WB Game Day V St. Kilda R18 2019

[Eastdog]

https://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-16/match-preview-st-kilda-v-western-bulldogs

Match preview: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
Dinny Navaratnam
Jul 16, 2019 5:57PM

Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Sunday July 21, 4.40pm AEST

TV, radio and online: Click here for broadcast guide

What it means for St Kilda: A fresh start. It's been inevitable for a while that Alan Richardson wouldn't be coaching next year. That speculation will be gone now and the club will hope to receive the bounce that often seems to happen when an interim, in this case Brett Ratten, is placed in charge.

What it means for Western Bulldogs: At 8-8, making the top eight is a genuine possibility. However, the Dogs' percentage of 94.8 is a fair way behind their rivals. Making up at least some of that margin would be significant for their finals chances.

The stat: Interim coaches are 2-0 in their first game in charge this season.

The match-up: Josh Dunkley v Jack Steele

St Kilda's stopper could go to Marcus Bontempelli, but Dunkley makes more sense as a match-up, since he has similar physical characteristics to Steele. Considering how dominant Dunkley was against Melbourne, anything Steele can do to keep the Bulldog quiet would go a long way to the Saints emerging victorious.

It’s a big week for: Luke Beveridge

Missing finals for three successive years following a flag is something the Dogs coach would not be happy to see. He's contracted until the end of 2020 and the club has made noises about extending that deal, so he's not under significant pressure, but a win would be critical for their top-eight chances considering the club's tough run home.

Big call: The combined tally of behinds to double the combined tally of goals.

Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 14 points

[Eastdog]

Got my ticket for Sunday. Will be sitting in Level 1 Aisle 48. Go Dogs!

[Eastdog]

Margin: Dogs by 17 points
First Goal: Josh Schache
BOG: Jack Macrae

[bornadog]

Dogs by: 15
First Goal: Naughton
BOG: Macrae

[Rocket Science]

It's a wild ride trying to imagine what we'll dish up this week.

Be nice if we did it convincingly, we're capable.

Dogs by 3 points
First major : Bailey Smith
BOG : Hunter

[Cyberdoggie]

It's a wild ride trying to imagine what we'll dish up this week.

Be nice if we did it convincingly, we're capable.

Dogs by 3 points
First major : Bailey Smith
BOG : Hunter

It certainly is, always less confident against teams below us, and ones that are going through a change in coach.

If we are going to play finals, we basically need to win every game, allowing for a potential loss to Brisbane up there, and maybe one to GWS in Canberra as a minimum. This would also require other things to fall our way.

A loss to anyone else, particularly games at Marvel to the saints is basically the end of the season.

We need a win, and a good one.

Dogs to win by 7 points :(
first goal: Lloyd
BOG: Dunks

[Bulldog4life]

Dogs by 23 points
First Goal: Naughty
BOG : Macrae

[Ghost Dog]

Dogs by 6
If wet, BOG Tory Dickson in a
Long sleeved jumper.
First goal Tory Dickson.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Bevo to be all over the 'replaced coach' syndrome.
Dogs by 37 points
First Goal: Macrae
BOG : Macrae

[1eyedog]

Yeah dogs by 6 goals
Lloyd for the first sausage roll
Dunks will get the bonus payment in the middle again.

[Eastdog]

https://m.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2019-07-19/four-things-to-watch-round-18

Four things to watch: Round 18
Jul 19, 2019 5:18PM

1. Swinging the changes
Caleb Daniel and Tom Liberatore are back.
Daniel has had a stellar season across half-back – averaging more than 27 disposals per game – to be among the Dogs’ best in 2019.
He returns after a fortnight out with a hamstring injury.
Liberatore has also been impressive after missing all of 2018 with an ACL injury, averaging 22 disposals and more than four tackles per game this year.
The experienced duo are welcome additions, and Bailey Dale will also get his fourth AFL opportunity for 2019.

2. Beware the coach change
It won’t factor into the Bulldogs’ preparations at all.
But beware the coach change.
When North Melbourne and Carlton changed senior coaches this year, Rhyce Shaw and David Teague led their respective sides to victory.
Brett Ratten will take the reins as interim coach of St Kilda for the first time on the weekend.
Here’s hoping we can make sure it’s not three out of three.

3. Midfield contest
The Bulldogs’ midfield has earned plenty of praise in 2019.
But this week’s clash with St Kilda’s on-ball brigade looms as an intriguing contest, particularly in the clinches.
When it comes to clearances (37.7 to 36.8) and tackles (65.4 to 62.2) per game, the Saints narrowly have the edge.
The Bulldogs get more of the ball overall – an extra 32 disposals per game – and send it inside-50 an extra five times per game.
Who will the Saints send Jack Steele to? Perhaps Jack Macrae. Macrae ranks third in the competition for disposals (506), while Steele has the second-most tackles (109).

