WB Game Day V Gold Coast Suns R10 2022

[Eastdog]

Margin:
First goal:
Best on ground:

[Eastdog]

Margin: Dogs by 26 points
First goal: Aaron Naughton
Best on ground: Jack Macrae

[Bulldog Joe]

I think we win, but this has DANGER GAME all over it.

[Eastdog]

I think we win, but this has DANGER GAME all over it.

Yep same feelings as well on this game.

[Grantysghost]

I think we win, but this has DANGER GAME all over it.

Yes and Ballarat with the generally windy conditions will probably suit the Suns defensive game under Dew.

They'll just watch the Adelaide tape. Witts will park on the wing and we will kick it to him!

[Happy Days]

I think it's beyond a danger/trap game and more just a game where I'm so so on our chances. The Suns are in legitimately better touch than us and we, for some reason, have elected to mitigate our home ground advantage by playing in the open air.

[MrMahatma]

I think we win, but this has DANGER GAME all over it.

Until we win by 90 points.

Go Dogs

[angelopetraglia]

Early weather forecast and it looks like Ballarat is going to put on some fine weather for a change. Sunny, no rain and light winds. What the hell is happening!!!!

Morning frost. Mostly Sunny. Minimum 2c. Maximum 16c. Mostly sunny. The chance of a morning frost. Light winds.

[bornadog]

Dogs by 22
First Goal: Treloar
BOG: Treloar

[boydogs]

Gold Coast won't win in Ballarat

WB by 30
First goal Bont
BOG Macrae

[MrMahatma]

Such a massive game. GC are no mugs and even when they were mugs they pushed us and occasionally beat us.

Dogs by 1pt
FG: Buku
BOG: English

[SquirrelGrip]

Dogs by 24
First goal Baz
BOG Jack Mack

[azabob]

Such a massive game. GC are no mugs and even when they were mugs they pushed us and occasionally beat us.

Dogs by 1pt
FG: Buku
BOG: English

English isn't playing.

[bornadog]

https://youtu.be/NkrmUUAeCy4

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Dogs by 17 points
BOG Libba
First Goal Naughts

[1eyedog]

They always put up a fight against us (except last year in the first half) seem to match up well it's going to be tight I think.

[MrMahatma]

English isn't playing.

Dogs by 1pt
FG: Buku
BOG: Bont

[angelopetraglia]

Bevo's highlights out of the presser about the Gold Coast game. Key points below. A few things that I learnt were the inside 50 discrepency last week in the GC V Freo game, JJ is missing this week with the flu and Bont also had the flu a few weeks ago. It was also good to see Bevo's passion and obvious respect when he spoke about Treloar.

-They have some good scalps. Last week they were super effecient with only 35 entries and they kciked 10.9 (I just looked at the stats for this game. Suns beat Freo by 36 points but lost the inside 50 count by 29! GC 36. Freo 65.)

-GWS track record in Ballarat is goood. They beat the GWS there last year.

-Happy that both Ballarat games are played in Autumn. Happy that it will be good weather again albeit different wind this time.

-The team will travel to Ballarat today and spend the night.

-Searching for momentum. We have not won two games in a row. Our form line has been spasmodic. We need to pile a couple of wins on top of each other.

-Only had to make the one change this week. In the current climate. COVID, Flu - it is good to not get knocked about by them too much all at once. Beyond this week we will have some short turn arounds. We need to get used to boys coming in and out. Talyor has got the flu. JJ would be available but he has got the flu.

-The flu has been drip feeding through the club. Tim trained well on Wednesday. Hopefully he is available next week.

-We need a spread of goal kickers. We had 10 against Bombers. We had four guys kick three last week which is unusual. Naughton has been the one constant. He is having a consistent and powerful season. He would be getting more recognition if the team was performing better.

-GC forward line have been super effecient. We are able to pick three key defenders. They will give each other the required help in the air. It may leaves us more vulnreable at the ground level but hopefully we can nullify that.

-Bont also had the flu. He is pretty healthy now. He is ready and raring to go.

-Treloar has had an amazing journey. Strong connections at all three clubs he has played at. First GWS inagural player to play 200 games. He compares incredibly favourably with those GWS inagural players. He has had an input at the Dogs both on and off the field. What is missed in his game is how competitive he is. He is a great tackler. He speaks from the heart, he plays with passion, he lives his life with passion.

-Daytime Grand Final. My strong preference is to play it during the day. I like the decision.

