Three things you've learned. Round fifteen 2021 v West Coast

[Twodogs]

Golly it's round fifteen already! Tell us what you have learnt today.

[Twodogs]

1. You can lock us down and confine us for a week but you can't keep us down
2. Ed Richards is a required player. We must keep him.
3. I could kick that goal Bont kicked in the last*




*Like crap I could. Only Bont could kick that.

[bulldogtragic]

1. The AFEL seemingly screwed us with fixturing Perth, Geelong, Perth. One minute from winning all three. We’ve travelled as good is I can remember factoring in Port too.

2. Garcia is another good sort. In what’s really his first game, 13 touches and a goal.

3. We are going to see what Lewis Young is made out of. Not unlike Hamling or Fletch in 2016.

I knew it, but Doc is constantly getting better and he’s completely reliable. With Dale, Daniel & Williams and KPDs I like it very, very much.

[Mutz]

1. The tough hard mentality after the heart-breaking loss last week demonstrates a maturity and growing self-belief amongst the entire playing group.

2. Another lesson learned from last week; we were much more composed (aka winding down the clock) at critical times in the last qtr, especially at half-back/wing.

3. I thought our fast handball game wasn't conducive to playing in the wet but it definitely worked in Q1 when it was pissing down.

Extra. Playing with a sole ruckman worked today but I still look forward to Martin returning.

Bonus. Very pleased to see Smith regain his confidence – what a difference to his game.

[Bulldog Joe]

1. Tim English has learnt something about ruck play, not least being use your strengths, rather than trying to best your opponent at their strengths.

2. Marcus Bontempelli may be the best wet weather footballer going around. (Possibly the best dry weather player as well)

3. We do actually defend well regardless of the profile of the personnel.

[Happy Days]

1. No crowds footy kinda hits when you win by 10 goals.

2. Ed Richards is best 22, a defender and a better player than Crozier.

3. West Coast's midfield is a paper tiger. Looking forward to hearing about how underdone they were all week instead of how bad of a beating our guys put on them.

[GVGjr]

1) Playing interstate is not the hoodoo that many people think. If we show up prepared and focused we are a better than good chance
2) I don't think Duryea receives the kudos he should. He's become a vital player for us.
3) That goal by Bont defied logic

I also want to say how good it was to see Richards play like he did today

[Bulldog Joe]

I think I want to add, that all those calling for Bailey Smith to be dropped were not correct.

[westbulldog]

Other than I got the game prediction monumentally wrong....

1. Tim English had a greater influence on the game than Natanui, in fact I reckon Tim won on the day.
2. Even a kick to the head couldn't stop Tom Liberatore, hard as nails.
3. Aaron Naughton is the best contested mark in the AFL.

[Mantis]

I think I want to add, that all those calling for Bailey Smith to be dropped were not correct.

You would have to think a change of role was a catalyst in the much better performance… has been lost on the wing.

[jeemak]

1. We are evolving at defending the ground as a committed team and the difference between our best efforts and worst (i.e. pressing too high, getting caught out the back) in that area have narrowed.

2. Bont can still surprise me. He was excellent today but I didn't think it was possible for even his excellency to kick that goal after he strode it out directly towards the boundary line to an impossible angle.

3. The discipline and the hunger is there to go a long way this year. We have committed players who want to be good, it's visible.

[The bulldog tragician]

1. Adversity only brings out the best in us. A harrowing last minute loss, a lockdown, goalkicking yips, and a tall player down couldn’t stop us.

2. Our defence is more than the sum of its parts. They helped each other brilliantly, and Richards’ return could just be the perfect extra addition in a unit that is both creative and stifling.

3. I’ve run out of superlatives for Marcus Bontempelli.

[westdog54]

1. Today's empty stadium was the AFL and WC getting hit by a karma bus.
2. We may have the deepest list in the competition.
3. Bont is the best player in the comp by a mile right now. It's not even close. His bag of tricks is bottomless.

[bornadog]

1. We can win in Perth twice in one season
2. We finally have some small dangerous players in the forward line - Weightman, Garcia, Mclean, Scott
3. Even with Dunks and Trealor out, we have the best mids in the AFL

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

1) Playing interstate is not the hoodoo that many people think. If we show up prepared and focused we are a better than good chance
2) I don't think Duryea receives the kudos he should. He's become a vital player for us.
3) That goal by Bont defied logic

I also want to say how good it was to see Richards play like he did today

Duryea has had a fantastic season, and has really become a leader in that back 6.

[angelopetraglia]

1. This team is resilient, tough and hungry.
2. This team is resilient, tough and hungry.
3. This team is resilient, tough and hungry.

[macca]

Duryea has had a fantastic season, and has really become a leader in that back 6.

