WB Game Day V Carlton R2 2022

[Eastdog]

Margin:
First goal:
Best on ground:

[Eastdog]

Margin: Dogs by 22 points
First goal: Aaron Naughton
Best on ground: Bailey Smith

[chef]

Dogs by 68
First goal Flea
BOG Dale

[bornadog]

Dogs by 68
First goal Flea
BOG Dale

Boy I would love that

[Eastdog]

Dogs by 68
First goal Flea
BOG Dale

That would be a huge statement from us. Would love that as BAD said.

[MrMahatma]

Dogs by 3 points.
BOG Cripps
First goal Astro

[Bulldog4life]

Dogs by 28
First goal Naughty
BOG Macrae

[Mofra]

Adam Cerra out for Carlton - Covid protocols.
Joins Jack Martin as an out who has Covid.

[bornadog]

Bevo Presser today

Main things I took out of it.


* a few players not in 23 have Covid and won't play Friday (VFL)


* Hunter working on a few things and will play Tomorrow.

* Bont ready to go


* Libba different role, had a disruption leading in. Had 5 main guys in centre and objective was to win the ball and we did. His role will change a bit weekly.


* Hansen - knows a few things but game plan changes week to week so won't know everything


* JUH - Under consideration, played well in VFL, in the mix and a chance.


* Keep asking about Morris - he just said let's move on.

[bornadog]

Thanks BAD.

He also said he was healthy and getting great support from the club. Went for a swim in the bay yesterday and was in the gym this morning.

Sorry for leading you to the wrong thread :o

[Grantysghost]

Sorry for leading you to the wrong thread :o

Oh ha... Didn't even realise. All good.

[angelopetraglia]

Bevo Presser today

Main things I took out of it.


*a few players not in 23 have Covid and won't play Friday (VFL)


* Hunter working on a few things and will play Tomorrow.

* Bont ready to go


* Libba different role, had a disruption leading in. Had 5 main guys in centre and objective was to win the ball and we did. His role will change a bit weekly.


* Hansen - knows a few things but game plan changes week to week so won't know everything


* JUH - Under consideration, played well in VFL, in the mix and a chance.


* Keep asking about Morris - he just said let's move on.

Good summary. A few other points I picked up.

*There will be a changes. Probably a couple.

*Stef wasn't himself last week and is unlikely to play again but will be in the 26

*Hunter was always in the 23, he was always going to play as the sub (until JJ got injured)

*JUH didn't have a good game against the Bombers but has been good since then. He played well against Casey last Thursday. He just needs to play the role he is asked to play, he doesn't need to win the game off his own boot

*Bevo stated he has never been fitter, he is in a good place

*Macrae is great domino to fall, he is really proud of Jacko

[DOG GOD]

Carlton by 28 points
1st goal - weightman
Bog - macrae

* we will have no answer to McKay, Cripps and Walsh

[GVGjr]

Carlton by 28 points
1st goal - weightman
Bog - macrae

* we will have no answer to McKay, Cripps and Walsh

It's going to be interesting to see how we play McKay.
I would have loved to see Walsh and B.Smith go at it. We will be comparing those players for years to come.
Cripps has played some great games against us.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

It's going to be interesting to see how we play McKay.
I would have loved to see Walsh and B.Smith go at it. We will be comparing those players for years to come.
Cripps has played some great games against us.

I hope we do not play Cripps like we have failed to manage Petracca and Oliver who were clearly best afield in our two defeats to Melbourne. Our lack of accountability in the midfield has been our Achilles heal in our past two losses.
I would be throwing down the gauntlet to Dunkley to play a tagging role on Cripps. Both Cerri and Martin are big losses and you wonder if Walsh is fully fit, which should help our chances to win.

[westbulldog]

It will be great if we win but in the 22 are 8 who last week were either passengers or out of form. Those players need to turn things around fast.

[bornadog]

It will be great if we win but in the 22 are 8 who last week were either passengers or out of form. Those players need to turn things around fast.
We need an even contribution across the ground and not rely on a few players

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Dogs by 9
BOG Treloar
FG Naughton

[bornadog]

Dogs by 15
first goal VDM
BOG: Bont

[comrade]

They should have beaten us last year when we were flying. With Cripps back to his best, Keath in woeful form to take on McKay, Walsh back and our forward line as impotent as an 80 year old, I think it’s going to be a rough night.

Carlton by 15-30 points
BOG: Macrae
FG: Naughton

[SquirrelGrip]

Bulldogs by 35
BOG: Treloar
FG: Hannan

I was impressed enough by our best last week that we are OK. It's early in the season. We'll be fine.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 19 points
BOG: Dunkley
FG: Jamarra

[Jeanette54]

No match predictions, just a hope that we win. Margin irrelevant.

BOG: Macrae
First goal: Weightman.

[ratsmac]

Our best is better than theirs and I think we will be raring to go. We are a more mature team these days and surely we won't drop 2 in a row.... surely

Dogs by 23
First goal JUH
BOG Macrae

[bornadog]

Easton Wood to do lap of honour before game

[Grantysghost]

We really need a win.

I think it's going to be close.

Dogs by 5.
FG Treloar
BOG Naughton

[Testekill]

I think that English did a phenomenal job on his own against the Melbourne ruckmen last week but surely we need to have someone competent giving him the chop out. It's why I think we should at least bring in Sweet as a tall target. He's a decent enough shot at goal and his aggression could see him hurting a defender.

[whythelongface]

No pressure on the kid but expecting Jamarra to kick six tonight.

Dogs by 32
BOG Dale
First goal JUH

[DOG GOD]

I think that English did a phenomenal job on his own against the Melbourne ruckmen last week but surely we need to have someone competent giving him the chop out. It's why I think we should at least bring in Sweet as a tall target. He's a decent enough shot at goal and his aggression could see him hurting a defender.

