AFL Game Day Round 6, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Carlton at Etihad Stadium

[Eastdog]

Really important game in the context of the season.

Predictions for the margin, our first goal kicker and our best on ground

Margin: Dogs by 43 points

First Goal: Tom Boyd to get us going

Best On Ground: Jack Macrae

Go Bulldogs!!

[Eastdog]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-24/match-preview-western-bulldogs-v-carlton

Round 6, 2018: Western Bulldogs V Carlton

Match Preview
Ryan Davidson
Apr 24, 2018 10:41AM

SUMMARY

With the Bulldogs and Blues both struggling to score and floundering near the bottom of the ladder, the clash doesn't fit the description for a Friday night marquee match. However, with both teams trying to employ an attacking brand of footy, the fast deck of Etihad Stadium may produce an entertaining shootout. While their possession game plan fell apart against Fremantle last week due to poor skills, the Dogs proved in the narrow round four loss to Sydney they can match it with the top teams. Winless and sitting bottom of the ladder, Carlton gave league leaders West Coast a fright last week in a much improved performance. Harry McKay had a day out with four goals and the young key forward will get the chance to replicate that performance against an inexperienced Bulldog defence. With so much uncertainty surrounding the combatants, the clash looms as one of the harder games to tip in round six.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday, April 27, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

R17, 2017, Western Bulldogs 12.10 (82) d Carlton 9.8 (62) at the MCG
R4, 2016, Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) d Carlton 7.7 (49) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2015, Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) d Carlton 7.11 (53) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2014, Carlton 18.11 (119) d Western Bulldogs 13.13 (91) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.21 (117) d Carlton 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. Marcus Bontempelli was the difference between the sides in their only meeting in 2017, finishing with 30 disposals, two goals, six inside 50s and five clearances. The Bulldogs had 68 more disposals and 10 more inside 50s.

2. Both sides have struggled to score this season, with the Bulldogs averaging 71 points per game and the Blues just 67. They've failed to kick 100 points in their last 38 games.

3. The Western Bulldogs have had the better of Carlton recently, winning the last three matches and six of eight contests since 2010. The Blues are yet to defeat the Bulldogs under Brendon Bolton.

4. The Bulldogs continue to be the worst tackling side this season, laying just 263 tackles at an average of 52.6 per game. Blues are marginally better, having laid 306 tackles at an average of 61.2.

5. At Etihad Stadium, the teams have met 13 times with the Bulldogs winning eight games to five. Carlton has struggled at Etihad recently, losing five of their last seven games.

6. Marcus Bontempelli is the highest ranked Bulldog in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, sitting 15th with 530.9 points. Patrick Cripps is the best-placed Blue in 29th position (484.4).

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …

After being completely outplayed in the midfield last week by fellow superstar Nat Fyfe, Marcus Bontempelli needs a big performance if a young Bulldog side is to notch their second win of the season.

PREDICTION: Western Bulldogs by 1 point

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

[Twodogs]

Bulldogs by 41 points.
First goal Tom Boyd
BOG Bontempelli. Will return to the midfield this week and smash every contest.

[Ozza]

We haven’t played Carlton twice in a season since 2002. It’s been a good period to get them twice!! Unfortunately we have missed out!

Beaten them 4 of last 5, 6 of last 8.

Back under the roof we should get them.

Dogs by 15 points.
1st Goal: Billy Gowers against his old club.
BOG: The Bont to return to form.

[Funke disco]

Dogs by 47
Hunter first goal
BOG:The Bont

[bornadog]

Dogs by 33

First goal: The Bont

BOG: Hunter

[boydogs]

WB by 32
First Goal Gowers
BOG McLean

[Rocket Science]

Dogs by a kick
First Major : Johannisen
BOG : Hunter

It won't be pretty.

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 17
1st goal: Boyd
BOG: Williams

[Rocket Science]

Hahaaa look at this irredeemable prick.



http://i67.tinypic.com/33pa2hc.jpg

It's time we put the bastard's head on the banner and have the players drill kicks through it en masse before tearing the thing to pieces ...

I hope we do sing the f*cking theme song three times tonight.

[bornadog]

Hahaaa look at this irredeemable prick.



http://i67.tinypic.com/33pa2hc.jpg

It's time we put the bastard's head on the banner and have the players drill kicks through it en masse before tearing the thing to pieces ...

I hope we do sing the f*cking theme song three times tonight.

We can sing it on the ground after the game, like the women do.

[Twodogs]

Hahaaa look at this irredeemable prick.



http://i67.tinypic.com/33pa2hc.jpg

It's time we put the bastard's head on the banner and have the players drill kicks through it en masse before tearing the thing to pieces ...

I hope we do sing the f*cking theme song three times tonight.

I don't even...

What's he on about? Why would we sing he song more than once?

[chef]

I don't even...

