AFL Game Day Round 16, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium, Docklands

[Eastdog]

Predictions:
- Margin
- First goal
- Best on ground

Margin: Bulldogs by 11 points

First Goal: Tom Boyd

Best on ground: JJ

Go Bulldogs!!

[Jam Donuts]

Margin: Bulldogs by 21 points

First Goal: Gowers

BOG: Toby Mc

[Twodogs]

Bulldogs by 10 points
First Goal, Pat Lipinski
BOG, Billy Gowers

[Bulldog4life]

Tri Colours by 28 points
First Goal Gowers
BOG, JJ

[bornadog]

Dogs by 8
First Goal Dahl
BOG Mclean

[Rocket Science]

We've had our fun (heya Cats) and fear this'll be the first in a long, laborious run of losses to complete the year as we progressively 'manage' blokes, suffer more forced outs and trial more fringe types to gauge whether they survive beyond 2018.

Hawks by 34
First major : Richards
BOG : Adams

[ratsmac]

Dogs by 36
First goal : Gowers
BOG : McLean

[bulldogtragic]

Dogs by 86
BOG Gowers
FG Boyd

[DOG GOD]

Hawks will do it for Cyril

Hawks 28 pts
1st goal - bonti
Bog - McLean

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 1 point
1st Goal: Dunkley
BOG: Bont

[bulldogtragic]

Keep kicking it near Schache.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Good start by Schache.

[ratsmac]

Well you could knock me down with a feather. Hunter kicks a goal from a set shot

[Rocket Science]

Both Gowers and Cords giving a bit to detestable prick Sicily.

More of this please.

[bulldogtragic]

Anyone know the record for our most goals kicked after a 50m penalty? Gowers must be almost club leading, I reckon it's 6 this year.

[Rocket Science]

Gee, Lynch can tap dance.

[GVGjr]

Good effort again, work rate is good,. When Hunter and Wallis are kicking those sort if goals its a good sign early

[bulldogtragic]

Red time goals...

[GVGjr]

That really hurts

[chef]

Bit of a meltdown to finish the quarter. Dumb stuff.

[ratsmac]

Unlucky Adams. Good tackle by breust

[DOG GOD]

Getting killed in the centre and when they move the ball quick thru the middle of the ground, their fwd 50 looks mega dangerous. We will really need to make the most of our opportunities otherwise it could be over by half time.

[ratsmac]

We gave that lead up way way to easy from skill errors and fumbles and a bit of stupidity

[DOG GOD]

And ofcourse hawks look like they could be 12.2 at one stage the way they are getting easy shots within 30 metres.

[comrade]

Oh good, another run of opposition goals in the last few minutes of the quarter. Just for something different.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Terrible final 7 minutes, after a great start. Our set up or hitout plan in the centre is predictable. If Boyd or Cordy get hands on the ball first they tap it forward and the Hawks get it every time. We seem set up for either sideways tap or like we expect to lose the tap and have set up behind. It's killing us.

[bulldogtragic]

Oh good, another run of opposition goals in the last few minutes of the quarter. Just for something different.

... Pick 5 ...

Rankine you say.

[ratsmac]

... Pick 5 ...

Rankine you say.

That'll do

[ratsmac]

These umps are *!*!*!*!ed. That was a perfect mark to Naughton

[bulldogtragic]

Jesus, Biggs could be our worst shot at goal...

[Greystache]

One day a Bulldog player will put the ball out in front of a forward instead of on their head... it will be a glorious day!

[bulldogtragic]

One day a Bulldog player will put the ball out in front of a forward instead of on their head... it will be a glorious day!

Never happen.

[ratsmac]

These umpires are faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrkkkkkeeeeedddd!!!!!!

[ratsmac]

Lynch and Rourke are killing it

[Rocket Science]

Enjoying our boldness off half back ... when it comes off.

[bulldogtragic]

These umpires are faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrkkkkkeeeeedddd!!!!!!

You were saying.

[comrade]

That is bull****.

[ratsmac]

Can theses umps cheat anymore! Breust getting an absolute armchair ride

[Rocket Science]

These marking contest decisions almost make you feel the AFEL's keen to outlaw body contact in aerial duels.

[bulldogtragic]

This is what I'm talking about Lachie. Your best is bloody good. Bloody. Good.

[ratsmac]

You were saying.

By the time I finish typing there is an even worse decision

[ratsmac]

And that's how you get the lead back. Hats off to JJ. Great mark Wally

[bulldogtragic]

Moving into red time. Time to give up a few cheapies after so much hard work.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We play like this for the rest of the year, win, lose or draw I'll be very happy.
A lot of guys who have had poor 18 months rediscovering their love and passion for the game, and giving the jumper everything they've got.
JJ, Hunter, Dahl. Well done

[Rocket Science]

JJ, Lynch and Smith are giving us hella rebound right now.

[comrade]

JJ and Lynch. What a combo.

[GVGjr]

Jesus, Biggs could be our worst shot at goal...

I won $50 as I had him as the first goal kicker of the quarter. Shocking effort though.

[bulldogtragic]

JJ, Lynch and Smith are giving us hella rebound right now.

Lynch is an auto elevate decision, and Smith playing into a rookie retain decision. Smith just needs to work his disposal, while Lynch is speed and youthful arrogance personified. I love youthful arrogance personified in our players.

[bulldogtragic]

I won $50 as I had him as the first goal kicker of the quarter. Shocking effort though.

