.

One of the things that killed us were the turnovers in the backline line.

Agree Wood must go back, same with JJ, we need the run off the backline. Forget this business of trying to make Wood either a forward or to play on the big guys in the backline. His best value use to be his run off the backline and kicking long, like 2015.

Trengove must go to Fullback, that is where he made his name.

[AndrewP6]

Some tweets from Bevo's presser...

LB: It’s about trying to find a way to evolve quickly, we’re quite new in our ranks. We picked a 22 today that we thought would hold us in good stead, but that wasn’t to be.

LB: Some of our key forwards have had either an interrupted preseason, or aren’t quite ready for AFL level to compete for four quarters. Jack (Redpath) missed this week with suspension.

LB: We’re better than that, we believe we are. With all the uncertainty (coming into this season), you like to make an early statement. We didn’t do that today. We have certainty with what we want to fix up.

LB: Crozier has strained his medial ligament, so he might miss a couple of weeks, but we’ll know more about that in the next couple of days.

LB: At the end of the day, this is one out of 21 games, and we’ll pick ourselves up to go again next Sunday.

Wouldn't have minded a bit of mention of the complete lack of heart, the fact that half a dozen senior players didn't lay a tackle...At least he did say that it was hard to find too many "shining lights". Ain't that the truth.

From listening to the presser, doesn't sound like we will see Boyd or Schache for a while.

[bornadog]

One positive is we are not going to play a better side throughout this year. they are super quick and so skilful. they were ready to play. We had players who were not up to it and are not AFL standard.

Careful Bullies I got hounded down for saying something similar.

[GVGjr]

Last year we started the season with 5 wins and 2 losses. We really had a bad run from round 8 to 16 losing 6 and only winning 2.

You're looking at the win loss ratio without acknowledging how we were performing in those games.

We were sluggish against Collingwood, performed well against the Swans (who lost their first 6), we were beaten by Fremantle in a shocking display, we struggled against a poor North but got a win, we got on a roll against Brisbane after being made to look 2nd rate throughout the game, GWS nabbed us by a kick and we beat Richmond in up and down performance.
5 / 2 really makes things sound like we started off well when a closer look challenges that but I thought we struggled.

[Go_Dogs]

Interesting Bevo commented he doesn’t like to publicly talk about effort because it’s a non-negotiable, however he did comment that it was ‘un-even’. I bet behind closed doors and (hopefully) at the selection table next week there’ll be some action.

[bornadog]

You're looking at the win loss ratio without acknowledging how we were performing in those games.

We were sluggish against Collingwood, performed well against the Swans (who lost their first 6), we were beaten by Fremantle in a shocking display, we struggled against a poor North but got a win, we got on a roll against Brisbane after being made to look 2nd rate throughout the game, GWS nabbed us by a kick and we beat Richmond in up and down performance.
5 / 2 really makes things sound like we started off well when a closer look challenges that but I thought we struggled.

A win is a win, at least were winning.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

A win is a win, at least were winning.

There was not one win last year that did not come without significant patches of poor performance. The win loss masked over a lot of issues. My worry is that nothing in the off season has addressed our most pressing issues.

Our list this year is not as good as last year's. That is a problem as last year's was underwhelming.

[Mantis]

Transported back to the B-Mac years.. *!*!*!*!ing disgusting.

Had all pre-season to work on our game plan and we serve up that tripe... thought we’d kick 8 goals , but only got 7.. I suck!

[Eastdog]

A win is a win, at least were winning.

Yes it is a results driven game. We keep winning and will go places. Doesn't matter by how much although always good to win by more.

[bornadog]

There was not one win last year that did not come without significant patches of poor performance. The win loss masked over a lot of issues. My worry is that nothing in the off season has addressed our most pressing issues.

Our list this year is not as good as last year's. That is a problem as last year's was underwhelming.

I really don't want to argue last year, my point is a win on the board is a win - you can pick holes in lots of wins

However, I am not prepared to throw the baby with the bath water. Bevo is an exceptional person and coach. I agree the Wood experiment is not working, but appaude him for trying something different.