[Grantysghost]

Bevo's highlights out of the presser about the Gold Coast game. Key points below. A few things that I learnt were the inside 50 discrepency last week in the GC V Freo game, JJ is missing this week with the flu and Bont also had the flu a few week ago. It was also good to see Bevo's passion and obvious respect when he spoke about Treloar.

-They have some good scalps. Last week they were super effecient with only 35 entries and they kciked 10.9 (I just looked at the stats for this game. Suns beat Freo by 36 points but lost the inside 50 count by 29! GC 36. Freo 65.

-GWS track record in Ballarat is goood. They beat the GWS their last year.

-Happy that both Ballarat games are played in Autumn. Happy that it will be good weather again albeit different wind this time.

-The team will travel to Ballarat today and spend the night.

-Searching for momentum. We have not won two games in a row. Our form line has been spasmodic. We need to pile a couple of wins on top of each other.

-Only had to make the one change this week. In the current climate. COVID, Flu - it is good to not get knocked about by them too much all at once. Beyond this week we will have some short turn arounds. We need to get used to boys coming in and out. Talyor has got the flu. JJ would be available but he has got the flu.

-The flu has been drip feeding through the club. Tim trained well on Wednesday. Hopefully he is available next week.

-We need a spread of goal kickers. We had 10 against Bombers. We had four guys kick three out last week which is unusual. Naughton has been the one constant. He is having a consistent and powerful season. He would be getting more recognition if the team was performing better

-GC forward line have been super effecient. We are able to pick three key defenders. They will give each other the required help in the air. It may leaves us more vulnreable at the ground level but hopefully we can nullify that.

-Bont also had the flu. He is pretty healthy now. He is ready and raring to go.

-Treloar has had an amazing journey. Strong connections at all three clubs he has played at. First GWS inagural player to play 200 games. He compares incredibly favourably with those GWS inagural players. He has had an input at the Dogs both on and off the field. What is missed in his game is how competitive he is. He is a great tackler. He speaks from the heart, he plays with passion, he lives his life with passion.

-Daytime Grand Final. My strong preference is to play it during the day. I like the decision.

Wow thanks so much ap.

[kruder]

Just looking at rounds 16-19 below need to be winning a game like this is an understatement. The AFL still loving the doggies in primetime that's for sure. The defence today gives me confidence and with the mids taking a step in the right direction last week, we will finally win two in a row for the first time in 22.


16 Brisbane away Thursday
17 Swans away Friday
18 St Kilda Friday
19 Melbourne Sat night

[Go_Dogs]

Not sure I’ll be able to watch live today, so fingers crossed it isn’t too stressful for those there and watching on the TV!

We should win this despite GC being in the form of their existence.

Dogs by 28
BOG Treloar
First goal Buku

[DOG GOD]

Dogs by 5 pts
1st goal- McNeil
Bog- macrae

[Grantysghost]

Dogs by 16
FG West
BOG Bont (it's time)

[Happy Days]

Yeah I’m tied up today too so will be in and out. Suns are legit and I really hope our ball use and thinking is better than the last time out. If Witts is on one side then maybe switch the ball instead of kicking it to him all day please.

[G-Mo77]

Ballarat has certainly put the weather on for us again. What a day

[Grantysghost]

Ballarat has certainly put the weather on for us again. What a day

Ah lovely enjoy all woofers.

First game there I've missed. Got the Tim English flu.

[GVGjr]

Ballarat has certainly put the weather on for us again. What a day

Brilliant isn't it?

[G-Mo77]

Brilliant isn't it?

Yep, getting a seat in sheltered stands was a bad idea.

Right behind the goale today so it'll be a different experience

[Go_Dogs]

I’m really keen to see how the backline functions today, with Keath, Gardner and O’Brien. It’s the mix we’d been wanting and finally getting to see how it hangs together, while Daniel has started to turn the corner with his form back to his super important best.

[bornadog]

Yep, getting a seat in sheltered stands was a bad idea.

Right behind the goale today so it'll be a different experience

No wind up here either which is a good sign for better football

[Grantysghost]

R.Smith the sub.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 13 points
First Goal: West
BOG: Dunkley

[The Underdog]

Took a short break from handing out How To Votes in time to watch us kick long down the line to a 2 on 1. Back down the democracy mines for me.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Cleary is showing some very good defensive composure in the air. Very promising start for him.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Naughts 4 big marks in the first qtr against Collins.

[angelopetraglia]

They are more than matching us at clearances. They are getting some clean clearances, need to clean that up.