What's he on about? Why would we sing he song more than once?

After the Essendon game we sang the song twice, the second time everyone involved with the club in the rooms joined in.

[Mofra]

Maybe we should sing the song again near the large bins outside so Barratt can hear it as he dives in looking for stories.

[Eastdog]

Maybe we should sing the song again near the large bins outside so Barratt can hear it as he dives in looking for stories.

I love what you said Mofra :D :D

[Murphy'sLore]

Maybe it's just my imagination, but we never seem to play that well on Friday nights.

Having said that:
Dogs by 6.
First goal McLean
BOG Macrae

[Twodogs]

Maybe it's just my imagination, but we never seem to play that well on Friday nights.

Having said that:
Dogs by 6.
First goal McLean
BOG Macrae

We haven't been playing well anytime lately!

[Eastdog]

but we never seem to play that well on Friday nights.


Recent Friday night record for us hasn't been great but looking to change that.

[Twodogs]

Recent Friday night record for us hasn't been great but looking to change that.


We will this week Easty. You will have a good trip home on the train tonight.

[Rocket Science]

We can sing it on the ground after the game, like the women do.

Genius, and while he's distracted, agog and already penning his next masterstroke salvo ...

http://i65.tinypic.com/2qm12z4.png

G'day Damo!

[Twodogs]

Genius, and while he's distracted, agog and already penning his next masterstroke salvo ...

http://i65.tinypic.com/2qm12z4.png

G'day Damo!

Heh! And the beauty of it this us Footscray. Why get your family involved when any local would be happy to oblige. And they'd have the correct tool concealed about their person. You wouldn't need to worry about getting that greasy residue on your fingers unscrewing valves or anything.

[LostDoggy]

Genius, and while he's distracted, agog and already penning his next masterstroke salvo ...

http://i65.tinypic.com/2qm12z4.png

G'day Damo!

Nice touch finding a photo of a purple car. Admire the attention to detail!

[Twodogs]

Nice touch finding a photo of a purple car. Admire the attention to detail!


What do you mean a photo? He just found a purple car and let down the tyres.

[LostDoggy]

What do you mean a photo? He just found a purple car and let down the tyres.

Fair enough. It's either Damo's or somebody with enough bad taste to drive a purple car. Either way, fair call.....

[ratsmac]

Dogs by 12
First snag - McLean
BOG - English has a break out game.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 27 points
First goal Wallis
BOG: Bont

[GVGjr]

Dogs by 13, JJ BOG, McLean first goal

[GVGjr]

Sam Power doing the rounds of the Coterie rooms.. He looks fit enough to play

[LostDoggy]

Fabulous opening. 2 really good, direct kicks to Boydy and 2 good clunks for 1.1.

[macca]

Gowers out moves Jones . Could be a good mismatch here

[westdog54]

http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1225329-harry-potter

He's back

[jeemak]

That's crap Lachie, need to bury those shots.

With a little bit of tightening of our use by hands we'll tear this apart.

[Mantis]

That's crap Lachie, need to bury those shots.

With a little bit of tightening of our use by hands we'll tare this apart.

Yeah I can't see how he could miss by 2-3m... they're bread & butter, but we miss more than most.

[jeemak]

Good boy Jacko!

We need to get someone on Cripps, and cut supply to Curnow.

[LostDoggy]

Both goals so far directly from long Gowers passes inside 50.

[jeemak]

Yeah I can't see how he could miss by 2-3m... they're bread & butter, but we miss more than most.

Now Daniel is in on the bloody act. It pisses me off soooo much.

[jeemak]

Apparently Stringer and De Jong are playing for us tonight.

Great finish Wally!

[The Underdog]

Is Wallis our most reliable shot at goal?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

3 weeks in a row Wallis has kicked the goal when it's required, and when others have missed previously.

[The Underdog]

Dead eye Billy Gowers?

[jeemak]

Gowers is playing really well. Nice to see penetration in his kicking and a confident finish.

[westdog54]

All those easy misses and Gowers of all players drills a set shot.

[jeemak]

That's three Carltank throws that have been plainly ignored.

[GVGjr]

That's some of the worst football that resulted in that late goal for Carlton

[macca]

Happy with that first quarter start , last goal poor defending . Bloody baily williams again
Cost us 2 goals that quarter . Sling tackle give away a free and lost his feet in that . He just needs to keep his feet.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Nothing in that Qtr that suggests either side is going to be troubling most teams this season. We look the sharper..but for an extra 6 shots on goal find ourselves less than 2 goals in front.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Happy with that first quarter start , last goal poor defending . Bloody baily williams again
Cost us 2 goals that quarter . He just needs to keep his feet.

I don't think that's correct. Crozier was the one who flubbed it for that last goal.

[G-Mo77]

2 of their goals have just been luck. Like most games we're all over them but find ourselves only up by a couple of goals.

