AFL Game Day Round 18, 2018 - West Coast V Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium

[Eastdog]

Predictions:
- Margin
- First Goal
- Best On Ground

Margin: Bulldogs by 1 point

First Goal: Lachie Hunter

Best On Ground: Toby McLean

Go Bulldogs!!

[DOG GOD]

Eagles by 78 pts (Kennedy/darling/lecras)
1st goal- gowers
Bog - McLean

[bornadog]

First Goal: Richards

BOG: Maclean

[The Adelaide Connection]

The forecast is for thunderstorms all weekend apparently. Sucks the wind out of my “can’t wait to see Boyd and Schache forward together” sails.

Draw (can’t bring myself to say WC)
First Goal: Gowers
BOG: Hunter as captain in #100

[Rocket Science]

Some of our most dispiriting latter-day losses have been all the way over there, the kind where the home team runs steadily more amok to the strains of a loud, baying crowd and things turn south so freely we seem like we've accidentally wandered into a place we shouldn't have.

Yeah, another one of those.

Them by 71, Kennedy to kick 8, Hurn to do as he pleases.

[bornadog]

Some of our most dispiriting latter-day losses have been all the way over there, the kind where the home team runs steadily more amok to the strains of a loud, baying crowd and things turn south so freely we seem like we've accidentally wandered into a place we shouldn't have.

Yeah, another one of those.

Them by 71, Kennedy to kick 8, Hurn to do as he pleases.

We have won one of the last 11 in the West, and that was the 2016 final.

[Twodogs]

Us by 17
First goal Gowers
Best on ground Boyd.

[Bulldog4life]

The Dishlickers by 5 points
First goal Gowers
Best on ground Hunter.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

This is likely to not be pretty...but in the interest of one-eyed blind optimism..
Dogs by 1 point
First goal: Wallis
BOG: Mclean

[Bulldog Joe]

I have come across to attend the game and the rain has abated.

Forecast is for more rain around 1.00 pm here but then fine for the remainder.

Expecting a big result for West Coast, but Jack Macrae as BOG.

[bornadog]

I have come across to attend the game and the rain has abated.

Forecast is for more rain around 1.00 pm here but then fine for the remainder.

Expecting a big result for West Coast, but Jack Macrae as BOG.

Dedication BJ, hopefulluy we are at least competitive, but I fear the worst.

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 38.

BOG Macrae

First goal Teddy Richards

[Bulldog Joe]

Dedication BJ, hopefulluy we are at least competitive, but I fear the worst.
I'm just hoping we can score regularly. Like in every quarter.

[Eastdog]

Doggies jumper and scarf on at home ready to go. Hoping we put in a good performance today. Probably worked out well for me we are playing interstate this week as I have a bit of a cold but recovering pretty well now.

[Eastdog]

Great start! Wallis and Dahl with the first 2 goals.

[Eastdog]

Trengove on Kennedy.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Great start, could've been even better but for a putrid turnover in the middle by Schache, and then poor tackle on Cripps by Dunkley. And now Honeychurch fumbling...now scores even.

[Happy Days]

I'm so sick of watching Honeychurch play.

Need to do something about Gaff.

[jeemak]

HC just can't help himself. I really want him to do well, but he just can't help himself.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Boy, they are already able to transition so easily from end to end. This is going to be a belting.

[jeemak]

This is going to be a bloodbath.

All they have to do is wait for the turnover, and position themselves over the back of our slow to react younger players.

[jeemak]

Daniel is pissing the ball away. It's becoming a bit of a habit.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We are witches hats without the ball.

[GVGjr]

Great start! Wallis and Dahl with the first 2 goals.

Was that the first or second goal of the season for Dahlhaus?

[AndrewP6]

Is there any team more adept at losing one on 3 contests than us?

[kruder]

Ahh Roughead the permanent forward this is going to fun.