Yep. Sweet vs Cordy. Surely Sweet couldn’t do any worse than 3 possessions for a game.

[Grantysghost]

Williams sub.

[Testekill]

I think I'm the only one on here, not an awful start. I think English shouldn't have taken that first shot but he slotted the second one from an identical position and it's good to have a finisher like Jamarra get on the board so quickly.

[GVGjr]

Open footy at the moment.

[Testekill]

English trying to be a little too cute by stopping and chipping, should have gone the handball instead.

[Testekill]

Cordy did do well to get to the contest that led to the goal but just an unlucky bounce of the ball.

[DOG GOD]

FFS can we punch the ball fwd instead of it going over the back every friggin time.

[MrMahatma]

Their centre square work is waaaay on top of ours. They’re on. We need to hold.

[DOG GOD]

Cripps and Walsh unstoppable. Curnow and McKay with goals already. Going to plan unfortunately.

[comrade]

How do we win this game if our one weapon (mids) is getting demolished. Outside of 10 good minutes last week, we’ve looked completely average in 2022.

[DOG GOD]

Cripps 3 Brownlow votes.

[comrade]

Cripps 3 Brownlow votes.

Gained a yard this year.

Completely bullying our guys so far.

[FrediKanoute]

Too much run. Getting creamed out of hte middle

[DOG GOD]

Gained a yard this year.

Completely bullying our guys so far.
Just like Petracca. We have no idea how to curb these types.

[GVGjr]

Good goal late in the quarter for us

[DOG GOD]

That miss hurt

[LostDog]

Can always rely on Naughton to miss a give me

[jeemak]

The fawning over the Carlton is repulsive.

How many times did they need to all say how they have a man crush on Cripps. Good grief.

[GVGjr]

I like our chances to regroup, a lot of our better players did bugger all. We can lift.

Can we send someone to curb Cripps?

[DOG GOD]

The fawning over the Carlton is repulsive.

How many times did they need to all say how they have a man crush on Cripps. Good grief.

Sickening. I feel like watching it on mute

[whythelongface]

Just like Petracca. We have no idea how to curb these types.

That is a concern. We let them run rampant. We looked good in patches.

[DOG GOD]

I like our chances to regroup, a lot of our better players did bugger all. We can lift.

Can we send someone to curb Cripps?

No. Honestly I don’t think any of our mids have the mindset or the discipline to sit on Cripps and sacrifice their own game.

[Hotdog60]

Gee its been fun listening to the commentary is from the Carlton fan site.

[MrMahatma]

Bont 2 touches. Is he ok? He’s out there so he needs to lift!

[soupman]

Commentary is woeful. But to be fair their mids look incredible. I'm sure the stats aren't as bad as it feels but it feels like they're gonna win every centre clearancr

[DOG GOD]

Where is Cordy, Keath and Gardner. On more than one occasion I spotted curnow or McKay flying one on one with either Crozier, Richards etc.

[whythelongface]

Bont 2 disposals. Needs to get his hands on it.

English has been immense around the ground

[Mantis]

English is going reasonably well around the ground, but his centre square work has been below par… always looks at his opponent before jumping and has no momentum with the leap.

[comrade]

Timmy has been good, looks almost like an actual ruckman so far.

[DOG GOD]

Tackles in fwd 50. Carlton 5. Dogs 0.

[comrade]

That is weak as Timmy.

Absolutely breaks your heart seeing a bloke that big get manhandled so often.

[Mantis]

Timmy has been good, looks almost like an actual ruckman so far.

Just got bullied then.

[MrMahatma]

Well… looking awkward at this point. Cripps used to tear us up a few years back… and here he is again. He’s a gun.

[DOG GOD]

This is a training drill

[LostDog]

We are fryer tucked

[whythelongface]

Turnovers killing us

[FrediKanoute]

When you 50 goal a year forward goes down with a knee injury late in the season and you dont replace them......

[Testekill]

I've seen enough, doing the exact same dumb mistakes with the usual dumb results. Can't man up a sweeper, we have English running himself into the ground because we refuse to play a competent chopout and the suspects from last week that did nothing are still doing nothing.

[LostDog]

What is this crap

[LostDog]

We need the next 3 to make them panic

[MrMahatma]

Leaking easy goals.

[comrade]

Keath looks about 78 years old.

[DOG GOD]

10 goals with still 9 mins to go in the 2nd. Yep. We are shot.

[Dry Rot]

Keath looks about 78 years old.

Playing injured? Ditto Bont?

[comrade]

We can’t win a contest. This will be a pummelling.

[LostDog]

It's over

[Mantis]

Alex Keath looks to be moving like his number jumper… when your only decent tall defender is playing shit it makes it hard.

[FrediKanoute]

Game over.......not sure what we did over the Summer break but we look like a team that is shot. Our older players have gotten ol really quickly

[EasternWest]

Loving the bemused look on Bevo's face.

"What do you mean addressing none of our weaknesses won't make us better?"

This is pretty embarrassing.

I'm ever the optimist, but just once I'd like to see us adjust to the things on the field that are hurting us.

[soupman]

This is the best Carlton have played in decades. Like literally decades. I don't even think we are playing poorly. The fact we are only 5 goals down i think is to our credit.

[DOG GOD]

Our % is taking another hit tonight. Goodbye top 4.
They are playing harder, running harder, tackling harder, doing everything that we aren’t.

I don’t believe Carlton are really THIS good.
It’s just we are really shit.

It’s been 8 years since Carlton scored 11 goals in a half. You can count on our defence to break that record.

[GVGjr]

We've got a lot of work to do to claw our way back although momentum swings have been evident in the competition.

Lets hope Libba has started a rally for us.

[soupman]

Our forwardline looks like scoring. They are just so powerful across the ground and our defence is getting killed.

McKay is all over Keath and they keep winning the 5050s on the wing running forward.

[DOG GOD]

Cue the Benny hill music with that defensive effort.