Great seeing Boydy take those grabs early on. He looks in a different frame of mind since returning.

Bailey Williams will get 5 weeks for his tackle. :)

[AndrewP6]

Dead eye Billy Gowers?

Equal leading goalkicker in the team. Not bad for a guy who apparently can't kick and shouldn't be playing.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Cripps looks the biggest threat for the Blues. Any chance Jong could run with him?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Wow. Flat footed defense. Cringey stuff.

[G-Mo77]

Well defended Suckling.

[jeemak]

What a lazy, piss weak and disrespectful start to the quarter. Frustrating that we would come out asleep and having no respect for the footy once in hand, or our responsibility over our opponents.

[jeemak]

English looks like he's been given one week too many. Just really sluggish around the football, and has struggled to impact aerial contests.

Our first touch handling has been as bad as I've seen it for a while. Last week it was kicking, this week it is handling.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We're giving an ordinary side hope..a very frustrating performance to date. Ordinary football from our guys.

[Mantis]

Our skills are just so sloppy.. Just so missed targets by hand & foot.

[The Underdog]

Improved performance from Bailey Dale

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

English looks like he's been given one week too many. Just really sluggish around the football, and has struggled to impact aerial contests.

Our first touch handling has been as bad as I've seen it for a while. Last week it was kicking, this week it is handling.

Good observation. English looks tired and Boyd not giving any effective relief is making it tough at stoppages.

[Mantis]

Improved performance from Bailey Dale

Yep.. was poor early on, but much better this qtr.

[G-Mo77]

After a rubbish start to that quarter it was good to see a bit of distance on the scoreboard.

[mjp]

The commentators need to understand- if you try to fend off you are giving up
Prior opportunity. That’s the rule. So shut-up.

And if breeewsss likes what he has seen from Dow, surely Naughton rates a mention for those contested marks down back.

[GVGjr]

Our skills are just so sloppy.. Just so missed targets by hand & foot.
And low kicks but high hand balls along with a lot of fumbling

[jeemak]

The commentators need to understand- if you try to fend off you are giving up
Prior opportunity. That’s the rule. So shut-up.

And if breeewsss likes what he has seen from Dow, surely Naughton rates a mention for those contested marks down back.

You obviously didn't get the memo MJP. Tonight Carlton are in with a shot, of sorts, or at least they were perceived to be by the broadcaster meaning the commentary team will do whatever can be done to talk them up.

[The Underdog]

And low kicks but high hand balls along with a lot of fumbling

I like Crozier but he’s been super fumbly tonight.

[GVGjr]

10 minutes of good footy and we could rip this game apart. Could things be as easy as that.?

[The Underdog]

10 minutes of good footy and we could rip this game apart. Could things be as easy as that.?

I’m not sure 10 minutes of good footy is as easy for us as you think

[Mantis]

I’m not sure 10 minutes of good footy is as easy for us as you think

Yeah, it's been a long time since we played an almost perfect 10 minutes of footy and put on 4 or 5 goals... Just seems like hard work, but we really are a team of boys, so I don't think we can expect that just yet.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I like Crozier but he’s been super fumbly tonight.

Crozier to me looks like a guy who is not sure of his place or comfortable in his ability. Hope it comes otherwise he's got a short future.

[merantau]

We either rip this game apart in the 2nd half or keep them in it by missing easy shots, missing targets by hand and foot and missing tackles.
I hope it's the former. It's been a while since we've had a really big win. Suckling has played well tonight. Credit where credit's due.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

10 minutes of good footy and we could rip this game apart. Could things be as easy as that.?

If we were that type of team. But rarely, even when we were at our best under Bevo have been a rip a game a part team.
Hopefully the 23 point buffer and some key instruction at half time can help us flick a switch and get a good win

[LostDoggy]

I've liked a few things tonight. Bont killing it with more mid time, Naughton and Richards continue to show poise and promises, Suckling going at 100% (!), Gowers involved in 4 goals, Hunter and Macrae leading through the mids, Dale with some good intercepts, Boyd involved and useful. Sure there's plenty to work on, but there's plenty to like also.

[jeemak]

Are Carlton ever going to get pinged for a throw?

Gowers just undid all of his good work for the night. With 2 x 50m penalties..........Jesus Christ.

[The Underdog]

In a season with a lot of lows, that was right up there

[The Underdog]

Are Carlton ever going to get pinged for a throw?

Gowers just undid all of his good work for the night. With 2 x 50m penalties..........Jesus Christ.

The 2nd was Lipinski

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Wow.. Gowers..unbelievable. I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest he's no Mensa candidate?
These are the type of 'sit on our balls' moments that can change momentum.

[jeemak]

The 2nd was Lipinski

Fair enough. One's probably enough.

Another Carlton throw missed.