[chef]

This is going to be a big old flogging.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

So we play Schache, Boyd and Roughead and decide Rough will be the 2nd forward. Awesome

[bulldogtragic]

Give up a shot on the siren. Perfectly describes our season.

[jeemak]

21 seconds to go, on our forward flank and Taylor states "perhaps the Bulldogs the only team capable from here".........

And, on cue, of course we bloody are - the only team capable of repeatedly giving up easy late goals. I am so sick of this bloody team not setting up the ground properly in the final minutes of quarters.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

You could put money on us finding a way to give up a goal inside the last 20 seconds, from a starting position of a boundary throw in around our half forward flank.

[ledge]

It's going to be a smashing , they have the wind in the next qtr , they are just doing what they like running in waves while we just play like we don't have a plan at all.

[Grantysghost]

Has the hallmarks of the blowout to 80 points and then the Eagles take the foot off the gas and we junktime it back to 55.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

21 seconds to go, on our forward flank and Taylor states "perhaps the Bulldogs the only team capable of getting one from here".........

And, on cue, of course we bloody are. I am so sick of this bloody team not setting up the ground properly in the final minutes of quarters.
It’s flat out pathetic. I can take losses but when you see zero effort, no accountability and just, dare I say, a lack of any coaching or any general direction it just isn’t good enough. This is pathetic

[ledge]

Play in WA it's a smashing, percentage boosting club for Freo and west coast.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Caleb Daniel for mine has gone from automatic best 22, to tradeable.

[bulldogtragic]

It’s flat out pathetic. I can take losses but when you see zero effort, no accountability and just, dare I say, a lack of any coaching or any general direction it just isn’t good enough. This is pathetic

100% agree. The question to all of those points are why?

[bornadog]

Macrae being shut out of the game with 3 disposals. Backline is pathetic, and dare I say Morris is shot

[kruder]

The forward press doesn't suit an unaccountable young side, particularly on a big ground. Its time Bevo put away his driver and played a 3 wood off the tee.

[kruder]

Caleb Daniel for mine has gone from automatic best 22, to tradeable.

Yeah we need more from him. He was poor in the contest twice late with let them out.

[Jeanette54]

Perhaps, for today, we should give the zone defense the flick, and go man on man. It seems that the Eagles are just slicing through our zone defense.

[DOG GOD]

We would have to have one of the slowest fwd lines in the AFL. With all the fumbling in general, you’d think it was pouring with rain.

[bulldogtragic]

Brain fade, poor Ed. Now for an easy goal... Yep.

[jeemak]

I don't care how old you are, you can't run 25 *!*!*!*!ing metres without bouncing the ball!

It's basic footy.

[Eastdog]

We are looking like will get done by 100 if we don't get something going.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Well that will take whatever air was in the sails out...
Ed forgets to bounce the ball.

[bulldogtragic]

Why did Hunter take advantage while needing to kick on his right foot, which he doesn't do...

[Eastdog]

What has happened since October 1, 2016?

[jeemak]

Lynch doesn't understand the holding the ball rule, I am convinced of it.

[bulldogtragic]

Just keep giving the ball to a teammate in a worse spot. Is that our new creed?

[jeemak]

Why did Hunter take advantage while needing to kick on his right foot, which he doesn't do...

It was an ok decision, he should have hit the short up instead of going long.

[bulldogtragic]

Lynch doesn't understand the holding the ball rule, I am convinced of it.

I don't think that's on him. Shouldn't have received/been given it.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Whilst Lynch's instinct to take play on is admirable, he has to quickly come to grips with when its a good idea, and when not.

[DOG GOD]

It must be a conditioning into our players....1st option...HANDBALL

[lemmon]

Seems like the instruction has been to run and carry at every opportunity and look for the overlap...it ain't working.

[bulldogtragic]

Seems like the instruction has been to run and carry at every opportunity and look for the overlap...it ain't working.

... And if it ain't working, just keep doing it anyway.