[Testekill]

Beveridge will be lucky to make it to the bye with how we're going, made zero attempt to address our problems and we've got no structures out there.

[soupman]

Man our defence is terrible. We have about 4 AA quality rebounders there and they are all having shocker, and the less said about th rest of them the better.

[DOG GOD]

The scars of the grand final is still there I’m afraid.

[soupman]

We are still in this.

Our forwardline looks dangerous. Our mids have for the most part halved it since the first 10. Need our defence to start winning some contests and providing some run.

We are not playing that badly. They cannot play better than this.

[chef]

Glad I didn't drive down.

[whythelongface]

This is the best Carlton have played in decades. Like literally decades. I don't even think we are playing poorly. The fact we are only 5 goals down i think is to our credit.

Credit where credit is due they are looking good. Not sure we can stop them.

[LostDog]

Bontem who ? Unsighted

[MrMahatma]

We are still in this.

Our forwardline looks dangerous. Our mids have for the most part halved it since the first 10. Need our defence to start winning some contests and providing some run.

We are not playing that badly. They cannot play better than this.

Agree on the fwds but our mids have been absolutely flogged! They’re the problem. Our defence dead set sucks but the easy ball coming in they have little chance. This is a midfield whipping.

[Testekill]

This is the best Carlton have played in decades. Like literally decades. I don't even think we are playing poorly. The fact we are only 5 goals down i think is to our credit.

How much of that is down to our inability to put pressure on their inside 50s?

[Vred]

I’m at the game surrounded by Carlton supporters and I just want to jump off the ledge in front of me. This is 2018 bulldogs all over again pathetic, zero effort, holes throughout the ground, Bont has been crap, our older players are giving nothing, they’re running so much harder, and our defence is probably the worst in the league.

If this game continues like this I think I’ll be checked out for this season

[whythelongface]

Beveridge will be lucky to make it to the bye with how we're going, made zero attempt to address our problems and we've got no structures out there.

That’s a bit of overkill. Yes there are issues but nothing that can’t be fixed.

[FrediKanoute]

31 points down at half time.

Need to have a big look at each other and draw a line in the sand. We are better than this and need to start showing it.

[DOG GOD]

We are still in this.

Our forwardline looks dangerous. Our mids have for the most part halved it since the first 10. Need our defence to start winning some contests and providing some run.

We are not playing that badly. They cannot play better than this.

Really? We are literally being killed all over the ground. Our defence is running around looking like they have no idea who they are on or what their job is. We look slow, disinterested and our fwd line would rate on paper in the bottom 5 of the league.

It’s 31 points at HT. It might well be 70 at the end.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

That was pretty ugly.

Our persistence in backing off the mark is allowing them a clean runway, but given how pedestrian we are, it probably wouldn't matter if we pressed harder anyway.

Some individuals are really lowering their colours which is disappointing.

Keath looks like a 35 year old who should have retired.

[Mantis]

We are still in this.

Our forwardline looks dangerous. Our mids have for the most part halved it since the first 10. Need our defence to start winning some contests and providing some run.

We are not playing that badly. They cannot play better than this.

I’m not sure our defence are good enough to repel the ball coming in… Keath isn’t moving well and Cordy & Gardner are limited.

Need our midfield to pull its finger out starting with English who needs to assert some physical strength in the ruck contests.

[chef]

Bontem who ? Unsighted

If hes not fit he shouldn't be playing

[EasternWest]

We are still in this.

Our forwardline looks dangerous. Our mids have for the most part halved it since the first 10. Need our defence to start winning some contests and providing some run.

We are not playing that badly. They cannot play better than this.

Love the positivity, can't agree with it.

Our forwards look miles off it (although they're working hard enough) and our mids are being starched by a hungrier collective. We can have one of Gardiner or Cordy playing, not both.

I think we're playing poorly, but part of that can be put down to Carlton playing well.

Good we get to see Hannan ruck a bit though.

[dog town]

Very predictable in here blaming this on Bevo, we are -20 in contested ball (again) and probably more in post stoppage contested ball. Leaders jumping out the way and not body lining the ball. Not much any coach can do with that level of commitment, if we were 20 up in contested ball we would be in front.

[merantau]

Everything is going right for them - not much is going right for us. However, when we get a chance to deliver the ball inside 50 for a shot on goal we turn it over - I'm looking at you Roarke. And we had some momentum at that point.

[whythelongface]

They are a different team but they were up by 4 or 5 goals midway through the 3rd last year and we managed to win by a fair margin. Still time.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Very predictable in here blaming this on Bevo, we are -20 in contested ball (again) and probably more in post stoppage contested ball. Leaders jumping out the way and not body lining the ball. Not much any coach can do with that level of commitment, if we were 20 up in contested ball we would be in front.

Hard to know what's going on in the middle. Positioning at times is honestly deplorable for an elite group.

[comrade]

The backing off the mark isn’t working at all.

Our defenders are completely petrified in the air and resort to spoiling each other in every instance.

Our much vaunted midfield is getting bullied and clearly learnt nothing from the GF embarrassment (literally what were we doing over pre-season?).

Marra is moving ok.

We did nothing to address our numerous weaknesses during trade week and in fact we have gone massively backwards since last year and will be fighting for that 7-12 spot on the ladder at best.

[DOG GOD]

Hunter and Roarke should not be playing next week. Let’s see if Bevo will be consistant.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Marra has been pretty good. Watching that quarter live, his positioning is really good. He's giving himself time and space to launch at the ball and isn't engaging in 1-v-1.

He's playing it smart, won a few contests, mucked a few disposals but I'm happy with his effort and his footy IQ

[comrade]

Love the positivity, can't agree with it.

Our forwards look miles off it (although they're working hard enough) and our mids are being starched by a hungrier collective. We can have one of Gardiner or Cordy playing, not both.

