WB Game Day V Melbourne R11 2021

[The Bulldogs Bite]

It's a rubbish game but for those who are disappointed, know that we have 6+ players to return. While it's true for Melbourne and others this weekend, our group does thrive off a crowd more than most too.

Happy for us to review / learn but just keep moving forward. The aim needs to be top 2.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Anyone seen JJ?

If he is out there, throw him back and someone else forward.

File a missing persons report

[LostDog]

Our back line is pathetic

[Happy Days]

What an impressive quarter from the Dees. I’m honestly not even that mad we just have nothing for them.

[ReLoad]

Our kids tonight have been utterly ineffective. Mcneil who has been good has gone awol. Butler is the worst sub (why play him?) and Cody has rubber hands tonight.

Mature players make a big difference

[bulldogsthru&thru]

It’s almost like I expected this. But I didn’t.

[Grantysghost]

This game is some real 2020 bullshit

It's 2019 GWS final too. The Demons were strutting early, confident, brash, exuberant.
Our guys looked like kids on their first day of school.

[bornadog]

Bonts had a real dirty night hasn’t he.

He has picked up 21 disposals, but hasn't been influential

[jazzadogs]

Let's play a debutant what the hell has Rhylee West and Wallis done to Not get games
Our back line is our weakness

Big call to say picking the debutant (who was on field for five minutes) has contributed to the loss.

[LostDog]

I shut my eyes every time Naughton kicks at goal, and always misses the easy ones

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Our back line is pathetic

No the kids are worse tonight free flowing and been out worked by the Dees.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

What an impressive quarter from the Dees. I’m honestly not even that mad we just have nothing for them.

Yeah their system is absolutely obliterating ours. We won’t be challenging this year. Defence isn’t good enough and unless we have the greatest midfield of all time, we’re not prepared to do the hard stuff to win it all.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

He has picked up 21 disposals, but hasn't been influential

I think he's just tried to do too much, off the back of so many doing so little.

[merantau]

Some kicks are more important than others. Naughton misses. Wiederman doesn't. We hardly got a look in after that.

Still there's a quarter to go. I haven't given up hope yet. What I don't want to see is a spirited comeback and we get dudded by a dubious free kick in the ladt minute.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I think it’s the lack of impact and giving the ball back to them. Very un Bont like

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I shut my eyes every time Naughton kicks at goal, and always misses the easy ones

If you think "the kids" have lost us this game, you’re going to be very disappointed this year.

[Grantysghost]

I think he's just tried to do too much, off the back of so many doing so little.

He really isn't himself.

[LostDog]

We know Billy Gowers would of got picked if still on the list

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We should learn a hell of a lot more out of this than the dees.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Important we don't cave in.

[comrade]

We should learn a hell of a lot more out of this than the dees.

Yeah, learned we're no where near them.

[jeemak]

Yeah their system is absolutely obliterating ours. We won’t be challenging this year. Defence isn’t good enough and unless we have the greatest midfield of all time, we’re not prepared to do the hard stuff to win it all.

That's the point though I guess. Dunkley and Treloar, plus Martin made us that bit better than we were last year and without them we will get exposed by the better teams unless we play our best.

[Grantysghost]

Sweet v Gawn, was right to worry.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Sweet missed the knock on them the tackle sums up our night right there .

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Some kicks are more important than others. Naughton misses. Wiederman doesn't. We hardly got a look in after that.

Still there's a quarter to go. I haven't given up hope yet. What I don't want to see is a spirited comeback and we get dudded by a dubious free kick in the ladt minute.

Yeah, you're not gonna have to worry about that.

[Mantis]

Yeah, learned we're no where near them.

Lots out and we’re flat... long way to go this year.

Lick your wounds and move on.

[Sedat]

Sweet is a work in progress but that was garbage

[jeemak]

Sweet missed the knock on them the tackle sums up our night right there .

And Gawn collects cleanly and delivers perfectly into space. Pretty bad effort from Sweet.

[Bullies]

Why would they pick Butler and not Wallis as the sub. He is our VC.

[Grantysghost]

I'm getting angrier by the second. This is a complete shit show.
Cmon boys give us something to cheer.

[angelopetraglia]

Jordan Sweet, sums up our entire night. We would drop someone in the under 15s for that effort.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Not sure I see it with Butler.

[whythelongface]

Is this game showing up some of our weaknesses or is it just an off night?

[Bullies]

On a positive the next time we play them can't be any worse and we will have crowds.

[MrMahatma]

Very disappointing

[LostDog]

Agreed

[jazzadogs]

Pay it to the man in front now....

[Mantis]

11.5km for 2 touches for Bruce... the boundary umpires touch the ball more than he has!

[comrade]

Is this game showing up some of our weaknesses or is it just an off night?

It's showing up all our weaknesses.

[Grantysghost]

11.5km for 2 touches for Bruce... the boundary umpires touch the ball more than he has!

You sparked him!

[Sedat]

May has owned Naughts 2 matches in a row now.

[Eastdog]

Lockdown = Bad Bulldogs.

[comrade]

May has owns Naughts 2 matches in a row now.

He just lets him go and stays deep. We keep kicking it straight to May.

Easiest game he's had all year.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Yeah, learned we're no where near them.

Don’t kick it to the opposition.

[jeemak]

Pay it to the man in front now....

It's not even an actual rule but the umpire yelled it out as if it was.

[Bullies]

Butler is miles off it so not sure of the point in playing him. It would have been a good time to see what Wallis and West had in them.

[Grantysghost]

It's showing up all our weaknesses.

Lose in the midfield and it's curtains.

[Mantis]

Lipinski can tell his story walking.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

F*ck Lipinski!!!!! I don’t wanna see him at AFL level again!!! Soft as butter.

[angelopetraglia]

Cheats. OMG. Biggest holding the ball miss ever. He missed the ball? How?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

It's showing up all our weaknesses.

Disagree. We know our weaknesses sure, but it's clear we're well off tonight both in terms of effort, concentration and personnel.

I think a few individuals are showing they aren't anywhere near our best though, Lipinski being first in line.

[jeemak]

How did Lever not get pinged then?

Disgraceful.

Another shallow kick going forward from Bont and Brayshaw with another cut off.

[Mantis]

Butler is miles off it so not sure of the point in playing him. It would have been a good time to see what Wallis and West had in them.

Flogging a dead horse dude.

[comrade]

Disagree. We know our weaknesses sure, but it's clear we're well off tonight both in terms of effort, concentration and personnel.

I think a few individuals are showing they aren't anywhere near our best though, Lipinski being first in line.

Good sides aren't conditional with their effort or concentration. Our soft underbelly has been exposed against a good side once again.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Good sides aren't conditional with their effort or concentration. Our soft underbelly has been exposed against a good side once again.

No side plays 22 weeks + finals at 110% intensity. It's a bloody tough game and it just doesn't happen. Given this is our first in 10 weeks I am prepared to cut some slack.

Every premiership side has had a bad week or two during the year.