[MrMahatma]

We look ok. Not “on” but we look pretty good. Need to nail a chances but also just a few fumbles hurt us.

[whythelongface]

That red time goal hurt. Thought we looked pretty good.

Is there any wind at the ground? Ball seems to be holding up a bit towards the way GC were kicking.

[whythelongface]

Liking McNeill’s role today. Seems to be a run with role and is laying some tackles.

[azabob]

Aaron Naughton.

That is all.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Naughton... awesome mark, and misses a sitter. He should have 5 goals

[DOG GOD]

15 metres out Naughton. Christ

[DOG GOD]

Wasting opportunities

[GVGjr]

We are looking good but letting ourselves down with skill errors.

[angelopetraglia]

Definitely lifted in the clearances. Naughton should have 5.

[DOG GOD]

5.8 could ballon to 7.14 if we aren’t careful.

[whythelongface]

Bloody hell. Not what we needed.

[Mantis]

Why kick it back to Gardner?

Gave up field position when we didn’t have free players and we pay the price.

[angelopetraglia]

Every week we keep teams in it when we dominate. Put them away. So frustrating.

[DOG GOD]

This has the feeling of “one of those games”

[MrMahatma]

We are sooooo far on top… but not on the board. So frustrating. Feels like the dam will burst soon though.

[angelopetraglia]

Gift them goals against the trend of play. Unbelievable.

[Mantis]

This is junk!

All the play and just butcher our chances and they get gifted goals.

[angelopetraglia]

It should be game over, their confidence blown to pieces. But we are still in a dog fight. It kills you.

[GVGjr]

We really lack the finishing skills. We need to finish the quarter off with a couple of goals.

[angelopetraglia]

Better from McComb and McNeil. Smart play and clinical finishing.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Nice kick from McComb, and finally someone shows some composure. Well done McNeill, really clutch finish from the pocket.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think I'd rather see Khamis ruck in the centre than Cordy.

[DOG GOD]

I think I'd rather see Khamis ruck in the centre than Cordy.
Might as well have Dunkley there. Cordy is a no show

[Testekill]

Getting smashed whenever Cordy heads into the ruck.

[DOG GOD]

Khamis at least has a leap. Cordy can’t even get off the ground.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

So many things to like in that first half....and equally some of the most frustrating self-sabotaging garbage as only we seem to be able to do.

[azabob]

What an extremely disappointing 2nd quarter.

Terrible conversion.

Poor decision to leave Sweet on when Witts went off early in the second which then meant it was Cordy v Witts. From there the suns midfielders got well on top.

[whythelongface]

We should have wrapped this game up instead the suns are back in this. They will come out strong in the 3rd.

[angelopetraglia]

Typical quarter in the Bevo era. Dominate for zero reward. 2.7 that quarter. All gettable. To create momentum and build confidence you need goals. Consecutive goals. It should be game over. So disappointing.

[kruder]

We seem to be back in form. Dominating large chunks of the play without showing on the score board is when we are at our best.

[Mitcha]

Sorry but I have seen this movie before, dominate play with a key forward playing a blinder and instead of a comfortable lead we have left the door open. So Bulldog.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Why is Cordy rucking against Witt's?

Absolutely idiotic coaching which cost us big late in that quarter.

We are the most self sabotaging football club you'd ever hate to see

[G-Mo77]

Why is Cordy rucking against Witt's?

Absolutely idiotic coaching which cost us big late in that quarter.

We are the most self sabotaging football club you'd ever hate to see

I hate sitting behind the goals because I miss so much but this right here stood out like dogs balls. Our defenders were under so much pressure late in that term, they held them off but it felt like the dam was going to burst at times.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Really liked Williams game so far, would've been perfect had he been able to kick straight.

Bont, Bailey Smith and Treloar's disposal has been very iffy. Need them both to have big 2nd halves in terms of impact, not just quantity.

[azabob]

Stats from @OliverGigacz

Q2

Shots
WB: 12 (17%)
GC: 5 (60%)

Score
WB: 2.7 (19)
GC: 3.2 (20)

Disposals
WB: 116
GC: 67

Clearances
WB: 16
GC: 8

[GVGjr]

Why is Cordy rucking against Witt's?

Absolutely idiotic coaching which cost us big late in that quarter.

We are the most self sabotaging football club you'd ever hate to see

It's not surprising though. We see to prefer the mix and match option rather than address the lack of depth at the trade period.