I think we're playing poorly, but part of that can be put down to Carlton playing well.

Good we get to see Hannan ruck a bit though.

Our 2nd ruck situation is a thing of beauty.

[Dry Rot]

So can we turn this around?

How?

[Hotdog60]

I wonder if Sweet would have made a difference?
If Martin can't play Sweet should at least it would keep a bit of height in our forward line and maybe free up JUH.

[soupman]

I’m not sure our defence are good enough to repel the ball coming in… Keath isn’t moving well and Cordy & Gardner are limited.

Need our midfield to pull its finger out starting with English who needs to assert some physical strength in the ruck contests.

The defence has been terrible. Has Daniel ever played a worse half? Giving us nothing offensively, and apart from a few contests with Richards havent been able to win any contests and have wilted under the pressure. If they can improve enough to give us more in both respects then we are so much better.

The midfield defensive pressure has been poor, but they are working their way into the game.

Forwardline has given enough pressure, has provided options and has taken its chances.

Carlton could not have played better or been more dominant and are only 31 points up. I'm not saying its likely, especially as our defence is shithouse, but there is a pathway back.

Its only 31 points.

[soupman]

Backing off the mark isn't working. Especially baffled when we do it in the corridor. What are we blocking, they only want to go seep from that position so why are adding 10 metres to the kick?

[dog town]

Hard to know what's going on in the middle. Positioning at times is honestly deplorable for an elite group. We are winning centre clearances somehow.

[GVGjr]

If hes not fit he shouldn't be playing

No excuse, if you are picked your fit.

[kruder]

English taking a big step back tonight his lack of physicality was behind many of the blues attacks. Looked cooked even when coming off the bench. Something NQR at the doggies atm. On a positive Marra definitely has something been watching him closely not scared to put his body on the line just wish he didn’t miss that toe poke we had a little momentum at that point.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Our 2nd ruck situation is a thing of beauty.

Hard to believe this is still a topic of discussion after all these years.

[FrediKanoute]

I wonder if Sweet would have made a difference?
If Martin can't play Sweet should at least it would keep a bit of height in our forward line and maybe free up JUH.

I think so. It at least would have let you play the twin towers in defence

[DOG GOD]

Hard to believe this is still a topic of discussion after all these years.
And will continue to be while Bevo is there.

[DOG GOD]

Bad misses by Jamarra and Weightman doesn’t help

[chef]

Bad misses by Jamarra and Weightman doesn’t help

Should be a 2 goal game

[LostDog]

It's there if we want it enough

[DOG GOD]

This could be our 15 mins of fame for the whole game. Gotta make it count.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Who's been subbed?

[Mantis]

Who is off for Williams?

[MrMahatma]

Crozier
Who's been subbed?

[GVGjr]

To say we need some multiple goal kickers is an understatement

[Dry Rot]

Malthouse on Gardner : That is just a lack of football knowledge

[EasternWest]

Crozier

Yo, is he on oxygen?

[DOG GOD]

Yo, is he on oxygen?
It looked like it

[EasternWest]

Loved that from Marra.

[EasternWest]

It looked like it

Heart monitor?

[Dry Rot]

Scott seems to have been handy

[LostDog]

Better effort lads come on

[DOG GOD]

Thanks Hannan

[MrMahatma]

Bloody hell Hannan!

[jeemak]

Costly miss from Hannan. Jesus Christ.

[chef]

That hurts

[DOG GOD]

Jamarra, Weightman and Hannan easy misses kills you

[DOG GOD]

Continue to give the ball back with rubbish disposal.

[comrade]

Putrid from Richards.

[LostDog]

Add Naughton

[LostDog]

We'd be 1 hold up if not for easy miss bull crap

[kruder]

Any idea on naughty?

[DOG GOD]

Putrid from Richards.
Is this what happens when you have no confidence in the fwd line ?

[Mantis]

Putrid from Richards.

He just panics when in a pressured situation… he needs to show some poise and initiative rather than freezing.

[MrMahatma]

Still a chance. Need to take our chances. Should be a 1 goal game but we can do this.

[GVGjr]

It's still a long haul back but a fast start in the final quarter will keep it interesting.

[kruder]

English lifted significantly that quarter

[FrediKanoute]

Better quarter. Have given ourselves a half chance. Looked much more intense.

[DOG GOD]

Any idea on naughty?
Knowing our luck with injuries..a PCL ?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

About done with Hannan.

Keath shouldn't be playing, cannot move.

[soupman]

Much better quarter. Needed to get more out of it though. That Curnow goal hurts, especially after some very gettable misses.

Defence finally giving us something. Winning contests and providing run.

We can 100% do this, but we need to actually apply scoreboard pressure.

[comrade]

He just panics when in a pressured situation… he needs to show some poise and initiative rather than freezing.

Has mis-judged multiple aerial contests tonight as well.

[DOG GOD]

If we are gunna win this Bont has to be fwd all quarter.

[DOG GOD]

8 goals between McKay and Curnow. That’s the difference.

[LostDog]

Slow stop start footy not gonna work

[FrediKanoute]

That was a soft free.....

[GVGjr]

We've got some work to do. Who stands up for us?

[Mantis]

English is back to getting completely owned in ruck contests.. just giving them first use time and time again.

[DOG GOD]

English is back to getting completely owned in ruck contests.. just giving them first use time and time again.

He’s tiring ?

[DOG GOD]

Cripps to Walsh to curnow…

[soupman]

They are killing us in the clearances this quarter. English is exhausted and our mids can't get first hands on it at all.

[DOG GOD]

Geez key fwds love our defence ;)
Did curnow actually touch it last week ?

[EasternWest]

So we're just gonna keep watching Cripps charge into the centre bounce? Cool, cool.

[LostDog]

Seriously I'm done with Naughton can't kick and wastes the clock

[DOG GOD]

Can’t win if you miss shots.

