Where will we finish.

[chef]

Just a simple thread on where we think we'll finish.

[chef]

I think we'll be around the same spot again as last season. We haven't addressed our key forward dilemma, goal and field kicking going by last night is same same again and it feels like another long season coming up.

[whythelongface]

Think we will improve but finish just outside the 8. Likely around 10th winning between 10 to 12 games.

[Smads57]

Got a close up of that performance last night, and reluctantly concede we are probably another season away from getting back in the top 8. Have nominated a finish around 10-12. Nonetheless I am happy to get onboard and enjoy the ride the next few years will bring.

[Greystache]

I voted 13-15 but I think realistically we're probably 11-15 range.

[AndrewP6]

10th. I hope they can prove me wrong, but on the small sample we got, it'll be another hard year.

[KT31]

Comes down to injuries to key players and pinching a close game here or there, but I feel a little buoyed by the talk around the club this season and think we will improve a few spots.

[Eastdog]

Will wait a bit more closer to the season to cast my vote. Let’s see how we go in the 2nd JLT match.

[AshMac]

12th - 15th

5-8 wins

[Topdog]

7-12, so i went with being optimistic and chose 7-9

[Ghost Dog]

7th. Bring the game we saw V Richmond late last year, and we'll take some scalps. Barring injuries.
I think we will start slow, but once we get a roll on, going to be difficult to beat in the midfield.
We've all had enough, players too I reckon. Time to take some risks and get some rewards.

[ratsmac]

Voted 13-15 due to a not bad draw, otherwise it could be worse. Until we can get our forwards and forward entries sorted we will continue to waste opportunities to score. Why we didn't hire a new forward line coach is beyond belief. I feel silly being upset after a practice match but too many same old errors from last year are still apparent.

I will be very happy to be wrong.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I put us 7th to 9th. We have a good draw and showed signs late last year. I think with Dal going should help settle things down. We have done good ins this year with some of the old heads getting a pre season into them.

I refer to the likes of Libba, Wallis, Morris and Dunkley

[Scraggers]

I said 10 - 12 ... but I think (given the right circumstances - injuries to us and other teams) we could push for top 8.

[SonofScray]

Can't decide. It's either Flag, or Spoon.

I just can't see enough winners across the park, and if there are elsewhere they aren't in the forward 50 kicking regular, winning scores. I have probably the lowest expectations of this team than I ever have had at any point for Footscray team. Not sure it's warranted, but I've lost trust in them.

[Scraggers]

Can't decide. It's either Flag, or Spoon.

I just can't see enough winners across the park, and if there are elsewhere they aren't in the forward 50 kicking regular, winning scores. I have probably the lowest expectations of this team than I ever have had at any point for Footscray team. Not sure it's warranted, but I've lost trust in them.

Given the 6 6 6 structure, I think our midfield is elite and will win most centre restarts. The goal kicking is something we need to find a solution to very quickly.

[bulldogtragic]

Given the 6 6 6 structure, I think our midfield is elite and will win most centre restarts. The goal kicking is something we need to find a solution to very quickly.

Im not arguing a point, but isn't the time for fixing goal kicking a long time in the rear view mirror?

[Dry Rot]

Given the 6 6 6 structure, I think our midfield is elite and will win most centre restarts.

Wouldn't we need a ruckman to achieve that?

[Scraggers]

Im not arguing a point, but isn't the time for fixing goal kicking a long time in the rear view mirror?

Agree totally

[Scraggers]

Wouldn't we need a ruckman to achieve that?


No, I don’t think so. I think the tap from the ruck is over rated. I think Bevo is thinking the same. The read of the tap is more important which is where our midfield is elite. It is rare to see a ruckman put the ball down the throat of his midfield, there is almost always a scrum and fight for possession. Our inside and outside mids will win a hell of a lot more than they lose.

[SonofScray]

Given the 6 6 6 structure, I think our midfield is elite and will win most centre restarts. The goal kicking is something we need to find a solution to very quickly.

Very talented midfield group, with good options rotating through. The most emphatic experience of us losing games the past seasons, however, was the relative ease the ball was swept away from the centre bounce when we lost the clearance. Teams were walking them in ar various points.

Libba back helps things there. I think I saw improvement in the first JLT game.

[Topdog]

No, I don’t think so. I think the tap from the ruck is over rated. I think Bevo is thinking the same. The read of the tap is more important which is where our midfield is elite. It is rare to see a ruckman put the ball down the throat of his midfield, there is almost always a scrum and fight for possession. Our inside and outside mids will win a hell of a lot more than they lose.

The tap from elite ruckmen isnt overrated, not many of those around though

[ratsmac]

The tap from elite ruckmen isnt overrated, not many of those around though
Max Gawn and Brody Grundy are 2 of the best and they both showed us last year how winning an effective tap from a centre bounce can be. In the Melb last year the chance to win was blown away in 10 minutes of centre clearance dominance.