[chef]

I really don't want to argue last year, my point is a win on the board is a win - you can pick holes in lots of wins

However, I am not prepared to throw the baby with the bath water. Bevo is an exceptional person and coach. I agree the Wood experiment is not working, but appaude him for trying something different.

Why try something different first up?

You would think playing to your strengths would be the best way to start tge season, if things arent working then you should try something different.

[always right]

I don’t wish to plead poor but here is a difference between the top clubs like Geelong and ours.

Libba comes back from a season ending injury and does his ACL.....again. We’re told he’s unlucky and there are millimetres in the incident. Selwood twists his knee in an incident but looks like he has been lucky to escape too anything serious......maybe a medial injury at worst. Footy gods at their worst. Apparently Selwood is tough.......suggesting he is tougher than Libba.

[bornadog]

Why try something different first up?

You would think playing to your strengths would be the best way to start tge season, if things arent working then you should try something different.

We didn't kick enough goals last year in matches. I don't agree with it but at least we are trying to do something about a deficiency.

[bornadog]

I don’t to plead poor but here is the difference between the top clubs like Geelong and ours.

Libba comes back from a season ending injury and does his ACL.....again. We’re told he’s unlucky and there are millimetres in the incident. Selwood twists his knee in an incident but looks like he has been lucky to escape too anything serious......maybe a medial injury at worst. Footy gods at their worst. Apparently Selwood is tough.......suggesting he is tougher than Libba.

An ACL is so unlucky - feel so sorry for Libba after the great preseason he has had.

[chef]

We didn't kick enough goals last year in matches. I don't agree with it but at least we are trying to do something about a deficiency.

Its madness. Our best 2 KPD are missing but will still throw Wood forward, Bevo is getting a bit carried away.

[bornadog]

Its madness. Our best 2 KPD are missing but will still throw Wood forward, Bevo is getting a bit carried away.

Redpath suspension, Boyd and Schache under done. We put in English and Trengove to alternate up forward.

Wood forward didn't lose us the game.

[Ozza]

Its madness. Our best 2 KPD are missing but will still throw Wood forward, Bevo is getting a bit carried away.

Yes, if we had an oversupply of similar types, and an experienced backline - then sure try one of the athletic defenders forward.
But with Morris and Adams out - and having lost Boyd and Murphy to retirement - Wood hasn’t never been needing MORE in defence.

In any case, nothing about Wood suggests to me that he could make it as a forward. He doesn’t have that forward nous. He does have pace - but its a straight-line, track athletics type of style - not a change-of-direction agility type of quickness that good forwards have.

And although he has that leap - using it as a forward and as a defender are two different things. As we saw today - where GWS defenders put a body on him, took his run - and he never really had an opportunity to leap at the footy.

We don’t have time for this pet project to happen in the season.

[chef]

Redpath suspension, Boyd and Schache under done. We put in English and Trengove to alternate up forward.

Wood forward didn't lose us the game.

Nope, we lost the game because we didnt show up. Carrying on last seasons form which is a huge worry, Bevo needs to get them up.

[chef]

Yes, if we had an oversupply of similar types, and an experienced backline - then sure try one of the athletic defenders forward.
But with Morris and Adams out - and having lost Boyd and Murphy to retirement - Wood hasn’t never been needing MORE in defence.

In any case, nothing about Wood suggests to me that he could make it as a forward. He doesn’t have that forward nous. He does have pace - but its a straight-line, track athletics type of style - not a change-of-direction agility type of quickness that good forwards have.

And although he has that leap - using it as a forward and as a defender are two different things. As we saw today - where GWS defenders put a body on him, took his run - and he never really had an opportunity to leap at the footy.

We don’t have time for this pet project to happen in the season.

Yep. It makes no sense at all.

[1eyedog]

Mark my words......the worst thing to come out of today is the injury to Libba......it just completely saps the spirit of the club. What do we now build from?