The luckiest $50 you will ever get! :D

[DOG GOD]

Lynch looks the goods and smith getting more confidence by the week. But FFS if Morris, adams or Trengove get the footy defensive 50 PLEASE do not do a dibble kick and turn it over 70 out

[comrade]

How good was Lynch and his 37 steps.

[DOG GOD]

How good was Lynch and his 37 steps.
Sensational. I love his enthusiasm for the contest...keep it up lynchy.

[ratsmac]

Great effort that quarter. Hawthorn looked a bit rattled and couldn't go with us. Umpires cost us at least 2 goals, 1 to us and 1 to them.
Gowers not sited yet so I expect a big 2nd half from him. If Gowers and Schache can get into this game we should win so long as we keep up this intensity.

[DOG GOD]

I say it every week...how often are we out marked inside our fwd 50? Surely we are leading the AFL with that stat.

[Jeanette54]

We need to win more centre clearances. Hawthorn get first use of the ball far too often.

Can't wait to see Libba back in action again.

[Twodogs]

One day a Bulldog player will put the ball out in front of a forward instead of on their head... it will be a glorious day!

I've seen that happen you know. Granted it was in 1978 but still I saw it with my own four eyes,

[ratsmac]

I say it every week...how often are we out marked inside our fwd 50? Surely we are leading the AFL with that stat.

The commentary said we concede more marks i50 than any other team. Not a surprising stat!

[DOG GOD]

If we can keep up the intensity, level the centre clearances at least and get bonti and gowers on the scoreboard we should go close. If we continue to give hawks first use out of the centre and shots for goal within 40 metres, we will fall short.

Hopefully the run from defence will continue to thrive giving our fwds plenty of opportunities to kick a winning score.

[Twodogs]

I say it every week...how often are we out marked inside our fwd 50? Surely we are leading the AFL with that stat.


They mentioned earlier in the telecast that we have had more marks taken against us I50 than any other team.

Boo yah!

[bornadog]

Lynch is an auto elevate decision, and Smith playing into a rookie retain decision. Smith just needs to work his disposal, while Lynch is speed and youthful arrogance personified. I love youthful arrogance personified in our players.

You need to work some spots for them

[DOG GOD]

The commentary said we concede more marks i50 than any other team. Not a surprising stat!

Ah I must’ve been screaming at Biggs when they said that lol...thanks for that though...and no it’s not surprising at all.

[Twodogs]

Ah I must’ve been screaming at Biggs when they said that lol...thanks for that though...and no it’s not surprising at all.

It was right after they said that Hawthorn leads the comp in taking I50 marks.

[ratsmac]

Dogs burnt on transition, whhhhhhaaaaatttt!

[ratsmac]

Dogs asleep to start the second half. Shocking

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Lynch was bound to get a reality check on taking the tackler on everytime. He hopefully will learn to pick his moments. Hope he doesn't go into his shell.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We need to regroup quickly.

[DOG GOD]

Too many easy goals blows this game out

[bulldogtragic]

Well, it was a good first half.

Naughton missing and Cordy rucking my non highlights.

[DOG GOD]

This could be a 7 goal to 1 quarter if we aren’t careful

[Sedat]

Who the fark is on Breust? Any chance of some body contact?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Tough now.
Bont should have been in the centre to start this quarter.

[ratsmac]

How do we go from owning possession to can't get it and game over

[bulldogtragic]

So where were we? Rankine with pick 5.

Exciting player. With this midfield and forward entry, how much impact would he have next year?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

10 to 1 out of the centre Hawks favour.

[comrade]

Have we touched it for 5 minutes?

[Sedat]

Shame that none of our 55 key defenders could prevent that goal line mark.

[bulldogtragic]

No, take our turnover.

No dogs, here's a turnover.

No. We insist, here's another turnover.

Ok, we goal then...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Switch Naughton for Adams on Gunston.

[bulldogtragic]

Shame that none of our 55 key defenders could prevent that goal line mark.

One is at full forward, I think, if he's playing. Another is relief rucking on McEvoy. Unfortunately two passengers.

[Sedat]

Gowers horrible inside 50 kick. Dahl horrible inside 50 kick. Detecting a theme.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Like a different team this quarter. A shit team.

[bulldogtragic]

They don't need bullshit frees. For *!*!*!*! sake.

[bulldogtragic]

Like a different team this quarter. A shit team.

Could be a 70 point loss, from leading at half time.

[Greystache]

This is pathetic

[ratsmac]

How the *!*!*!*! is it contact below the knees without even making *!*!*!*!ing contact. These umps are *!*!*!*!ing ridiculous.

[Webby]

Dahlhaus just got pinged for contact below the knees AND HE WAS STATIONARY!!!!????

[bulldogtragic]

Run into an opposition player. The umpire makes the free up. But with McInerney in the team tonight, what do you expect from them...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Such a shame, we'd played so well in the first half

[Sedat]

We hack kick it inside F50 with no system and the other mob are just so clean and precise delivering inside their F50.

[bulldogtragic]

Could be a 70 point loss, from leading at half time.

Um, maybe 80 point loss.

[Greystache]

This is *!*!*!*!ing pathetic!

[ratsmac]

We are back to being a rabble

[comrade]

We’ve just wiped away all the good work of that first half with the most feeble 20 minutes I have seen.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Now we decide to move Bont into the centre.. only 15 minutes, and the match too late.