[jeemak]

And another one..............

[jeemak]

I'm so *!*!*!*!ing sick of our goal kicking. *!*!*!*!ing hell.

[The Underdog]

*!*!*!*!ing hell Bont. Just *!*!*!*!ing hell

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Good moment for Lipinski.

[jeemak]

Good work Lippa! Well done lad, two goals with limited opportunities is an outstanding return.

[bulldogtragic]

Then Lippa does that!

[Mantis]

Our goalkicking is just so bad.

And I'm a Lin Jong fan, but he's been horrid this quarter.

[The Underdog]

Our goalkicking is just so bad.

And I'm a Lin Jong fan, but he's been horrid this quarter.

Yeah, not his best game

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Suckling and Naughton combine to give Carlton a sniff

[AndrewP6]

Bont misses 2 chances to put them away.

[Mantis]

I love Bont, but that's *!*!*!*!ing shit.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Embarrassing

[bulldogtragic]

Why did Hunter burn Boyd just now to kick to a pack 40m out.

[jeemak]

Jesus Bont, how can it be that *!*!*!*!ing difficult for *!*!*!*!s sake. *!*!*!*!.

[Mantis]

Why did Hunter burn Boyd just now to kick to a pack 40m out.

Mystifying, just burnt him and then kicked it to their advantage.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What's people's take on Bevo's boundary line appearance that qtr? Clearly had a message he wanted to deliver.

[GVGjr]

Equal leading goalkicker in the team. Not bad for a guy who apparently can't kick and shouldn't be playing.
Hes far from confident though. He might also be leading our conceding 50mtr penalties

[angelopetraglia]

Every week. Every single week. We create new ways of blowing goal opportunities. So frustrating. Should be 7-8 goals up.

[G-Mo77]

What a disgrace. What an absolute disgrace. I was a shit kick of the footy and even I could kick these. There is no excuse they are easy shots at goal.

[DOG GOD]

Bont and McRae would be 2 of the laziest kicks at goal in the AFL. I’m never confident with either unless they’re in the goal square with no one on the mark.

[bulldogtragic]

Mystifying, just burnt him and then kicked it to their advantage.

I can only come up with him being dumb or hating Tom Boyd, or both.

Hunter is fast becoming tradable with his stupidity and lax approach to the skills side of the game.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I'd turn for the Bont..but jayzus he's just flubbed the moment thst could've and should've settled the team and shaped the game.

[Mantis]

I can only come up with him being dumb or hating Tom Boyd, or both.

Hunter is fast becoming tradable with his stupidity and lax approach to the skills side of the game.

His running ability is outstanding, but he makes far too many errors with his feet.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

This is a game that should've been banished to a Sunday twilight time slot.

[The Underdog]

His running ability is outstanding, but he makes far too many errors with his feet.

Maybe he’s watched Tom kick at goal

[merantau]

I always live in hope. One solid quarter. Some straight kicking, some clean handling. This is the perfect opportunity to put them away.

[AndrewP6]

Hes far from confident though. He might also be leading our conceding 50mtr penalties

Bont is far more naturally skilled but equally poor in front of goal - and he is our best player.

[The Underdog]

Liam Jones dropping a mark is leading our goal assists tonight

[chef]

Gowers has been very good, apart from that brain fade.

[Mantis]

Our new forward 50 entry plan - Just kick it to Jones, let him drop it and go from there.

[G-Mo77]

Our new forward 50 entry plan - Just kick it to Jones, let him drop it and go from there.

Is that 2 or 3 he's given us.

[The Underdog]

Dunkley has been *!*!*!*!ing awful tonight

[Mantis]

I'm just completely over this.

[AndrewP6]

Jong just handballed OVER English' head. 2metres+ tall, and he missed him.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Crozier. Maybe he can kick a ball..in a park under no pressure..but he has no composure.

[The Underdog]

I'm just completely over this.

It’s hard work isn’t it?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Let's face it..unless there is a massive change, we're bottom 4 material

[jeemak]

This is just a pathetic standard of football for a Friday night contest. What a lot of tripe this is.

[kruder]

Dunkley has been *!*!*!*!ing awful tonight

Might possible be the least skilled player in the AFL. We have far too many players with similar attributes.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Yuck. This does not feel like a win nor does it deserve to be. I think I fee even worse about our prospects this season after tonight than last week

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Well done Lipinski. Good finishing.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Yuck. This does not feel like a win nor does it deserve to be. I think I fee even worse about our prospects this season after tonight than last week

Its been a very underwhelming performance

[Mantis]

It’s hard work isn’t it?

Painful!

I just can't describe it any other way.

[Sedat]

To quote Alan Joyce (after the Hawks won a final in Perth), "we're just happy to get the 4 points"

Take the points and move on. Some goal kicking practice would be nice as well but it's not really a problem for us apparently.