[lemmon]

Lovely little right foot kick from Macrae. Haven't seen that before

[dukedog]

If ya gonna go down by 20 goals. Make sure you f#$@n make a mess of some of their men. Give the crowd something to actually boo about other than just ridiculous holding the ball calls.

[Eastdog]

Schache gets a much needed goal. Good signs for Josh the last few weeks.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Wow 4 frees in that last play and none called

[jeemak]

How did neither Boyd nor Schache get a free kick then, and McGovern not give away a deliberate out of bounds?

He wasn't even going to be paid a free prior to taking that mark when he clearly got pushed in the back and held.

It's hard enough as it is.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

For gods sake what sort of coaching is going on when week after week we are out of position when the opposition goes forward? That last one wasn’t even from a turnover!

[bulldogtragic]

Ah Honeychurch. Helping us to pick 5 or better, doing the team things for 2019.

[AndrewP6]

This is just sad.

[The Doctor]

It might help Honeychurch if he aims to kick out on the full. He might score.

[josie]

Playing Honey and Rough is like playing with 2 less. I have never had less confidence in a player kicking for goal or to a team mate than Honey. He has had a long time to prove the doubters wrong. Enough already.

[dukedog]

You don't get frees for over there without it being blatent

[jeemak]

I can't wait for Gowers to grow old and become a better set shot.

[Eastdog]

R Smith gets it then turns it over :mad:

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I just don't see it with Roarke Smith...

[Eastdog]

I can't wait for Gowers to grow old and become a better set shot.

Should have done better there Billy. Not a difficult set shot.

[bulldogtragic]

Roarke Smith turns it over at least 50% of the time at least.

How he and Honey get played week in and out is beyond me.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Week after week playing HC and Smith is beyond laughable.

Rubbish from the MC.

[bulldogtragic]

I can't wait for Gowers to grow old and become a better set shot.

He's just unlucky. Like injuries are just unlucky. And since winning the flag, most things we've done have just been unlucky.

Unlucky.

[Eastdog]

We need to get players who don't turn it over.

[bulldogtragic]

So Honeychurch out bodied his defender, and then forgot to go for the mark... Really?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We’ve got Honeychurch at full forward. I’m sorry but the coaches including Bevo need a review. Can’t hang our hat on 2016 forever

[DOG GOD]

Don’t worry about a clean out in players....we seriously need an enema of our MC

[Eastdog]

Awful kick Roughy!

[lemmon]

Week after week playing HC and Smith is beyond laughable.

Rubbish from the MC.

We talk about giving players an uninterrupted spell of games to see whether they can cut it - eg. what was done with Ayce a few years back. If this is that with Roarke and Honeychurch, I can live with it.

[bulldogtragic]

We’ve got Honeychurch at full forward. I’m sorry but the coaches including Bevo need a review. Can’t hang our hat on 2016 forever

But have we got anyone whose played at full/CH forward before, like Boyd, Schache, Roughy, Trengove or Cordy?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I'm sure the goalkicking will just take care of itself...nothing to see here...

[DOG GOD]

We need to get players who don't turn it over.

Can we delist or trade out 35 players ?

[Twodogs]

How on earth did we win a premiership with 15 players that can't kick?

[The Doctor]

It might help Honeychurch if he aims to kick out on the full. He might score.

also applies to Gowers and Roughead. Probably all of them

[bornadog]

Boys v Men, we aren't good enough.

[Bullies]

Awful kick Roughy!
Is he playing

[kruder]

Long overdue but surely we give Young and Greene a month of footy.

[Bullies]

How on earth did we win a premiership with 15 players that can't kick? At least Trengove ticked all the boxes when we decided to recruit him as he can't kick. The positive is it was only a 3 year deal.

[The Underdog]

We’ve got Honeychurch at full forward. I’m sorry but the coaches including Bevo need a review. Can’t hang our hat on 2016 forever

I’m sure that was a momentary thing. We’ve had a tall out of the square through most of the match.
I’m more concerned with our lack of ability to use the ball going forward and our complete inability to defend off of a turnover or even a stoppage. It’s been consistent all year that when the opposition spread from a contest we look like we’re completely lost.