We still have a lot of youth/quality to come back from injury I’m optimistic about. Unfortunately this was the round where things combined to produce the result it did. I actually expected it.

Unlike others......and certainly the commentators......GWS are apparently the new elite. I’m not convinced. I think they’re front runners and over rated and they beat a team well down on firepower.

What I am mostly concerned about is our general lack of pace, the falloff in form from Wood since 2016, the continued injury run from Adams.

No. We find our men of mayhem again. See GWS today under pressure, folded like a deck of cards. But we only applied it for 5 mins Wallis for Libba and we need some venom up forward.

[Sedat]

In any case, nothing about Wood suggests to me that he could make it as a forward. He doesn’t have that forward nous. He does have pace - but its a straight-line, track athletics type of style - not a change-of-direction agility type of quickness that good forwards have.

And although he has that leap - using it as a forward and as a defender are two different things. As we saw today - where GWS defenders put a body on him, took his run - and he never really had an opportunity to leap at the footy.
Agree completely that the move of Wood forward is a bizarre one, and makes no sense in light of our defensive personnel issues at the moment. But any player who rates their talent and ability would embrace a new challenge head-on, and Wood was absolutely pathetic today. A skinny beanpole and mid-sized first-gamer did far more to keep the GWS defenders honest than Wood did today.

[LostDoggy]

Why try something different first up?

You would think playing to your strengths would be the best way to start tge season, if things arent working then you should try something different.

A tweak here or there is great but our team selection, roles and game plan were ludicrous, we knew that days ago. That selection in round 23 would be investigated by the afl.

Absolutely we have discouraged many fence sitting members from signing in and deflated the rest of us. Bevo needs to cop this one on the chin.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

This is in no way an excuse for the loss, but how much of an impact did Libbas injury have on our team? It’s not the reason we lost, but did it contribute to the thrashing? Did it take it out of the side in a similar way to 2015 against the saints when Clay went down? By all reports Libba applied himself exceptionally this preseason and to see him go down in qtr 1 of round 1 might have zapped the energy from the boys.

Yes there are glaring problems with this side but perhaps the annihalation could have been avoided

[GVGjr]

A win is a win, at least were winning.

Not when you are indicating that with a 5 / 2 start we were performing well. We weren't.

[ratsmac]

He’ll forever be a *!*!*!*!ing hero at Whitten Oval but Bevo and the coaching panel are clearly struggling and have been for a while.
Maybe Montgomery deserves some credit. Apart from the 2016 finals series we have been on the decline since Monty left and he is the only missing assistant. Just a thought.

[GVGjr]

A win is a win, at least were winning.

So today is just a loss because there is no such thing as a bad loss? Please.

[Ozza]

Maybe Montgomery deserves some credit. Apart from the 2016 finals series we have been on the decline and Monty is the only missing assistant. Just a thought.

None of the coaches (with the exception of Bevo) is in the same role as they were in 2016.

I know staff have to grow....but after a premiership - changing them immediately? Not sure about the merits of Bevo not coaching either of the JLT games either - but I’ll defer to their best judgement on that.

[Sedat]

None of the coaches (with the exception of Bevo) is in the same role as they were in 2016.
This is something that Bevo will be wholly accountable for and answerable to if we continue our form slump. It wasn't necessary and there has been precious few positive outcomes since the changes were implemented.

[ratsmac]

None of the coaches (with the exception of Bevo) is in the same role as they were in 2016.

I know staff have to grow....but after a premiership - changing them immediately? Not sure about the merits of Bevo not coaching either of the JLT games either - but I’ll defer to their best judgement on that.
Its madness isn't it. Shuffle a winning formula around after the premiership and then leave them in those positions when we miss the finals the following year. I'm confused.

[bornadog]

So today is just a loss because there is no such thing as a bad loss? Please.

Don't put words into my mouth.

You know there is a massive difference between a win and a loss. Today was a shalacking

[1eyedog]

No longer do I think Bevo is up to something. He's climbed Mt Everest but he's back in the valley now with no map or compass.

[GVGjr]

Don't put words into my mouth.

