Three things you have learned-round 3 v North 2021

[Twodogs]

OK so tell us 3 things that know now that you didn't know before the game today

[GVGjr]

Bump

[westbulldog]

A fit Josh Bruce is a far cry from 2020.
Harris Andrews is a light years better defender than anyone North had today so don't get too carried away.
Macrae and Liberatore are among the toughest players in the comp.

[westdog54]

1. Jack Steele should get an invite to our B&F if Josh Bruce keeps this form up.
2. North are early days GC/GWS-level insipid at the moment.
3. Any worry I may have had about Josh Dunkley not being 100% committed this year just vanished with a puff of smoke.

[jeemak]

I thought Dunkley was our clear second best today.

[azabob]

I thought Dunkley was our clear second best today.

Well put it down in the WOOF Votes thread!!

[BornInDroopSt'54]

1.We need to do better than that.
We should OF keeked moorree
and shit.
2. N. M. had the guts to revert to their true name yet we showed we want them on a leaky boat to Tasmania.
3. We just blew up the Gasometer.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

1. English, Bruce and Naughts in the forward line can work. Naughts plays tall and small, and brings a lot of defensive pressure, and tonight they were all leading in a constructive manner that really created space and options for the kickers up field to honour.

2. We don't need Bont to have a cracker to win, we've got some decent firepower across the midfield

3. Players have bought in and our skipper is leading from the front with it. Bont chased Lazarro all the way from the midfield through to his shot on goal, really putting in the big one's despite not having any chance of catching the North speedster. We were only a lazy 80 odd points up at the time. That's showing the guys what the standard is effort wise. I reckon I loved that just as much as the winning margin.

[bulldogtragic]

1. Watched my first game in 18 months. I assume Bevo told them to put in extra because I was watching.
2. Watching a full forward kicking 10 is something I thought wasn’t allowed for non ‘Big Clubs’
3. Naughton is our pressure forward

[bulldogsthru&thru]

1. Watched my first game in 18 months. I assume Bevo told them to put in extra because I was watching.
2. Watching a full forward kicking 10 is something I thought wasn’t allowed for non ‘Big Clubs’
3. Naughton is our pressure forward

You’ve set yourself some precedent BT. 129pt win is needed next week.

[bulldogtragic]

You’ve set yourself some precedent BT. 129pt win is needed next week.

Agree. 129+ win or I’m out for another 18 months. I need to drive the standards.

[macca]

1. Watched my first game in 18 months. I assume Bevo told them to put in extra because I was watching.
2. Watching a full forward kicking 10 is something I thought wasn’t allowed for non ‘Big Clubs’
3. Naughton is our pressure forward

I love how teams now fear Naughton's marking power. A bit like Jonathan Brown.
If we can really bring in the Picken/Clay type tackling and pressure, I think teams will start to be really scared of us.

1. Seeing North get buried today. No shirt fronting, tearing Bonts top could rattle us. North are trying to hide a few players now and loving see them being completely demoralised. Ziebell cannot run out a game and is slow. Walker doesn't have the speed or tank to run with our fwds. Their mids are full of kids. Jared polec had another soft tissue injury. Hall was ineffective.

2. Our mids really worked hard across the ground fwd and back. I thought our field kicking was pretty good today and delivery into the forward line was coherent and not just to anyone.

3. We are starting now to have alot of things to fall into place:

Right players with the right age and skill set : Martin coming in has helped English improve. Treloar running and burst of speed has allowed Dunks to play towards his strength. Our midfield group is getting into the 100-150 game range where they start to know innately each others game. Bailey Smith has been a great recruit; he runs all day , good skills and just knows how to get to the ball. Loviing Libba's game. So tough in the clearances and back himself to win the ball.

If Bont doesn't have a BOG day, other players step up.

Game plan starting to click: our forward entries were cleaner today and less clangers. Our players are believing into it. Bailey Dale has found a new lease as a backman, and swung forward to add to our complexity. There are still a few goals we gave North early on due to turnover and skill error.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Agree. 129+ win or I’m out for another 18 months. I need to drive the standards.