[chef]

Pick 2 coming up. Shocking we've gone from premiers to 2nd worst team in the league in 2 seasons.

[Bulldog4life]

I don't care how old you are, you can't run 25 *!*!*!*!ing metres without bouncing the ball!

It's basic footy.

McKenzie did the same in the first quarter and got away with it. Home ground advantage.

[dukedog]

I'm sure the goalkicking will just take care of itself...nothing to see here...

I was gonna say the same thing. Our kicking is the worst in the league. I don't need to see the stats. I can't even believe we won flag dishing this shit up. I know it's an ask to win in Perth. But we don't even get a highlights reel to look at from the game. Just rushed shit goals. Honey has to go. Roughead gone. Smith I don't mind keeping as a rookie coz his last name will remind me of clay and bubba. Has Daniel peaked? Or just struggling? He's not gonna be worth anything at the table so hopefully he comes good. We need Dale and Williams back in the side. They straighten us up.

[Twodogs]

McKenzie did the same in the first quarter and got away with it. Home ground advantage.

He also didn't run straight past the umpire.

[Bulldog4life]

He's just unlucky. Like injuries are just unlucky. And since winning the flag, most things we've done have just been unlucky.

Unlucky.

Less than 2 years ago.

[GVGjr]

Given our position and the challenges we have I'm looking mainly to two things most games, our level of intensity and effort and how our younger players are performing.
Sadly today isn't really giving much of either but I'm looking for small wins

I'm still buoyed by the potential of Schache, Richards, Naughton, Gowers and Lynch and even getting games into the likes of Adams, McLean, Dunkley and Boyd.

If we can find a way to be more competitive in the 2nd half it will keep me interested.

[bornadog]

He's just unlucky. Like injuries are just unlucky. And since winning the flag, most things we've done have just been unlucky.

Unlucky.

Say what you want about injuries and you can laugh and joke about it, but do you think Libba, Bont, Wood, Williams, Suckling, Picken would make a difference today?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

If the MC can’t see Smith and HC are borderline WRFL standard we have bigger issues than I thought

[Bulldog4life]

Schache 5 marks Boyd zilch

[bornadog]

Given our position and the challenges we have I'm looking mainly to two things most games, our level of intensity and effort and how our younger players are performing.
Sadly today isn't really giving much of either but I'm looking for small wins

I'm still buoyed by the potential of Schache, Richards, Naughton, Gowers and Lynch and even getting games into the likes of Adams, McLean, Dunkley and Boyd.

If we can find a way to be more competitive in the 2nd half it will keep me interested.

I agree, but do you think as the season has gone on, these young players are starting to drop off?

[bulldogtragic]

Less than 2 years ago.

39 games. we've been lucky to win 16 games since then over 39 games. Richmond have won 13 games since their flag a year later from 17 games. Highlights the stark fall from grace we've had, compared to what an obviously more professional club can do after a flag. The time has come to flag credits to run out, and everyone judged on what we've done in the last two years and what they can contribute going ahead.

[Bullies]

I was gonna say the same thing. Our kicking is the worst in the league. I don't need to see the stats. I can't even believe we won flag dishing this shit up. I know it's an ask to win in Perth. But we don't even get a highlights reel to look at from the game. Just rushed shit goals. Honey has to go. Roughead gone. Smith I don't mind keeping as a rookie coz his last name will remind me of clay and bubba. Has Daniel peaked? Or just struggling? He's not gonna be worth anything at the table so hopefully he comes good. We need Dale and Williams back in the side. They straighten us up. There are no positives to come out of this. If we think that because we are young and we get a few players back next year that it will turn around we are kidding ourselves. We have so many guys who have peaked or are just no good. Why the coaches can't see what the supporters do with Smith, HC and Roughy and yet continue to play them. We are wasting games on them. They are not going to all of a sudden turn into good footballers.