[Mantis]

Good sides aren't conditional with their effort or concentration. Our soft underbelly has been exposed against a good side once again.

I don’t get the soft underbelly bit... we’ve made lots of uncharacteristic skill errors and have quite a few good players out and the intensity isn’t quite there, but it’s not time to throw the bath water out.

[angelopetraglia]

Winning 47-40 inside 50s then cough up stupid turnovers

[jeemak]

Carey said something sensible then, he sees we're completely off.

[Sedat]

How did Lever not get pinged then?

Disgraceful.

Another shallow kick going forward from Bont and Brayshaw with another cut off.

Brayshaw been very good. Sacrificial game but defensively fantastic

[Grantysghost]

Good sides aren't conditional with their effort or concentration. Our soft underbelly has been exposed against a good side once again.

We haven't won a final for 4 years, and there's a pattern of good teams shutting down this system the same way.
I think we've improved but tonight has me worried.
I'll mark it down as a learning experience and we will be better when we get some soldiers back.
Martin is very important.

[angelopetraglia]

If we could only concede this many inside 50s. We would take it every time.

[jeemak]

Funnily enough I think we'd be better off playing Melbourne at the G where there's more space.

[comrade]

We haven't won a final for 4 years, and there's a pattern of good teams shutting down this system the same way.
I think we've improved but tonight has me worried.
I'll mark it down as a learning experience and we will be better when we get some soldiers back.
Martin is very important.

Yeah, this is just a repeat of GWS final, last year's final, Richmond game last year etc

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Brayshaw been very good. Sacrificial game but defensively fantastic

Reckon MJP had the right of it. If only one of our minds did the same. Jack Macrae got another 30: you wouldn't know it though.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

We haven't won a final for 4 years, and there's a pattern of good teams shutting down this system the same way.
I think we've improved but tonight has me worried.
I'll mark it down as a learning experience and we will be better when we get some soldiers back.
Martin is very important.
Sweet gives us nothing around the ground and Lew Young would have been a far better option.

[Grantysghost]

Reckon MJP had the right of it. If only one of our minds did the same. Jack Macrae got another 30: you wouldn't know it though.

I think he's been our clear best. 9 tackles is pretty defensive.

[KT31]

It’s almost like I expected this. But I didn’t.

Unfortunately I did.

[Mantis]

We haven't won a final for 4 years, and there's a pattern of good teams shutting down this system the same way.
I think we've improved but tonight has me worried.
I'll mark it down as a learning experience and we will be better when we get some soldiers back.
Martin is very important.

Treloar & Dunkley are rather important too.

We’re a very different team to those of the past so don’t judge this team against those... have some faith.

[Grantysghost]

There's the game there. Williams streaming out of defence, Mcdonald their tall forward busted his rump to pressure and Williams coughed it up to their set defenders.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Butler has been really poor. He's a kid I know, but looks a long way off it.

[angelopetraglia]

Gawn 21 touches. Sweet 3.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Sweets had a mare.

[angelopetraglia]

Lost that game in the first quarter.

[jeemak]

I think he's been our clear best. 9 tackles is pretty defensive.

Yeah agree, Jacko's done as much if not more than anyone else.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Sweet gives us nothing around the ground and Lew Young would have been a far better option.

So, off the back of his last few weeks you would've dropped him this week?

[jeemak]

Lost that game in the first quarter.

And the third. No reward for effort.

Such a bad night, completely horrible. Melbourne should be rightfully pleased with themselves and they deserve top spot.

[Happy Days]

English was pretty good.

That is what it is. They’re a genuine puzzle and we gotta figure it out before the game means something. I don’t think this loss demonstrated a fatal flaw or a blueprint to beat us, Melbourne are just that good.

[ratsmac]

No Libba no bulldogs

[angelopetraglia]

53 more touches. Six more inside 50s. 9 more clearances. 9 more tackles.

They just executed their game plan better and turn overs was the difference.

[josie]

I thought the boys did ok in last quarter not to be blown away. I know Roarke kicked a howler in last quarter that resulted in a goal but again thought he was ok. Also thought Lippy looked ok as an inside mid at times. We are still clear second. If someone had offered this start to the year I think most of us would have accepted it. Next 3 matches telling.

[Testekill]

As far as players that can hold their heads up it's a very short list.


Roarke, English, Macrae are all I can think of. Macrae even has a conditional one because he was shocking in the first quarter with the ball in his hands.

That was easily the worst game that Libba will ever play; killed us in the first quarter and then was pretty much mediocre afterwards.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think he's been our clear best. 9 tackles is pretty defensive.

I think their mods were more influential than ours. I'd argue Brayshaw had more influence than Jack.

[bulldogtragic]

53 more touches. Six more inside 50s. 9 more clearances. 9 more tackles.

They just executed their game plan better and turn overs was the difference.

That’s hurts to read.

[Sedat]

Sweets had a mare.
He was terrible but he's allowed a Mulligan after his very encouraging first few games this season to date.

[Grantysghost]

I think their mods were more influential than ours. I'd argue Brayshaw had more influence than Jack.

Hard to argue they really pantsed us in there led by Gawn.

[macca]

Butler has been really poor. He's a kid I know, but looks a long way off it.

His 50/50 contest in the last few mins sums it up. juggles the ball, gets pushed over, and melbourne play runs away with ball and kicks into their forward line.

He is going to learn the standard required and the ruthless speed of this game.

[comrade]

Their mids gave us a bath. Oliver got most of his possession at full pace and just drove it forward. Bont and Libba in particular were outworked and should be a bit embarrassed.

[kruder]

I reckon we spent too much time during the week thinking about May and Lever, absolutely spooked ourselves.

On a positive, the club managed Timmy well good return indeed.

[Sedat]

53 more touches. Six more inside 50s. 9 more clearances. 9 more tackles.

They just executed their game plan better and turn overs was the difference.

They defend the turnover brilliantly. Best team in the comp by a mile when they don't have the ball.

[merantau]

I am not too dismayed. They led by 32 points at one stage. They were 27 points up at quarter time and won by 28. We played badly and they scored many times from our turnovers which were often made under NO PRESSURE!

Furthermore, many of their hack kicks out of defence landed to advantage.

Good luck to them. They played well. They made few mistakes and we made plenty. We will beat them if we meet them in the finals. Mark my words.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Yeah agree, Jacko's done as much if not more than anyone else.

I don't doubt he tried. He always does. But our mids as a collective unit, exerted ZERO dominance tonight, and that's our one wood. It's the thing that covers our deficiencies down back, and enables us to stop teams getting the ball outside the contest.
Jack wasn't alone, Smith and Libba were ineffective and Bont had to try and create the miracle play way too often, and got caught.
I'm not torching Jack, but the fact remains he got 36 touches and didn't make a lick of difference. If Bont, Libba or Bailey Smith get 36 we're probably doing a lot better.