4. The ladder
It’s hard not to look at it.
Because the Bulldogs sit just a game outside the eight, with six rounds left in the season.
A win this week won’t propel the Bulldogs into the eight, but it will edge them closer.
Adelaide (seventh) and Essendon (eighth) both sit on 36 points and will face off on Friday night, while the GWS Giants (sixth) are the other team on 36 points – and they take on the second-placed Collingwood.
The Bulldogs can’t afford to get caught looking ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Saints.
But it’s going to be an interesting finish to 2019.

[Eastdog]

https://m.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2019-07-16/match-info-saints-v-dogs

Match Information | St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
Jul 16, 2019 4:25PM

The Western Bulldogs will face St Kilda, this Sunday 21 July at Marvel Stadium from 4:40pm.

The Bulldogs will be looking to continue their winning momentum, off the back of three consecutive wins against Port Adelaide, Geelong and Melbourne.

Sitting at 10th on the ladder, the Bulldogs sit slightly above the 15th place Saints, who fell to Geelong by 27 points, last Saturday at GMHBA Stadium.

St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 21 July, 4:40pm
Marvel Stadium
Gates Open: 3:00pm

VFL ROUND 16 MATCH INFORMATION
Sandringham v Footscray Bulldogs
Sunday 21 July, 12:10pm
Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Entry: Footscray Bulldogs members* can gain access for $5, while Western Bulldogs members and supporters without a membership will comply to normal VFL ticket prices, found here.
*On presentation of Footscray Bulldogs VFL membership card

VFLW ROUND 11 MATCH INFORMATION
Southern Saints v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 21 July, 3:10pm
Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Entry: Entry to the VFLW match is free, following the VFL game.

GETTING TO MARVEL STADIUM

Car: View the Marvel Stadium map here
Address: 740 Bourke St, Docklands VIC 3008

Train
Walk from Southern Cross Station via the pedestrian bridge to Marvel Stadium. It's around a four-minute walk. If you’re coming from outside Melbourne, V/Line services will take you to Southern Cross Station.

Trams
Trams run to Marvel Stadium from LaTrobe Street and Harbour Esplanade. They also stop in the CBD on Spencer Street, Bourke Street and Collins Street and all are a short walk to the venue. Visit Public Transport Victoria for more information.

TICKETS
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and start from $27 for adults.

BROADCAST
The match will be broadcast on Fox Footy from 4:40pm.

MERCHANDISE

Merchandise will be available from outside Gate 5.


MEMBERSHIP

Our friendly membership staff will be located in the Membership Club Hub located outside Gate 5.

Membership upgrades and registrations are subject to availability and an additional fee. Transaction fees may also apply. To upgrade your membership or register for a ticket, visit Ticketmaster Or for more information visit here

[Twodogs]

Dogs by 41 points
First Goal-Schache
BOG-Dunkley

[1eyedog]

About to drive in nervous as $@+#. Every game is sudden death. Today and next week are pretty much elimination finals.

[GVGjr]

About to drive in nervous as $@+#. Every game is sudden death. Today and next week are pretty much elimination finals.

I'm not nervous in the slightest. The one thing our club and particularly the players can influence and even control is the effort we bring to the contest. Even if the Saints are up for a scrap today for Richo we just need to match that effort and if we do that we should be good enough.

It might be close but we have plenty to play for. The hardest thing for Bevo today is trying to predict what moves Ratten might make.
He will almost certainly free the players up to lift the scoring rate and hopefully we can exploit that.

[Twodogs]

I'm not nervous in the slightest. The one thing our club and particularly the players can influence and even control is the effort we bring to the contest. Even if the Saints are up for a scrap today for Richo we just need to match that effort and if we do that we should be good enough.

It might be close but we have plenty to play for. The hardest thing for Bevo today is trying to predict what moves Ratten might make.
He will almost certainly free the players up to lift the scoring rate and hopefully we can exploit that.

Yep, we need to hit them on the rebound where we can.

[DOG GOD]

We don’t win the ones we should at marvel

Saints by 5
1st goal - naughton
Bog - dunks

[ratsmac]

There is something special happening at the Kennel with this group and the saints are about to find that out the hard way.

Dogs by 66
First goal - Lloyd
BOG - Dunkley

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 13 points
First goal Schache
BOG Macrae

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Dogs by 32 points
1st Goal astronaut
BOG Dunkley

[bornadog]

Must win this, no mucking around.

Poor crowd, why the hell this was not the earlier game and WC v Melb on for TV

[jeemak]

I'm really hoping we aren't walking into one of those horrible Sunday afternoon games where the skills are atrocious and the umpiring is bewildering but not favourable to any one side...……

[Ghost Dog]

Good start but giving them too many opportunities
Saints in front by 2 points 8 to 6

[Mantis]

Dunks needs to kick within his limitations. Such a bad place to turn it over.

[Mantis]

The pay a soft free for a tug of the jumper, but nothing when Naughton gets his arm chopped.

[GVGjr]

Must win this, no mucking around.

Poor crowd, why the hell this was not the earlier game and WC v Melb on for TV

Do you think it's just the timing? FWIW, I'd be surprised if there was 5k more even if it was played an hour earlier

[lemmon]

This game is yuck

[Mantis]

Our skills are pathetic!

[chef]

Danger signs

[kruder]

Handball city...