You know there is a massive difference between a win and a loss. Today was a shalacking

So a win is a win but the degree of losses can be different? You like quoting stats to back your comments but I'm still challenging that 5 wins and 2 losses didn't paint an accurate picture on how we were performing.

[The Adelaide Connection]

I feel like this was a bit like the Freo game on the opening day of 2015 but in reverse. They were the ex-grand finalist and we tore them apart. They never recovered.

I am a little worried that the damage done by this game extends beyond 4 points, a bucket load of percentage, and a Liberatore. I hope it hasn’t sucked the confidence out of the group and it makes the WC possibly the most important game of the H/A season.

We need to get back on the horse fast.

[merantau]

I don't buy into this 'season defining' game narrative so early in the season. It would be madness to send a team out with the message that 'this game is make or break'. Lose and there's no comeback.
It's a long season. Lots can go wrong. Plenty has already. We just have to turn it around. Pick the right side and get the players angry about that insipid effort.
Let's call a spade a spade. We were humiliated in every facet of the game. It simply cannot happen again. It is unacceptable. I can sccept defeat. I cannot accept capitulation. I saw that after quarter time today and it was ugly.

[The Adelaide Connection]

I don't buy into this 'season defining' game narrative so early in the season. It would be madness to send a team out with the message that 'this game is make or break'. Lose and there's no comeback.
It's a long season. Lots can go wrong. Plenty has already. We just have to turn it around. Pick the right side and get the players angry about that insipid effort.
Let's call a spade a spade. We were humiliated in every facet of the game. It simply cannot happen again. It is unacceptable. I can sccept defeat. I cannot accept capitulation. I saw that after quarter time today and it was ugly.

I don't think that the players would ever be fed the message "lose and we are done" but I don't think the psychological impact of a first up drubbing on the back of a disappointing season is anything to sneeze at.

Beating West Coast restores the groups confidence and releases the pressure valve. Losing piles on the pressure and sends us to an Essendon team likely to be 2-0 (and that will be playing with swagger in their step). Then we are home to a Sydney team that will likely be a top 4 side come seasons end.

0-4 is not a death sentence, but it is not far off it. I wouldn't put money on a 0-4 Bulldogs team heading over to Perth the next round to knock off Freo. I certainly wouldn't put money on an 0-5 Bulldogs team to beat an improving, exciting Carlton.

I think our best is good enough. We have certainly got some work to do in our forward half, but we showed against the Hawks in the JLT that despite this we can score (on the back of manic pressure and locking the ball in our forward half and getting repeat entries). But our side is still young and a Bulldogs side playing without confidence is ripe for the picking (see slow ball movement with terrible efficiency v GWS).

[The bulldog tragician]

Interesting Stat, though I still felt that the spirit and intensity were lacking:

Western Bulldogs were ranked last on the weekend in Games played and Average Age in the AFL.

Bulldogs fielded an avg age of 23 years 323 days with a total game experience of 1510. The next team above them is Gold Coast with 1762 games played.

Though its only one game of the season, a short-term pain will help blood more talent in for longer-term success.[/I]

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We do forget, after winning a flag, that we are a very young side still.

But Sunday exposed all our problems. Coaching, intensity, injuries, game plan you name it. Losing Morris and Adams showed just how important drafting Naughton was. But at the same time also how important trading for Trengove was....yet we played him forward....still struggling with that one

[bornadog]

We do forget, after winning a flag, that we are a very young side still.

But Sunday exposed all our problems. Coaching, intensity, injuries, game plan you name it. Losing Morris and Adams showed just how important drafting Naughton was. But at the same time also how important trading for Trengove was....yet we played him forward....still struggling with that one

Trengove played ruck/fwd, and did well with winning hitouts. Lobb had 41 hitouts, Patton 2, Roughead 20, Trengove 14 and English 12.

I just thought Trengove should have done better around the ground, 4 handballs and no kicks doesn't cut it. I prefer him to go back to his old role of Fullback, but he hasn't done that for 3 years.