Three things you have learned-round 18 v St Kilda 2019

[Twodogs]

OK let's go. Tell us three things that you know now that you didn't know before the game.

[bulldogtragic]

Three.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

1. We are still miles off it as I suspected.

2. Our I50s have to be the worst I’ve ever seen at this level

3. Suckling is done and I’m not convinced Libba is best 22.

[bulldogtragic]

1. I got drunk of a few good wins, I suspect some players did too. Losing to the three worst teams this year at our home ground is a big character flaw.

2. Suckling should absolutely go to the states and try the NFL thing.

3. This year has been one of the worst so far I've had. Bad years, like the Rhode years, are bad but I guess are necessary. Worst years are showing more than glimpses of elite football, but pissing the opportunity of finals away for whatever reason.

[comrade]

1. I got drunk of a few good wins, I suspect some players did too. Losing to the three worst teams this year at our home ground is a big character flaw.

2. Suckling should absolutely go to the states and try the NFL thing.

3. This year has been one of the worst so far I've had. Bad years, like the Rhode years, are bad but I guess are necessary. Worst years are showing more than glimpses of elite football, but pissing the opportunity of finals away for whatever reason.

I’ll literally pay for Suckling’s airfare.

[Bullies]

1. Naughton needs to go down back to get some confidence. Let him go straight at the ball.

2. Dale had the break out game he needs.

3. Could not believe the lack of support Bailey Smith got from his team mates when he got smashed by the Saints at every opportunity. Hang your heads guys he is a first year player.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

1. That was a shocker of all shockers, but we've proven time and again over many years, when we face a team that has sacked a coach, we turn up our toes as the opposition lifts.
2. Bailey Dale can play. Can hold his head up, and hopefully can make the most of the remaining games this year. He may just play himself into a new contract.
3. Schache, did not impact the game statistically, but he put his body on the line and has grown immeasurably in terms of aggression and courage. The fact that when his head was spinning and he was struggling to know where he was or what year it was, he got involved in 2 passages of play as he was trying to wobble off the ground. Well done lad, you really earned some respect tonight.

[westbulldog]

1.Today's effort was pathetic, I've seen countless drubbings in the rain and cold at the Western Oval but at least those guys had pride and tried.
2.A win today would have placed us 9th, one game out of the 8 but that obviously meant nothing to this playing group.
3.To persist with this "no change" selection policy is crap, now is the time to make several changes

[Sedat]

3.To persist with this "no change" selection policy is crap, now is the time to make several changes
I didn't see the game tonight but wouldn't we prefer to have a settled and in-form line-up instead of Bevo's 'pull a rabbit out of his arse 5 changes a week' routine he was doing earlier in the season (eg: promoting Ryan Gardiner from the mid-season draft straight into the seniors after a sub 5 possession VFL game)?

it sounds like we went in with key underdone players tonight (Bont, Libba) which didn't help our midfield rotations and allowed St Kilda to decisively win the midfield battle.

[westbulldog]

I didn't see the game tonight but wouldn't we prefer to have a settled and in-form line-up instead of Bevo's 'pull a rabbit out of his arse 5 changes a week' routine he was doing earlier in the season (eg: promoting Ryan Gardiner from the mid-season draft straight into the seniors after a sub 5 possession VFL game)?

it sounds like we went in with key underdone players tonight (Bont, Libba) which didn't help our midfield rotations and allowed St Kilda to decisively win the midfield battle.

So your opinion is that everyone who played today stays ?

[macca]

1. The 2 teams under us sacked their coaches and have won one less game. We just extended ours... footy is such a ruthless game
2. 5 games left , its time to cut the list deep and find out who can Make a positive contribution to the club next year. We need to clear out it the list cloggers
3. Do not bring in underdone players and its totally disrespecting our opposition

[bornadog]

1. Bailey Dale dropped to the VFL, worked hard and it paid off, maybe I was wrong about him
2. Naughton needs to put on some muscle
3. We need to learn to defend better when a team is on a roll like the first quarter.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

So your opinion is that everyone who played today stays ?

I think you've misinterpreted Sedat's post.
He's suggesting we should not have made 3 changes this week, with Daniel and Libba having had a few weeks out. Maybe this week was not the week to make significant changes.