[bornadog]

If the MC can’t see Smith and HC are borderline WRFL standard we have bigger issues than I thought

Greene must get a game next week

[DOG GOD]

MC needs to be shown the door, except Bevo, who needs someone like a Ratten to come in an help strategies...our so called game plan is laughable and seem to be playing favourites....this needs a massive overhaul, and hopefully the end of year review will highlight this.

[Eastdog]

Greene must get a game next week

Need to see what he can do at AFL level. The time has come.

[DOG GOD]

Greene must get a game next week

Unless they’ve already decided to delist him.

[GVGjr]

I agree, but do you think as the season has gone on, these young players are starting to drop off?

They sure have but they are hopefully gaining a very unhealthy level of appetite for being thumped in games.
I remember back a few years ago when Liberatore and Wallis came back early from their end of season break to get a few extra strength sessions in because they weren't going to allow Lenny Hayes to bully them again and push them into the ground.

Perhaps this might be a spur for some of the players to do a bit more. A good coach can niggle the guys in a productive way despite our performances. If enough of them step forward, others will follow. We just need some of them to show some leadership.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Mclean and JJ, just let Shuey get through the traffic.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Well done Honeychurch.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

The fumbliness of so many today.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Cordy....you numbnuts

[DOG GOD]

I’m sorry, but our players have the mindset of being in Vegas on their end of season trip.

[Eastdog]

Take Rorake Smith off!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I don’t think we’d beat Carlton right now

[DOG GOD]

I don’t think we’d beat Carlton right now
Whoever wins that game will be by under a kick

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

As lacking in awareness as Roarke was there, the pass to him just setvhim up.

[Eastdog]

I don’t think we’d beat Carlton right now

You would think we would win that but who knows.

[Eastdog]

Way too easy Dogs! Way to easy!

[jeemak]

Daniel, once again, pissing a long ball away like it doesn't matter.

[whythelongface]

Just bomb it long into the forward line. Great tactic

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Daniel, once again, pissing a long ball away like it doesn't matter.

I’d look to trade him if we can get value

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What the heck was Dunkley doing?
They're just phoning it in now. No one is showing any application or care.
This is going to be a 80 point belting unless guys start showing some heart.

[Grantysghost]

Say what you want about injuries and you can laugh and joke about it, but do you think Libba, Bont, Wood, Williams, Suckling, Picken would make a difference today?

15 WCE players today are aged 26 or older, only 3 for the WBD
Difference of 12 is equal biggest for a V/@AFL game
2014 R17 FREM v GWS
2010 R22 GEEL v WCE
1909 R10 CARL v UNI

Via @sirswampthing on Twitter.

[dukedog]

Did I just see the umpire try to educate an eagles play about not encroaching on the mark instead of paying a penalty?

[GVGjr]

Daniel, once again, pissing a long ball away like it doesn't matter.

He was aways a smart decision maker and yet he has been poor most of this year. I'm not sure why this has happened.

[kruder]

He was aways a smart decision maker and yet he has been poor most of this year. I'm not sure why this has happened.

Pretty simple when your mind isn't on the job.....

[whythelongface]

I just don’t understand our forward structure. Where is Roughy playing when Boyd is rucking?

[dukedog]

I just don’t understand our forward structure. Where is Roughy playing when Boyd is rucking?

Hopefully at Geelong next year for a second rounder

[whythelongface]

Shannon Hurn is a thug

[dukedog]

Shannon Hurn is a thug

I don't really think he could have done alot but brace.
But I second he a thug also.

[whythelongface]

I don't really think he could have done alot but brace.

Looking at it again probably not but he is still a thug regardless

[josie]

Bravo Bevo in stopping the bleeding. Ugly I know but at least it stops a mega blowout. Hope Honey is ok.

[kruder]

Hopefully at Geelong next year for a second rounder

Bartell has been positive on Roughead. Lock him in at the cats.