[Sedat]

Lucky we got the free. Another really poor inside 50 kick by Dahl under no pressure whatsoever.

[bulldogtragic]

Lucky we got the free. Another really poor inside 50 kick by Dahl under no pressure whatsoever.

Why kick it higher than longer?

Other than to not kick it to advantage or bring about a lead, and ruin the chances of all our forwards?

[DOG GOD]

Wow the pressure has dropped WAY off...more turnovers...we really want that pick 5 by the looks of it.

[Sedat]

Roarke awful decision and awful skill error.

[comrade]

Clarko schooling Beveridge.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

That kick by Roarke Smith, just dumb. Had so many options around him and he picks the worst, most risky one and flubs it.

[Greystache]

Worst quarter of football played by any team this season.

[GVGjr]

Shocking quarter but I think Clarko caught Bevo napping. Some slight adjustments and forward pressure like you don't often see was too much for us.

[bulldogtragic]

Another no goal quarter.

In a bad record, we could be pushing the most no goal quarters for a season of ours.

[bulldogtragic]

Worst quarter of football played by any team this season.

Yep. And we've played some horrors too.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Why did we wait until the game was over, until we moved Bont into the middle?? Hawks at one stage 10 to 1 clearances that quarter.

[DOG GOD]

7.4 to 0.1 says it all. No pressure, no run, no tackles that stick, poor disposal, poor decision making and complete lack of effort. They were hungry, we were still thinking about those oranges at half time...putrid, embarrassing quarter....did we actually tank that ?

[comrade]

Both teams playing like it’s 2014.

[Sedat]

The sooner we can get Richards and Williams into the middle the better. Our ball use forward of centre is utterly appalling - I'd hate to be a forward in our team.

[DOG GOD]

This could be a 7 goal to 1 quarter if we aren’t careful

Lol I wasn’t far off

[The Pie Man]

If there’s one thing from that dumpster fire of a quarter it’s Smith isn’t up to the level. Recognise and make the call Bevo

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Shocking quarter but I think Clarko caught Bevo napping. Some slight adjustments and forward pressure like you don't often see was too much for us.

Too many players down when it counted. Bont Cordy Gowers Biggs among the missing. Hawthorn’s better disposal was always going to be a problem.

[bulldogtragic]

The sooner we can get Richards and Williams into the middle the better. Our ball use forward of centre is utterly appalling - I'd hate to be a forward in our team.

This is the problem being Boyd, Schache or a King brother if we draft one of them. You can't succeed remotely quickly despite being the best key forward in your draft year with this rubbish.

[ratsmac]

Why do we try hit the roof with our forward 50 entries

[Grantysghost]

Has to be a club record for goaless quarters in a season. Didn't see that coming.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

That is embarrassing. They almost walked that through.

[ratsmac]

Bont having a shocker. Wasn't even in the game we were in the game.

[The Pie Man]

Not sure Bont’s a skipper - dropped his head a bit tonight, can put in a shocker

[Sedat]

That was a garbage defensive effort by Tom Boyd. Let Shiels run out of D50 with no pressure at all.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Mclean handballed and still gets pinged htb?? That is just mean

[Sedat]

How was that not HTB against McLean?

[Sedat]

Adams is awful 1-one-1. Might be a specimen but has no idea how to use his body strength. Beaten by a whippet in Breust.

[Greystache]

The club could have at least had the courtesy to tell supporters they weren't going to try in the second half so we could go home at half time.

This is a disgrace!

[bulldogtragic]

Um, maybe 80 point loss.

Maybe 85 now.

[DOG GOD]

Surely bont is injured. Looks so slow and so in and out of play. Biggs shouldn’t play another game.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Schache's poor defensive vision led to Roughy's goal. Had no need to run towards the ball carrier..in doing so his direct opponent became the easy link outvof centre half back and from there it was a foregone conclusion.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Moz still giving it 100%

[Sedat]

Surely bont is injured. Looks so slow and so in and out of play. Biggs shouldn’t play another game.
He's playing so he's good enough to go. We should judge him on his output, which is sub par tonight and has been most of the season to be frank.

Let's put him out to pasture for the season if he's unfit.

[DOG GOD]

Biggs out...lipinski needs a rest too.

[bulldogtragic]

He's playing so he's good enough to go. We should judge him on his output, which is sub par tonight and has been most of the season to be frank.

Let's put him out to pasture for the season if he's unfit.

Nah, train and play him until we absolutely know he's injured to the point he can't play the year. If it's good enough for everyone else, it's good enough for Bonts too.

[DOG GOD]

He's playing so he's good enough to go. We should judge him on his output, which is sub par tonight and has been most of the season to be frank.

Let's put him out to pasture for the season if he's unfit.
Just doesn’t seem to be moving too fluent...so put him to pasture I say.

[Sedat]

Is that a recurring ankle injury for Naughton? Or just unlucky again.

[Sedat]

Billy has been shithouse tonight. Overdue a poor one.

[bulldogtragic]

Cameron Ling, on Stratton: QUOTE: "He's an unsung hero. A star."

You can't be a star, and be unsung. Which one is it you brain cell killing dumb *!*!*!*!?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Hawks 14.4 from turnovers us 4.2...... wow..

[MrMahatma]

Insane second half. Separated the men from the boys. Reckon our past two weeks may say more about the Roos and Cats than it does us.