[comrade]

Dunks is kidding himself if he thinks he deserves a massive contract.

[jeemak]

Dunkley ffs. The pocket.

[GVGjr]

We've lacked some poise at critical times. The spirit is good though

[DOG GOD]

We are not hard enough at the ball or the body. And that needs to be rectified ASAP.

[EasternWest]

How is that not a free to Bont?

[GVGjr]

Time is against us, interesting game.

[Mantis]

He’s tiring ?

No… he just gets man handled by physical ruckman.

[jeemak]

Dunks is kidding himself if he thinks he deserves a massive contract.

He's selfish and he can't kick which is a terrible mix of attributes.

[Mantis]

Dunks is kidding himself if he thinks he deserves a massive contract.

His endeavour is admirable, but his kicking is deplorable.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

So another year and it’s the same as previous years. Poor goal kicking costing us time and time again.

[chef]

Blues too good, they are in for an exciting season.

[comrade]

His endeavour is admirable, but his kicking is deplorable.

Been second to the ball all night in the middle, Hewitt has killed him. Then he torches 2 critical chances late.

Get a good deal for him and let another team deal with his demands.

[comrade]

The Blues handed us that game on a platter and we were no way good enough to take it.

Going to be a long season.

[MrMahatma]

Played prob a half of decent footy.

Should still have won. Butchered it in front of goal.

So frustrating.

[whythelongface]

Too many missed chances.

The one thing that stood out time and time again is the amount of centre clearances Carlton won. There mids were just more determined and harder at the ball. We look good on the outside but gee we need some grunt in the middle.

[Mantis]

Time is against us, interesting game.

We had lots of time, but under pressure we couldn’t convert our good play into scoreboard pressure and Carlton did when they held sway and our key defenders were awful.

[Hotdog60]

I wonder if swapping Gardner and Naughton would have help.

[G-Mo77]

Watched it in stages. Clean use out of the middle and stoppages doesn't help one bit. Our defence is sketchy but gets opened up pretty quickly when it comes in quick. That midfield need to tighten up in there.

I'm not ringing alarm bells yet but looks a bit samey from previous years.

[whythelongface]

We were 12-5 and ended 13-12. Wow 1-7 pretty much in the last. You can’t win games like that.

[GVGjr]

Blues too good, they are in for an exciting season.

I think this needs to be acknowledged. They have a far better balance

[jeemak]

Too many missed chances.

The one thing that stood out time and time again is the amount of centre clearances Carlton won. There mids were just more determined and harder at the ball. We look good on the outside but gee we need some grunt in the middle.

It's crazy to think we were done for both pace and grunt at times. The mids need to have a look at themselves, put a *!*!*!*!ing body on from time to time.

[DOG GOD]

Honestly we had patches but never looked like winning. To many glaring holes all over the ground, including a defence that is deer in headlights stuff, a fwd line that can’t hold the ball in, and a prima Donna midfield that refuses to either man up/ sacrifice their own game/ or run hard both ways.

Our fwd line is Naughton or nothing (when he kicks straight)
Our backline is shaking in fear every time there’s a high ball.
Our mids are not blue collar.

[G-Mo77]

Too many missed chances.

The one thing that stood out time and time again is the amount of centre clearances Carlton won. There mids were just more determined and harder at the ball. We look good on the outside but gee we need some grunt in the middle.

Agree. It's what I noticed, especially early on. Where do we get it from? Surely there is someone other than Libba.

[soupman]

Man we are infuriating. Whats the point of having an awesome all round game if you can't bloody take your chances? Naughtonx2, Dunkleyx2, Bont, Hannan, Weightman all missed easily gettable goals. There's other (JUH?) but can't remember properly.

Same old same old. Dogs play awesome footy and will dominate but do not punish you for it. Meanwhile Curnow take shis chances at the other end in the second half which proved the difference.

[DOG GOD]

It's crazy to think we were done for both pace and grunt at times. The mids need to have a look at themselves, put a *!*!*!*!ing body on from time to time.

How many times do they stand back waiting for the opposition player to give it up. Numourous times I watched Cripps get in and pick up a ball with Hunter, Dunkley, Treloar etc all watching. Infuriating.

[Vred]

If Bevo doesn’t play another ruck next week I’m done with him for good. Don’t care how many finals he takes us too if you can’t play a competent team structure you won’t get there to begin with

[whythelongface]

It’s a long season. We will bounce back. The media will be on our back ‘trouble at the dogs’ ‘Bevo has lost the group’ ‘carrying demons from the Grand final’ yada yada yada….but, despite our woeful kicking and centre clearances, our 2nd half gives me hope. We may 0-3 after the swans but at some stage we will work our way back into the season. We can’t lose sight of the top 4.

[GVGjr]

I wonder if swapping Gardner and Naughton would have help.

Not sure, Weitering was always going to be a tough match-up for him.

[GVGjr]

It’s a long season. We will bounce back. The media will be on our back ‘trouble at the dogs’ ‘Bevo has lost the group’ ‘carrying demons from the Grand final’ yada yada yada….but, despite our woeful kicking and centre clearances, our 2nd half gives me hope. We may 0-3 after the swans but at some stage we will work our way back into the season. We can’t lose sight of the top 4.

Bang on, early doors. Swans will be a challenge for us.

[Vred]

It’s a long season. We will bounce back. The media will be on our back ‘trouble at the dogs’ ‘Bevo has lost the group’ ‘carrying demons from the Grand final’ yada yada yada….but, despite our woeful kicking and centre clearances, our 2nd half gives me hope. We may 0-3 after the swans but at some stage we will work our way back into the season. We can’t lose sight of the top 4.

unless we have some 140-30 games like last season we have pretty much worked our way out of top 4 on percentage already.

[comrade]

I think this needs to be acknowledged. They have a far better balance

That’s a huge issue with us right now. We seem to be trying to go against traditional wisdom and play with a side that is totally unbalanced. Way too mid heavy, which you can maybe get away with if your key position players are stars but beyond Naughton, ours are either below average or woefully out of form. We also lack natural goal kicking talent.