[DOG GOD]

Stats from @OliverGigacz

Q2

Shots
WB: 12 (17%)
GC: 5 (60%)

Score
WB: 2.7 (19)
GC: 3.2 (20)

Disposals
WB: 116
GC: 67

Clearances
WB: 16
GC: 8
And with that should be 5-6 goals up.

[azabob]

Why is Cordy rucking against Witt's?

Absolutely idiotic coaching which cost us big late in that quarter.

We are the most self sabotaging football club you'd ever hate to see

Dew orchestrated that move and we didn’t react at all.

[hujsh]

15 metres out Naughton. Christ

Name a more iconic duo

[angelopetraglia]

We have had 21 shots on goal from 22 entries. 95% conversion.

They have had 11 shots on goal from 26 entires. 39% conversion.

We are super efficient at scoring, just need them to go through the middle. 10 more shots for a 7 point lead.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We have had 21 shots on goal from 22 entries. 95% conversion.

They have had 11 shots on goal from 26 entires. 39% conversion.

We are super efficient at scoring, just need them to go through the middle. 10 more shots for a 7 point lead.

Wow that's an amazing stat... and yet for all the opportunity, we've still managed to find a way to sit on our balls and make things super uncomfortable for ourselves.

[MrMahatma]

Cordy just doing his thaaaang

[Mantis]

Does that minute encapsulate Zaine? Gives away 2 dumb frees and drops a mark.

[azabob]

Finally.
FFS

[azabob]

Great grab by Dunkley

[angelopetraglia]

Treloar is a star.

[1eyedog]

Richards has been insanely good.

[angelopetraglia]

Great work in the ruck by Cordy there

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Finally starting to hit the scoreboard.

[angelopetraglia]

Bont. How did that go in!!!! Wowee. Leg break. Shane Warne eat your heart out.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Really great pressure from our guys since half time.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Bont is killing us.

Bench him

[DOG GOD]

How can that hack kick 5.

[GVGjr]

The Suns are making it hard for us.

[angelopetraglia]

They play three minutes of football and they are back in the game. It’s game on. We need to go again.

[DOG GOD]

When we are bad we are PATHETIC !!!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Jeffrey has really put up some performance for GC up forward.

[DOG GOD]

Didnt we lead by 32 points 5 mins ago ??

[The Bulldogs Bite]

We have the dumbest coaching group.

Cordy against Witts. Amazing.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Hmmm now Casboult getting into the game. We're having one of those "Bulldog's only" periods of play that we hate so much. Got to regroup massively at 3Qtr time, as this has come out of nowhere.

[angelopetraglia]

28 shots v 16. It should be game over. But we are going to have to work really hard for it.

[bornadog]

We have the dumbest coaching group.

Cordy against Witts. Amazing.
Sweet hasn’t got the stamina

[angelopetraglia]

Didnt we lead by 32 points 5 mins ago ??

Yes. With our dominance in the second quarter it should have been 10 goals. If you don’t take your chances you always give the other team a sniff. They kick a goal from no where and then build momentum.

[MrMahatma]

How can that hack kick 5.

What makes him a hack? Isn’t he a kid in his 2nd game? Seems to have good skills, hands, athleticism. I reckon he looks like a real player.

[DOG GOD]

We are going to get a run of momentum and when we do we need to kick goals, otherwise I can see a close one let slip.
It much be so frustrating for Bevo to watch these continuous lapses.

[angelopetraglia]

They are a player down. They played Sunday. We played Friday. Two extra days rest plus an extra player. Just need to win this from here.

[bornadog]

Sweet with just 2 disposals

[MrMahatma]

Take our first chance and we willl win easy. Miss it and the door stays open.

[DOG GOD]

What makes him a hack? Isn’t he a kid in his 2nd game? Seems to have good skills, hands, athleticism. I reckon he looks like a real player.

2nd game this year .. 5th overall.
Hack is probably not the right word, apologies.
Maybe “lesser player” would be more appropriate

[angelopetraglia]

Sweet with just 2 disposals

It’s like playing with a player down. You can see why Bevo doesn’t want to play him. Albeit he does compete hard in the ruck.

[azabob]

For mine when Sweet is rucking that’s when we dominate general play.

He goes off, Suns get into the game.

[DOG GOD]

This is the period we need to be scoring

[azabob]

McNeil any chance you can execute a basic kick in front of goal?

[DOG GOD]

Well done Bont. Very much needed

[angelopetraglia]

Marcus. Clutch.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Just Wow... Bont things.