[jeemak]

Hmmm, skills need to lift. Too many errors by hand and foot.

[Ghost Dog]

Jj two bad hand passes in a row leading to goals

[Vred]

Not liking this so far...

[ledge]

Here we go again , new coach and whack.

[DOG GOD]

Writing on the wall? We look flat, slow, and skill errors aplenty, just like against blues, GC and North

[Murphy'sLore]

I'm starting to get cross.

[DOG GOD]

Game could be over at quarter time haha

[GVGjr]

I'm not that fussed at the moment. We haven't settled and when we do we will bounce back

We are opening the gate for them. We will fix that soon

[Vred]

Did our midfield show up or what?

[jeemak]

Well we're really shitting the bed today.

Midfield needs to toughen up and match the Saints for effort and execution.

[DOG GOD]

My workmates scoffed me when I said pick saints in your footy tipping :)

[DOG GOD]

This has GC game written all over it unfortunately.

[Mantis]

Lonie is a *!*!*!*!ing skunk.

[jeemak]

Hunter and Lipinski doing really stupid things getting into the backs unnecessarily. So annoying.

[chef]

Games just about over. Gee we can be soft at times

[Vred]

*!*!*!*! me.
Free kick StK

[Mantis]

I'm not that fussed at the moment. We haven't settled and when we do we will bounce back

We are opening the gate for them. We will fix that soon

Forever the optimist.

[Murphy'sLore]

I can't watch this.

[ledge]

They are getting everything, even the ball is bouncing their way

[1eyedog]

Yeah it's getting a bit out of hand

[GVGjr]

Forever the optimist.

Have to be. It's never as bad as it seems

[Mantis]

Could not hit the side of a *!*!*!*!ing barn door!

And what the *!*!*!*! was Lloyd doing?

[lemmon]

Has anyone hit a target? Genuinely having our pants pulled down

[Vred]

This is actually pathetic so far

[The Bulldogs Bite]

This is pathetic

[kruder]

Boys are under the pump and still going for the miracle play... kick the fffffn thing

[ledge]

Pity everyone in the footy world could see this but inside our four walls we couldn’t

[comrade]

20 odd minutes in and season pretty much done.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

*!*!*!*!ing embarrassing

[Mantis]

Have to be. It's never as bad as it seems

This is actually pretty bad.

[1eyedog]

Embarrassing. Better to know sooner rather later I suppose.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

4 goals 3 from turnovers.
Dunks, Macrae, JJ, Trengove all have made howlers.

[chef]

Seems we went a bit early with the finals talk hey.

[lemmon]

Need the next or we're done.

[jeemak]

This is by far the most disgusted I have been this season. What a disgrace.

[Vred]

Need the next or we're done.

The next 4

[comrade]

Exactly like the Carlton game. All it’s missing is Billy Gowers in the middle.

[Murphy'sLore]

We are making St Kilda look like a top 4 side.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

This is so predictably disgusting

[comrade]

We are making St Kilda look like a top 4 side.

They’re making us look like wooden spooners.

[bornadog]

Pathetic effort

[1eyedog]

Hanging on by one arse hair. Got to work hard now and slowly whittle away

[lemmon]

That was as bad as it gets. Only reason it's not game over already is because Bruce and Savage missed gettable ones.

Bevo should absolutely rip shreds off them

[Grantysghost]

11-5 stoppage clearances really need to tighten that up.
Small win, we are leading the hitouts :cool:

[Ghost Dog]

Not as bad as score board suggest. We have the tools to win. Atrocious decisions being made by otherwise capable players.

[DOG GOD]

Seems we went a bit early with the finals talk hey.

Or extending Bevo ?

[1eyedog]

Here we go :rolleyes:

[jeemak]

That was as bad as it gets. Only reason it's not game over already is because Bruce and Savage missed gettable ones.

Bevo should absolutely rip shreds off them

Not sure you're allowed to do that anymore.

I just can't understand how our midfield can continue to stay offencive when the game isn't going their way. Read the situation you numb skulls...…...oh, and try to respect the football when you get it.

[dukedog]

As expected against a low team... well done boys

[lemmon]

And people wonder why Macrae has never been All Australian

[jeemak]

Dale wasn't going to be paid a free kick then. Amazing.

Good smart play, hopefully it spurs him on.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Macrae is having his worst game of the season.

[Mantis]

Has Roarke Smith dipped his hands in concrete? I don’t see it.

[Grantysghost]

And people wonder why Macrae has never been All Australian

He's certainly worthy. I've never seen him this bad though. Back him to come good.

[comrade]

Macrae is having an absolute mare.

[merantau]

There's only one way from here. We cannot get any worse.

[Mantis]

How about you concentrate on kicking the goal than looking at the *!*!*!*!ing shot clock!

[chef]

If only they could all kick like Dicko.

[lemmon]

Gotta love Dicko

[Ghost Dog]

Tory Dickson's one or two goals a game may come in handy today.

[jeemak]

Beautiful kicking from both Smith and Dickson.

Thank Christ for that!