We’re paying for the sins of the past few trade periods where we didn’t go hard enough for quality key position talent.

If the next few weeks go like I think they will, it’s time to cash in the chips and let the likes of Jones, Bedendo, Sweet etc play.

[Hotdog60]

Not sure, Weitering was always going to be a tough match-up for him.


It's more about defence than attack

[chef]

I think this needs to be acknowledged. They have a far better balance



Wonder how Liam Jones is feeling. They aren't a boring team to watch.

[bornadog]

Second quarter they played all over us and we were then playing catch-up

[soupman]

Clearances were terrible in the last quarter. We did an ok job of nullifying them in defence all things considered but we didn't look like stopping them. English played well in patches but even with the improvmeent from last week in the ruck he struggled and especially once tired had no effect.

Also how frustrating is it watching bloody Pittonet tear us up in there. I know when you ask the question of why haven't we grabbed another ruck some people pull out the "well maybe we tried but nobody good wanted to come". Are they serious? A ruck like bloody Pittonet would be a massive upgrade on our stocks and wouldn't even be expensive in trade value or contract value. Infuriating that this is still an issue.

[GVGjr]

If Bevo doesn’t play another ruck next week I’m done with him for good. Don’t care how many finals he takes us too if you can’t play a competent team structure you won’t get there to begin with

Don't hold your breath there Vred.
We needed that mature key forward who could provide a chop out for English but we never tried to get one. Same with a ruck man.

[DOG GOD]

We are carrying way too many passengers.
Vanders I’m looking at you. 4 kicks and 1 tackle. Bye bye.

[whythelongface]

Agree. It's what I noticed, especially early on. Where do we get it from? Surely there is someone other than Libba.

Libba was about it. Macrae was also getting his hands on the ball. Do we need Wallis in there? We need some mongrel.

[DOG GOD]

Jamarra, Hannan, Naughton, ZERO tackles between them.

[soupman]

That’s a huge issue with us right now. We seem to be trying to go against traditional wisdom and play with a side that is totally unbalanced. Way too mid heavy, which you can maybe get away with if your key position players are stars but beyond Naughton, ours are either below average or woefully out of form. We also lack natural goal kicking talent.

The other issue as has been repeatedly exposed in the last 3 games is that despite all our $$$ and stars being in the midfield we still get slaightered in there on a regular basis. We've unbalanced our team to overload our midfield, and yet against the good teams it's almost our biggest liability.

You've got to wonder if we'd be better turning one or two of our star mids into a cheaper option who can play a role better. Hewett is the obvious example of someone who could give us a different mix in there.

[Vred]

Don't hold your breath there Vred.
We needed that mature key forward who could provide a chop out for English but we never tried to get one. Same with a ruck man.

Sweet or Martin in for Cordy
McNeil or Jones/Bendeno in for VDM
Wallis in for Roake

another step in the right direction to have a half decent team setup

[bornadog]

We were 12-5 and ended 13-12. Wow 1-7 pretty much in the last. You can’t win games like that.
2/7 and how many were set shots

[DOG GOD]

unless we have some 140-30 games like last season we have pretty much worked our way out of top 4 on percentage already.

Agree. No chance with our poor %

[FrediKanoute]

Can’t win if you miss shots.

4 set shots missed in the last 8 minutes of a game - 2 to Dunks2 to Naughts.......

[bornadog]

Carlton beat us at our own game Cont poss and clearances plus more disposals

[G-Mo77]

Libba was about it. Macrae was also getting his hands on the ball. Do we need Wallis in there? We need some mongrel.

I just don't know how it changes, where it changes. Wallis won't help, don't see anyone on the shelf ir not playing giving us that grunt. Out mids are good enough, very good, the mindset needs to change.

[DOG GOD]

Dunkley can tackle (8) but can’t kick. If he’s going to play, he needs to play the Crowley role and sacrifice his lacklustre disposals.

[DOG GOD]

4 set shots missed in the last 8 minutes of a game - 2 to Dunks2 to Naughts.......
It will hurt you 9/10 times.

[MrMahatma]

The other issue as has been repeatedly exposed in the last 3 games is that despite all our $$$ and stars being in the midfield we still get slaightered in there on a regular basis. We've unbalanced our team to overload our midfield, and yet against the good teams it's almost our biggest liability.

You've got to wonder if we'd be better turning one or two of our star mids into a cheaper option who can play a role better. Hewett is the obvious example of someone who could give us a different mix in there.

Over the years we’ve just always struggled against Carlton, Dees, Saints, Suns. Shit teams for the most part and we seem to always get either beaten or just scrape home. There’s something there. Psychological? Structure? Individuals? Dunno. Cripps, apart from last year, eats us alive.

Bevo talks about our game plan changing week to week but so often against average teams we fail. Maybe Carlton are a good team this year? I’m not so sure. They tired hard and we butchered our chances to win. But the fact is, we lost in such an obvious way. Cripps did what Petraca did. Cordy was 15mtrs behind every contest. We missed shots we should’ve kicked. Their mids were repeatedly getting first hands on the ball under little pressure. It’s all a bit comical.

[MrMahatma]

Carlton beat us at our own game Cont poss and clearances plus more disposals

Carlton beat us.

[merantau]

Frustrating to watch. They played well - very well in fact - but we allowed them to get away with it. Cripps was the dominant player for four quarters. Did we do anything to nullify him? If so, I must have missed it.

Whenever we really needed to kick a goal - we missed!. That's heart crushing!

Reality is it would have been an injustice if we had won. They ran harder, had more players around the contest, used the ball better and they kicked straight.

I give our boys credit for never giving up in the second half. However, we were always playing catch up football. We will get better. We have too.
Jamarra must play every game this year. There are no other options. Sweet or Martin must play. English was okay around the ground but was schooled in the ruck. We need him forward more.