[Bulldog4life]

With our good draw and improvement all over the ground I think we will shoot up the ladder. 4th or 6th for mine. I take little notice of the practice matches.

[dadsgirl16]

10-12 for mine but happy to proven wrong...I like others just can’t see how we will score enough

[Eastdog]

Voted 10-12 but hopefully we can make finals again but not confident on that.

[S Coast Simon]

With a bit of luck on the injury front and we could surprise a few teams this year. We are not used to drilling passes into the forward line unlike most other teams. We have the most to improve in this area. I think Naughton is for the backline now Morris is gone. We will have either English or Trengove resting in a FP and shache roaming around. This is a bit more traditional. Dickson and growers I think will be greatly benifited by the 6-6-6 as they get on good leads with a little space. Some nice delivery and who knows. We get more inside fifties than most teams we play. Turn these into scores and and we could be awesome. So for me 3 - 9 would be lovely.

I know now but I’m optimistic

[Mofra]

In the last two years a grand final appearance has been made by the team that finished 13th the year before.

Last year we finished... 13th. C'mon, weird quirk of history!

[bornadog]

A lot of scribes have us finishing 17th - I think we will surprise a few this year.

[mjp]

Every year an UNEXPECTED team jumps from outside the 8 to the top 4.

Everyone tells me that team is Adelaide...then again, I saw a poll yesterday where Melbourne - pummelled by West Coast in a prelim only 2-games ago (you may have heard, West COast won the flag and will get Gaff back) - are rated a better side than the Eagles?

Spare me.

[Cyberdoggie]

A lot of scribes have us finishing 17th - I think we will surprise a few this year.

If we were to finish 17th then that could only be that the players had lost faith in the coach, I can't see that happening,
we have too many good players to finish that low down.
Sure we have holes that need filling but and we are still pretty young, but I think we have put enough games into the right players
to expect better results than 17th.

I think there is 3 winnable games in the first 5. How well we go in those will dictate how well we go in the season.

[1eyedog]

I just dropped a grand on us finishing inside the top 8. I'm bullish about our year. We have a large number of premiership players in our midst and a wealth of young talent. The last quarter of last year also fills me with optimism. I'm comfortably prepared to write off the JLT matches and think the favourable first half of the season draw will see us with a good number of wins under our belt heading into the last 6-8 rounds. I think we'll finish in 7th or 8th spot.

[Bulldog Joe]

Every year an UNEXPECTED team jumps from outside the 8 to the top 4.

Everyone tells me that team is Adelaide...then again, I saw a poll yesterday where Melbourne - pummelled by West Coast in a prelim only 2-games ago (you may have heard, West COast won the flag and will get Gaff back) - are rated a better side than the Eagles?

Spare me.

Surely Adelaide don't qualify as the UNEXPECTED.

[AshMac]

I just dropped a grand on us finishing inside the top 8. I'm bullish about our year. We have a large number of premiership players in our midst and a wealth of young talent. The last quarter of last year also fills me with optimism. I'm comfortably prepared to write off the JLT matches and think the favourable first half of the season draw will see us with a good number of wins under our belt heading into the last 6-8 rounds. I think we'll finish in 7th or 8th spot.

What odds you get?

[Vred]

I'm HOPING top 8, but honestly 9-11 would be an improvement over the last two years for me. We really do need to see an upswing this year or things will need a serious, serious shakeup leading into 2020

[merantau]

Barring another year of bad injuries and a continuation of our goal kicking woes, I think we can make the eight.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

I've been flabergasted at the number of industry experts predicting that we will finish 14th or 15th. I'm feeling quite bullish. 13th for me.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

With last night's game as a model we can win the premiership this year. That is the game style that did it for us in 2016. Contested ball beasts with an enlarged group of midfielders backing up linking with a couple of handballs and then kick to someone who has created some space and being relentless in this.
We came from 7th to win by doing this and we can do it better this time with our improved personnel and with Libba back to set the standard.

[bornadog]

Anyone want to change their mind??

[Ghost Dog]

No. Top eight please sir.

[Eastdog]

Anyone want to change their mind??

I voted 10-12th finish but maybe now 7-9th finish. We are currently in the famous 7th position :)

[Bulldog4life]

Anyone want to change their mind??

No I said 4-6. Quite happy.

[Rocket Science]

Pleasant as Saturday's result was, and the future seems bright, I reckon it's as much a comment on the Swans as us.

I don't think they're a finals team in 2019.

[AndrewP6]

Anyone want to change their mind??

Nope. It was one game. It was a bloody awesome one, but it’s just one.