[bornadog]

I think you've misinterpreted Sedat's post.
He's suggesting we should not have made 3 changes this week, with Daniel and Libba having had a few weeks out. Maybe this week was not the week to make significant changes.

We had two injuries so that was the minimum.

[Sedat]

So your opinion is that everyone who played today stays ?
I was talking more broadly about having a settled line-up being better than multiple weekly changes, which has been a staple of the Bevo era in the last couple of years. Also as YHF pointed out, I think Bont and Libba being included this week was unnecessarily rolling the dice with underdone players in the midfield, which proved to be a failure tonight.

I would think there are 1-2 players in the gun next week.

[bornadog]

I was talking more broadly about having a settled line-up being better than multiple weekly changes, which has been a staple of the Bevo era in the last couple of years. Also as YHF pointed out, I think Bont and Libba being included this week was unnecessarily rolling the dice with underdone players in the midfield, which proved to be a failure tonight.

I would think there are 1-2 players in the gun next week.

We have had one of the most settled sides of all AFL clubs this year? This is backed up by fact - ie the changes per week.

[westbulldog]

I take the point of the benefits of having a settled team but not at the expense of carrying non-performers over an excessive "trial" period. My view is if you clearly don't cut it when given sufficient opportunity out you go. Given what was clearly on the line this week the poor performers were marked imo even more harshly.

[GVGjr]

1 - Bailey Dale is far from a spent force. Way too many people writing him off at just 23, He has talent which we are short of
2 - I didn't think Tory Dickson still had it in him. I got it wrong
3 - Players with something to prove will be lining up for a spot in the last few rounds

[Dry Rot]

3 - Players with something to prove will be lining up for a spot in the last few rounds

Which players do you have in mind?

[GVGjr]

Which players do you have in mind?

Both L.Young's, West, Roberts, Lynch, Hayes and maybe Jong and Gowers

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

We have had one of the most settled sides of all AFL clubs this year? This is backed up by fact - ie the changes per week.
The so called settled team showed up badly today. Liberatore clearly wasn’t match fit. Suckling R Smith and JJ again showed that we are not a serious final 8 contender. Our defence continues to bleed goals. How many times were St Kilda forwards left on their own in the goal square to kick easy goals. Naughton having been recruited as a key defender where we are suspect continues to struggle up forward. There is little point in playing Schache as a second string ruck man where he is clueless. Maclean and Richards have been played out of position most of the year. If we are willing to resign Lew Young as a key defender then why isn’t he being played. I think there is too many players being selected purely on reputation. The change of St Kilda’s Coach wasn’t the reason for the defeat but rather our weaknesses such as a lack of leg speed and poor disposal were clearly exposed today.

[Twodogs]

1. I hate footy
2. I hate St Kilda
3. I hate losing (To St Kilda especially)

[jeemak]

1. The 2 teams under us sacked their coaches and have won one less game. We just extended ours... footy is such a ruthless game
2. 5 games left , its time to cut the list deep and find out who can Make a positive contribution to the club next year. We need to clear out it the list cloggers
3. Do not bring in underdone players and its totally disrespecting our opposition

It's really interesting to see this written, and not saying it's wrong but I'm wondering who the list cloggers are and whether a deep cut will result in anything but more years of bottom half performances given we're already a developing team.

[LostDoggy]

1. One positive, if we arse our way into 8th we won’t play any teams below us or with recently sacked coaches, not that either should make a difference

[ratsmac]

1. I didn't think we could make finals even though I was hoping, but I didn't expect it would be Stkilda that would pretty much shatter our hopes.

2. Disrespect the opposition and pay the price. Our midfield got shown up today by lesser no name players who worked for one another. We forgot how to tackle and block for one another today.

3. Bailey Dale was a good selection

[AshMac]

1. How Suckling gets a game ahead of Bailey Williams is beyond me. Outside of his weekly errors his body language is apathetic
2. Everytime Bailey Dale gets a shot at goal I’m genuinely confident
3. Outside of the rare occasion the mrs is in the mood or Bont is having a brownlow quarter, nothing gets me as excited as Bailey Smith kicking from the center to a leading forward

(Wanted to make each about a Bailey...)