[bulldogtragic]

I am not too dismayed. They led by 32 points at one stage. They were 27 points up at quarter time and won by 28. We played badly and they scored many times from our turnovers which were often made under NO PRESSURE!

Furthermore, many of their hack kicks out of defence landed to advantage.

Good luck to them. They played well. They made few mistakes and we made plenty. We will beat them if we meet them in the finals. Mark my words.

We play them again in about 6 weeks.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I reckon we spent too much time during the week thinking about May and Lever, absolutely spooked ourselves.

On a positive, the club managed Timmy well good return indeed.

And yet we still let May and Lever gobble it up.
I agree Timmy's return was a positive.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We play them again in about 6 weeks.

I'm really looking forward to that, hopefully post lockdown. We'll get revenge.

[angelopetraglia]

I am not too dismayed. They led by 32 points at one stage. They were 27 points up at quarter time and won by 28. We played badly and they scored many times from our turnovers which were often made under NO PRESSURE!

Furthermore, many of their hack kicks out of defence landed to advantage.

Good luck to them. They played well. They made few mistakes and we made plenty. We will beat them if we meet them in the finals. Mark my words.

MCG, big crowd. Big game. I would back us in every time if we can get back a few players.

[angelopetraglia]

Highlights how important Martin is to our structure. Sweet a mile away against quality.

[Mantis]

Their mids gave us a bath. Oliver got most of his possession at full pace and just drove it forward. Bont and Libba in particular were outworked and should be a bit embarrassed.

Yet we won the clearances 36-27... so I call bulldust.

Whilst we lost the centre clearances early we got punished by our turnovers.... that was the difference in the game.

Bont worked as hard as anyone on the ground and whilst he did have his usual impact he didn’t stop trying.

[Grantysghost]

We play them again in about 6 weeks.

Too soon.

[Sedat]

Yet we won the clearances 36-27... so I call bulldust.

Whilst we lost the centre clearances early we got punished by our turnovers.... that was the difference in the game.

Bont worked as hard as anyone on the ground and whilst he did have his usual impact he didn’t stop trying.
21 intercept marks were also key. We got it into F50 enough, especially in the 2nd half, but they rebounded with relative ease.

Their scoreboard punishment of our turnovers + their ability to defend D50 from their own turnovers = potent combination.

[angelopetraglia]

I really believe if Naughton kicks that goal to close to two goals when we had all the momentum, it would have been a different game. Really believe that. When you dominate field position and you can’t score it just kills your confidence.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Butler has been really poor. He's a kid I know, but looks a long way off it.

Our more inexperienced players, McNeil Butler Roarke Smith Sweet and Garcia although injured early left us light on for experience and was a major factor in our defeat. The more experienced Melbourne team led by a dominant ruck man in Gawn and Oliver, together with a dominant defence made them clearly the better team on the night.

[Mantis]

21 intercept marks were also key. We got it into F50 enough, especially in the 2nd half, but they rebounded with relative ease.

Their punishment of our turnover 3rd and their ability to defend D50 from their own turnovers is a potent combination.

Yep, we got nothing in the air from our mid sized forwards. Having Hannan and another mid (Dunkley) compete hard in the air and half some contests would’ve been very important.

We also got very little on the ground from JJ, McNeil and Cody who will need to perform better then that if they want to remain in the team when we get some troops back.

[comrade]

21 intercept marks were also key. We got it into F50 enough, especially in the 2nd half, but they rebounded with relative ease.

Their scoreboard punishment of our turnovers + their ability to defend D50 from their own turnovers = potent combination.

It's obviously hard to tell from home, but our smalls inside 50 - McNeil, JJ and Weightman - just never seemed to be close enough to impact contests and lock it in enough. They always had 1 or 2 spare to outnumber and just take the ball away. Whether it was a work rate issue or a system issue, it's a major concern and the same thing happened against Richmond in the second half.

[Grantysghost]

21 intercept marks were also key. We got it into F50 enough, especially in the 2nd half, but they rebounded with relative ease.

Their scoreboard punishment of our turnovers + their ability to defend D50 from their own turnovers = potent combination.

It was the pressure their mids applied that enabled the intercept marks.
I'm not sure what game people were watching if they don't think their mids destroyed us when the game was there to be won.

[EasternWest]

They're interviewing Ray Chamberlain who is proving quite charming and endearing.

This confirms the worst night of footy ever.

[comrade]

It was the pressure their mids applied that enabled the intercept marks.
I'm not sure what game people were watching if they don't think their mids destroyed us.

Chalk and cheese to last week. We had no pressure on the ball carrier against the Saints and did what we pleased.

[Hotdog60]

They're interviewing Ray Chamberlain who is proving quite charming and endearing.

This confirms the worst night of footy ever.

I bailed in the last 10 seconds did they ask him why Lever didn't get pinged for dropping the ball.

Bad night and I wonder if the head space was there I never like it when a team comes onto the field looking happy and relaxed.

[jeemak]

I don't doubt he tried. He always does. But our mids as a collective unit, exerted ZERO dominance tonight, and that's our one wood. It's the thing that covers our deficiencies down back, and enables us to stop teams getting the ball outside the contest.
Jack wasn't alone, Smith and Libba were ineffective and Bont had to try and create the miracle play way too often, and got caught.
I'm not torching Jack, but the fact remains he got 36 touches and didn't make a lick of difference. If Bont, Libba or Bailey Smith get 36 we're probably doing a lot better.

Yeah but when you come up against another very good midfield with a dominant ruck it's not like Jack can do more, right? I guess another way of looking at it is what would have happened if he wasn't there to get the 36 touches and lay the nine tackles?

The midfield has to work as a unit, and can only be dominant when the parts actually generate a sum worth thinking about - which didn't happen with us because Jacko was pretty much the only member who played his role like he usually would.

[angelopetraglia]

Chalk and cheese to last week. We had no pressure on the ball carrier against the Saints and did what we pleased.

Winning by 111 points against a team that didn’t turn up probably isn’t a good preparation for a team that brings heat like Melbourne.

[Grantysghost]

Yeah but when you come up against another very good midfield with a dominant ruck it's not like Jack can do more, right? I guess another way of looking at it is what would have happened if he wasn't there to get the 36 touches and lay the nine tackles?

The midfield has to work as a unit, and can only be dominant when the parts actually generate a sum worth thinking about - which didn't happen with us because Jacko was pretty much the only member who played his role like he usually would.

500 metres gained, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 5 score involvements... He had a great game.

I can see both sides of the argument but think Jackson was great tonight. As you say as one of the pistons in the midfield engine he was purring away as per usual. There was some definite misfiring going on elsewhere.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Yeah but when you come up against another very good midfield with a dominant ruck it's not like Jack can do more, right? I guess another way of looking at it is what would have happened if he wasn't there to get the 36 touches and lay the nine tackles?

The midfield has to work as a unit, and can only be dominant when the parts actually generate a sum worth thinking about - which didn't happen with us because Jacko was pretty much the only member who played his role like he usually would.