[jeemak]

What he could have done was move towards the area the ball was travelling to rather than back and left to ensure he made contact with HC.

Perhaps not malicious, but definitely intentional.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Shannon Hurn is a thug

I'm not sure if the Honeychurch bump is evidence of that. He didn't run 5hrough him. He stopped and he had Honeychurch taken possession, which he should have done, Hurn would have been in position to effect a tackle. Honey flubs it and has to stick his head down over the ball.

[Eastdog]

Bravo Bevo in stopping the bleeding. Ugly I know but at least it stops a mega blowout. Hope Honey is ok.

Still not doing enough damage on the scoreboard but yes stopped the score ticking for them.

[Happy Days]

This is shocking viewing but at least it's been an admirable and disciplined defensive effort - something we haven't shown the last few weeks.

[dukedog]

I'm not sure if the Honeychurch bump is evidence of that. He didn't run 5hrough him. He stopped and he had Honeychurch taken possession, which he should have done, Hurn would have been in position to effect a tackle. Honey flubs it and has to stick his head down over the ball.

Absolutely. I was only playing around.... He will go for it though. He opted to bump. That will be the definition. High contact. He will get 2 weeks. Unlucky but he chose to pump...just like taking opposition legs out. Going for the ball but the rule over rides it.

[bornadog]

I just don’t understand our forward structure. Where is Roughy playing when Boyd is rucking?

The two of them are breaking even in the hitouts with WC today, but both not doing enough around the ground.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

There are no positives to come out of this. If we think that because we are young and we get a few players back next year that it will turn around we are kidding ourselves. We have so many guys who have peaked or are just no good. Why the coaches can't see what the supporters do with Smith, HC and Roughy and yet continue to play them. We are wasting games on them. They are not going to all of a sudden turn into good footballers.
Surprised you didn’t include Boyd as well as Roughy. Boyd has been a huge disappointment for the season. Time to play English for the rest of the year.

[bornadog]

Surprised you didn’t include Boyd as well as Roughy. Boyd has been a huge disappointment for the season. Time to play English for the rest of the year.

English 52 hitouts yesterday. Agree Boyd has been poor

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We just have lost any semblance of football intelligence.

[bulldogtragic]

It's just poo

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

JJ...
We seem to find new ways to embarrass ourselves.

[Eastdog]

JJ...
We seem to find new ways to embarrass ourselves.

Sums up our year.

[josie]

Would like Bartel as assistant coach.....does not just follow the flock, smart footballer and smart analysis.

[dukedog]

We definately look a bottom 2 side. I think we have got worse as the year has gone on.

[Eastdog]

Shocking defending Dogs :mad:

[dukedog]

Would like Bartel as assistant coach.....does not just follow the flock, smart footballer and smart analysis.

I like this.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Adams is not the sharpest tool in the shed. For a guy with his physique, he often misses opportunities to employ it to advantage because of poor decisions, which end up removing him from the contest.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I have no idea how we are not 10 goals or more down right now. We've been ripe for the picking. West Coast just have failed to really take the spoils.

[azabob]

Would like Bartel as assistant coach.....does not just follow the flock, smart footballer and smart analysis.

Bartel is the best in the business. Said it many times on here. My understanding is he wants to get into list management etc. not coaching

[DOG GOD]

We have about 15 defenders in our team and our defence is a shambles lol

[EasternWest]

I have no idea how we are not 10 goals or more down right now. We've been ripe for the picking. West Coast just have failed to really take the spoils.

They've been pretty underwhelming. They're obviously just playing down to us, because if they took us remotely seriously they'd be demolishing us.

[The Underdog]

Adams is not the sharpest tool in the shed. For a guy with his physique, he often misses opportunities to employ it to advantage because of poor decisions, which end up removing him from the contest.