[Ghost Dog]

Bont love those long entries

[Ghost Dog]

That was bad from Dale. Smith was right beside him

[Vred]

*!*!*!*! *!*!*!*!ing *!*!*!*! *!*!*!*!

[FrediKanoute]

Piss F*cking Poor

[kruder]

Kicking the footy a little more but our press it still too high. Still don't think Caleb should be playing in defence

[lemmon]

That was bad from Dale. Smith was right beside him

I thought it was bad from Smith. Dale was running onto the footy and into goal. Smith would've had to turn to face them

[lemmon]

Really good day for English so far

[chef]

Really good day for English so far

Until now. Nice jinx.

[The Pie Man]

Any chance you can go long inside 50 Tim? ......

[Mantis]

Really good day for English so far

Cost us a goal from nothing then.. Dumb!

[Grantysghost]

Turnovers........ Then a team without a coach will take the risk and go forward. Very frustrating.

[1eyedog]

Terrible, just terrible.

[chef]

Stupid little kicks undo all our hard work.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

That was so poor by English

[jeemak]

Ruckman and ambition rarely mix well on the footy field and English's few efforts there really prove that point.

He'll learn, but he needs to understand his limits.

[Vred]

Any chance we can just not turn it over for 10 minutes

[ledge]

English kick long and *!*!*!*! me why are saints players on their own in the goal square every time ?

[comrade]

Playing Libba was a mistake.

[westbulldog]

English has a clause in his contract precluding kicks over 30 metres ? wtf !!!!!!!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Is Libba too slow for footy these days?

Unless he wins the ball he offers little else at the moment

[Mantis]

Get in the bin Dogs!

[ledge]

My god we dropped two chest marks ! Faaaark

[chef]

Haha we are so shit. Been drinking our bathwater perhaps.

[lemmon]

Lmao

[1eyedog]

Game over, season over.

[jeemak]

JJ has been the worst he's ever been today. Macrae has been as well.

Horrible stuff, they're really putting me off the game.

[kruder]

Another classical punch to advantage from Wood. Any chance at going for the mark?

[comrade]

Just about a droppable performance from Macrae.

[Vred]

Pathetic
The most pathetic side
what the *!*!*!*! are we doing

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Saints 5 entries for 4 goals - just go home dogs

[westbulldog]

We are making every St Kilda player look like an All-Australian ffs

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Get off Macrae ffs

[Mantis]

The last 3 weeks we’ve given up 41, 55 & 66 points.. These shit kickers have 66 in less than a half.

[DOG GOD]

The last 3 weeks we’ve given up 41, 55 & 66 points.. These shit kickers have 66 in less than a half.

Not working hard enough defensively, and looking like we don’t give a shit

[comrade]

They’ve barely had possession and increased their lead. No other team could manage that.

[Vred]

The last 3 weeks we’ve given up 41, 55 & 66 points.. These shit kickers have 66 in less than a half.

We just didn’t show up today

[DOG GOD]

Saints sack their coach and bring this effort...
We give ours a 3 year extension and bring THIS effort.

[Vred]

Saints sack their coach and bring this effort...
We give ours a 3 year extension and bring THIS effort.

Literally seems that every time we come up against a bottom team they sack their coach and play their best game against us

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Literally seems that every time we come up against a bottom team they sack their coach and play their best game against us

Says to me we just can’t handle the heat

[jeemak]

What an unlikeable playing collective we have at the moment. Too often they think that effort and attention to detail is conditional, when it should be an absolute given that professional sports people bring that every week.

To me it is the least attractive attribute a team can have, and we seem to express it too often. We need to grow up and start taking responsibility.

[FrediKanoute]

This is why we do not deserve to play finals. Too big a difference between our A game and our D game

[comrade]

Should be ashamed of that effort. There’s nothing a coach can do about Jackson Macrae shanking every kick, or JJ squibbing it. The players have just been utter trash.

[FrediKanoute]

This from the AFL website:

"Q2 32:27
The Bulldogs won more inside 50s (24 to 23), but St Kilda were 3 times more efficient. The Saints, launched a goal from 48 per cent of their inside 50 entries, compared to 17 per cent for the Bulldogs."

Sums it up really......

[GVGjr]

We just didn’t show up today

The Saints are playing well, we haven't responded. I mentioned early in the thread that the things we can control like effort needed to be there today. Bevo has to work on this over the half time break

[bulldogtragic]

Close to, if not, the worst half of footy under Bevo. Later on, Bevo will be happy he signed before the end of the season. His players are killing him right now. But whatever.

[comrade]

This from the AFL website:

"Q2 32:27
The Bulldogs won more inside 50s (24 to 23), but St Kilda were 3 times more efficient. The Saints, launched a goal from 48 per cent of their inside 50 entries, compared to 17 per cent for the Bulldogs."

Sums it up really......

It helps when your opposition turns the ball over under no pressure, repeatedly.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We need a 5 goal turnaround in the 3rd to have any hope.
I can't see it. Saints are too far up on the board and emotionally to surrender.

[Bulldog4life]

We just didn’t show up today

I hate that saying. They are there, just playing shite.