Someone has to. We've clearly been doing a poor job in your absence. I'm guessing the last game you watched was the 104pt win over essendon in 2019?

[Vred]

1. Bruce, you listened to my advise, dropped the weight, and now look. Thank me later.
2. Our boys really starting to click now, I don't care if they get big-headed, they deserve to drink a little bit of the koolaid now.
3. Midfield is by far one of the best going around, I'm really looking forward to see how we do against some of the other big boys like Richmond and Port
4. Was great to go to the footy and watch the game

[bulldogtragic]

Someone has to. We've clearly been doing a poor job in your absence. I'm guessing the last game you watched was the 104pt win over essendon in 2019?

I wish. The GWS final. Only good thing about it was deciding last minute and not to fly up to watch us get bullied in person.

Combined 186 point turnaround though.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I wish. The GWS final. Only good thing about it was deciding last minute and not to fly up to watch us get bullied in person.

Combined 186 point turnaround though.

Now you're just bragging

[bulldogsthru&thru]

1. Bruce, you listened to my advise, dropped the weight, and now look. Thank me later.
2. Our boys really starting to click now, I don't care if they get big-headed, they deserve to drink a little bit of the koolaid now.
3. Midfield is by far one of the best going around, I'm really looking forward to see how we do against some of the other big boys like Richmond and Port
4. Was great to go to the footy and watch the game

Glad you actually advised Bruce to lose weight. BAD just called him fat. Wasn't really constructive feedback.

[bulldogtragic]

Now you're just bragging

Might also be Sam Power too: Dunkley, Keath, Bruce, Treloar, Martin, Hannan, JUH, Weightman, Vandeermeer, McNeil, Scott, Gardner etc.

[bornadog]

1. We are the real deal this year

2. Treloar is starting to contribute after lack of preseason match time - he is going to be a real asset.

3. Bruce loves playing North - last three games 10, 6. 6

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Might also be Sam Power too: Dunkley, Keath, Bruce, Treloar, Martin, Hannan, JUH, Weightman, Vandeermeer, McNeil, Scott, Gardner etc.

Aren't you Sam Power? I remember you popping in here when we landed Treloar. Big coincidence.

Sorry I know there can't be big or small coincidences. It's either a coincidence or not.......but still it was a pretty big coincidence.

[bulldogtragic]

Aren't you Sam Power? I remember you popping in here when we landed Treloar. Big coincidence.

Sorry I know there can't be big or small coincidences. It's either a coincidence or not.......but still it was a pretty big coincidence.

Between you and I, yes.

[DOG GOD]

1. Josh Bruce loses weight and looks what happens.

2. Naughton/Bruce/English is a fwd line I never thought I’d see in a bulldogs fwd line. It makes me smile. It works

3. Let’s not get ahead of everything. We thrashed NM. A rabble and definite wooden spooner, who had about 8 of their best 22 out. Let’s just see how we pull up next week, and then inturn against Rich, Port and Geel.

[Axe Man]

Aren't you Sam Power? I remember you popping in here when we landed Treloar. Big coincidence.

Sorry I know there can't be big or small coincidences. It's either a coincidence or not.......but still it was a pretty big coincidence.

I’m pretty sure Sam watches our games

[FrediKanoute]

1. North are really bad. Losing by 130 doesn't really tell the story. Its the fact that they just stopped competing once we got 3 or 4 goals up. That's not a good sign. They wont win a game this year.

2. Bruce is a good player and if he isn't manned up properly can monster opposition defences.

3. Treloar's breakaway run is a major point of difference to our other mids.

[ratsmac]

1. We have a ruthless edge. Obviously North are very young and inexperienced but these are the type of games in the past that we have either lost or scrapped together a narrow win. It was pleasing to see a bulldog outfit put a bottom ranked team away like we should and them some.