I really like how much Duryea has improved. His just a tough defender, and hates getting beaten, so those 1-1 contests always chance of spoil. Runs all day, and is a long kick.

When he came to us, the knock on him was his inaccurate kicking. I think his playing the percentages more and knows his game much better. Real maturity to his game, and compliments well with the backline we have.

Great pickup for us from the Hawks, who are crying out for some solid senior players in the backline.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

1. We are a better team with Richards and Maclean in our 22.
2. Bont Macrae and Libba are rarely beaten in the midfield.
3. Williams Dale and Duryea have emerged as quality defenders.

[whythelongface]

I think I want to add, that all those calling for Bailey Smith to be dropped were not correct.

I disagree. He had an average four or five weeks and the calls for him to find some form in the twos were not unwarranted. I am pleased the coach stuck by him and played him on the inside. This was a great call, but still believe his form warranted questioning including a spell.

[Mitcha]

I was that close to finding something else to do at quarter time as I thought our horrendous first quarter set shot kicking was going to bite us on the arse later on but like the 23 today stuck it out to the end so here goes.
1. Bazlenka got his mojo back, good signs moving forward.
2. Ed Richards welcome back, showed good speed, some run and carry and won some crucial intercepts and one on one contests.
3. If you are selected as the our medical sub, please do a thorough warm up and be ready to go at any time as you are almost guaranteed to get a run, normally early on, seriously has there been a game this season we have got through unscathed.
And a bonus one,
4. We are in it up to our necks in 2021.

[AshMac]

1. Richards has just cemented the back flank role for another week, keeping Croz out
2. We still suit the hard fought, frenetic tackling game
3. Alex Keath has got to be close to our best player most weeks. Close to

[Twodogs]

1. Richards has just cemented the back flank role for another week, keeping Croz out
2. We still suit the hard fought, frenetic tackling game
3. Alex Keath has got to be close to our best player most weeks. Close to


In the last quarter he called for the ball when he was standing by himself in the defensive arc. The closest player to him (who wasn't the ball carrier) must have been 40 metres up the ground. When the ball carrier ignored him he wasn't happy, it was funny to watch.


Also allowed himself a big smile when he congratulated Riley Garcia on the ground after the game. Very unKeathy like!

[hujsh]

1. No crowds footy kinda hits when you win by 10 goals.

2. Ed Richards is best 22, a defender and a better player than Crozier.

3. West Coast's midfield is a paper tiger. Looking forward to hearing about how underdone they were all week instead of how bad of a beating our guys put on them.

The balance is really much better with him in the side isn't it? We probably needed another good 'ground level' defender with dash and ability to move the ball and Crozier is more of an 'in the air' defender IMO who as discussed tends to just boot it.

[Ghost Dog]

1. Those of us who saw a backs-against-the-wall win coming were right.
2. Our VFL team is feeding us some great talent.
3. Reports of the demise of Mitch Wallis were premature. He looks very hungry and sharp.

[Ghost Dog]

Fox News Says
"Eagles ‘played like sooks’ with ‘dumb footy’ galore; Dogs accept gift from the weather gods: 3-2-1"

[jazzadogs]

1) there are going to be some unlucky players getting squeezed out when Dunkley and Treloar are fit (if the injury gods smile upon us between now and then)

2) Bailey Smith needs to be playing a physical inside role to be at his best. I'm not sure what the return of Dunkley and Treloar will mean for him.

3) our small/medium forwards of Weightman, JJ, Garcia, Scott, Hannan all have some genuine tenacity and desire to have an impact with their pressure. It has been one of the biggest differences in 2021 compared to 2018-20.

[jeemak]

I really like how much Duryea has improved. His just a tough defender, and hates getting beaten, so those 1-1 contests always chance of spoil. Runs all day, and is a long kick.

When he came to us, the knock on him was his inaccurate kicking. I think his playing the percentages more and knows his game much better. Real maturity to his game, and compliments well with the backline we have.

Great pickup for us from the Hawks, who are crying out for some solid senior players in the backline.

I was super critical of him early in the year because he was a bit fumbly but he's certainly shut me up. He's still a bit iffy on the ground ball but on the high ball for someone his height he's excellent.

He's turned me around, and it's taken a lot because I still remember him being sent in to stir us up at half time during the semi final in 2016.......but he's cool now.

[jeemak]

I disagree. He had an average four or five weeks and the calls for him to find some form in the twos were not unwarranted. I am pleased the coach stuck by him and played him on the inside. This was a great call, but still believe his form warranted questioning including a spell.

Disagree. He worked hard mostly, and albeit out of touch his body of work was too solid over time to not hold faith. Given we didn't have anyone to replace anything like what he brings to the table when playing well or even OK, dropping him would have been a massive overreaction.