[comrade]

Close to, if not, the worst half of footy under Bevo. Later on, Bevo will be happy he signed before the end of the season. His players are killing him right now. But whatever.

He should be ripping strips off his leaders during the break. Macrae, Bont, Dunks, JJ, Suckling have all been atrocious. You can’t win when those blokes turn their toes up.

[GVGjr]

He should be ripping strips off his leaders during the break. Macrae, Bont, Dunks, JJ, Suckling have all been atrocious. You can’t win when those blokes turn their toes up.

This is what I don't think he is that good at. Get on the wrong side of him they the player is done but is he good at getting into them during the game I'm not so sure. I suspect we need someone like Monty to compliment him

[kruder]

He should be ripping strips off his leaders during the break. Macrae, Bont, Dunks, JJ, Suckling have all been atrocious. You can’t win when those blokes turn their toes up.

Have you given up on Wood also?

[bulldogtragic]

He should be ripping strips off his leaders during the break. Macrae, Bont, Dunks, JJ, Suckling have all been atrocious. You can’t win when those blokes turn their toes up.

He believes there's only five good sprays in a coach, and has used one or two. I don't think he thinks this Gabe vs St Kilda is spray worthy.

[comrade]

Have you given up on Wood also?

Yes.

[westbulldog]

St Kilda are doing circle work without opposition

[Ghost Dog]

Well, if we have truly decided to go on holidays early, not much the fans can do...

[chef]

Have you given up on Wood also?

Yep. We have the worst captain in the league.

[Ghost Dog]

Come on boys. Don't die with the music in you, as Rocket Eade says.

[merantau]

I haven't given up hope yet. There is still a half to play. They have had everything go their way and we have accommodated them with our awful turnovers and decision making.

[Mantis]

Our defensive set ups are back to where thru were earlier in the year.. just so easy to score against.

[kruder]

Our defensive set ups are back to where thru were earlier in the year.. just so easy to score against.

Yep lack of respect for the opposition, way too high

[G-Mo77]

Just checked the score before bed. Not surprised. This is the team that found a way to be embarrassed by Carlton and beaten by the Suns.

[comrade]

Our defenders are just phoning it in.

[hujsh]

May as well give them a goal every time they're past the half way point

[DOG GOD]

At least R.smith hasn’t been our worst today

[kruder]

Crozier has been excellent again

[hujsh]

Is it fair to say Dale's made an impact today? A positive addition I think

[chef]

This quarter just makes me angrier, where was this from the start?

[jeemak]

Naughton gets completely molested.

[kruder]

Caleb getting caught out in the air again, has been awful today

[GVGjr]

We need more from Schache, Naughton, Suckling and Bailey Smith in the last quarter

I'm not sure if we will copy the North Melbourne game but at least we need to fight it out for the balance of the game

[jeemak]

Wood has actually been pretty good from what I can see.

Those at the ground, what's been the big issue with him aside from going the punch once when he perhaps should have taken a mark?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Think some question marks should be asked about a few players, and Suckling is on that list.

[GVGjr]

Wood has actually been pretty good from what I can see.

Those at the ground, what's been the big issue with him aside from going the punch once when he perhaps should have taken a mark?

He's had his best game for weeks

[kruder]

Think some question marks should be asked about a few players, and Suckling is on that list.

Sounds like Sucking has come in with an injury

[Bulldog4life]

We need more from Schache, Naughton, Suckling and Bailey Smith in the last quarter

I'm not sure if we will copy the North Melbourne game but at least we need to fight it out for the balance of the game

Be lucky to see him again this match.

[merantau]

We have a chance. It's up to us to take it.

[Ghost Dog]

Nominated Tory Dickson to be best on ground this week.
4 goals, keep it up Tory.

[Bulldog4life]

Yes we can win this.

[comrade]

English and Bont forward at the first bounce. Ok Bevo.

[comrade]

Suckling...

[hujsh]

It's great the way Sucking can work the angles to turn it over in new and unique ways

[comrade]

What the **** are we doing?

[DOG GOD]

3 times Lonie by himself in the fwd 50.....who’s playing on him ?

[comrade]

What a horrible 5 minutes

[DOG GOD]

I think the game is starting to pass suckling

[dukedog]

Easton woods footy nouse is laughable... as are his skills. I dont say that lightly

[GVGjr]

Thant one hurts a bit. Need to get a move on

[dukedog]

What the fuxk was that call on bailey Smith... holding the ball my ass

[kruder]

Caleb and Libba underdone? Add that to Bont and Sucking I wonder if we got it wrong at the selection table.

[GVGjr]

Easton woods footy nouse is laughable... as are his skills. I dont say that lightly

He couldn't back his skills initially to hit a target and get a run on but missed his target by a bit. We got it forward but but was very contested

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Love Smith but he’s been rubbish as has 90% of the side.

Time to move on Suckling

[comrade]

Season on the line, game on our terms and we put this effort up. Special thanks to Bevo for putting his best ruck and mid into the forward line to start the 4th, great move.