2. We have a forward line. It's hard to grade it against a depleted opposition but it was fun to watch to ball enter f50 and knowing we are more than likely going to mark it. If we didn't mark it we weren't letting it out without a score. This is how WC must feel having the Kennedy and Darling aerial threat for all those years. The Bruce/Naughton/English combo looked scary good today.

3. I never thought I'd say this but I am upset we may be without Gardner for a month or more. Today against Norf actually worked in our favour because we didn't have a real match up and didn't require a second tall defender. Lipinski coming in stretched Norf's midfield even more. But Gardner has been serviceable in defence with his spoiling and it might be missed next week against the Lions with Daniher and Hipwood.

[Mantis]

1/ Our midfield now has the POD it needed.

2/ Libba is the most antagonistic player I’ve seen in our colours... and he’s training his apprentice.

3/ North are pathetic... starting a scuffle when you’re 100+ points down is embarrassing.

[SonofScray]

1. We have had the talent for a while. I think the players themselves understand just how far it can carry them & what else needs to be present to put some space between us and other teams.

2. Taste for blood. Norf were awful, we broke them and then kicked them while they were down. Keep kicking. I loved it.

3. Naughton and Dutch bringing the Bulldog Tenacity in various shapes and sizes in the forward line is sparking a reemergence of that hard nosed, manic approach to footy that serves us so well..

3.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

1. We have had the talent for a while. I think the players themselves understand just how far it can carry them & what else needs to be present to put some space between us and other teams.

2. Taste for blood. Norf were awful, we broke them and then kicked them while they were down. Keep kicking. I loved it.

3. Naughton and Dutch bringing the Bulldog Tenacity in various shapes and sizes in the forward line is sparking a reemergence of that hard nosed, manic approach to footy that serves us so well..

3.

Naughton, Libba, Dutch and Smith. Finally look like we have some mongrel back.

[EasternWest]

1. I'm not sure if I'd rather marry Bailey Smith or Laitham VanderMeer.

2. Naughton is an absolute animal when the ball hits the ground.

3. Bailey Dale to the backline is looking like the making of him.

On another note, I was talking to someone who went to school and played junior footy with Bailey Dale and said he's a ripper bloke. It doesn't mean anything in the context of his footy I suppose, but it's nice to know.

[ratsmac]

Naughton, Libba, Dutch and Smith. Finally look like we have some mongrel back.

Hasn't Bailey Smith got some mongrel that I didn't know he had! I remember him having a go at Stringer in his first year but I thought that was just a bit of theatre. But more and more he is getting in faces and giving stick to the opposition. Against Collingwood he wouldn't let Noble up from between his legs until the umpire tells him off, last week against WC he deliberately steps over Shepherd with disrespect after he kicks a goal and Shepherd is still on the ground from trying to catch him, then getting in Simkin's face for what ever reason yesterday. I'm sure there are other instances but there are few times that I've noticed Smith isn't just the heartthrob of the competition, he's got that mongrel that need once he crosses the white line.

Just on Bailey Smith while we are on the subject, how good is his ability to break or shrug a tackle this year! He must have put some big hours in the gym because he core is noticeably stronger this season. His technique has improved as well. He's been watching Bontempelli I'd say with the way he uses momentum to break the tackle with his hips.

[AshMac]

1. Josh Bruce can kick 10 goals in a game
2. There is something special again amongst the team - you can see it in the relationships between the boys - the sheer and absolute joy of their team mates succeeding. Examples are Bruce and Naughton, Dunkley and Treloar - not just the wins and goals, but every time they do something. Its great to see and will only keep building
3. North Melbourne right now are probably the worst team I've seen play footy since the dogs in the early 2000's. Watched the 4th quarter replay and every single one of their players (except cunnington tbf) stood back waiting for the ball and refused to put their head over it. We were playing a VFL team.