I agree. If Bailey Smith doesn't do an impersonation of an 8 y old Auskicker tonight, maybe that changes the mix.
Jack did what Jack always does..and it 's reliable, and clearly sustainable I guess.
Jack gets 40 we win.. Jack gets 36.. we lose....
I know it's not as simple as that. But I think what MJP was trying to say is. Will the coaches ask you to do something different? If so, are you ready to take that on?
I reckon Melbourne were comfortable accepting that Jack could get 30 plus and still find a way to win. Would they have expected Jack to get 10 but keep Oliver silent? Doubtful...
That certainly would've given them some headaches..and made them spin some magnets...

[Sedat]

It was the pressure their mids applied that enabled the intercept marks.
I'm not sure what game people were watching if they don't think their mids destroyed us when the game was there to be won.
Their mid pressure on our mids was red hot early. I reckon we corrected and got on top of this after half time, but their defensive set-up and ability to protect D50 is brilliant. It not just May/Lever, it's their wingmen (Brayshaw, Langdon) their mids working hard the other way and their mid sized defenders as well.

[bornadog]

500 metres gained, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 5 score involvements... He had a great game.

I can see both sides of the argument but think Jackson was great tonight. As you say as one of the pistons in the midfield engine he was purring away as per usual. There was some definite misfiring going on elsewhere.

Plus 9 tackles

[Grantysghost]

Their mid pressure on our mids was red hot early. I reckon we corrected and got on top of this after half time, but their defensive set-up and ability to protect D50 is brilliant. It not just May/Lever, it's their wingmen (Brayshaw, Langdon) their mids working hard the other way and their mid sized defenders as well.

They don't seem to have a weak link in their defensive effort do they.
And they win the same way every week by around the same margin.
Rivers is another solid kid they've got.

[bornadog]

Their mid pressure on our mids was red hot early. I reckon we corrected and got on top of this after half time, but their defensive set-up and ability to protect D50 is brilliant. It not just May/Lever, it's their wingmen (Brayshaw, Langdon) their mids working hard the other way and their mid sized defenders as well.

They ended up winning the contested possessions and that was the end.

[The bulldog tragician]

You learn more from these losses than putting on a clinic v the saints. However it’s hard to understand why our first qtr was so poor. Those kicking errors from the backline were not in the heat of battle or an intense last qtr.

It was really evident how we missed Treloar. We were back to that one paced midfield.

I thought Bevo was outcoached and didn’t understand the plodding and laborious zig zags across ground allowing them all the time in the world to set up. Sweet was outclassed, as you’d expect from a guy in his 5th game, even Weightman learnt footy isn’t always a lark and will be all the better for it.

The break they got from being switched on early proved to be a gap we couldn’t bridge.

I don’t think we could have played much worse so I don’t take out of it that we’re just not up to it. Even replacing the low key Scott and Hannan, who’ve clearly been playing certain roles for us, was another change, one too many I think with the injuries building up.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

They're interviewing Ray Chamberlain who is proving quite charming and endearing.

This confirms the worst night of footy ever.

You're getting soft. One bad loss, and you're finding positives with Razor... Give yourself an uppercut.

[Mantis]

They don't seem to have a weak link on their defensive effort do they.
And they win the same way every week by around the same margin.

They don’t, but you beat them with ball movement and/ or personal. And we were lacking in both areas tonight.

Whilst other teams can win with their ‘system’ and go with the one soldier in, one out set-up we aren’t at that team and missing key ingredients in what makes us a really good team hurt us tonight, but it won’t hurt us forever.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

We got spooked by the occasion, Covid, indigenous round, and by pressure like versus Tigers minus Covid and Doug Nicholls celebration/ unusual scenario.
The obvious retort is that with the hardness of Dunkley, the brilliance of Treloar and the return of Vandermeer/McLean/Martin/Richards/Jong we can address what we learn from this.

[jeemak]

I agree. If Bailey Smith doesn't do an impersonation of an 8 y old Auskicker tonight, maybe that changes the mix.
Jack did what Jack always does..and it 's reliable, and clearly sustainable I guess.
Jack gets 40 we win.. Jack gets 36.. we lose....
I know it's not as simple as that. But I think what MJP was trying to say is. Will the coaches ask you to do something different? If so, are you ready to take that on?
I reckon Melbourne were comfortable accepting that Jack could get 30 plus and still find a way to win. Would they have expected Jack to get 10 but keep Oliver silent? Doubtful...
That certainly would've given them some headaches..and made them spin some magnets...

He can only get the ball and distribute it to the options available to him and he just didn't have the options and support working with him to make him more effective. Jacko can be creative, but he looks his best when people work OFF him and it just didn't happen tonight.

Possibly we curtail Oliver if Jack puts work into him, but again, who generates the play given Libba was being well held? Oliver being curtailed doesn't get our hands on the footy given Libba was being masked well and played poorly. Someone actually had to get the footy.

[Sedat]

You learn more from these losses than putting on a clinic v the saints. However it’s hard to understand why our first qtr was so poor. Those kicking errors from the backline were not in the heat of battle or an intense last qtr.

It was really evident how we missed Treloar. We were back to that one paced midfield.

I thought Bevo was outcoached and didn’t understand the plodding and laborious zig zags across ground allowing them all the time in the world to set up. Sweet was outclassed, as you’d expect from a guy in his 5th game, even Weightman learnt footy isn’t always a lark and will be all the better for it.

The break they got from being switched on early proved to be a gap we couldn’t bridge.

I don’t think we could have played much worse so I don’t take out of it that we’re just not up to it. Even replacing the low key Scott and Hannan, who’ve clearly been playing certain roles for us, was another change, one too many I think with the injuries building up.
It might be something as simple as the lockdown. I've been flat as a tack the last few days and the players are human as well.

Travelling this week, ever with our dreadful record against Freo in Perth, will be a positive for the club.

[bornadog]

You learn more from these losses than putting on a clinic v the saints. However it’s hard to understand why our first qtr was so poor. Those kicking errors from the backline were not in the heat of battle or an intense last qtr.

It was really evident how we missed Treloar. We were back to that one paced midfield.

I thought Bevo was outcoached and didn’t understand the plodding and laborious zig zags across ground allowing them all the time in the world to set up. Sweet was outclassed, as you’d expect from a guy in his 5th game, even Weightman learnt footy isn’t always a lark and will be all the better for it.

The break they got from being switched on early proved to be a gap we couldn’t bridge.

I don’t think we could have played much worse so I don’t take out of it that we’re just not up to it. Even replacing the low key Scott and Hannan, who’ve clearly been playing certain roles for us, was another change, one too many I think with the injuries building up.

That first quarter killed us. For the rest of the game we kicked 45 points and they kicked 46 points.

The game plan stunk up big time, and in that first quarter we turned it over and never caught up

[jeemak]

Their mid pressure on our mids was red hot early. I reckon we corrected and got on top of this after half time, but their defensive set-up and ability to protect D50 is brilliant. It not just May/Lever, it's their wingmen (Brayshaw, Langdon) their mids working hard the other way and their mid sized defenders as well.