Well done to Saints on scoring 100 for the first time, glad we could help.

[jeemak]

Libba this year has been a good ordinary footballer and hasn't had an impact at all today.

Hopefully he improves next week.

[Ghost Dog]

Very, very dissappointing composure.

[AndrewP6]

Dunkley just passed up a shot from about 30 directly in front. Do they know we're behind?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I mean are we just kicking it to Saints players for fun? Dunks and now Dicko.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

And now Naughton drops a sitter.
This is just shocking stuff.

[Mantis]

Suckling - get in the bin!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

And a banana from Suckling for an inside 50 entry.

[comrade]

And a banana from Suckling for an inside 50 entry.

He’s a joke.

[Bullies]

Surely we have seen enough of Roarke Smith now to know he is no good.

[dukedog]

Wood has actually been pretty good from what I can see.

Those at the ground, what's been the big issue with him aside from going the punch once when he perhaps should have taken a mark?

I will give you an out because maybe u watched in at the ground.... he is near on useless at every aspect of the game bar reading the flight of the ball

[jeemak]

I think the coach trying something different with Trengove in the ruck wasn't the worst idea, given Marshall had been effective against English and that we were struggling to take a mark forward.

I'd have started Bont in the middle, but he's probably being managed as he's a bit sore.

Good to see Dale have an impact.

[Bullies]

What about giving some protection to Bailey Smith. He has been smashed all day with little help from his team mates.

[GVGjr]

Pleased for Bailey Dale, he's locked in a spot for the balance of the year and I suspect a contract going forward

It's going to be a tough trip on the train home

[jeemak]

I will give you an out because maybe u watched in at the ground.... he is near on useless at every aspect of the game bar reading the flight of the ball

That's clearly not true.

[Mantis]

How many times have they had one free over the top? Gifted them so many goals.

[dukedog]

That's clearly not true.

Which bit?

[dukedog]

Probably that you weren't at the game . Hahahah

[China Dog]

Weak as p..s. Out JJ, Cordy, McRae, R Smith, Suckling and ???

[dukedog]

Wood.

[jeemak]

Which bit?


Probably that you weren't at the game . Hahahah

I wasn't at the game as stated. Wood isn't perfect sure, but to say he has no positive attributes other than an ability to read the flight of the ball isn't accurate.

[Sedat]

How many times have they had one free over the top? Gifted them so many goals.
St Kilda 31 scoring shots from 46 inside 50's is off the charts. Have we been too aggressive with our defensive press again like we were earlier in the year?

[dukedog]

I wasn't at the game as stated. Wood isn't perfect sure, but to say he has no positive attributes other than an ability to read the flight of the ball isn't accurate.

Name another attribute he has displayed this year. ...dont worry I'll wait....

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Season on the line, game on our terms and we put this effort up. Special thanks to Bevo for putting his best ruck and mid into the forward line to start the 4th, great move.

Well it doesn’t matter dies if we all ready extended his contract. Phew thought we would have list him.

[jeemak]

St Kilda 31 scoring shots from 46 inside 50's is off the charts. Have we been too aggressive with our defensive press again like we were earlier in the year?

Not a good thing when you're up against a side that is quick. We got burned today, and the players should be seething.

[dukedog]

Players can't live of their past years. He has been non influential for the past 3 years. .... he isn't in best 22.... u can't give games to a bloke just because.

[jeemak]

Name another attribute he has displayed this year. ...dont worry I'll wait....

I get you being emotional but there's no need to be irrational. He played well today, got plenty of the ball and took marks.

It wasn't the perfect game but it was a good game from him.

[comrade]

Well it doesn’t matter dies if we all ready extended his contract. Phew thought we would have list him.

The playing group was putrid today but that move by Bevo was pretty suspect. If Bont wasn’t physically right to contest the most important centre bounce of the game, he shouldn’t have played.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

For all the criticism of the coaches, I think this one is square on the players. I struggle to recall a more woeful inept performance from a team that have everything to play for. To let the Saints dominate in the middle the way they did in the first quarter. That is on the playing group.
I love Macrae, and he's a very good players, and has been a big contributor to our recent good form, but his first quarter was putrid.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

How many times have they had one free over the top? Gifted them so many goals.

Yep all day. They have just out worked us both ways today. Another issue is how dumb have we been they just hit up the 15 to 20m kick coming out the back line and we allowed that all day.

[jeemak]

For all the criticism of the coaches, I think this one is square on the players. I struggle to recall a more woeful inept performance from a team that have everything to play for. To let the Saints dominate in the middle the way they did in the first quarter. That is on the playing group.
I love Macrae, and he's a very good players, and has been a big contributor to our recent good form, but his first quarter was putrid.

Agreed.

You can add JJ to that as well. We need those two players to at least be safe with the football even if they're not playing well, and they just couldn't be early in the game and it really hurt us.