[chef]

Yay we won

[Murphy'sLore]

Woo hoo
I'm off to bed
See you in the morning.

[G-Mo77]

I'm so glad I stayed home tonight. Nothing out of this game makes me want to jump in the car and drive to Ballarat. Pathetic game of football from 2 clubs who are going nowhere anytime soon.

[angelopetraglia]

Good to see Lipinksi stand up and kick the goals when others including our leaders let us down. The boy from Eltham and Whitefriars looks like he is going to make it. Calm and clean with ball on hand.

[LostDoggy]

Dunkley has been *!*!*!*!ing awful tonight

Dunkley's had 2 shockers in a row. His place may well be in question.

[merantau]

We won. But apart from that I don't see too many positives from tonight. Our fumbling was evident over 4 quarters. Our goal kicking lamentable.
I thought Williams was consistent for 4 quarters. Naughton had some really good moments. I like Richards' pace over the first few metres. Gowers will make it I feel. Has excellent hands. Lipinski did very well with the chances he had. The positive is they are all very young players.

[Mofra]

We were younger than Carlton. We won. God that was ugly.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We won. But apart from that I don't see too many positives from tonight. Our fumbling was evident over 4 quarters. Our goal kicking lamentable.
I thought Williams was consistent for 4 quarters. Naughton had some really good moments. I like Richards' pace over the first few metres. Gowers will make it I feel. Has excellent hands. Lipinski did very well with the chances he had. The positive is they are all very young players.

I'm gonna do an about face on Gowers. Despite his one howler moment tonight, i think that in a GOOD Bulldog's side Gowers can be valuable. Especially if that GOOD Bulldog's side includes a fit Dickson.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Naughton has Dale Morris attributes. THAT'S Gold.
He either needs to improve his kicking by 20% or if not oossuble curtail his disposal ambition to become a dominant player.

[GVGjr]

I've been super impressed with Naughton and thought he was strong again tonight. He doesn't look like he needs a rest but I remember talking to Lukas Webb in his first season and he was rested for a week after a good debut few games. At the time he thought he was cheated but then admitted they coaching team got it right. Naughton may not look likes he needs it but we don't want to run him into the ground.

[Go_Dogs]

Good to see Bont with a bigger contribution (based on stats and game report).

Another win, good. Onto the next.

[Throughandthrough]

I watched it at a pub with sound down and no one else caring. I thought Johansen was amazingly good, bog for mine. Boyd made a statement early when it mattered most. Williams is the real deal.

[Throughandthrough]

Gowers has been very good, apart from that brain fade.

I rate Gowers. Play him every match and let’s see how good he can be.

[bornadog]

Good to see Bont with a bigger contribution (based on stats and game report).

Another win, good. Onto the next.

The Bont was fantastic, and guess what, he played mainly in the midfield.

[Ozza]

I'm so glad I stayed home tonight. Nothing out of this game makes me want to jump in the car and drive to Ballarat. Pathetic game of football from 2 clubs who are going nowhere anytime soon.

Yeah righto pal. Had a tough time watching the bulldogs in the last few years?

[bornadog]

I've been super impressed with Naughton and thought he was strong again tonight. He doesn't look like he needs a rest but I remember talking to Lukas Webb in his first season and he was rested for a week after a good debut few games. At the time he thought he was cheated but then admitted they coaching team got it right. Naughton may not look likes he needs it but we don't want to run him into the ground.

I tell you who may need a rest and that is English. Lost most tap outs, but once again played well around the ground. He looked tired at times.

[1eyedog]

I've been super impressed with Naughton and thought he was strong again tonight. He doesn't look like he needs a rest but I remember talking to Lukas Webb in his first season and he was rested for a week after a good debut few games. At the time he thought he was cheated but then admitted they coaching team got it right. Naughton may not look likes he needs it but we don't want to run him into the ground.

Young's a handy replacement looking forward to him getting a run soon.

[SonofScray]

Take the win and resign this one to the annals of history. An awful display punctuated by occasional moments of competence against a mostly inept opponent.

When the game was on our terms and opened up a bit it was clear we would have their measure. I hated that they were able to stifle and suffocate us for long stretches. Better teams have managed it, though they also punished the turnovers. Carlton let us off the hook a bit there. We break down forward of the ball and just grind to a halt. It's infuriating and takes far too long to rectify.

[jeemak]

Carlton has an MO of making the game borderline unwatchable. We didn’t finish our work and it was tough going, but it was a win that should have had a narrative of us cruising to an eight goal snooze fest.

As it was, we have had to make do with a three goal snooze fest.

[Ozza]

Carlton has an MO of making the game borderline unwatchable. We didn’t finish our work and it was tough going, but it was a win that should have had a narrative of us cruising to an eight goal snooze fest.