Yeah good points. Our poor decision making and poor execution of skill with the footy definitely played into their hands. It seemed that when we went back we went too deep and conceded too much ground, and when going forward kicked it too shallow and enabled too many intercepts and defencive punches when there was a bit more space behind us to run into.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

He can only get the ball and distribute it to the options available to him and he just didn't have the options and support working with him to make him more effective. Jacko can be creative, but he looks his best when people work OFF him and it just didn't happen tonight.

Possibly we curtail Oliver if Jack puts work into him, but again, who generates the play given Libba was being well held? Oliver being curtailed doesn't get our hands on the footy given Libba was being masked well and played poorly. Someone actually had to get the footy.

Don't disagree. But given Libba was well held, and not giving us drive.. how do we deal with this going forward. I reckon we've got to go WW1 and create a stalemate. Who, or more accurately, where was our Butcher General Haig strategist who says we're gonna strangle you by sacrificing someone and preventing you from breaking our system down.
And it probably doesn't have to be Macrae.. but boy it would probably rally the troops if it was. He obviously can lay a tackle, does his work well in the trenches too.

[jeemak]

You learn more from these losses than putting on a clinic v the saints. However it’s hard to understand why our first qtr was so poor. Those kicking errors from the backline were not in the heat of battle or an intense last qtr.

It was really evident how we missed Treloar. We were back to that one paced midfield.

I thought Bevo was outcoached and didn’t understand the plodding and laborious zig zags across ground allowing them all the time in the world to set up. Sweet was outclassed, as you’d expect from a guy in his 5th game, even Weightman learnt footy isn’t always a lark and will be all the better for it.

The break they got from being switched on early proved to be a gap we couldn’t bridge.

I don’t think we could have played much worse so I don’t take out of it that we’re just not up to it. Even replacing the low key Scott and Hannan, who’ve clearly been playing certain roles for us, was another change, one too many I think with the injuries building up.

You make good points, though not sure you can pin the labourious plodding and zig-zagging on the coach. Everyone knows Melbourne sets up the ground really well defencively, I am pretty sure the messaging throughout the week would have been the opposite of plodding and zig-zagging but after a few butchered kicks early our will to switch quickly and run at the Melbourne defence was impacted.

[jeemak]

Don't disagree. But given Libba was well held, and not giving us drive.. how do we deal with this going forward. I reckon we've got to go WW1 and create a stalemate. Who, or more accurately, where was our Butcher General Haig strategist who says we're gonna strangle you by sacrificing someone and preventing you from breaking our system down.
And it probably doesn't have to be Macrae.. but boy it would probably rally the troops if it was. He obviously can lay a tackle, does his work well in the trenches too.

I wanted it to be Smith. I'm really worried about him because of anyone his effort seems conditional a lot of the time and he needs to get his hands dirty more often.

But we need to face reality, if we have thinned out stocks like we do (and they're elite stocks) at the moment then everything needs to go well until they come back. We still don't have defenders like Lever or May, and won't for the rest of the year and this is our lot.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

It might be something as simple as the lockdown. I've been flat as a tack the last few days and the players are human as well.

Travelling this week, ever with our dreadful record against Freo in Perth, will be a positive for the club.

The Freo game now shapes as super important. Don't care if it's ugly, we need to bank the 4 points. Top 2 looms vital, to avoid all prospects of an interstate final.

[jeemak]

Cooney is having to put a whole bunch of props and now his hands and T-shirt to hide his boner after that result.

[MrMahatma]

Lots of reasons to be glass half full. No Martin. No Treloar. No Dunkley. No Wood
Lots of reasons to be glass half empty. We always struggle against Melb. May and Lever. Gawn. Choking!

We just need to learn and beat them in finals. We had a bad night and way too many inexperienced players. Meanwhile our match winners didn’t get it done (Bont with 30 touches and we didn’t win?!).

Annoying match. We need to prevail cause we’re predictably poor in big matches at the moment.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I wanted it to be Smith. I'm really worried about him because of anyone his effort seems conditional a lot of the time and he needs to get his hands dirty more often.

But we need to face reality, if we have thinned out stocks like we do (and they're elite stocks) at the moment then everything needs to go well until they come back. We still don't have defenders like Lever or May, and won't for the rest of the year and this is our lot.

If we can't rely on our midfield to control the game, with Dunks and Treloar out for 2 months, then I reckon Bevo and his crew have some work to do to try and tweak our game plan and personnel to get through til the cavalry return.
I'm not sure B. Smith is the one I want negating: he is a metres gain beast when he performs as he has done in 90% of his games.

[angelopetraglia]

Tough road trip …

The Dogs will leave Sunday for Perth and effectively be locked down for 7 days. They can train and then play Fremantle.

[jeemak]

Lots of reasons to be glass half full. No Martin. No Treloar. No Dunkley. No Wood
Lots of reasons to be glass half empty. We always struggle against Melb. May and Lever. Gawn. Choking!

We just need to learn and beat them in finals. We had a bad night and way too many inexperienced players. Meanwhile our match winners didn’t get it done (Bont with 30 touches and we didn’t win?!).

Annoying match. We need to prevail cause we’re predictably poor in big matches at the moment.

Yeah it's kinda borderline for me. We did WCE early, had a poor showing at stages against Richmond and obviously played poorly tonight. But it's only been two weeks since we really stood up in a belter of a game away against Port so I think we're learning how to play in them.

[jeemak]

If we can't rely on our midfield to control the game, with Dunks and Treloar out for 2 months, then I reckon Bevo and his crew have some work to do to try and tweak our game plan and personnel to get through til the cavalry return.
I'm not sure B. Smith is the one I want negating: he is a metres gain beast when he performs as he has done in 90% of his games.

But he is less consistent than Jacko is, so I'm not sure why you'd change it to take out your most consistent player rather than make more obvious changes elsewhere.

As for doing something different with our set up, it's a tough one. I'd be more inclined to give another week or two to get back on track because we play how we play, one soldier in and one soldier out.

[The bulldog tragician]

You make good points, though not sure you can pin the labourious plodding and zig-zagging on the coach. Everyone knows Melbourne sets up the ground really well defencively, I am pretty sure the messaging throughout the week would have been the opposite of plodding and zig-zagging but after a few butchered kicks early our will to switch quickly and run at the Melbourne defence was impacted.

Because we did it all night I had to assume it was our game plan.

It was also noticeable that they conceded Cordy as our option for the first kick after a behind, knowing that he might stuff it up. They must have been thrilled that Dale, Williams and Daniel (sounds like a law firm) used it so poorly by foot as well, under no great pressure early on.

[jeemak]

Because we did it all night I had to assume it was our game plan.

It was also noticeable that they conceded Cordy as our option for the first kick after a behind, knowing that he might stuff it up. They must have been thrilled that Dale, Williams and Daniel (sounds like a law firm) used it so poorly by foot as well, under no great pressure early on.