[merantau]

Our skill level has been terrible. That last kick by the Bont resulted in a turnover goal. Really, we handed them the game with our turnovers both hand and foot.
We are now hoping for a miracle to make the eight. I'm at a loss to understand why we failed so completely in such an important game. The first quarter was awful. We should have come out FIRING. Even in the last there were two occasions when we had them on toast and were certainties to goal had the last kick been good. But, we turned it over. Very, very disappointed to lose that game and undo the good work that has been done over recent weeksm

[Remi Moses]

All to play for and they deliver a s*** sandwich

[Dry Rot]

Bitterly disappointed.

OK, season over. Send off whoever needs surgery now.

Play some of the kids like West and Sweet and Cavarra if fit.

Results do not matter anymore now. Tank for a good pick.

[dukedog]

I get you being emotional but there's no need to be irrational. He played well today, got plenty of the ball and took marks.

It wasn't the perfect game but it was a good game from him.

The problem with today. Is people are too weak to make tough calls. He didnt have a good game at all. No impact as his role suggest he plays. I'm bemused that you can think getting a few kicks means that much.

[bornadog]

Saints put ina big effort in the first quarter and we couldn’t stop it. That was the ballgame

[jeemak]

The problem with today. Is people are too weak to make tough calls. He didnt have a good game at all. No impact as his role suggest he plays. I'm bemused that you can think getting a few kicks means that much.

Make tough calls by dropping a player who has been solid - but not at his best - this year, and replace him with someone who will make our side worse.

That is a really tough call. A call you wouldn't make because it doesn't make any sense.

As I said, I thought he played a good game today and was more effective than most of his team mates for longer periods.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Agreed.

You can add JJ to that as well. We need those two players to at least be safe with the football even if they're not playing well, and they just couldn't be early in the game and it really hurt us.

JJ has never been the same player from that day the swans hit stick into him and then everyone else followed. He is our down hill skier

[bornadog]

Make tough calls by dropping a player who has been solid - but not at his best - this year, and replace him with someone who will make our side worse.

That is a really tough call. A call you wouldn't make because it doesn't make any sense.

As I said, I thought he played a good game today and was more effective than most of his team mates for longer periods.
I was more disappointed with Cordy in the backline than Wood

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

JJ has never been the same player from that day the swans hit stick into him and then everyone else followed. He is our down hill skier

That's not right.
He's actually had a pretty good season, once he worked his way back from a very long lay off. He's been very solid the last 6 weeks.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I was more disappointed with Cordy in the backline than Wood

Yeah, he really lowered his colours.
Morris has to come in for him next week.

[bornadog]

That's not right.
He's actually had a pretty good season, once he worked his way back from a very long lay off. He's been very solid the last 6 weeks.

yep no preseason has hurt him

[kruder]

I was more disappointed with Cordy in the backline than Wood

And Bailey Dale?

[bornadog]

And Bailey Dale?

played a good game or are you being a smart Eleck

[Bumper Bulldogs]

That's not right.
He's actually had a pretty good season, once he worked his way back from a very long lay off. He's been very solid the last 6 weeks.

I disagree. He signed a big deal, maybe held us to ransom a tad. In the leadership group. Got a little tough and went to water. Nothing better than when he is up and going but it’s not enough from someone on these contracts and a leader of the club.

He will he much better when Morris comes back.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I disagree. He signed a big deal, maybe held us to ransom a tad. In the leadership group. Got a little tough and went to water. Nothing better than when he is up and going but it’s not enough from someone on these contracts and a leader of the club.

He will he much better when Morris comes back.

I'm on the record as being risible with the way he drew out that contract. I still think it took a lot of wind out of our sails, and was a big contributor to bursting the 'all for one one for all vibe the club had following our premiership.
But you're forgetting he had a massive injury during pre-season. And if you go back and look at the last 6 weeks, he's more than done his job.
Yes he had a howler tonight. He had a lot of highly credentialled mates tonight.

[merantau]

Wood had his best game for a while but he was no more than serviceable. He has lost confidence in his marking ability, he miss times punches failing to clear the area.
I am more concerned about Cordy. When was the last time he took an overhead mark? He fumbled badly at ground level today.
Suckling is inconsistent and was awful today. JJ was ineffective. Duryea was ordinary. Crozier stood out. Caleb Daniel was not able to play his normal role.
I don't agree with the anger directed at Macrae. He put in all day but was often under extreme pressure. Ditto Bailey Smith.
Naughton was monstered all day and we did him no favours with our delivery.
I still have not given up hope of a finals spot. It's not over till it's over.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I didn't see the game, relied on WOOF. Interesting to see Wood named in best on AFL despite his absolute caning by a couple here.

[AndrewP6]

I'm loathe to criticise Baz, there are plenty others ahead of him for potting. He's in his first year.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Agreed.

You can add JJ to that as well. We need those two players to at least be safe with the football even if they're not playing well, and they just couldn't be early in the game and it really hurt us.

Totally, and its tone setting too, and ripples through the team.
Naughton too, if I take my fan boy goggles off for a second.
His early, lazy miss just added to the Saints momentum in the 1st.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I'm loathe to criticise Baz, there are plenty others ahead of him sure for potting.

Yep, he made a couple of errors, but I'm not laying this anywhere near his feet. If we're expecting Baz to carry and set the tone for our performance then we're in a lot more trouble than we really are.