[Ozza]

1. If Suckling can't get in to the back 6 - then he doesn't have a place. Has never played well for us at half forward and is in awful form.
2. I'm concerned that Libba hasn't played well for a long time. And our midfield hasn't functioned well with him in it for some time. Given it was first game back - will give him some grace, and hopefully he looks much better next week.
3. Bailey Smith gives us far more when he looks to kick the ball. Is in a habit of taking on the tackler, doing U Turns - and all just to handball. The kid is going really well, but would love to see him make this adjustment in his game.

[whythelongface]

1. Bailey Dale can play at this level. I hope he now finds the consistency to cement a spot in the team as he will be a valuable asset for us.
2. Not something new but geez we stink it up against lower ranked teams. We made the Saints look like a top four team.
3. Our two way running leaves a lot to be desired (again not something new-just reiterated this yesterday)

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I didnt see game just read WOOF so:
1. When a team loses its coach a script is written for the game dont ignore it, its a real thing but we have to be intense in the first quarter to deny them. We have to play as if they are West Coast and deny them their game, stifle them or attack all out. Must win first quarter.
2. Bailey Dale is brilliant at his best.
3.Schache is focussed on being harder at it and got the stuffing taken out of him as a result.

[Bulldog4life]

I. JJ had a bad game and gave up multiple goals to them.

2. First time I am thinking we need Naughty in our backline. Wish he had been moved there to stop the bleeding.

3. Was does Cordy kick on his left when he doesn't have to? It usually ends up badly.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Both L.Young's, West, Roberts, Lynch, Hayes and maybe Jong and Gowers

Lynch played lazt 5 games last year and raised his game as VFL - AFL players must. Maybe time for another end of season cameo from him. He has the skills and I hope the maturity.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Cordy kicks on left cos coach told him to, he's showing he's following instructions, showing a token of his respect but if you miss with your left more than your right save the left for practice.

[Remi Moses]

1. Didn’t see the game ( taped it so I won’t torture myself to watch it ) Just not mature enough to play finals and got some holes to fill
2. Nice to see Bailey Dale do well
3. It’s time to play Lewis Young

[lemmon]

1 - Bailey Dale is far from a spent force. Way too many people writing him off at just 23, He has talent which we are short of
2 - I didn't think Tory Dickson still had it in him. I got it wrong

Can you play both in the same forward line? Great finishers, good marks for their size and get in the right spots, but neither are quick (Dickson has lost a yard) and Dale certainly doesn't tackle.

It's a shame Cavarra has had such an injury-interrupted year. I'd really like to see whether he can help that forward half pressure.

[GVGjr]

Can you play both in the same forward line? Great finishers, good marks for their size and get in the right spots, but neither are quick (Dickson has lost a yard) and Dale certainly doesn't tackle.

It's a shame Cavarra has had such an injury-interrupted year. I'd really like to see whether he can help that forward half pressure.

Add Lloyd to that argument as well.

I really don't know how viable that is

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Can you play both in the same forward line? Great finishers, good marks for their size and get in the right spots, but neither are quick (Dickson has lost a yard) and Dale certainly doesn't tackle.

It's a shame Cavarra has had such an injury-interrupted year. I'd really like to see whether he can help that forward half pressure.

The answer is no.

Dickson played well but he shouldn’t go on beyond this year. Has been a terrific player for the club though.

Jury still out on Dale - has some tricks but I’d argue we can’t play him and Lloyd going forward. Both are slow and neither apply pressure.

Our forward half is a long way off being a finished product. We need to copy Richmond and Geelong’s model; both have quick medium/smalls who can compete on the air but more importantly are deadly at ground level both offensively and defensively. The game won’t change from this anytime soon - not until/if some serious zoning is enforced.

The good thing is it’s typically easy to fix - both Geelong and Richmond has a targeted approach and fixed it quickly. No reason we can’t should we want to go down that path.

[The bulldog tragician]

We really lack a quick crumbing forward. The ball was swept away so easily whenever it hit the deck.

[Rocket Science]

We really lack a quick crumbing forward. The ball was swept away so easily whenever it hit the deck.

This has been the case for too long and we've done little to remedy it.

Short of any new recruits there's a bit hinging on Cavarra panning out.

[Twodogs]

Cordy kicks on left cos coach told him to, he's showing he's following instructions, showing a token of his respect but if you miss with your left more than your right save the left for practice.