[ratsmac]

We are a bunch of quitters which is something that was not the case under Bevo early doors

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

A game of two halves.. textbook definition.
First half was a turn back of the clock to when we were an inspired, pressure team. The second, an insipid and weak of heart performance.

[GVGjr]

Has to be a club record for goaless quarters in a season. Didn't see that coming.

Me either. They're a good team but we made it easy for them

[Remi Moses]

I just don’t get it .
From the penthouse to the outhouse

[Sedat]

Me either. They're a good team but we made it easy for them
We made Hawthorn's one-man midfield look like Brisbane's 3'peat midfield

[Sedat]

Boyd's pathetic effort early in the last qtr just got highlighted by Johnno. Upon reviewing, Bont and Billy were no less pathetic in that play.

[GVGjr]

Morrison worked over JJ in the 2nd half

[GVGjr]

Boyd's pathetic effort early in the last qtr just got highlighted by Johnno. Upon reviewing, Bont and Billy were no less pathetic in that play.

I thought Boyd did well in the first half but he struggled in the 2nd

[Twodogs]

Why kick it higher than longer?

Other than to not kick it to advantage or bring about a lead, and ruin the chances of all our forwards?


Because he lifts his head and lays back as the ball hits his foot-the fact that the ball hits his foot and his foot doesn't hit the ball is also contributing. In other words it's a problem with his technique that could be ironed out with half an hours tuition in kicking a *!*!*!*!ing footy.

[bulldogtragic]

I thought Boyd did well in the first half but he struggled in the 2nd

It happens when we ruck him with next to no help on guys like Goldstein & McEvoy. Next week it's Gawn. Expect a different match committee?

[bornadog]

Smashed in the middle in the scecond half. Ball didnot go past the centre circle into our side of the ground for 15 min and they had slammed on 6 goals . Also Hawks tackling was brilliant which gifted them at least 6 goals from frees

[bulldogtragic]

Because he lifts his head and lays back as the ball hits his foot. In other words it's a problem with his technique that could be ironed out with half an hours tuition in kicking a *!*!*!*!ing footy.

Have you got about 40 hours. Because it's virtually everyone on the list.

[Remi Moses]

Boyd's pathetic effort early in the last qtr just got highlighted by Johnno. Upon reviewing, Bont and Billy were no less pathetic in that play.

That was totally pathetic from all parties

[Hotdog60]

I Could not believe the below the knees free against Luke.
He didn't slide in and he didn't dive on the ball as it was under his body.
I hope that umpire gets dropped what a farce.

[bornadog]

I Could not believe the below the knees free against Luke.
He didn't slide in and he didn't dive on the ball as it was under his body.
I hope that umpire gets dropped what a farce.
One of many baffling decisions

[Twodogs]

Cameron Ling, on Stratton: QUOTE: "He's an unsung hero. A star."

You can't be a star, and be unsung. Which one is it you brain cell killing dumb *!*!*!*!?

God I despise Cameron Ling, he just spouts so much shit.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

This was a potential top 4 side playing against a bottom 4 team. Our younger brigade in Schache Lipinski Naughton Richards and Gowers all struggled tonight. Breust Gunston and Roughead proved far superior than our forward line. The Bont put in a shocker exposing our lack of leadership. The playing of Biggs as a forward highlighted our lack of depth.

[Sedat]

That was totally pathetic from all parties
I'm not going to defend Boyd because it was a pathetic defensive effort which I saw and commented on in the Game Day thread straight away. But because he is the million dollar man he's going to cop all the heat for it in the media when Gowers and Bont were no less pathetic in that play.

[Twodogs]

Have you got about 40 hours. Because it's virtually everyone on the list.

Josh Schache is fine so we don't have to worry about him, you wouldn't try to fix Suckling's weird goalkeeper kick, although I'd like to see him kick a ball the tradional way a few times just to see how he goes. Dickson is fine, Billy Gowers is a lot better and Wallis is fine. A few of the rest though need remedial work though.

[ReLoad]

Well, they say you shouldn’t send an email when you’re emotional, but does the rule apply to forum posting too?

That’s the worst half of football I’ve seen us play in a very long time. Hawthorn are NOT a top 4 team under any circumstances, yet we let them play like camberwell millionaires.

We were destroyed in the middle tonight, utterly and totally destroyed.

The bont should head in for that hip surgery he needs and we could hopefully slide down a spot and grab pick 4.

[Mantis]

When the Hawks lifted the tempo we were stuck in neutral!

Our lack of spread from the contest is diabolical and when we come up against a mature & committed team our kids are shown up across a full 120 minute contest.

[merantau]

It was really tough looking at that second half but I forced myself to watch it to the bitter end. I think there has to be a line in the sand blast delivered to the players. We were uncompetitive for large parts of the 2nd half especially in the 3rd. Did we win a clearance? I don't think so. Our turnovers were shocking and we did not run, spread or tackle.
Lynch tried to take the game on and we should persevere with him. He has genuine pace. Wallis took his chances and JJ was great in the great in the first half. Mos was solid all night. Biggie is going nowhere at the moment. He peaked in 2016 it seems and is now destined to eke.
We will be a vastly better team next year. Did we tank? Maybe just an APC!

[Sedat]

Our lack of spread from the contest is diabolical and when we come up against a mature & committed team our kids are shown up across a full 120 minute contest.
Hawthorn have a shallow one-paced midfield that relies on Mitchell heavily. And yet we managed to make their midfield look like the best group ever assembled in that 3rd qtr.