[merantau]

Totally, and its tone setting too, and ripples through the team.
Naughton too, if I take my fan boy goggles off for a second.
His early, lazy miss just added to the Saints momentum in the 1st.

Agree absolutely. That was an easy shot on goal at a really important stage of the game and he crueled it. That is not what top players do and he needs to address that.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I didn't see the game, relied on WOOF. Interesting to see Wood named in best on AFL despite his absolute caning by a couple here.

He was fine. He made a couple of mistakes, but he also did a lot right.
He may have been part of the problem of what has been wrong at times this year, but tonight was not one of them. Its just that perception is hard to change when a night like tonight occurs and its easy to recall from one's memory bank a host of errors committed in another time and place when looking to assign blame. That's cognitive dissonance looming large.

[macca]

I think the coach trying something different with Trengove in the ruck wasn't the worst idea, given Marshall had been effective against English and that we were struggling to take a mark forward.

I'd have started Bont in the middle, but he's probably being managed as he's a bit sore.

Good to see Dale have an impact.
That’s what I could not understand , your best Ruck and mid is forward and for the first 5 mins we could not win the at all out of the middle

If bont is injured don’t play him

Schache taken off in last quarter really killed our balance and shows how important he is to our structure

Apart from the 3rd quarter we were rubbish today

[Bullies]

Agree absolutely. That was an easy shot on goal at a really important stage of the game and he crueled it. That is not what top players do and he needs to address that. One way to rectify is concentrate on the kick and stop looking at the big screen

[bornadog]

I didn't see the game, relied on WOOF. Interesting to see Wood named in best on AFL despite his absolute caning by a couple here.

Wood had 23 disposals and ten marks. Played one of his better games

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Wood had his best game for a while but he was no more than serviceable. He has lost confidence in his marking ability, he miss times punches failing to clear the area.
I am more concerned about Cordy. When was the last time he took an overhead mark? He fumbled badly at ground level today.
Suckling is inconsistent and was awful today. JJ was ineffective. Duryea was ordinary. Crozier stood out. Caleb Daniel was not able to play his normal role.
I don't agree with the anger directed at Macrae. He put in all day but was often under extreme pressure. Ditto Bailey Smith.
Naughton was monstered all day and we did him no favours with our delivery.
I still have not given up hope of a finals spot. It's not over till it's over.

Macrae put in effort, he always does. But that cannot be his only KPI. He was atrocious by foot when it counted tonight. And when someone gets as much of the pill as he does, it's brutal when he shafts us with his execution. He'll be fine, but tonight he was a liability with the ball.

[kruder]

;) ;););)
played a good game or are you being a smart Eleck

[bornadog]

;) ;););)

I am not in the mood.

[Eastdog]

Home now. Very dissapointing result tonight :(

[SonofScray]

Was always a possibility, given what we've dished up this year.

Perhaps went in with too many blokes a bit under done & sore, against a team that was going to have a bit of a spring in their step. In hind sight, a West debut and a Bont rest might have been wise. Just to get a bit of our own exuberance in the squad and leave space for Libba to do more work at the coal face.

We are a frustrating team. Awful skills and easy to score against if the game isn't on our terms.

[Ghost Dog]

Watching the first quarter, a number of players made really bad skill errors from the get go.
Not fatigued, not always under the pump, sometimes yes, but just lack of care from the start.
Trengrove, trying to thread a needle. Horrid kicking from Cordy. JJ two very bad hand passes.
We were not playing that badly overall, but just very bad decisions at critical times points to a lack of on-field leadership.

Our back six had a terrible night.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

At least we've turned our goal kicking accuracy around tonight eh?? :rolleyes:

[MrMahatma]

Such a Bulldogs cliche.

Win the tough ones. Lose when you should win. Ruin a season on piss poor effort against average completion. Just the same old stuff dished up too often of recent times.

[The bulldog tragician]

Well that was tough. The distance between our best and worst is very wide. I really expected that we would have turned up extremely focused and prepared for the saints to throw everything at us. Instead we seemed startled and unprepared for their physicality. We were hesitant, they were fanatical, and at times I could barely think of one player who was doing well, though I think Crozier did very well most of the time.

It was painful to see Jack Macrae struggle so badly but calls to drop him are ridiculous. He will not have a stinker like that again.

On our off days, it feels like we haven’t yet developed chemistry in this emerging group. Leads were ignored or overlooked. There was nobody really flying the flag as the Saints made sure every tackle was accompanied by a knee to the rib, a body slammed over a player prone on the ground.

The talk of us being back to our 2016 best was premature. There is a lot to be encouraged by, a lot - a helluva lot - to still work on.

[GVGjr]

Really disappointed that we came out so meekly in the first quarter. Improved effort after half time doesn't quite cut it
We knew they would be hungry but just didn't match their effort. That's on all of them not just the coaches

[Ghost Dog]

Home now. Very dissapointing result tonight :(

Feel bad for anyone who went to the game.

[MrMahatma]

But seriously, this is becoming a very familiar feeling...