[Ghost Dog]

1. No crowds footy kinda hits when you win by 10 goals.

2. Ed Richards is best 22, a defender and a better player than Crozier.

3. West Coast's midfield is a paper tiger. Looking forward to hearing about how underdone they were all week instead of how bad of a beating our guys put on them.

Don't worry. According to fox Footy they played like a bunch of sooks.

[Mantis]

1/ I was in the Naughton plays in defence team. I was wrong. His ability to mark the ball is a thing of beauty. Our forwardline is set for the next 10 years with JUH & Darcy to follow. Good luck to all opposing teams.

2/ Tim might make it as a no.1 ruck after all. He looked in all sorts early doors, but adjusted and was very effective.

3/ Lachie Hunter can mark overhead… I didn’t know he could. His work-rate was exceptional.

[Ozza]

1/ I was in the Naughton plays in defence team. I was wrong. His ability to mark the ball is a thing of beauty. Our forwardline is set for the next 10 years with JUH & Darcy to follow. Good luck to all opposing teams.

2/ Tim might make it as a no.1 ruck after all. He looked in all sorts early doors, but adjusted and was very effective.

3/ Lachie Hunter can mark overhead… I didn’t know he could. His work-rate was exceptional.

I've never seen anyone take pack marks against the McGovern/Barrass/Hurn group like Naughton did yesterday. I'm not sure I've ever been so confident in one of our players in that situation. As a supporter you can confidently say "Naughton!" before he even launches. No defender is a chance unless they get body contact with him really early and blocks his run.

[westdog54]

I've never seen anyone take pack marks against the McGovern/Barrass/Hurn group like Naughton did yesterday. I'm not sure I've ever been so confident in one of our players in that situation. As a supporter you can confidently say "Naughton!" before he even launches. No defender is a chance unless they get body contact with him really early and blocks his run.

When he took the one in the second that he then handballed to McLean I turned to my dad and asked "How the *!*!*!*! did he mark that?"

[Mofra]

When he took the one in the second that he then handballed to McLean I turned to my dad and asked "How the *!*!*!*! did he mark that?"
It's not the fact that he marks those balls. It's the fact he often starts out of position when he launches.
No player launches at the football like Naughton and you can't teach that - it's purely instinctive.

[Mofra]

1. Bravo to the coaching group who clearly learned from the Melbourne game. Bruce to dummy lead to split their tall defenders, let Naughton fly, defend the fat side of the ground at all costs and only switch when necessary (which means when we had to, we could).

2. Garcia has "it". There is just something about him to suggest he'll make it.

3. I was very unsure on Weightman who is making me eat my words, which I'm happy to do. Munch munch munch. He's got some real energy about him which is just what we've needed.

[Happy Days]

2. Garcia has "it". There is just something about him to suggest he'll make it.


Sling tackle and giving away a 50 for umpire abuse in his second game? Annoying, but also something that very cool players do.

[comrade]

It's not the fact that he marks those balls. It's the fact he often starts out of position when he launches.
No player launches at the football like Naughton and you can't teach that - it's purely instinctive.

Great example was the effort that led to the goal to Bazlenka. Naughton was involved up the ground, then tailed back to the 50 and launched at a ball he had no right to get to, and brought it down to ground where we outnumbered them and Baz got the clean snap. Unreal.

Some Geelong fans I spoke with after last week scoffed when I said Naughton going down was crucial to our chances, claiming Henry was destroying him and yeah, it might be so. But you can't keep him out of an entire game and given his 4th quarter marking stats, I have no doubt he would have clunked a couple late to get us over the line.

[Mofra]

Sling tackle and giving away a 50 for umpire abuse in his second game? Annoying, but also something that very cool players do.
I'll wear it. Our problem has been too many 'nice' players, and with Libba back in good form, Garcia out there, Naughton strutting around like the genetic clone of a peacock and Dermot Brereton and Weightman getting yappy at every opportunity we are getting some real mongrel and spite into the oppisition.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I'll wear it. Our problem has been too many 'nice' players, and with Libba back in good form, Garcia out there, Naughton strutting around like the genetic clone of a peacock and Dermot Brereton and Weightman getting yappy at every opportunity we are getting some real mongrel and spite into the oppisition.

Add Bailey Smith when playing on the edge - he's just a great footballer when he plays with an edge.

[Sedat]

Great example was the effort that led to the goal to Bazlenka. Naughton was involved up the ground, then tailed back to the 50 and launched at a ball he had no right to get to, and brought it down to ground where we outnumbered them and Baz got the clean snap. Unreal.