I heard Buckley the other day saying that Malthouse hates players kicking on their non-preferred side. He considers it to be lazy and if you find yourself constantly on your non-preferred side he considers you as a dumb footballer and he doesn't have a spot for you in his team! He's an interesting guy...

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I heard Buckley the other day saying that Malthouse hates players kicking on their non-preferred side. He considers it to be lazy and if you find yourself constantly on your non-preferred side he considers you as a dumb footballer and he doesn't have a spot for you in his team! He's an interesting guy...

Ha Malthouse yes things are black and white for him. Bevo said the opposite that all need to learn to kick on opposite foot, I would have thought only as last option so you can if needed seems sensible.

[bornadog]

Ha Malthouse yes things are black and white for him. Bevo said the opposite that all need to learn to kick on opposite foot, I would have thought only as last option so you can if needed seems sensible.

Wish Cordy would forget about his left foot.

[Ozza]

Wish Cordy would forget about his left foot.

I reckon its quite rare that Cordy makes an error on his left. It stood out when it happened on the weekend - but he is generally quite reliable with ball in hand.

[Danjul]

I reckon its quite rare that Cordy makes an error on his left. It stood out when it happened on the weekend - but he is generally quite reliable with ball in hand.

I like Cordy with the ball in hand when he runs straight forward and takes a couple of bounces and kicks long- like he did in Q3. Reminded me of Williams.

I did see him try to short pass into the pocket from the goal square but he couldn’t bring the ball around enough and a goal resulted. (Why did he choose there? why was the target so deep? why wasn’t the target moving around for the pass?)

But we are most likely to see him jog in to stand the mark after his opponent has taken a mark. And that has been an ongoing problem all year and cost heaps of goals. By comparison I couldn’t see daylight between Naughton and his opponent all day.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

We really lack a quick crumbing forward. The ball was swept away so easily whenever it hit the deck.

We lack leg speed all over the ground leading to far to many hand balls rather than moving the ball quicker by foot

[Ozza]

I like Cordy with the ball in hand when he runs straight forward and takes a couple of bounces and kicks long- like he did in Q3. Reminded me of Williams.

I did see him try to short pass into the pocket from the goal square but he couldn’t bring the ball around enough and a goal resulted. (Why did he choose there? why was the target so deep? why wasn’t the target moving around for the pass?)

But we are most likely to see him jog in to stand the mark after his opponent has taken a mark. And that has been an ongoing problem all year and cost heaps of goals. By comparison I couldn’t see daylight between Naughton and his opponent all day.

I think this scenario occurs when we make a huge midfield turnover and our defenders are out of position. Its those turnovers that kill you. I also think that our defenders have been positioned more conservatively to counteract this in recent weeks - but this wasn't the case on Sunday.

I'm more disappointed when Cordy loses position and gives away a free kick in a contest - than being the one closest to someone marking uncontested - which is more likely the end result of a horrendous turnover.

[Ghost Dog]

We really lack a quick crumbing forward. The ball was swept away so easily whenever it hit the deck.

Is Lloyd not quick enough?

[LostDoggy]

I think Lloyd is pretty quick, not as fast as some, like JJ and Ed but pretty quick and has great footy smarts and is an excellent kick mostly.

[Bulldog4life]

I think this scenario occurs when we make a huge midfield turnover and our defenders are out of position. Its those turnovers that kill you. I also think that our defenders have been positioned more conservatively to counteract this in recent weeks - but this wasn't the case on Sunday.

I'm more disappointed when Cordy loses position and gives away a free kick in a contest - than being the one closest to someone marking uncontested - which is more likely the end result of a horrendous turnover.

Agree Ozza. It was the key to our loss. We had it under control in recent weeks as you said.

[Ghost Dog]

Agree Ozza. It was the key to our loss. We had it under control in recent weeks as you said.

I think one way Crozier has helped, he is a careful user of the footy. When Cordy or Trengove get it I become a bit nervous. Sadly that mood is often justified! Caleb back should help.

[AshMac]

I think one way Crozier has helped, he is a careful user of the footy. When Cordy or Trengove get it I become a bit nervous. Sadly that mood is often justified! Caleb back should help.

A bit nervous? I need to change trousers in close games