Why did we go away from Gowers in the middle tonight when he was so effective with his clean hands the last 2 weeks? We are so desperately shallow in the middle and we're killing McLean, Bont and Hunter (and Macrae until injured).

[The bulldog tragician]

It was posted on Twitter that our record against the teams we beat in the 2016 finals is now 1 - 10. Which is just astounding. And depressing as hell. For such a young premiership team it is also very surprising that this year we have usually only had 10 or 11 out there of our premiership players. Form, injury, whatever...the band has just never got together again. Clearly some of them just aren’t ever going to get their mojo back. It was really disappointing after two gallant weeks, to see us disintegrate so easily, but clearly, this is where we are at. It’s going to be an interesting off season.

[GVGjr]

Are we doing the right thing by our players when we out the likes of Biggs forward?

Did we use Morris on Bruest at all?

[Eastdog]

That was pretty bad tonight in particular that 2nd half. No fight at all which was so disappointing considering we had a strong 1st half and even I think were the better team. Lots of positives in that 1st half. JJ was excellent along with McLean, Hunter and Crozier. Schache will be a player and needs more games to get the experience in.

Also lost in the VFL game so a bad day for us Dogs supporters all around after the high we had last week beating the Cats. The umpires were poor on decisions but can't blame them for that 2nd half shocker.

Now onto the trade period and draft for us and also to next weeks game to see what we can do.

[macca]

Not sure Bont’s a skipper - dropped his head a bit tonight, can put in a shocker

Bont looked a bit soretonight. Should he be playing ? Honestly.. why risk it given he has such a long career ahead. ?

[merantau]

Bont looked a bit soretonight. Should he be playing ? Honestly.. why risk it given he has such a long career ahead. ?

Couldn't agree more. He looks tired and unable to break free of congestion anymore. He's too valuable to be playing under duress at the end of a season where the only thing we have to gain is the opportunity to get games into players and thus have a clearer picture of where we are at for 2019

[bornadog]

Are we doing the right thing by our players when we out the likes of Biggs forward?

Did we use Morris on Bruest at all?

The coach is trying all sorts of ways to manufacture goals, but the players are not adapting. I don't like Naughton in the forward line, and Cordy struggled. Biggs, well he just wasn't suited although he should have kicked two more goals.

In the end the midfield is struggling, especially without Macrae, Libba with Bont not at his best and Dahl inconsistent.

[Twodogs]

The coach is trying all sorts of ways to manufacture goals, but the players are not adapting. I don't like Naughton in the forward line, and Cordy struggled. Biggs, well he just wasn't suited although he should have kicked two more goals.

In the end the midfield is struggling, especially without Macrae, Libba with Bont not at his best and Dahl inconsistent.

Watching Hawthorn just waltz ball after ball out of centre bounces after half time last night highlighted just how much we miss Macrae and Libba. Without them and Dalhaus being in such lousy form leaves too much burden on the Bont.

[GVGjr]

The coach is trying all sorts of ways to manufacture goals, but the players are not adapting. I don't like Naughton in the forward line, and Cordy struggled. Biggs, well he just wasn't suited although he should have kicked two more goals.

In the end the midfield is struggling, especially without Macrae, Libba with Bont not at his best and Dahl inconsistent.

Last week we scored 16 goals and at half time this week we had 7. In this instance I would suggest that Bevo has manufactured an excuse to play players out of position. Did Biggs do anything that say Fergus Greene who has played mainly forward couldn't have done?

Back to the original question I posed, are we doing the right by playing the likes of Biggs forward when he hasn't been playing there for Footscray? He's coming out of contract and hasn't been in great touch anyway so we throw him forward and hope for a miracle.
He wasn't a disaster but I don't think we had a real plan for him.

[Mofra]

Bont looked like he couldn't run in the second half, I'd get him right for next year.

Probem is we have two listed AFL midfielders who played VFL last week.
Porter is raw as hell and not ready, and the other is Mitch Honeychurch.

[angelopetraglia]

The thing that really stood out last night was the difference in skill. The Hawks skill level in all parts of the game was so much higher than ours. Goal kicking, field kicking, marking, handballling.

They are at AFL level ..... many times last night we were at Auskick level. The gap was that large.

[kruder]

Bont looked like he couldn't run in the second half, I'd get him right for next year.

Probem is we have two listed AFL midfielders who played VFL last week.
Porter is raw as hell and not ready, and the other is Mitch Honeychurch.

Exactly there were a lot of banged up players who we were forced to play this week and Id suggest its the exact reason why we didn't see Gowers in the midfield and Bont was hardly in the centre at all. Its a cumulative effect the midfield is as bare as you can get it the effort had been right up for 2.5 weeks and it just took it toll in the second half last night. We have played some awful periods of football this year but i think last night there were some legitimate reasons for it.

[azabob]

Extremely disappointing 2nd half last night.

After 10 good competitive quarters of footy we reverted back to the putrid levels of rounds 1 & 2.

I really hope the 2nd half last night was an aberation and next week and for the remanider of he season will be more like our effort V's Geelong and North Melbourne.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Hawthorn have a shallow one-paced midfield that relies on Mitchell heavily. And yet we managed to make their midfield look like the best group ever assembled in that 3rd qtr.

Why did we go away from Gowers in the middle tonight when he was so effective with his clean hands the last 2 weeks? We are so desperately shallow in the middle and we're killing McLean, Bont and Hunter (and Macrae until injured).