[angelopetraglia]

McNeil any chance you can execute a basic kick in front of goal?

Tries hard. Really hard. Just doesn’t have enough class.

[macca]

For mine when Sweet is rucking that’s when we dominate general play.

He goes off, Suns get into the game.

Does Sweet have a tank ? Is this one of the many things lacking from him ?
If his does not have aerobic endurance when is he going to develop one ? His been in our system long enough

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Gardner and Keath have been very strong down back, and apart from one brain fart, O'Brien too.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Who has done the job on Rowell today. He's only had 5 possessions?

[kruder]

Caleb looks lost in defence atm, had a poor year we need more from him.

[Testekill]

Daniel has been having a shocker today, we need to move him up the field and Williams or Khamis back.

[angelopetraglia]

Marcus. Clutch.

[DOG GOD]

Bont stepping up when required.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Bont again. Fantastic to see our skipper step up and lead the way.

[DOG GOD]

What the hell was that? Pathetic tackling.

[angelopetraglia]

What was Cleary doing? Straight forward mark and he taps it straight to them.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Crap work in ruck from Sweet, and great effort from Cleary to hassle Rankine, and then a horrific tackle attempt by Scott to allow Rankine to goal.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Ed what a game...has been strong in all facets of the game. His aerial work has been a treat.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Gold Coast are a much tougher unit these days. They've kept coming.

[MrMahatma]

Need 1 more.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Nice tackle Cleary..

[DOG GOD]

Officially in trouble

[MrMahatma]

Cleary is good.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

bloody hell, we'd better not blow this.

[whythelongface]

Oh no. Can we hang on?

[GVGjr]

We need to get a score.

[DOG GOD]

Williams !!!!

Richards BOG for mine

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I'd almost drop Macrae based on his last two efforts

[GVGjr]

Edge of the seat stuff

[DOG GOD]

It was a struggle but a win is a win. Well done dogs.

[angelopetraglia]

We did it the hard way, but that is a bloody good win. Challenged multiple times and found a way. We will get plenty out of that win. Injection of confidence.

[whythelongface]

It was a struggle but a win is a win. Well done dogs.

Agree. Good signs but also not so good signs. But will take this win.

[Grantysghost]

How did Levi go guys?

[Bulldog Joe]

How did Levi go guys?

It's ok you can still post

[GVGjr]

Suns are a good side, could easily have packed it in a couple of times. Upon reflection it was a good win by us albeit a frustrating one.

[azabob]

How did Levi go guys?

Kicked as well as our forwards.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Suns are a good side, could easily have packed it in a couple of times. Upon reflection it was a good win by us albeit a frustrating one.

I know the ruck situation was not popular with some, but for all that we still managed to own clearances. I think there's a bit of confirmation bias when watching Cordy. Yes he had a couple of poor rucks contests that cost us, but he also had some less obvious but critical contributions in some scoring chains as well.

Overall I think Sweet and Cordy did what was required to quell the influence of Witt's output, which is usually a key component of why GC have been the best around the ball at stoppages this year. That was a tactical win for us.

[Grantysghost]

I know the ruck situation was not popular with some, but for all that we still managed to own clearances. I think there's a bit of confirmation bias when watching Cordy. Yes he had a couple of poor rucks contests that cost us, but he also had some less obvious but critical contributions in some scoring chains as well.

Overall I think Sweet and Cordy did what was required to quell the influence of Witt's output, which is usually a key component of why GC have been the best around the ball at stoppages this year. That was a tactical win for us.

Cordy was pretty good again. Gives his all.

[Grantysghost]

Kicked as well as our forwards.

He was officially worst on ground for the Suns just in front of an injured guy.

[GVGjr]

I know Bevo is a stubborn bugger but surely in a 1 on 1 discussion he would concede that Richards is better in our side as a back man.

[Mantis]

Cordy was pretty good again. Gives his all.

5 touches & 1 mark… absolute bog average game.

[hujsh]

I know Bevo is a stubborn bugger but surely in a 1 on 1 discussion he would concede that Richards is better in our side as a back man.

...have I missed him playing elsewhere this year?

[azabob]

Ok, this stat is interesting

From @OliverGigacz
Scores When Jordon Sweet Was Off The Ground
WB 1.7 (13)
GC: 5.5 (35)

[Grantysghost]

5 touches & 1 mark… absolute bog average game.

I thought he was ok. He never gets big numbers and was competing against a guy twice his height at times!

I feel he's a pretty easy target; can be a bit of an echo chamber at times with the Zaine pile on.