So Bevo (from the presser) didn't have a problem with our intent to generate width, but it was after that where the problems set in. He said it was after that a blend of decision making and skill execution combined that led to the malaise.

And you're one hundred per cent right, Melbourne would have been thrilled with the poor execution by foot by the legal eagles you mentioned.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

But he is less consistent than Jacko is, so I'm not sure why you'd change it to take out your most consistent player rather than make more obvious changes elsewhere.

I'm not sure either to be honest.. But if I had to make a judgment call as to who of the two breaks a game like tonight open, Smith wins for me.
Macrae's trench work is awesome, and maybe he can translate that more, in a game like tonight, to just totally kill Oliver's influence, and force Melbourne to adjust things that then allows Libba to get free inside, and open up our outside game.
But on the flipside, given Smith was woeful tonight, maybe that's the catalyst for the coach to realise it's not on for him tonight, and to reset his role to smash Oliver...and see what Goodwin does about that..

[jeemak]

I'm not sure either to be honest.. But if I had to make a judgment call as to who of the two breaks a game like tonight open, Smith wins for me.
Macrae's trench work is awesome, and maybe he can translate that more, in a game like tonight, to just totally kill Oliver's influence, and force Melbourne to adjust things that then allows Libba to get free inside, and open up our outside game.
But on the flipside, given Smith was woeful tonight, maybe that's the catalyst for the coach to realise it's not on for him tonight, and to reset his role to smash Oliver...and see what Goodwin does about that..

The reason why I'd go with Smith is because he can be tough in the contest, but he also has the burst speed to break away which is what you need to do when trying to curtail a mid and hurt them on the other sides of the game (which is what I mentioned in MJP's top of the table thread). Stop them, burst off them. Jacko can't do that.

[KT31]

Cooney is having to put a whole bunch of props and now his hands and T-shirt to hide his boner after that result.

Not even sure why anyone would watch the tripe, can’t stand the show.

[jeemak]

Not even sure why anyone would watch the tripe, can’t stand the show.

They're the quintessential ill-thinking twats that make talking football outside of the folks you like to talk football with so painful.

No detail, no depth. Just comments, banter, blokiness for the sake of blokiness. Boorish.

[soupman]

Dissapointing game and result, but I'm not too down.

They beat us comfortably, but I'm not sure we saw anything which isn't fixable. They played super well, but didn't go to a level I think we can't and despite the difference in performance we were right in it for much of the game.

Our execution and composure was the worst its been since that Richmond half, and from guys you would not expect that of like Williams and Daniel. It was hardly a soul destroying loss, and the occasional defeat against quality opposition is good for learning and team growth. I don't come away from this result thinking we couldn't beat them in 6 weeks time or the finals.

[G-Mo77]

I'm not going to downplay this loss. Yeah we have a long injury list, yeah there was no crowds but we lost the same way we did against Richmond and lost the same way we have in the past finals. When the heat is really turned up we struggle, that is not going to win us finals footy. Can you honestly see this team beating a Richmond in September or Geelong? No way. We're still a fair way off IMO and last night showed that.

[comrade]

Dissapointing game and result, but I'm not too down.

They beat us comfortably, but I'm not sure we saw anything which isn't fixable. They played super well, but didn't go to a level I think we can't and despite the difference in performance we were right in it for much of the game.

Our execution and composure was the worst its been since that Richmond half, and from guys you would not expect that of like Williams and Daniel. It was hardly a soul destroying loss, and the occasional defeat against quality opposition is good for learning and team growth. I don't come away from this result thinking we couldn't beat them in 6 weeks time or the finals.

Interesting, I feel the opposite.

Dunkley and Treloar returning won’t help our complete inability to navigate through Demons defence across the ground which was our biggest issue. The reason we turned the ball over switching across the ground and chewing off too much was most likely due to the set up further up ground, so while it looked bad on TV it was only because Melbourne completely strangled us. Happened against Richmond to, but not the extent of last night, so now we’ve seen it twice without any ability to overcome it.

Hard to see us beating the best sides. Disappointing to realise we’re probably not a real premiership contender but better to know now.

[soupman]

Interesting, I feel the opposite.

Dunkley and Treloar returning won’t help our complete inability to navigate through Demons defence across the ground which was our biggest issue. The reason we turned the ball over switching across the ground and chewing off too much was most likely due to the set up further up ground, so while it looked bad on TV it was only because Melbourne completely strangled us. Happened against Richmond to, but not the extent of last night, so now we’ve seen it twice without any ability to overcome it.

Hard to see us beating the best sides. Disappointing to realise we’re probably not a real premiership contender but better to know now.

I agree with your main points about it being due to Melbourne's set-up, but at the same time I think we can overcome that. Even with them applying great pressure, a great structure and playing really well we were right in that game and despite never really playing our style of football had chances. I'm concerned about how midfield can be so damaging against us when they are on top but I think we are good enough to overcome that.

Their pressure was great, and they certainly are the major factor in why our composure and execution was bad, but I can't help thinking we can only improve and that with another go at it we will perform better.

As for the last comment, I know what you mean but its never that basic. We are still in the box seat for top 2, have only looked out of our depth twice all year, are a good chance to only meet one of those sides in the finals anyway, and I am very confident that we are capable of beating those sides anyway. Whether we do or not remains to be seen, but we certainly are good enough when playing well, we just have to figure out how to do that when these teams are on as well.

[Grantysghost]

Interesting, I feel the opposite.

Dunkley and Treloar returning won’t help our complete inability to navigate through Demons defence across the ground which was our biggest issue. The reason we turned the ball over switching across the ground and chewing off too much was most likely due to the set up further up ground, so while it looked bad on TV it was only because Melbourne completely strangled us. Happened against Richmond to, but not the extent of last night, so now we’ve seen it twice without any ability to overcome it.

Hard to see us beating the best sides. Disappointing to realise we’re probably not a real premiership contender but better to know now.

I do feel very similar. It’s the way we lost, I don’t think it was as much a personnel issue as it was a systematic issue with the way we play. GWS final, Saints final, Tigers game, last night all had a familiar script. These are probably our 4 biggest games since the flag.

Pressure the midfield by removing time and space for the phone box handball, stop the overlap off halfback forcing us sideways, basically stymie our quick ball movement which allows their set defence to become impenetrable. Then turnover, exposed defence, the rest is history. Port play more like us, they don’t do this I think that’s why we go ok against them.

I get it, it’s the way we lose and other teams know it. So it looks the same every time, but my real concern is considering we haven’t looked like winning a final since 2016, I mean not even close (the Saints game was over early I believe), what are we doing differently to stop this happening?