[soupman]

That first half from Carlton was awesome, in the true sense of that word. Each of our last 4 games have seen some of the best halves of footy you could see a side play. Our first half against Port was arguably in the top 5 halves I've seen from us, Melbourne obviously had a pretty good one last week, and possibly their best ever last year, and that was Carltons best half of footy since i was in Primary school.

I mean how unlucky can you get? Or maybe we are facilitating it?

[EasternWest]

I just don't know how it changes, where it changes. Wallis won't help, don't see anyone on the shelf ir not playing giving us that grunt. Out mids are good enough, very good, the mindset needs to change.

I love Mitch, but I think I'd rather watch Cripps bust freely through the middle uncontested like tonight than watch him do it while also bursting away from the carcass of a famous Bulldog name.

[Vred]

That first half from Carlton was awesome, in the true sense of that word. Each of our last 4 games have seen some of the best halves of footy you could see a side play. Our first half against Port was arguably in the top 5 halves I've seen from us, Melbourne obviously had a pretty good one last week, and possibly their best ever last year, and that was Carltons best half of footy since i was in Primary school.

I mean how unlucky can you get? Or maybe we are facilitating it?

we’ve lost the last 5 games in a row, it’s us not them

[DOG GOD]

Over the years we’ve just always struggled against Carlton, Dees, Saints, Suns. Shit teams for the most part and we seem to always get either beaten or just scrape home. There’s something there. Psychological? Structure? Individuals? Dunno. Cripps, apart from last year, eats us alive.

Bevo talks about our game plan changing week to week but so often against average teams we fail. Maybe Carlton are a good team this year? I’m not so sure. They tired hard and we butchered our chances to win. But the fact is, we lost in such an obvious way. Cripps did what Petraca did. Cordy was 15mtrs behind every contest. We missed shots we should’ve kicked. Their mids were repeatedly getting first hands on the ball under little pressure. It’s all a bit comical.
Great post. Absolutely nailed it.

[whythelongface]

I just don't know how it changes, where it changes. Wallis won't help, don't see anyone on the shelf ir not playing giving us that grunt. Out mids are good enough, very good, the mindset needs to change.

Yes our mids are good but mainly good when everything is going right. They don’t work hard enough to get the ball from stoppages always seem to be second and constantly trying to lay tackles. The opposition get their hands free either clean handball or if the ball hits the deck the opposition are there to pounce. Bang bang another forward entry. Pressure on our under manned and sized defence and they score. To our defences credit I thought they did really well in the 2nd half. Carlton streamed through on many occasions but we were able to nullify a number of their attacks. They obviously still got some easy goals but given the amount of ball from the centre that was to be expected. Ever since (and including) the GF our centre clearances have been shite.

The tone was set in the 1st minute. Cripps handballs over the top of two players to Walsh a couple of quick hand balls bang into the forward line and Curnow scores. Why is there a player free out the back? Whom is accountable?

[angelopetraglia]

Points from turnovers conceded. Bulldogs. First half 45 points. Second half 0 points.

By the time we worked out what was going on game was over. How can the match committee get this so wrong?

[angelopetraglia]

Big turning point in game for me was the Hanan miss in the third quarter. He was 15m out. Should have buried it. It would have reduced the margin to a single goal. Blues would have really panicked.

He misses. It goes down the other end and a quick snap from nowhere from Curnow gives them a much need goal and restores a three goal buffer. It was game over then really.

[angelopetraglia]

Last quarter it was 2.7 to 2.1.

Bont goal
Hanan goal
Treloar behind
Rushed
Naughton behind
Dunkley behind
Rushed
Dunkely behind
Macrae behind

We kicked five behinds in a row. Curnow kicks one from the hot dog stand.

[soupman]

we’ve lost the last 5 games in a row, it’s us not them

Yeah didn't know how to write it, but it is no coincidence all these amazing halves are against us.

[angelopetraglia]

There superstar (Cripps 35 touches, 23 contested, 11 clearances, 503m gained and two goals) did a lot more than our superstar (Bont 19 touches, 428m gained and one goal). Cripps was the difference in that first half. Absolutely tore the game apart.

[Mantis]

Thursday night football *!*!*!*!ing sucks!!

Stuck in traffic as the WGB is down to one lane… The experience of going to the footy isn’t what it used to be and I’m about done with it.

[DOG GOD]

And I’m flying over for the Sydney game. First time to Melb since Feb 2020.

[angelopetraglia]

Keath was in unbelievable form last year. Tonight he has had 6 touches. Four kicks. Only two marks.

[angelopetraglia]

Thursday night football *!*!*!*!ing sucks!!

Stuck in traffic as the WGB is down to one lane… The experience of going to the footy isn’t what it used to be and I’m about done with it.

Agree. Could not go tonight as my children has sport commitments. Footy training for my son. My daughter got home late with school sport. They were disappointed to miss.

[bornadog]

Carlton beat us.

Are you just repeating what I said???

[angelopetraglia]

I did think we missed Bailey Smith's spread from the contest tonight too. Treloar was superb in that part of the game tonight, but outside of Treloar we look slow moving away from stoppages.

[bornadog]

And I’m flying over for the Sydney game. First time to Melb since Feb 2020.

You can watch Buddy kick his 1000th.

Our Tall backman really struggled tonight, and I think Sydney have a better tall forward line than Carlton.

Keath can't handle tall forwards, Gardner out of his depth and Cordy well he aint good enough.

[angelopetraglia]

You can watch Buddy kick his 1000th.

Our Tall backman really struggled tonight, and I think Sydney have a better tall forward line than Carlton.

Keath can't handle tall forwards, Gardner out of his depth and Cordy well he aint good enough.