[westdog54]

I voted 7-9 but I have a funny feeling we might just miss the 8. Only just, mind.

Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of promise on Saturday night but we left the gate far too wide open.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I’m sticking with my 7th to 9th prediction, what in interesting was the upset wins of Brisbane, Freo and the saints. With a few more unexpected wins. Maybe 10 wins will get you into the eight at seasons end.

After round one. The AFL ladder looks like it’s upside down🤔

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I’m sticking with my 7th to 9th prediction, what in interesting was the upset wins of Brisbane, Freo and the saints. With a few more unexpected wins. Maybe 10 wins will get you into the eight at seasons end.

After round one. The AFL ladder looks like it’s upside down��

Its weird how things change from one season to another. With a new season some early trends die but some persist. Reciprocally some form teams from previous year have lost their mojo and may or may not get it back.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I was just thinking his good we all were at our predictions at the start of the year.

One week to go but we have a few that were on the money.

[bornadog]

I just dropped a grand on us finishing inside the top 8. I think we'll finish in 7th or 8th spot.

Your shout

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Your shout

Agree could offer a beer for all who get to Ballarat next week. ��

[Rocket Science]

MOOD BEFORE THE BYE

https://i.ibb.co/GcK9CmH/Bevo-before.jpg (https://ibb.co/jgcz3tJ)

MOOD AFTER THE BYE

https://i.ibb.co/TKV8p7C/bevo-after.jpg (https://ibb.co/jVcMBQp)

[comrade]

Champion Data analysis after Rd 14:

947

[Eastdog]

Love your work RS.

[bornadog]

Love your work RS.

Yeah, I used those pics on twitter :D

[1eyedog]

Your shout

I've got my ticket mate happy to meet up and pay one forward.

[bornadog]

I've got my ticket mate happy to meet up and pay one forward.

Going to Ballarat? I will be there.

[azabob]

Going to Ballarat? I will be there.

Seat or GA? What’s GA like?

[bornadog]

Seat or GA? What’s GA like?

I got a seat, but GA is fine standing on the grass in the outer, as long as it doesn't rain.

[Bulldog4life]

I got a seat, but GA is fine standing on the grass in the outer, as long as it doesn't rain.

Man up BAD. Just imagine you are back at Whitten Oval.

[bornadog]

Man up BAD. Just imagine you are back at Whitten Oval.

Stuff that, too old now, I like my comfort. :D

[1eyedog]

GA. I like the idea of experiencing a boutique ground in the outer.

[azabob]

GA. I like the idea of experiencing a boutique ground in the outer.

GA is all that is left.

[Smads57]

GA is fine for viewing and atmosphere - it’s a bugger if it’s raining per Port game however

[choconmientay]

We got GA tickets as well. Hope for really late showers.

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/australia/ballarat/ext
Sun, 25 Aug
10 / 5 °C. Showers late. Mostly cloudy.
Feels Like: 9 °C
Humidity: 72%
Rain: 1mm
Precipitation Chance: 42%
SW Wind: 10 km/h

[1eyedog]

I can do showers if we're in front and playing well.

[Bulldog4life]

I can do showers if we're in front and playing well.

That's the spirit 1eyedog.

[1eyedog]

So if Essendon beat the Pies and we win we play Collingwood in an EF?

[bornadog]

So if Essendon beat the Pies and we win we play Collingwood in an EF?

Correct

[AshMac]

So if Essendon beat the Pies and we win we play Collingwood in an EF?

Think I’d prefer that to going up to sydney again to play GWS

[Cyberdoggie]

Think I’d prefer that to going up to sydney again to play GWS

Collingwood in front of 70,000 mad pies fans against a team we haven't beat twice this year, and got smashed by their ruck,
or GWS in front of 10,000 against an injury depleted team who we smashed only 3 weeks earlier?

I'd like to see us knock off the pies but GWS seems like the easier matchup.

[josie]

Which side of draw (are/most likely will) are Eagles playing in? Prefer to meet them later (if we win EF etc) rather than earlier and preferably not in Perth. I know things can change about depending upon r23 let alone finals results.

[Axe Man]

Which side of draw (are/most likely will) are Eagles playing in? Prefer to meet them later (if we win EF etc) rather than earlier and preferably not in Perth. I know things can change about depending upon r23 let alone finals results.

If all the favourites win this week and nothing too dramatic happens with percentage then the winner of Dogs v GWS would play the loser of Eagles v Brisbane. Either trip will be very tough.

[Mofra]

Think I’d prefer that to going up to sydney again to play GWS
God that will be a spicy clash.
Revenge factor overload - Haynes, the 2016 prelim, possibly Delideo's last game if he plays.