I shouldn’t be surprised but I’m really coming around to MJP’s sentiment in another thread about the midfield. It looks amazing under middling pressure but just rolling out the same playbook and expecting something different under finals like defensive pressure isn’t going to cut it. We need to innovate. We went head to head to start which was warranted, but once they’d revealed their hand and it was working in that first quarter when it was won, what did we do? Do we have counter plans for the midfield to make them more accountable?
I know we got it back to even after that playing our way but gate, horse, bolted. Maybe I missed what we changed it’s hard on TV but it looked like workrate as much as system and maybe the opposition not being able to maintain the rage.

Last night the Demons used two of their 2018 big name mids in Harmes and Brayshaw in defensive roles, one took Libba out of the game and the other sat off and defended the wing (Brayshaw). He hardly touched it but if you look at his heat map he basically just moved along the wing in behind the ball the entire game. That’s the selflessness many have mentioned and I’m warming to us needing more of.

Sure when we get Dunkley and Treloar back we will have more options, more levers to pull I just question if the levers exist sometimes :cool:

I’m happy overall we have such a talented list, and we do look improved I just hope we are learning from these losses as from the outside it’s hard to see it sometimes and a finals win is absolute minimum best expectation now.

But to beat a real finals pressure side we need to do something differently or we just won’t contend.

[comrade]

I agree with your main points about it being due to Melbourne's set-up, but at the same time I think we can overcome that. Even with them applying great pressure, a great structure and playing really well we were right in that game and despite never really playing our style of football had chances. I'm concerned about how midfield can be so damaging against us when they are on top but I think we are good enough to overcome that.


We weren't in the game in terms of actually winning it from about the 20 min mark of the first.

[Grantysghost]

We weren't in the game in terms of actually winning it from about the 20 min mark of the first.

No it was as comprehensive as it comes. You almost felt Melbourne knew they could break it open with insane pressure then backed their defence to absorb what we had after that. The played in phases and read the game situation brilliantly it was very impressive.

They’ve got the structure to go all the way, my doubts were off about them.

[Mantis]

We weren't in the game in terms of actually winning it from about the 20 min mark of the first.

I’m not so sure about that... whilst we were mostly at arms length we were winning enough of the ball and territory to give ourselves a chance. If we had kicked the first goal of the second half I felt we were a big chance. We had lots of the play in the first 5-6 minutes of that qtr with Bruce missing a snap he probably should’ve kicked it felt like a big momentum shift when Fritsch milked a free and goaled especially when Naughts missed a sitter soon after.

The first qtr was very poor, but the things we were poor at can be fixed pretty easily.

[Grantysghost]

I’m not so sure about that... whilst we were mostly at arms length we were winning enough of the ball and territory to give ourselves a chance. If we had kicked the first goal of the second half I felt we were a big chance. We had lots of the play in the first 5-6 minutes of that qtr with Bruce missing a snap he probably should’ve kicked it felt like a big momentum shift when Fritsch milked a free and goaled especially when Naughts missed a sitter soon after.

The first qtr was very poor, but the things we were poor at can be fixed pretty easily.

There was similar sentiment IF Lippa doesn’t hit the post against the Tigers? If Bruce doesn’t stuff it late against the Saints in the final.

I’m probably going too hard to make a point and I’m not as advanced in my position as it sounds but geez I see some worrying patterns.

Big positive was English back to be upbeat our forward line looks good.

[Mantis]

There was similar sentiment IF Lippa doesn’t hit the post against the Tigers? If Bruce doesn’t stuff it late against the Saints in the final.

I’m probably going too hard to make a point and I’m not as advanced in my position as it sounds but geez I see some worrying patterns.

Big positive was English back to be upbeat our forward line looks good.

None of us like losing and I’ve gone as hard as anyone on this forum over the journey, but we were marginally off last night and we were punished for it... it happens against good teams, but we’ve shown enough good signs this year to show we’re up to our necks in it.

We aren’t even 1/2 way through the season and the positives far our way the negatives and whilst we’ve been shown up a couple of times it’s not like all other teams haven’t either.

Let’s see where we are at come the last month of the season when we should (hopefully) have a healthy list and the 5-6 players who were missing last night are back and have some games behind them.

Our big advantage against everyone is the depth of our midfield and when that is disrupted we come back to the pack against the very best.... so let’s see how we go when we have our one wood in the bag... I’m thinking we will be happy with the results.

[Grantysghost]

None of us like losing and I’ve gone as hard as anyone on this forum over the journey, but we were marginally off last night and we were punished for it... it happens against good teams, but we’ve shown enough good signs this year to show we’re up to our necks in it.

We aren’t even 1/2 way through the season and the positives far our way the negatives and whilst we’ve been shown up a couple of times it’s not like all other teams haven’t either.

Let’s see where we are at come the last month of the season when we should (hopefully) have a healthy list and the 5-6 players who were missing last night are back and have some games behind them.

Our big advantage against everyone is the depth of our midfield and when that is disrupted we come back to the pack against the very best.... so let’s see how we go when we have our one wood in the bag... I’m thinking we will be happy with the results.

Great post well said.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

To me this loss is about 2 things

1. Our work rate and efforts off the ball.
2. Our system, or lack thereof, to expose Melbournes defence.

The first is obvious.

The second a lot more tricky. Melbourne last night revealed their whole gameplan. Block the corridor. Force us wide. Tag Libba to stop the source for our mids. Pressure, pressure, pressure.

I’ve no doubt we’ll be much better with the return or Dunkley and Treloar and we’ll hopefully not butcher the ball like last night again.

However the work rate off the ball has been seen before. I’m not sure we can withstand immense pressure consistently. And the gameplan seems 1 dimensional. How do we break down melbournes defensive system?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I’m one more injury away from setting up a taskforce to track down these so called injury gods. I’ve had a gutfull of them. Have we had to use the injury sub every game since rd 5? We’re one injury to a key play away from this whole season being flushed down the toilet.

[The bulldog tragician]

I am really disappointed with the loss and we have to learn from it but the goals from turnovers early on were morale killers from which it was hard to recover and set doubts in. They weren’t a result of insane Melbourne pressure as much as dumb footy or poor execution, Libba’s kick to Bont being a case in point. Melbourne would have felt inspired, and our heads dropped, after seeing our two best players in recent weeks involved in a bungle.

You’d have to hope that all of the Baileys could never play as badly again or at least not all at the same time.

As for the idea this is the same songbook, our win against Port was one of character and commitment. We have improved this year, but injuries are biting and I do feel we thrive on crowd energy and maybe our mini comebacks last night could have gone further if we were there cheering like crazy and helped put a few more doubts in the minds of the Dees.

[comrade]

I don't know if it's a positive or not but Melbourne's prime ball movers Salem, Langdon and Hunt were all ineffective yet they were still able to gap us by 5 goals. So our plans for them worked, but it didn't matter in the end.

[SonofScray]

Awful performance that has put a dent in my overall assessment of what we can do at the pointy end. Not completely catastrophic, I still think that on our day we can beat anyone. Our best > Your best.

We’ve seen us stall significantly under pressure twice now. Needs to be sorted out.