For all of the complaints about Trengove, he’s been a mile ahead of Adams today. Grizz has had an absolute shocker

[Grantysghost]

Not sure going super defensive and still losing by ten goals is a great strategy. They certainly tried hard today, but basically forfeited any chance of winning (however remote).

[ReLoad]

Well I for one am glad I flew to Perth........

[The bulldog tragician]

Our spirit is broken at present. I just want 2018 season to end and for a major, thoughtful, comprehensive look at what has gone wrong. I know we are fielding a very young team and injuries have been cruel but the fact that the remnants of our premiership team are playing so poorly is really troubling.

[merantau]

Sounds so totally depressing. I didn't see any of the game thankfully. Did anyone see a glimmer of hope anywhere? Seems we weren't completely crushed because WC couldn't be bothered! I hope that's not true and that we showed some fight in the 2nd half.

[bornadog]

For all of the complaints about Trengove, he’s been a mile ahead of Adams today. Grizz has had an absolute shocker

Adams has been poor the last two weeks.

[bulldogtragic]

Sounds so totally depressing. I didn't see any of the game thankfully. Did anyone see a glimmer of hope anywhere? Seems we weren't completely crushed because WC couldn't be bothered! I hope that's not true and that we showed some fight in the 2nd half.

They did score 100% more than our score without really trying. There was no hope in it. We just need the year to end, and pray to every god that the club will make a lot of hard decisions to turn things around.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Adams has been poor the last two weeks.

So has Trengrove. Both are very unperformers.

[G-Mo77]

It went as expected. 2 teams having a kick around with very little pressure. I think I'm almost done with footy for 2018.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

We have about 15 defenders in our team and our defence is a shambles lol

Too many changes down back. We looked a lot better when Cordy Naughton and Richards were in defence.

[jeemak]

Better Bulldogs teams have been beaten by worse West Coast teams in WA by more, and netted worse results.

Some of the unthinking errors from players of all ages early in the piece were frustrating, and I refuse to believe that is how we instructed the players to set up and defend the ground (i.e. leave passages through the middle of the ground, and wide spaces for WCE players to move through behind our lines).

Unfortunately if we try to both defend well and attack, we're not fit enough to be able to do each and we get exposed. It was good to see the players stifle scoring a bit more in the second half, though with some straighter kicking the opposition could have gotten on a roll and we know what they can be like when it's been snowing, and the groomers have been groomed.

It's clear we're getting a really good look at who we're not sure about, I want to see Greene and Collins in to close out the season. I hope HC is OK.

[Twodogs]

Sounds so totally depressing. I didn't see any of the game thankfully. Did anyone see a glimmer of hope anywhere? Seems we weren't completely crushed because WC couldn't be bothered! I hope that's not true and that we showed some fight in the 2nd half.

The defence got lots of practice.

[Bullies]

Pretty simple when your mind isn't on the job..... Daniel is a good player in a good team but not so when he is the one who needs to turn it on.

[The bulldog tragician]

Daniel is a good player in a good team but not so when he is the one who needs to turn it on.

He used to be so clean with the ball. What has happened?

[The Underdog]

He used to be so clean with the ball. What has happened?

When he’s not using the ball cleanly then he becomes a pretty big liability.

[angelopetraglia]

Gee Whiz ... it is pretty hard to watch at the moment. I love the game. Love the club. But I was so nonchalant about today's result. Not even angry or upset with how we played, just expected it.

It's a long, long winter when your team is not competitive.

[merantau]

Gee Whiz ... it is pretty hard to watch at the moment. I love the game. Love the club. But I was so nonchalant about today's result. Not even angry or upset with how we played, just expected it.

It's a long, long winter when your team is not competitive.
To be quite honest I was surprised we did not get beaten by a lot more. We have an awful record there and the way we have been playing ....!!!
I have to think that fitness has to be a big factor in our 2nd half fade outs.
I feel for Tom Campbell. A genuine ruck who has been overlooked time and again. He must know his cards are marked. We desperately need English to develop into a to mobile ruck who takes marks around the ground. We need Tom Boyd to do what he was recruited to do - kick goals as a permanent forward presence.
We have shown we can mix it with good sides for a half. We have also shown a remarkable tendency to fall in a heap. Get a good run with injuries, settle players in positions, fix our goal kicking and we can regenerate and be a force again.