As it was, we have had to make do with a three goal snooze fest.

Tend to agree. At half time - 50 to 27. Would have been nice to double that up and win by 8 goals. A combo of Carlton making it ugly, and us not having the class and experience in the line up currently, saw us fall into a game of errors and lose our control.

In Cripps, Curnow, Fisher and Dow - they’ve got some young talent there. Will be interesting to see if Bolton can enable it to flourish with the way they go about it.

[Eastdog]

Wasn't pretty the game itself but great to be back on the winners list again. Both wins this year by 21 points. Great to sing the song again after the match and not have to leave pretty straight away when the siren sounds as I do when we lose.

We still have huge issues with our goal kicking as I felt we really could have shut the door on this one but we kept it ajar for a bit more longer towards the end. Skill errors are frustrating (e.g.: Suckling gifting the Blues that soccer goal). Gowers is a good mark and kicked some goals - I think he has been ok although when he got done holding the ball that wasn't his finest moment.

Loved Naughton in defence again - did pretty good and particularly those 2 marks down there he took. Bont played good tonight and Boyd was lively again - both just need to kick at goal a bit better. Lipinski a huge positive up forward with 3 goals - going to be a quality forward.

Onto next week now in Ballarat vs Gold Coast then back at Etihad vs Brisbane Lions. Both winnable games but must be weary.

Go Bulldogs!!

[jeemak]

Tend to agree. At half time - 50 to 27. Would have been nice to double that up and win by 8 goals. A combo of Carlton making it ugly, and us not having the class and experience in the line up currently, saw us fall into a game of errors and lose our control.

In Cripps, Curnow, Fisher and Dow - they’ve got some young talent there. Will be interesting to see if Bolton can enable it to flourish with the way they go about it.

More interesting will be Carlton’s intestinal fortitude to stick with Bolton at all. He’s two more losses between surviving and Carlton reverting to type and sacking him and installing Paul Roos.

[merantau]

Take the win and resign this one to the annals of history. An awful display punctuated by occasional moments of competence against a mostly inept opponent.

When the game was on our terms and opened up a bit it was clear we would have their measure. I hated that they were able to stifle and suffocate us for long stretches. Better teams have managed it, though they also punished the turnovers. Carlton let us off the hook a bit there. We break down forward of the ball and just grind to a halt. It's infuriating and takes far too long to rectify.

"Breaking down forward of the ball."
There were a couple of times last night I noticed that we had the ball on the burst and kicking it into the forward 50. If forwards were reading the play they had time to lead into space. But the kick went to a one on one contest and was cleared. It was difficult to tell whether forwards were too slow to react or whether the wrong option was chosen.
I do remember one horrible loopy kick by Crozier that landed on our guy's head and was cleared with ease.

[G-Mo77]

Yeah righto pal. Had a tough time watching the bulldogs in the last few years?

Sure I'll wear that. 2017 and so far 2018 has hardly been fun either and I just can't sit back and watch us piss it all away and say "Oh well we won it in 2016". From 1 to what I predict, bottom 5 in 2 seasons that is awful. Why are we rebuilding after being premiers just over a year ago? Why have we got such an unbalanced list? Anyway best to discuss that in another topic. A wins a win I guess. :p

[Topdog]

Lippy looks the goods and can actually kick straight.

Whilst a bit disappointing we were 2 inches away from winning that by 7 goals, so many posters

[LostDoggy]

Wasn't pretty the game itself but great to be back on the winners list again. Both wins this year by 21 points. Great to sing the song again after the match and not have to leave pretty straight away when the siren sounds as I do when we lose.

We still have huge issues with our goal kicking as I felt we really could have shut the door on this one but we kept it ajar for a bit more longer towards the end. Skill errors are frustrating (e.g.: Suckling gifting the Blues that soccer goal). Gowers is a good mark and kicked some goals - I think he has been ok although when he got done holding the ball that wasn't his finest moment.

Loved Naughton in defence again - did pretty good and particularly those 2 marks down there he took. Bont played good tonight and Boyd was lively again - both just need to kick at goal a bit better. Lipinski a huge positive up forward with 3 goals - going to be a quality forward.

Onto next week now in Ballarat vs Gold Coast then back at Etihad vs Brisbane Lions. Both winnable games but must be weary.

Go Bulldogs!!

Interesting theory there Easty. What are the advantages to us being weary?

[Mofra]

Lippy looks the goods and can actually kick straight.
Away from the F50 he seemed a little panicked / rushed with the ball early, which you expect from a kid with only a couple of games to his name.
With a few more games experience that will disappear - given he gets to the right spots and can actually kick straight he gives us something we need.

[Hotdog60]

More interesting will be Carlton’s intestinal fortitude to stick with Bolton at all. He’s two more losses between surviving and Carlton reverting to type and sacking him and installing Paul Roos.
You might not be far off the mark with Roos dropping the comment he was a Carlton supporter last night.

