Bankers and Anchors - Rnd 2, 2019 vs Hawthorn

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

This is the round 2, 2019 edition of the weekly Bankers and Anchors thread. Once the game against Hawthorn is concluded post your nominations for:

The Bankers = 3 guys/aspects of the game that we banked on to do the right thing during the game
The Anchors = 3 guys/aspects of the game that weighed us down by their errors or poor play

Please limit it to no more than three of each player or aspect of the game, but feel free to make honourable/dishonourable mentions. As usual try to make it constructive criticism.

Try and restrict it to individual players rather than aspects of the overall match - I will allow more freedom now as the thread seems to be going down more of the aspects of the game path so you can have 3 for each made up of aspects of the game and individual players.

The thread is named in honour of a popular WOOF Contributor, The Banker, who passed away on 22/04/2012 after a six month battle with cancer.

[bulldogtragic]

B

A win, like the Sydney win at the SCG years ago, that breeds confidence in a young group to say 'why not us?'
Schache. 4.2, a goal assist, an unofficial goal assist the McLean by taking out opponents and three inside 50's and good ruck time.
Macrae taking the responsibility and taking a clutch shot at goal... You're actually pretty good at this Jack.
It's only round 2, but we are top 4 with Gold Coast at home next week. Maybe top 4 after three?


A

Wallis god awful kick in the third. Probably his worst ever kick. Hopefully it is.
Total dominance in the second quarter for no scoreboard reward.
The upcoming media analysis that says the 49 point turnaround was due mainly to umpiring decisions, plus Hawthorn injuries.

[Hotdog60]

B

The resolve to trust yourselves to get the job done.
Caleb becoming a general down back.
Libba we have sorely missed his presence through the middle and his goal sense.

A

Gilbert as the boundary rider. Needs to get some media lessons. Also at the end of the game kept harping on to our players if they knew about the two players the hawks had injured on the bench.
Second quarter dominance with little return.
Turnovers, we need to get the amount out of our game.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Bankers

Hayden Crozier - he's really becoming an important asset down back. Was super reliable today, both offensively and defensively
Clutch goal kicking. Wallis, Gowers, Schache and Dickson all nailed important set shots, and Macrae's on the run was just about his best kick for goal ever.
Inspirational fightback - that's gotta be worth more than 4 points, confidence wise.

Anchors.

Our key influencers turning the ball over and instead of helping us forge ahead, they instead led us into a hole costing us a few goals. Mitch Wallis and Bont were 2 that stick out in the 3rd Qtr. Libba looked set for a shocker in the 1st Qtr he directly led to at least 2 scores from horrid execution.

Our inability to put them to the sword in the 2nd.

[EasternWest]

Bankers
, and Macrae's on the run was just about his best kick for goal ever.

Now now, I know we're all excited, but let's not get carried away.

[Mofra]

Hayden Crozier - he's really becoming an important asset down back. Was super reliable today, both offensively and defensively
I'm really glad Croz is getting some love. I really really rate this guy and think what he offers us for what he cost is simply outstanding.

[Remi Moses]

Bankers / The shack
The fight back . Would have been demolished last year
The hunt is back
Anchors / we just have to put dominance on the scoreboard . Gives teams a sniff
The afl app ! Maybe instead of investing millions into a micky mouse x comp , they fix their rubbish app

[bornadog]

Bankers

1. Backline - Easton Wood - some great leaping and spoiling, really held the backline together along with Crozier, Suckling, and Caleb
2. Schache - what more can I say, involved in 9 scoring shots, kicked 4.2
3. Libba - boy have we missed him.

Anchors

1. Not grabbing our opportunity with so many inside 50s in the first half
2. Keeping the Hawks in it during the first half with turnovers
3. Whinging Hawthorn supporters re the free kicks when in reality they are an undisciplined side.

[jazzadogs]

Bankers

Loved Tory Dickson's efforts. Don't think he's got 45+ in his legs anymore, but his intensity was back today and he moved well. Fantastic contest with Stratton on the wing, he is hard to beat one on one and I was shocked when Tory came away with it...then laced Banker #2...

Josh Schache. I've been excited about him all pre season and he's lived up to it so far. His appetite for the contest has been fierce, his hands have Benn sticky and he is bringing his fellow forwards into the game. Very exciting.

Bailey Smith. 13 touches at 92%, time at the centre bounces, not afraid to commit his body. Still gets lost at times but seems to have a very absorbent mind and a thirst to improve - looking forward to his continued improvement throughout the year.