We will struggle in the midfield whilst Boyd remains in the ruck. These are not just my words but those of two former Club Champions.
Macrae is a huge loss. Gowers was injured and should not have played. Bont had had a bad night. Both Maclean and Hunter play better when Macrae is in the side. Dunkley was terrific on Mitchell with 23 disposals.

[Eastdog]

We will struggle in the midfield whilst Boyd remains in the ruck. These are not just my words but those of two former Club Champions.
Macrae is a huge loss. Gowers was injured and should not have played. Bont had had a bad night. Both Maclean and Hunter play better when Macrae is in the side. Dunkley was terrific on Mitchell with 23 disposals.

In my woof votes gave Lynch a vote in the James as I think his 2 games have been good but agree Dunkley very good last night. Need to do better around the ruck in getting the ball forward. Simply not enough last night and was shaking my head many times in that 2nd half.

[craigsahibee]

How the *!*!*!*! is it contact below the knees without even making *!*!*!*!ing contact. These umps are *!*!*!*!ing ridiculous.

And it was at that point that I got up and walked out and vowed to never attend another AFL match. The Administrators have seriously stuffed this game up beyond recognition. I'm done.

[Bulldog4life]

It was posted on Twitter that our record against the teams we beat in the 2016 finals is now 1 - 10. Which is just astounding. And depressing as hell. For such a young premiership team it is also very surprising that this year we have usually only had 10 or 11 out there of our premiership players. Form, injury, whatever...the band has just never got together again. Clearly some of them just aren’t ever going to get their mojo back. It was really disappointing after two gallant weeks, to see us disintegrate so easily, but clearly, this is where we are at. It’s going to be an interesting off season.

Yep. It will be interesting to see who goes. They reached the top of the mountain and some have now fallen down it.

[Bulldog4life]

Last week we scored 16 goals and at half time this week we had 7. In this instance I would suggest that Bevo has manufactured an excuse to play players out of position. Did Biggs do anything that say Fergus Greene who has played mainly forward couldn't have done?

Back to the original question I posed, are we doing the right by playing the likes of Biggs forward when he hasn't been playing there for Footscray? He's coming out of contract and hasn't been in great touch anyway so we throw him forward and hope for a miracle.
He wasn't a disaster but I don't think we had a real plan for him.

Bevo said before the match because of injuries we were playing 10 defenders in our side. Some had to play forward.

[Grantysghost]

For those interested that (the third qtr) was our 7th goalless quarter of the year. We are third behind Suns (9) and Blues (8). Worst year for us was 1965 with 16 so hopefully that record is beyond reach :cool:.
Via sirswampthing on twitter (brilliant stats man worth a follow).

[bornadog]

And it was at that point that I got up and walked out and vowed to never attend another AFL match. The Administrators have seriously stuffed this game up beyond recognition. I'm done.

I thought you went home after that one.

[G-Mo77]

I've been away for the last week and really disappointing to see we've rolled over like this again. We can do it, the application and desire to do it week in, week out is not there. We can throw excuse out like injuries and youth and yeah they can be valid but they're only brought up when we lose. 22 guys on the park and we're getting our pants pulled down most of the time. 2018 is a complete waste of a season like 2017 and we're a fair way off getting back IMO.

[Remi Moses]

Merely last chance saloon for Biggs as a forward .
He’s been diabolical down back , but should have been tried forward at vfl level .
The coach is throwing up a few hail mary’s

[craigsahibee]

I thought you went home after that one.

I couldn't take it anymore. That really was the last straw.

[SonofScray]

Watched the replay again and it was a true Jekyll and Hyde performance. Not too dissimilar to the Collingwood game perhaps.

I am over getting angry at this point and have pretty much conceded that the injury list is too long, the talent too thin as a consequence, and the maturity relative to most opponents is too low. If we drop 5% in effort and the opposition goes up a notch, we get flogged. If teams match our effort, we get flogged. If they're a bit off and we are on, we are a chance. A slim chance.

It's a real concern that the execution fluctuates in game so heavily. I think that might be to do with fitness and continuity, something that was sky high a few years ago but has been pillaged since 2015.

[Mantis]

I've been away for the last week and really disappointing to see we've rolled over like this again. We can do it, the application and desire to do it week in, week out is not there. We can throw excuse out like injuries and youth and yeah they can be valid but they're only brought up when we lose. 22 guys on the park and we're getting our pants pulled down most of the time. 2018 is a complete waste of a season like 2017 and we're a fair way off getting back IMO.

I'm a little more bullish than that.

Sure this year has been extremely disappointing, but I think we can rebound quite quickly if we can get a healthy team together & our young guys improve on what we have seen. Adding the likes of Macrae, Liberatore & Williams back into the team instantly improves the team immensely.

[bornadog]

I couldn't take it anymore. That really was the last straw.

I have seen some shockers in my time but that one and a similar one against Toby Mclean in the Port match, rank amongst the worst ever.

[Twodogs]

I still think an unconscious Micky McKenna being pinged for holding the ball up at the SCG is the worst decision I've seen-bit hard to storm out of an interstate game though-but that tunnelling decision was pretty ordinary.

[bornadog]

I still think an unconscious Micky McKenna being pinged for holding the ball up at the SCG is the worst decision I've seen-bit hard to storm out of an interstate game though-but that tunnelling decision was pretty ordinary.

What about James Cook unconscious in the goal square and gets a holding the ball decision against him as well.