[bornadog]

Away from the F50 he seemed a little panicked / rushed with the ball early, which you expect from a kid with only a couple of games to his name.
With a few more games experience that will disappear - given he gets to the right spots and can actually kick straight he gives us something we need.
kicked a ripper goal in the third on the run

[SonofScray]

"Breaking down forward of the ball."
There were a couple of times last night I noticed that we had the ball on the burst and kicking it into the forward 50. If forwards were reading the play they had time to lead into space. But the kick went to a one on one contest and was cleared. It was difficult to tell whether forwards were too slow to react or whether the wrong option was chosen.
I do remember one horrible loopy kick by Crozier that landed on our guy's head and was cleared with ease.

I haven't been able to see exactly what the opposition are doing to cause it, or if I think relates to our rotations but here are the scenarios I think contribute. The cause isn't super clear, but the impact is incredibly marked.

1. Forwards pressing deeper into the defensive oress. Perhaps the opposition are matching our numbers right at the coal face across more sections of the ground. The trend is to keep throwing bodies forward to grind out the goals and lock the ball in, but I suspect that teams are expanding the area with which they choose to do that and our forwards aren't organised enough to deal with it so they all get up into the neutral zone.

2. Kicking skills. They are so poor that it has to dent confidence for players who are waning to lead up and present, knowing they'll be made to look silly and double down on their effort when it sails over their head, 20m wide to opponents advantage, or never end up coming because the kick turned into a rushed handpass. There might be times when certain players rotate through and just can't accomodate the knowledge that the ball won't come in on their terms and default to kick chasing.

If I am in the box I would try a few things. Boyd/Gowers out of the square in the 2 man forward line. Put the extra numbers exclusively into the press and start to look at our F50 entries in terms to two types of play borrowed from ice hockey. 1) Dump and chase. Win the ball, get it between halfway and HFF and kick as long and direct to the goal mouth or pocket as possible to the contest. First three forwards near the arc work hard to get to the fall of the ball, everyone else pull up and put the defensive component around to lock it. 2) Tic, TAC, Toe. Similar to a Malthouse game plan to manage our skill deficiencies, hold possession, go wide via the cape and when they push numbers back try swing it around to get a shot from 50-45 from the guys in the squad you can trust to go the journey.

In isolation both are probably low percentage plays and would do little to address our scoreboard inefficiencies, the dump and chase is great in that so long as the pressure is up, it forces the opposition defence to work harder without the ball and be careful about joining their efforts pushing forward if we turn it over. Once they address it with an extra man back, you switch up the entries because we should have an extra man as an outlet... somewhere.

More simply, tonight could have been a bigger victory if we were prepared to run and carry the ball a little bit longer and ensured the long kick inside 50 went to the square and not just inside the arc.

[Sedat]

Away from the F50 he seemed a little panicked / rushed with the ball early, which you expect from a kid with only a couple of games to his name.
With a few more games experience that will disappear - given he gets to the right spots and can actually kick straight he gives us something we need.
After his excellent goal in the 3rd qtr he was in the middle for the next centre bounce. There was a ground ball in dispute and his hands were so clean scooping it up and dishing off with precision - that was my favourite bit of play for the night.

[Twodogs]

I haven't been able to see exactly what the opposition are doing to cause it, or if I think relates to our rotations but here are the scenarios I think contribute. The cause isn't super clear, but the impact is incredibly marked.

1. Forwards pressing deeper into the defensive oress. Perhaps the opposition are matching our numbers right at the coal face across more sections of the ground. The trend is to keep throwing bodies forward to grind out the goals and lock the ball in, but I suspect that teams are expanding the area with which they choose to do that and our forwards aren't organised enough to deal with it so they all get up into the neutral zone.

2. Kicking skills. They are so poor that it has to dent confidence for players who are waning to lead up and present, knowing they'll be made to look silly and double down on their effort when it sails over their head, 20m wide to opponents advantage, or never end up coming because the kick turned into a rushed handpass. There might be times when certain players rotate through and just can't accomodate the knowledge that the ball won't come in on their terms and default to kick chasing.

If I am in the box I would try a few things. Boyd/Gowers out of the square in the 2 man forward line. Put the extra numbers exclusively into the press and start to look at our F50 entries in terms to two types of play borrowed from ice hockey. 1) Dump and chase. Win the ball, get it between halfway and HFF and kick as long and direct to the goal mouth or pocket as possible to the contest. First three forwards near the arc work hard to get to the fall of the ball, everyone else pull up and put the defensive component around to lock it. 2) Tic, TAC, Toe. Similar to a Malthouse game plan to manage our skill deficiencies, hold possession, go wide via the cape and when they push numbers back try swing it around to get a shot from 50-45 from the guys in the squad you can trust to go the journey.