[AshMac]

Collingwood in front of 70,000 mad pies fans against a team we haven't beat twice this year, and got smashed by their ruck,
or GWS in front of 10,000 against an injury depleted team who we smashed only 3 weeks earlier?

I'd like to see us knock off the pies but GWS seems like the easier matchup.

In honesty - the giants will be a different team in 3 weeks with the players they have out now back in. They’ll also come out with a point to prove and go hard at us - will be a tough game.

To me the pies are a more winnable game - we should have beaten them last time we played them, just couldn’t kick straight.

Didn’t think of the crowd - would be huge and mostly black and white.

[westdog54]

Collingwood in front of 70,000 mad pies fans against a team we haven't beat twice this year, and got smashed by their ruck,
or GWS in front of 10,000 against an injury depleted team who we smashed only 3 weeks earlier?

I'd like to see us knock off the pies but GWS seems like the easier matchup.


In honesty - the giants will be a different team in 3 weeks with the players they have out now back in. They’ll also come out with a point to prove and go hard at us - will be a tough game.

To me the pies are a more winnable game - we should have beaten them last time we played them, just couldn’t kick straight.

Didn’t think of the crowd - would be huge and mostly black and white.

Just beat me to it. They'll be far less 'injury-depleted' than the side we ran over the top off on Sunday.

Haynes notwithstanding, they'll be hard to beat in a home final.

[Twodogs]

Teams tend to be harder to beat in finals than they are in home and away games. They would be thinking the same thing about us. Am I right in thinking that we beat both Collingwood and GWS the last time we played them in a final? We didn't play a final V Collingwood between 2008-2010 did we?

[Eastdog]

Teams tend to be harder to beat in finals than they are in home and away games. They would be thinking the same thing about us. Am I right in thinking that we beat both Collingwood and GWS the last time we played them in a final? We didn't play a final V Collingwood between 2008-2010 did we?

We played the Pies in 2010 in the QF. 2006 we played them in that great EF win.

[Webby]

7th. It’s the economy, stupid..!

Got $1k on tonight, straight up, Dogs vs Pies for flag. Void if neither wins... Think it a thrifty bet.

[Twodogs]

7th. It’s the economy, stupid..!

Got $1k on tonight, straight up, Dogs vs Pies for flag. Void if neither wins... Think it a thrifty bet.

What odds did you get on that Webby?

On the Friday night (the day) after we beat WC in the elimination final in 2016 I had a bet on a horse that paid $38 for the win. I had put the change from the fish and chips on it-about $3.50-$4 from memory and it ended up paying out a total of around $150 or so.

I remember doing a quick calculation that if I parlayed the money that I had won that night on the bulldogs winning the flag (I think we were paying around $38 for the flag at that stage) then I would get a return of around $1.6 grand for each dollar I started out with( the $3.50 I originally invested on the $38 shot.)

But I didn't parlay the original bet but I am kind of thankful because I am convinced that if I did then we would never had won that flag. My luck just doesn't hold like that! In fact I haven't had a bet (except for on Melbourne cup day) since that day. I'm retired.

[Bulldog4life]

What odds did you get on that Webby?

On the Friday night (the day) after we beat WC in the elimination final in 2016 I had a bet on a horse that paid $38 for the win. I had put the change from the fish and chips on it-about $3.50-$4 from memory and it ended up paying out a total of around $150 or so.

I remember doing a quick calculation that if I parlayed the money that I had won that night on the bulldogs winning the flag (I think we were paying around $38 for the flag at that stage) then I would get a return of around $1.6 grand for each dollar I started out with( the $3.50 I originally invested on the $38 shot.)

But I didn't parlay the original bet but I am kind of thankful because I am convinced that if I did then we would never had won that flag. My luck just doesn't hold like that! In fact I haven't had a bet (except for on Melbourne cup day) since that day. I'm retired.

Before the finals had started we were $67 to win the flag. Huge odds when there is only 8 teams.

[AshMac]

Before the finals had started we were $67 to win the flag. Huge odds when there is only 8 teams.

I saw the odds of all the 2016 winners in a (hypothetical) betting slip in a TAB FB post early 2017. It had

Leicester city - EPL
Doggies
Cronulla Sharks
Baseball winner - think it was Chicago Cubs
Basketball - think it was Cleveland
NFL winner - can’t remember
And ol’ Donzo Trumpy for the idiot of the century award

Odds were over $1m:1

[Bulldog4life]

I saw the odds of all the 2016 winners in a (hypothetical) betting slip in a TAB FB post early 2017. It had

Leicester city - EPL
Doggies
Cronulla Sharks
Baseball winner - think it was Chicago Cubs
Basketball - think it was Cleveland
NFL winner - can’t remember
And ol’ Donzo Trumpy for the idiot of the century award

Odds were over $1m:1

Love that one.