Some Geelong fans I spoke with after last week scoffed when I said Naughton going down was crucial to our chances, claiming Henry was destroying him and yeah, it might be so. But you can't keep him out of an entire game and given his 4th quarter marking stats, I have no doubt he would have clunked a couple late to get us over the line.
I'm happy to have a gallant, injury-affected loss at White Elephant Park in the 2nd half of the 2021 season if it is in a premiership year, as it was in 2016.

[Happy Days]

Great example was the effort that led to the goal to Bazlenka. Naughton was involved up the ground, then tailed back to the 50 and launched at a ball he had no right to get to, and brought it down to ground where we outnumbered them and Baz got the clean snap. Unreal.

Some Geelong fans I spoke with after last week scoffed when I said Naughton going down was crucial to our chances, claiming Henry was destroying him and yeah, it might be so. But you can't keep him out of an entire game and given his 4th quarter marking stats, I have no doubt he would have clunked a couple late to get us over the line.

You can't possibly look at Naughton and look at Henry, who has been dropped on form this year, and consider that 2-3 marking contest wins means that Naughton wasn't going to get a hold of him. Naughton is the best contested mark in the game and losing him was devastating to our chances.

You can't tell me Naughton doesn't grab at least one of those long balls down the line in the last two minutes.

[ratsmac]

1. When we have the appetite for the contest we are very hard to play against. It was great to see numbers around the contest and players shepherding for each other. I noticed we protected the ball carrier a lot yesterday.

2. Naughton is maybe the most exciting player I've seen in our colours. I mean Bont is just everything you could ever want as a footballer but for exciting moments he trumps The Bont just. And that is as complementary as you can get. I used to think Stringer was exciting, pfft!

3. We can thump west coast in Perth. I thought that was only for fairytale premiership seasons....maybe it is!

[Bulldog Joe]

1. When we have the appetite for the contest we are very hard to play against. It was great to see numbers around the contest and players shepherding for each other. I noticed we protected the ball carrier a lot yesterday.

2. Naughton is maybe the most exciting player I've seen in our colours. I mean Bont is just everything you could ever want as a footballer but for exciting moments he trumps The Bont just. And that is as complementary as you can get. I used to think Stringer was exciting, pfft!

3. We can thump west coast in Perth. I thought that was only for fairytale premiership seasons....maybe it is!

Well every other time we beat West Coast in Perth under Bevo we won the flag:cool:

[Topdog]

I really like how much Duryea has improved. His just a tough defender, and hates getting beaten, so those 1-1 contests always chance of spoil. Runs all day, and is a long kick.

When he came to us, the knock on him was his inaccurate kicking. I think his playing the percentages more and knows his game much better. Real maturity to his game, and compliments well with the backline we have.

Great pickup for us from the Hawks, who are crying out for some solid senior players in the backline.

Hawks supporting mate of mine said his real knock was a lack of consistency and a tendency to do stupid things. When he said this I was quite happy as both issues can be resolved with maturity and experience.

He has really settled down nicely.

[SonofScray]

Sling tackle and giving away a 50 for umpire abuse in his second game? Annoying, but also something that very cool players do.

That was a bullshit free kick. The dangerous tackle is now just another crap shoot decision the umpires can choose to make.

[bornadog]

That was a bullshit free kick. The dangerous tackle is now just another crap shoot decision the umpires can choose to make.

Agree, no way that was a dangerous tackle. Umpires should watch Richmond and how they constantly throw players on the ground and never get pulled up for it.

[Bulldog Joe]

That was a bullshit free kick. The dangerous tackle is now just another crap shoot decision the umpires can choose to make.

This is also a problem created with the current prior opportunity interpretation. The umps are so concerned with giving the player in possession time that the tackler is almost required to bring him to ground.

If they blew the whistle immediately a tackle is held, the dangerous tackle would be removed and player safety would be enhanced.

[bornadog]

This is also a problem created with the current prior opportunity interpretation. The umps are so concerned with giving the player in possession time that the tackler is almost required to bring him to ground.

If they blew the whistle immediately a tackle is held, the dangerous tackle would be removed and player safety would be enhanced.

Yes for some reason they are allowing alot more time for players to dispose the ball.

[macca]

You can't possibly look at Naughton and look at Henry, who has been dropped on form this year, and consider that 2-3 marking contest wins means that Naughton wasn't going to get a hold of him. Naughton is the best contested mark in the game and losing him was devastating to our chances.

You can't tell me Naughton doesn't grab at least one of those long balls down the line in the last two minutes.

I was flithy on the umpiring at Geelong's park, Krapdinia. The number of times he was blocked and held I lost count.

At least the umpires on Sunday gave one holding to Naughton. Down at G.park they were too afraid to call it.

Naughton puts the fear of God into defenders as he will go hard and at 100 ks an hour. His timing is extraordinary for someone his size. Its so graceful to watch an athlete launch himself into the air with speed and power, and time that perfect grab.