In isolation both are probably low percentage plays and would do little to address our scoreboard inefficiencies, the dump and chase is great in that so long as the pressure is up, it forces the opposition defence to work harder without the ball and be careful about joining their efforts pushing forward if we turn it over. Once they address it with an extra man back, you switch up the entries because we should have an extra man as an outlet... somewhere.

More simply, tonight could have been a bigger victory if we were prepared to run and carry the ball a little bit longer and ensured the long kick inside 50 went to the square and not just inside the arc.


I'm just trying to see your ice hockey examples in my head. Is no 1 pretty much "long bombs to Snake" with a bit more stucture?

[merantau]

Sure I'll wear that. 2017 and so far 2018 has hardly been fun either and I just can't sit back and watch us piss it all away and say "Oh well we won it in 2016". From 1 to what I predict, bottom 5 in 2 seasons that is awful. Why are we rebuilding after being premiers just over a year ago? Why have we got such an unbalanced list? Anyway best to discuss that in another topic. A wins a win I guess. :p

I can feel your frustration and, believe me, I go spare at times witnessing the mistakes that we make and the gifts we give our opponents.
But I need to give myself a reality check to be fair the the Club the coaches and the players. The fact is that at the end of H/A 2016 we were the 7th best team.
We played a month of finals football that will very likely NEVER BE REPLICATED.
In 2017 a combination of rule changes, serious injuries, loss of form by some key players and increased scrutiny by the opposition saw us at 11/11. In the 2016 finals campaign we had everyone firing. We had quite a few misfiring in '17.

So now we come to this season. We are missing 11 from our flag team. We are the youngest team in the comp by far. Yes, we've put in 3 shockers - I won't shy away from that - but remember we towled up a team that played finals last year and we ran the Swans to the wire and should have won. Let's not forget that. (And I am as guilty as anyone in forgetting that!)

This team is just a bunch of kids. I saw Lipinski and Richards being interviewed by BT after the game - they are kids and there are plenty more like them in the side. They are kids but they are playing for us, doing their best for US. So let's get behind them. Let's be patient. It will take time. If things go well we could be 4/4 in a fortnight's time.
And remember we will get a big influx of experienced, hard bodies in the second half of the season. Go Dogs!

[Eastdog]

Interesting theory there Easty. What are the advantages to us being weary?

I would say we go in not complacent against more 'weaker' opposition but today in the footy there is no such thing as an 'easy' game.

[Twodogs]

I would say we go in not complacent against more 'weaker' opposition but today in the footy there is no such thing as an 'easy' game.


I think that you mean 'wary' as in "I would be wary of PP's line of questioning."

[The bulldog tragician]

I can feel your frustration and, believe me, I go spare at times witnessing the mistakes that we make and the gifts we give our opponents.
But I need to give myself a reality check to be fair the the Club the coaches and the players. The fact is that at the end of H/A 2016 we were the 7th best team.
We played a month of finals football that will very likely NEVER BE REPLICATED.
In 2017 a combination of rule changes, serious injuries, loss of form by some key players and increased scrutiny by the opposition saw us at 11/11. In the 2016 finals campaign we had everyone firing. We had quite a few misfiring in '17.

So now we come to this season. We are missing 11 from our flag team. We are the youngest team in the comp by far. Yes, we've put in 3 shockers - I won't shy away from that - but remember we towled up a team that played finals last year and we ran the Swans to the wire and should have won. Let's not forget that. (And I am as guilty as anyone in forgetting that!)

This team is just a bunch of kids. I saw Lipinski and Richards being interviewed by BT after the game - they are kids and there are plenty more like them in the side. They are kids but they are playing for us, doing their best for US. So let's get behind them. Let's be patient. It will take time. If things go well we could be 4/4 in a fortnight's time.
And remember we will get a big influx of experienced, hard bodies in the second half of the season. Go Dogs!

Agree with your comments re our current situation but I’ve never really accepted the idea that our position of 7th on the ladder in 2016 was more reflective of our abilities. This is starting to be an accepted narrative and it’s far from correct in my view. Our 15 wins would have had us top four in 2017 and many many other seasons; in fact we were in the top 4 for large chunks of the season. The magnitude of our feat in 2016 in making finals in the face of hideous injuries was in itself an amazing achievement, even if we’d crashed out, fatigued as we seemed in the final round.

[Eastdog]

I think that you mean 'wary' as in "I would be wary of PP's line of questioning."

Yep wary is the one. Thanks for correcting me Twodogs.

[Ozza]

It was Lipinski’s third career game. Pretty rapt with him.

[bornadog]

The Bont v Cripps


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7DI44cP1QA&feature=youtu.be

[Twodogs]

The Bont v Cripps


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7DI44cP1QA&feature=youtu.be

That's really good.