[AshMac]

Hasn't Bailey Smith got some mongrel that I didn't know he had! I remember him having a go at Stringer in his first year but I thought that was just a bit of theatre. But more and more he is getting in faces and giving stick to the opposition. Against Collingwood he wouldn't let Noble up from between his legs until the umpire tells him off, last week against WC he deliberately steps over Shepherd with disrespect after he kicks a goal and Shepherd is still on the ground from trying to catch him, then getting in Simkin's face for what ever reason yesterday. I'm sure there are other instances but there are few times that I've noticed Smith isn't just the heartthrob of the competition, he's got that mongrel that need once he crosses the white line.

Just on Bailey Smith while we are on the subject, how good is his ability to break or shrug a tackle this year! He must have put some big hours in the gym because he core is noticeably stronger this season. His technique has improved as well. He's been watching Bontempelli I'd say with the way he uses momentum to break the tackle with his hips.

Everything you have said! 1000%. He is rapidly becoming a complete package. I posted this in another thread, but seems relevant here as well - his beeline for Ziebel was just amazing to watch, then he backs it up with their young players.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNKCCfZrO4Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (https://www.instagram.com/p/CNKCCfZrO4Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)

(have to scroll past first picture)

[1eyedog]

1. We've embraced Jooce and Treloar now, their past is behind them and they're now Bulldogs. Good. We are a better team because of them.
2. Daniel is in career worst form. He has made so many mistakes these past two weeks. Hoping he can turn it around soon.
3. English forward is a massive advantage for us and if he flushes them like he did on Friday our forward line is going to cause massive headaches for the opposition.

[DOG GOD]

1. We've embraced Jooce and Treloar now, their past is behind them and they're now Bulldogs. Good. We are a better team because of them.
2. Daniel is in career worst form. He has made so many mistakes these past two weeks. Hoping he can turn it around soon.
3. English forward is a massive advantage for us and if he flushes them like he did on Friday our forward line is going to cause massive headaches for the opposition.

I’m glad you’ve pinpointed Daniel. He’s probably made more mistakes in 3 games as he did all of last year. I think he is trying to be too “cute” with a lot of his kicks, either not hitting the target on the full, or just not being aware of the situation. If this improves, we get better still.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Bailey Smith from day 1 has tracked better than Cooney at an equivalent time.
He needs to win the Brownlow next year to keep it up.

[hujsh]

Caleb has had far worst patches of form. This is maybe the most terrible mistakes he's made in a two week period since moving back though

[bornadog]

2. Daniel is in career worst form. He has made so many mistakes these past two weeks. Hoping he can turn it around soon.


I’m glad you’ve pinpointed Daniel. He’s probably made more mistakes in 3 games as he did all of last year.


Caleb has had far worst patches of form. This is maybe the most terrible mistakes he's made in a two week period since moving back though

In two weeks he made three mistakes, big deal. He has still been very good.

I don't get when people see one or two mistakes they judge the whole game on it?

[1eyedog]

In two weeks he made three mistakes, big deal. He has still been very good.

I don't get when people see one or two mistakes they judge the whole game on it?

They're big mistakes, and he don't make mistakes!

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

1. The recruitment of Martin and Treloar has been a great injection in experience and class
2. The return of Wood helped stabilise the defence.
3. For the first time the attack of Naughton Bruce and English will now pose headaches for opposition defences

[Bulldog4life]

1. English, Bruce and Naughts in the forward line can work. Naughts plays tall and small, and brings a lot of defensive pressure, and tonight they were all leading in a constructive manner that really created space and options for the kickers up field to honour.

2. We don't need Bont to have a cracker to win, we've got some decent firepower across the midfield

3. Players have bought in and our skipper is leading from the front with it. Bont chased Lazarro all the way from the midfield through to his shot on goal, really putting in the big one's despite not having any chance of catching the North speedster. We were only a lazy 80 odd points up at the time. That's showing the guys what the standard is effort wise. I reckon I loved that just as much as the winning margin.

Looking forward to Timmy kicking a bag.

[Bulldog4life]

1. It feels so good thrashing Norda Melbourne. One of my favourite teams to hate.

2. We are over loaded with class. Beautiful to watch.

3. Tim is becoming a reliable kick for goal.