We have known this for years. What is the back up plan? What is plan B? We look so exposed. Curnow and McKay kicked one goal between them last week and Carlton dominated the last part of that game. They kicked nine goals between them tonight.

[soupman]

Keath can't handle tall forwards, Gardner out of his depth and Cordy well he aint good enough.
Again this isn't anything we didn't know already, and it;s depressing to think that the only other options we have are TOB (who is an intercept guy anyway), Schache or hope Raak and Cleary have a growth spurt.

[DOG GOD]

You can watch Buddy kick his 1000th.

Our Tall backman really struggled tonight, and I think Sydney have a better tall forward line than Carlton.

Keath can't handle tall forwards, Gardner out of his depth and Cordy well he aint good enough.

Yep and I’m expecting the 1000th to be before half time lol
Our backline is laughable at times, and it shouldn’t be with Keath, Dale, Williams and Daniel down there, but it’s the group as a whole that just don’t gel for whatever reason. Keath is not a KPD. He’s a Lever type being made to play like Rick Kennedy.

[angelopetraglia]

Crozier update. He fainted. There was concern for him. They don't know why he fainted. He got light headed and fainted.

[angelopetraglia]

At one stage in the last quarter we had 9 of the last 10 inside 50s and we just could not put them to the sword.

[bornadog]

Crozier update. He fainted. There was concern for him. They don't know why he fainted. He got light headed and fainted.

With all the *!*!*!*!ing flashing lights around the ground I am not surprised

[josie]

With all the *!*!*!*!ing flashing lights around the ground I am not surprised

Someone should start a petition- they are horridly blinding. What were the afl thinking? I hate the flashing advert lights around the different levels but those bright lights either side of scoreboard are even more dreadful.

[Grantysghost]

Thursday night football *!*!*!*!ing sucks!!

Stuck in traffic as the WGB is down to one lane… The experience of going to the footy isn’t what it used to be and I’m about done with it.

Same, called vicroads to say do you guys even check if there's a game on?
Plus there were zero signs indicating there was any road work.
One lane, cost me 50 minutes couch time!

Re the game Carlton were the better side. Their talls destroyed us.
There was periods when I saw Ed Richards marking Pittonet as we just had no talls as Cordy was rucking.

Cordy actually played pretty well, but fmd Cordy and Hannan as second rucks kills me. Bevo just does not learn.

[SonofScray]

Very upset.

Hating footy, dirty on the club and really frustrated with these losses.

[Still digging]

Someone should start a petition- they are horridly blinding. What were the afl thinking? I hate the flashing advert lights around the different levels but those bright lights either side of scoreboard are even more dreadful.

I agree, the lighting was so bright it gave me a headache. That was without looking at the scoreboard, where the lights either side were like staring into car headlights. Need the Richie Richardson sombrero for next week

[Grantysghost]

There superstar (Cripps 35 touches, 23 contested, 11 clearances, 503m gained and two goals) did a lot more than our superstar (Bont 19 touches, 428m gained and one goal). Cripps was the difference in that first half. Absolutely tore the game apart.

Cripps was the stand out player on the field. He ran riot.

[Grantysghost]

[QUOTE=josie;778453]Someone should start a petition- they are horridly blinding. What were the afl thinking? I hate the flashing advert lights around the different levels but those bright lights either side of scoreboard are even more dreadful.[/QUOTE

I agree, the lighting was so bright it gave me a headache. That was without looking at the scoreboard, where the lights either side were like staring into car headlights. Need the Richie Richardson sombrero for next week

I actually didn't mind the lights. The rwb ones post the goals.
Only entertainment for the night.
What did shit me was they put in massive new scoreboards and take up 1/3rd with ads so it's the same fkn size as the shitty old ones!

[bornadog]

Someone should start a petition- they are horridly blinding. What were the afl thinking? I hate the flashing advert lights around the different levels but those bright lights either side of scoreboard are even more dreadful.

It certainly doesn't enhance the experience of going to the footy

[Grantysghost]

Last quarter it was 2.7 to 2.1.

Bont goal
Hanan goal
Treloar behind
Rushed
Naughton behind
Dunkley behind
Rushed
Dunkely behind
Macrae behind

We kicked five behinds in a row. Curnow kicks one from the hot dog stand.

None of them were gimmies, except the Dunks one? I think we are over estimating any chance we had to win. The blues had the answers every time and deserved it. I never thought we were a legiitimate threat to over take them unfortunately.

Curnow is some player. If he gets some consistency then he could be anything.

Some of our delivery into forward 50 is mind blowing. We seem to kick to advantage of defenders so often.

We were much better in the second half but damage was done.

[angelopetraglia]

None of them were gimmies, I think we are over estimating any chance we had to win. The blues had the answers every time and deserved the win. I never thought we were a legiitimate chance.

They were not gimmies. But you would expect to hit at least two of those five. But the Blues were kicking them from everywhere. When Curnow threads it from the hot dog stand and you are missing easier shots it just kills your momentum.

The big miss that hurt was Hannan in the third quarter as it resulted in a two goal turnaround against the trend of play.

[angelopetraglia]

[QUOTE=josie;778453]Someone should start a petition- they are horridly blinding. What were the afl thinking? I hate the flashing advert lights around the different levels but those bright lights either side of scoreboard are even more dreadful.[/QUOTE

I agree, the lighting was so bright it gave me a headache. That was without looking at the scoreboard, where the lights either side were like staring into car headlights. Need the Richie Richardson sombrero for next week

It is one of those things. Just because you know have the technology to do it, doesn't mean you should do it.

[Grantysghost]

They were not gimmies. But you would expect to hit at least two of those five. But the Blues were kicking them from everywhere. When Curnow threads it from the hot dog stand and you are missing easier shots it just kills your momentum.

The big miss that hurt was Hannan in the third quarter as it resulted in a two goal turnaround against the trend of play.

The hot dog stand hahaha gold. That one on the boundary was hard not to applaud.