Anchors ⚓
Trying to think of some unique thoughts...but it's all been said! Turnovers, inefficiency going forward (for 3/4), poor decision making.

[Vred]

Bankers

1. Out forward line mix up, loving it, alot of people not rating us when it comes to kicking goals, alot of ''where will the goals come from?'' Now we have a solid answer
2. It feels like the teams hunger is back, they are hunting in packs, applying huge pressure and not allowing other teams to play their style of game
3. Libba Libba Libba Libba Libba Libba Libba Libba GOAL

Anchors

1. Not finishing them off in the second when we were dominating them
2. Turnovers, god we need to get better with that
3. Mitch Wallis bad kick that led to a goal, very unlike him.

[Eastdog]

Bankers:

1. The final quarter comeback. Never gave up. It is the Bulldog spirit and I had 2016 come back to me.

2. Beating that entitled brown and gold mob.

3. Caleb Daniel - what a clever player he is.


Anchors:

1. The start of the 1st quarter and the 3rd quarter.

2. Not capitalising on our chance inside 50 in the 2nd quarter.

3. The turnovers which every team does but certainly need to be reduced.

[Topdog]

.

A

Gilbert as the boundary rider. Needs to get some media lessons. Also at the end of the game kept harping on to our players if they knew about the two players the hawks had injured on the bench.
.
My goodness he was awful. Sounded like he was completely out of breath at the end too

[Mantis]

Anchors

* Libba - huge last qtr, has the will to win and is a *!*!*!*!ing pest!
* Schache - good reward on the scoreboard for an improved competitive intent.
* Macrae - it isn't that hard is it Jack? - lovely goal!

Bankers

* Respect the ball, just way too many turn-overs... clean that part of our game up and we will to be extremely competitive against all comers, but we can't continue to gift the opposition goals.
* Hunter - worst 30+ possession game ever? Just no influence at all.
* Forward set-up - the ball continues to trampoline out. Seriously need in an injection of speed as the likes of Dunkley, Dickson, Wallis, etc.. just aren't effective 'pressure' players.

[Ghost Dog]

Bankers

Our recruiting team - have gone for quality people and work ethic. There are no idiots in this group, hard workers, solid citizens.
Our backline - it's not pretty sometimes but we are getting it done. It's not like we rely on a blue chip defender, Alex Rance or whatever. These guys are blue collar players, and just work incredibly hard.

Anchors
Those who doubt this team.

[whythelongface]

Bankers

1/ Our forward line structure - it is a work in progress but there is a lot to like about how it is working. Schache, Naughton, Gowers, Dickson, Mclean, Lloyd, Wallis . There are a number of options which means the opposition really need a strong defensive set up to combat this.

2/ The men of mayhem are back - the period in the 2nd qtr where we completely dominated possession was a thing of beauty. The quick movement, the hand balls, the attack on the footy and the attack on the opposition was exciting to watch. We didn't capitalise at that stage but we ran our opponents ragged. This played a big part in our dominance of the last quarter.

3/ Our defensive again worked together to negate the Hawks. Particularly in the last qtr. Hawthorn were on top at the end if the 3rd qtr, however defensively we regrouped and played a fantastic team defence. Loved Croziers work - he has the ability to really use his body in a one on one and take some really important marks.

[westbulldog]

B
Liberatore, resilient, unrelenting attack on the footy, skilled.
Crozier, getting better, almost faultless game.
Dickson, thought he was gone, he isn't

A
Overuse of handball.
Not inviting Sicily in for a drink after the game.

[ratsmac]

Bankers

1. Daniel - I love this little man. He keeps getting caught out on tall forwards because he's the first to read the play unfolding and pushes back hard to defend. His ball use is brilliant and gets the ball out of dangerous situations continuously. Teams will be putting time into him because he sets up so many attacks.

2. Pressure. Especially in the 2nd and last quarters the boys were hunting in packs and applying relentless pressure on the dawks led by Libba. I saw shades of 2016.

3. Schache. Taking marks, smashing packs, kicking goals, clean hands. Yes I said Schache. Terrific influential game. He needs to build on this now.

Anchors

1. Turn overs. Hawthorn made us pay nearly every time. We obviously are playing a high risk game style that needs good disposal.

2. No scoreboard pressure. We were all over them like a cheap suit in that second for nothing.

3. Missing the quarter and a half of a famous victory. Although a weekend away dirt bike riding is not an anchor.