For most of the game, despite Melbourne looking dominant, we only were 3 goals from our mistakes + 1 McDonald lead and mark down. Marginally better execution up the field eats into that. One decent small forward performance inside 50 eats into that. Bailey Smith straightens up and runs through the corridor, the tide turns.

Disappointing, but we play the game 10 times, I’d back us in to win at least half of the time.

[Go_Dogs]

When we put some more control on the ball and took field position with shorter kicks and sharper leads we looked good. When the run and overlap and switch isn’t working, we need to take a different approach more often. We just played into their hands last night and we’re left out numbered and out positioned once the turnover came.

Besides what seemed having one of their key defenders playing a zone like defensive game, it appeared to me (and I could be completely wrong because it’s so hard to tell from TV) that they kept pretty tight to our forwards on the turnover and defensive transition. Lots of 1:1s and they were confident they would win them. Crowd the drop and create the run.

I’m optimistic. We won’t play that badly again. We have plenty of players coming back and will be a different side come September.

Treloar, Dunkley, Martin, Wood, Scott, Hannan, McLean, Richards, JUH. We have plenty of competition for spots coming and lots of points of difference that we didn’t see / have last night.

[bulldogtragic]

I don't know if it's a positive or not but Melbourne's prime ball movers Salem, Langdon and Hunt were all ineffective yet they were still able to gap us by 5 goals. So our plans for them worked, but it didn't matter in the end.

If good ball users of ours didn’t inexplicably and unusually gift them 7 goals, the game is a close run thing. I reckon we made more embarrassing howlering turnovers in one game than the last 10 games. It’s confusing as it is frustrating.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

If good ball users of ours didn’t inexplicably and unusually gift them 7 goals, the game is a close run thing. I reckon we made more embarrassing howlering turnovers in one game than the last 10 games. It’s confusing as it is frustrating.

I think the inferred pressure of the demons defensive setup up the ground lead to these turnovers. Granted under the same conditions, we don’t do them again next time, but it certainly contributed to them last night. We were clearly instructed to switch quickly last night.

[Happy Days]

One thing that is potentially annoying that we didn't seem to take anything away from Adelaide's performance last week. We didn't use the corridor, like, at all, which is frustrating because we clearly had the appetite to bite off a lot of risk with our kicks evidenced by some of the switches we tried to pull and resulting turnovers.

I left the game being more impressed by Melbourne than dismayed by us though. For better or worse I think we brought a fair amount of heat to the contest ourselves, but Melbourne were able to break through it with the sort of handball/possession chains I'm used to seeing us pull off.

[bornadog]

None of us like losing and I’ve gone as hard as anyone on this forum over the journey, but we were marginally off last night and we were punished for it... it happens against good teams, but we’ve shown enough good signs this year to show we’re up to our necks in it.

We aren’t even 1/2 way through the season and the positives far our way the negatives and whilst we’ve been shown up a couple of times it’s not like all other teams haven’t either.

Let’s see where we are at come the last month of the season when we should (hopefully) have a healthy list and the 5-6 players who were missing last night are back and have some games behind them.

Our big advantage against everyone is the depth of our midfield and when that is disrupted we come back to the pack against the very best.... so let’s see how we go when we have our one wood in the bag... I’m thinking we will be happy with the results.

Good summary Mantis, I am still bullish about the season sitting at the half way mark at 9-2.

If we break down the game, how good was Melbourne? or how bad were we in that first quarter trying silly kicks across the ground and not hitting our targets.

The next three quarters, Melbourne didn't get away from us, they outscored us by ONE point, but they did stop us getting on top of them and pegging back the 28 point lead established in the first quarter.

I really think we need to rethink our backline game plan. This is where we lost as we couldn't move the ball quickly enough. How many times have we seen a JJ type running and bouncing the ball through the middle of the ground? Our strategy seems to be to hit the wings and then if there is no way through to switch play. We tried this v Tigers and it didn't work.

Bevo needs a new plan for teams that set up to stop our run.

We will learn from this. May premierships don't exist, and once Melbourne hit a few injuries, they will find out. Langdon is out due to concussion, so there is a test for them next week.

[Grantysghost]

One thing that is potentially annoying that we didn't seem to take anything away from Adelaide's performance last week. We didn't use the corridor, like, at all, which is frustrating because we clearly had the appetite to bite off a lot of risk with our kicks evidenced by some of the switches we tried to pull and resulting turnovers.

I left the game being more impressed by Melbourne than dismayed by us though. For better or worse I think we brought a fair amount of heat to the contest ourselves, but Melbourne were able to break through it with the sort of handball/possession chains I'm used to seeing us pull off.

It's true of the first quarter. We had no connection or run through the lines and Melbourne ran through the corridor.

I'm heat map guy today, this of the first qtr tells quite a story :

https://i.postimg.cc/5yNJHRSR/Screenshot-20210529-114552-AFL.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Defence is left. We were stuck wide between half back and wing whereas the Demons were using the corridor to great effect. It is quite different to the rest of the game.
You can see they were really exiting the front of centre stoppages to the right and looking to hit up leads out to the left where the space had opened up.

[Bulldog4life]

Just looking at it positively for a second IF we beat Fremantle next week and Brisbane beats Melbourne we are back on top. All is not lost. Go dogs.

[angelopetraglia]

Premierships are not won in May. We will learn. We will reset. Injuries and form can still have a massive impact on both teams. Still a long way to go. It’s a grind an AFL season. So important we switch back on and get four points against Freo.

[Eastdog]

Just wasn’t our night last night. We couldn’t get into the groove. I’m sure Bevo and co will learn from it. Big opportunity again next week on the road to get another win against Freo. If we win and the Lions beat will be back on top.

[Grantysghost]

Macrae has the most disposals in VFL/AFL history after 11 rounds. 387.

[bornadog]

Macrae has the most disposals in VFL/AFL history after 11 rounds. 387.

When he doesn't have the ball he is averaging 5.2 tackles per game with 9 last night

[Grantysghost]

Just wasn’t our night last night. We couldn’t get into the groove. I’m sure Bevo and co will learn from it. Big opportunity again next week on the road to get another win against Freo. If we win and the Lions beat will be back on top.

The Lions are looking ominous Easty. Be a great matchup v Melbourne next week.

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2hkaQEVoAIEJdf?format=jpg&name=large

[GVGjr]

Premierships are not won in May. We will learn. We will reset. Injuries and form can still have a massive impact on both teams. Still a long way to go. It’s a grind an AFL season. So important we switch back on and get four points against Freo.

I keep reading this but is anyone actually talking about premierships?

[angelopetraglia]

I keep reading this but is anyone actually talking about premierships?

When you start 9-1. Yes. Premierships are in the picture. That's what we are aiming for. Why not?

[DOG GOD]

When you start 9-1. Yes. Premierships are in the picture. That's what we are aiming for. Why not?
Would we talk premierships at 10-5?

[Mantis]

Would we talk premierships at 10-5?

Yeah, why not?

The season starts again when finals come around, qualify for them, get your best team on the park and see where you get.. as we know.