[Twodogs]

What about James Cook unconscious in the goal square and gets a holding the ball decision against him as well.


Who was it against? I'm having trouble remembering it.


Geez he had a talent for kicking goals when he was on did James Cook. Him and Shane Loveless were the biggest couldabeens ive seen when it comes to full forwards. Pinhead and the Captain (that's a great name for a band) each had half a season of glory and then disappeared

[bornadog]

Who was it against? I'm having trouble remembering it.


Geez he had a talent for kicking goals when he was on did James Cook. Him and Shane Loveless were the biggest couldabeens ive seen when it comes to full forwards. Pinhead and the Captain (that's a great name for a band) each had half a season of glory and then disappeared

Wasn't it in the 1st semi in 1997 against Sydney in the first half?

I just remember him lying on his back and free kick given against him.

[Twodogs]

Wasn't it in the 1st semi in 1997 against Sydney in the first half?

I just remember him lying on his back and free kick given against him.


I was enjoying the prospect of actually winning in week one of the finals for once. At any stage of that game you could have knocked me unconscious and I wouldn't have noticed.

[The bulldog tragician]

There was just about the worst umpiring decision EVER at Princes Park. Late 80s perhaps? I remember the outrage, that it was deep in a pocket, something like a ball ricocheting from a post and our player pinged for holding the ball. Surely that’s enough info for others to recall it?? Don’t leave me hanging...��

On another occasion a small group of Footscray fans, incensed by the umpiring, marched on VFL house with a banner saying: “Sawers and Rich put Footscray in the ditch!” I’m pretty sure we hadn’t even come close to our opponents but that didn’t matter. (I wasn’t among them, just for the record..)

[Twodogs]

It rings a bell Trag. Was it that day when Carlton were 14.0 at halftime. Ball bounces of the post and somehow Ken Hunter ends up with a free kick 15 metres out?

[bornadog]

It rings a bell Trag. Was it that day when Carlton were 14.0 at halftime. Ball bounces of the post and somehow Ken Hunter ends up with a free kick 15 metres out?

Carlton were attacking and one of our players tried to punch it through for a behind and he hit the point post. Umpire Vasilou, gave a deliberate out of bounds:D Carlton were something like 11.0.66 and kicked the 12th straight. Needless to say the ump was sent to the country the following week.

[Sedat]

Carlton were attacking and one of our players tried to punch it through for a behind and he hit the point post. Umpire Vasilou, gave a deliberate out of bounds:D Carlton were something like 11.0.66 and kicked the 12th straight. Needless to say the ump was sent to the country the following week.
Mark Kellett from memory. Shocking free.

[The bulldog tragician]

Thank you, thank you, I knew I was not alone in my outrage even though I no longer remember what exactly I was outraged about. I had a vague thought that Con Gorozidis was involved, even going so far as to check the records and he didn’t play for us at Princes Park. Maybe the Vasilou/Gorizidis Greek connection was somehow vaguely there in my mind. I guess all the thrashings there have taken their toll. Even more reason to enjoy their current plight.

[jeemak]

Watched the replay again and it was a true Jekyll and Hyde performance. Not too dissimilar to the Collingwood game perhaps.

I am over getting angry at this point and have pretty much conceded that the injury list is too long, the talent too thin as a consequence, and the maturity relative to most opponents is too low. If we drop 5% in effort and the opposition goes up a notch, we get flogged. If teams match our effort, we get flogged. If they're a bit off and we are on, we are a chance. A slim chance.

It's a real concern that the execution fluctuates in game so heavily. I think that might be to do with fitness and continuity, something that was sky high a few years ago but has been pillaged since 2015.

I think what you're saying is reasonable and well thought out. We copped Geelong 5-10% behind their best last week and we played close to our best, and we just did them. Same with Norf the week before but we just lost.

Saturday we matched Hawthorn and then dropped mentally and fatigued really quickly due to the parlous position our list is from a maturity, profile, and injury perspective.

The game is very simple these days, if you're on you're a chance, if you're not you're screwed. If you're injured and young at the same time and you take up the latter of the previous variables, you're genuinely no chance of competing.

[Twodogs]

Thank you, thank you, I knew I was not alone in my outrage even though I no longer remember what exactly I was outraged about. I had a vague thought that Con Gorozidis was involved, even going so far as to check the records and he didn’t play for us at Princes Park. Maybe the Vasilou/Gorizidis Greek connection was somehow vaguely there in my mind. I guess all the thrashings there have taken their toll. Even more reason to enjoy their current plight.


It's what we do!

[Bulldog4life]

Mark Kellett from memory. Shocking free.

I thought it was Foster.

[Bulldog4life]

There was just about the worst umpiring decision EVER at Princes Park. Late 80s perhaps? I remember the outrage, that it was deep in a pocket, something like a ball ricocheting from a post and our player pinged for holding the ball. Surely that’s enough info for others to recall it?? Don’t leave me hanging...��

On another occasion a small group of Footscray fans, incensed by the umpiring, marched on VFL house with a banner saying: “Sawers and Rich put Footscray in the ditch!” I’m pretty sure we hadn’t even come close to our opponents but that didn’t matter. (I wasn’t among them, just for the record..)

Yes back page of the Sun. I thought it read "put Rich in the ditch". Might be wrong.

[craigsahibee]

I thought it was Foster.

I was going to say Tits Kennedy.

[Bulldog4life]

I was going to say Tits Kennedy.