[bornadog]

To be quite honest I was surprised we did not get beaten by a lot more. We have an awful record there and the way we have been playing ....!!!
I have to think that fitness has to be a big factor in our 2nd half fade outs.
I feel for Tom Campbell. A genuine ruck who has been overlooked time and again. He must know his cards are marked. We desperately need English to develop into a to mobile ruck who takes marks around the ground. We need Tom Boyd to do what he was recruited to do - kick goals as a permanent forward presence.
We have shown we can mix it with good sides for a half. We have also shown a remarkable tendency to fall in a heap. Get a good run with injuries, settle players in positions, fix our goal kicking and we can regenerate and be a force again.

All true. Do you realise Tom Campbell is out with a foot injury - yeah another one.

[Danny the snakeman]

If thats what we have to offer im glad i only get to see it live once a year tho unfortunately i had to see it twice this year.

[merantau]

All true. Do you realise Tom Campbell is out with a foot injury - yeah another one.

No, I didn't realise that. I thought he had got over his injuries and had been playing VFL.
Perhaps we could organize an award for injured players.
The Tom Williams Medal for the bloke who missed the most games in the year. (Knee reconstructees ineligble)

[merantau]

Injuries are an occupational hazard and a significant factor in a team's performance over the season.
We have statisticians going misty eyed over every meaningless stat that Bwuce trots out ("That's the first time Pilsudski's kicked two on his left at the G since round 8 back in 2012! What a player!)
But injuries just Don't get a run!
Why can't we have a simple measure such as: "For this game WC have 6 listed players unavailable due to injury and the Bulldogs have 15 unavailable
Or if we want to get complex the "Experience Lost" Indicator. "For this match the Dogs are missing 666 games and the West Coast 103" Lingy (squeeky voice): "There's some big outs there Bwuce. It's a tuff game, this AFL"
Then for further insight you could divide the "Lost Experience" total by the number of players out - the higher the figure the more significant the outs due to the fact of losing a 20 gamer is more significant than losing a 2 gamer.
For eg 10 out, experience lost 100, Experience Lost Index 10
5 out experience lost 100, Experience Lost Index 20

I wonder how we'd stack up this year?
Do something useful stats men. I don't give a rat's arse how many goals Pilsudski has snagged on his left - seriously.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

To be quite honest I was surprised we did not get beaten by a lot more. We have an awful record there and the way we have been playing ....!!!
I have to think that fitness has to be a big factor in our 2nd half fade outs.
I feel for Tom Campbell. A genuine ruck who has been overlooked time and again. He must know his cards are marked. We desperately need English to develop into a to mobile ruck who takes marks around the ground. We need Tom Boyd to do what he was recruited to do - kick goals as a permanent forward presence.
We have shown we can mix it with good sides for a half. We have also shown a remarkable tendency to fall in a heap. Get a good run with injuries, settle players in positions, fix our goal kicking and we can regenerate and be a force again.

Always enjoy your comments. We simply do not have a Gawn or Grundy to give us first use of the ball. English is the only option going forward. I am not sure we can afford to play both Boyd and Schache in the same forward line. Our back line was at its best when Cordy Naughton and Richards were in defence. Williams and Bontempelli have been huge losses in the midfield. Our forward line has been a disaster forced to rely on the likes of Wallis to kick goals. Gowers has been spending too much time in the midfield and as such we miss his impact as a goal kicker. I would like to see Young played as he and Naughton are our future as key defenders.
Wood is also a huge loss as Captain and similarly Liberatore in the midfield where the game is normally won or lost. The stronger Clubs all have a very capable midfield and we struggle to compete at the moment.