I am reasonably confident. I was in the crowd in the forward pocket where it happened. Foster tried to hit it through for a behind but it hit the behind post on the full. The free was for deliberate or out of bounds on the full...not 100% sure on that.

[Twodogs]

I am reasonably confident. I was in the crowd in the forward pocket where it happened. Foster tried to hit it through for a behind but it hit the behind post on the full. The free was for deliberate or out of bounds on the full...not 100% sure on that.

I was down the same end and I think it was Foster now too. I can still see the surprised look on face.

[craigsahibee]

I am reasonably confident. I was in the crowd in the forward pocket where it happened. Foster tried to hit it through for a behind but it hit the behind post on the full. The free was for deliberate or out of bounds on the full...not 100% sure on that.

If it's the moment I'm thinking of, Vas Vasilou was the Umpire.

I've checked the AFL Tables Website (see link here https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1984/030719840611.html

No Peter Foster in the squad.

We used to stand in the pocket in front of the old scoreboard at Princes Park. I always thought it was Rick Kennedy.

I would love to see some replays of that. My recollection of the day is that we were belted but it was only 6 goals in the end.

[Twodogs]

If it's the moment I'm thinking of, Vas Vasilou was the Umpire.

I've checked the AFL Tables Website (see link here https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1984/030719840611.html

No Peter Foster in the squad.

We used to stand in the pocket in front of the old scoreboard at Princes Park. I always thought it was Rick Kennedy.

I would love to see some replays of that. My recollection of the day is that we were belted but it was only 6 goals in the end.

The eight goals to one second quarter didn't do us any favours.

[bornadog]

If it's the moment I'm thinking of, Vas Vasilou was the Umpire.

I've checked the AFL Tables Website (see link here https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1984/030719840611.html

No Peter Foster in the squad.

We used to stand in the pocket in front of the old scoreboard at Princes Park. I always thought it was Rick Kennedy.

I would love to see some replays of that. My recollection of the day is that we were belted but it was only 6 goals in the end.

I think Sedat is right, it was Kellet.

EDIT: It was Kellet https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/imageservice/rendition/article/jpg/nla.news-page000013742842-nla.news-article127002405-L3-a1f783af83e17d1d83742acf409d433e-0001.jpg

[bornadog]

Looking for some video I came across this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYZ8qzMgePk

I don't remember that happening. We stood in the other pocket to the scoreboard at that end.

[Flamethrower]

Looking for some video I came across this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYZ8qzMgePk

I don't remember that happening. We stood in the other pocket to the scoreboard at that end.

I was at that game....at the 4.25 mark of the video you can hear the crowd chanting "Your fault Smith" aimed at umpire Kevin Smith, with Carlton getting their normal armchair ride from the umpires at Princes Park. (Footscray actually led the free kick count that day 45-36).

I remember being told by some cheer squad members that it all started with some Carlton fans standing near the Footscray Cheer Squad and "looking for a fight". At one stage someone yelled that there was a knife pulled and that's when people started jumping onto the ground to get away from the fight.

[Bulldog4life]

Well it is another game that I am thinking of. Got no idea of when but it was definitely Fossie hitting ball into behind post that I saw.

[bornadog]

Well it is another game that I am thinking of. Got no idea of when but it was definitely Fossie hitting ball into behind post that I saw.

Did you read the article?

[Bulldog4life]

Did you read the article?

Yes I did

[Twodogs]

I checked with a mate of mine who remembers everthing and he said it was Mark Kellet

[The bulldog tragician]

Though claiming to not remember it properly I now do reckon it was Kellet.

[bornadog]

Though claiming to not remember it properly I now do reckon it was Kellet.

I thought I posted this earlier

https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/imageservice/rendition/article/jpg/nla.news-page000013742842-nla.news-article127002405-L3-a1f783af83e17d1d83742acf409d433e-0001.jpg

[Twodogs]

I'm pretty impressed that I remember that it was Ken Hunter who got the free. I'm less impressed that I can't remember a five minute punch on that seemed to have happened about ten metres to the right of me because that lousy call by Vasilou happened right in front of us so we are behind the goal at the scoreboard end.

[bornadog]

I'm pretty impressed that I remember that it was Ken Hunter who got the free. I'm less impressed that I can't remember a five minute punch on that seemed to have happened about ten metres to the right of me because that lousy call by Vasilou happened right in front of us so we are behind the goal at the scoreboard end.

For the life of me I can't remember the punch up, but I remember the umpire and the free, still makes my blood boil. :D

[Twodogs]

For the life of me I can't remember the punch up, but I remember the umpire and the free, still makes my blood boil. :D

I love how half the people the cops drag away are wearing Footscray Cheer Squad tops. My dad used to have one of those. God knows where he got it from because he wasn't a member of the cheer squad.

I must have been down at the fence abusing the umpires when the fight happened is all I can think because I can see people I would have been at the game with standing watching the fight, the big guy with the huge Afro is Nabil for starters. And there's Shaun and Flogger and Davis but I can't remember it happening.

[craigsahibee]

I clearly remember the incident, and up until last weekend, the 2nd worst free kick of all time, however I honestly thought it was Kenndey and am happy to accept that all of the evidence both anecdotal and factual, proves that it was Mark Kellett. But, for the life of me, I can not remember the fight at all.

Like everyone else, we were standing in the Scoreboard pocket that day also. There must have been 35,000 of us there that day.