It could be worse (think Levi).

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

I know Bevo is a stubborn bugger but surely in a 1 on 1 discussion he would concede that Richards is better in our side as a back man.

Richards and Dale were again outstanding at half back. Williams has looked a better player on a wing.

[GVGjr]

Richards and Dale were again outstanding at half back. Williams has looked a better player on a wing.

It's been huge to the way Dale is performing to have Richards also running into very good form as well. The move of Williams to the wing was been impactful.

[MrMahatma]

5 touches & 1 mark… absolute bog average game.

Generous. Gave a few frees away also.

[Grantysghost]

Generous. Gave a few frees away also.

And set up two goals!

He's limited but I like that he gives his all for the team.

[Eastdog]

Great win today. Watched the match at the Victoria Hotel in Footscray.

This win was really hard fought. The Suns kept coming. We should have put them away in the 2nd quarter. Kicked 2.7.

Nonetheless any win particularly with our position of the ladder is so important.

Go Bulldogs!

[MrMahatma]

And set up two goals!

He's limited but I like that he gives his all for the team.

So on balance, is that more than Schache who actually kicked 2 goals last time in Ballarat then got dropped?

It’s still the same “trying to do stuff is better than actually doing stuff” nonsense that has been going on for a while. Zaine has a crack and there’s no one on here saying he doesn’t. McComb has a crack. McNeil does too. I’m sure they’re nice people but a few of us wonder why these guys are on the list. Some of them are playing cause of injuries to others. But we’re carrying a fair bit of average on our list. Maybe that’s by design so we can pay big $ to the stars? I dunno. I guess that’s a strategy.

Some selections are a mystery. I love Buku but he should be dropped cause JUH would be on the same match. As would Schache. Will he be? Dunno.

[Grantysghost]

So on balance, is that more than Schache who actually kicked 2 goals last time in Ballarat then got dropped?

It’s still the same “trying to do stuff is better than actually doing stuff” nonsense that has been going on for a while. Zaine has a crack and there’s no one on here saying he doesn’t. McComb has a crack. McNeil does too. I’m sure they’re nice people but a few of us wonder why these guys are on the list. Some of them are playing cause of injuries to others. But we’re carrying a fair bit of average on our list. Maybe that’s by design so we can pay big $ to the stars? I dunno. I guess that’s a strategy.

Some selections are a mystery. I love Buku but he should be dropped cause JUH would be on the same match. As would Schache. Will he be? Dunno.

Schache doesn't compete well enough for me.

Can we combine them?

Agree perfect world neither would probably be in our best side.

I think Sweet / English is certainly worth a try.

Last word on Levi too. He had a bad game but I can see he performs a similar role to Cordy and gives them a contest and structure.

[angelopetraglia]

Ok, this stat is interesting

From @OliverGigacz
Scores When Jordon Sweet Was Off The Ground
WB 1.7 (13)
GC: 5.5 (35)

Pretty compelling stat. We need to be at least competitive in the ruck, even if we play someone who doesn’t get the ball a lot around the ground.

[MrMahatma]

Schache doesn't compete well enough for me.

Can we combine them?

Agree perfect world neither would probably be in our best side.

I think Sweet / English is certainly worth a try.

Last word on Levi too. He had a bad game but I can see he performs a similar role to Cordy and gives them a contest and structure.

Levi kicks goals too. Bad day today but if we’re comparing actual output this season, Levi is much more productive that Zaine

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Couldn't find my phone, voted, went to pub x2 to watch, only CFC v Port, went home found phone late 4th qtr, we win!

[jeemak]

Ok, this stat is interesting

From @OliverGigacz
Scores When Jordon Sweet Was Off The Ground
WB 1.7 (13)
GC: 5.5 (35)

So what are we saying, having a recognised ruck on the bench makes us kick inaccurately?

[jeemak]

I thought it was a good win today. Excruciating, but good nonetheless. A bit of straight kicking could have really sucked the life out of them, but, that wasn't to be and we had to fight it out to the end which we did and was pleasing.

Bont was selfish at times which is unusual for him and it cost us, and he was also close to being the difference between the two teams as well. So it was a bit of a funny old day for him.

Richards was really good, but again some of his kicking needs refining.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Pretty compelling stat. We need to be at least competitive in the ruck, even if we play someone who doesn’t get the ball a lot around the ground.

I think the conclusions being drawn from this stat are a perfect example of getting causation confused with correlation.

[jeemak]

I think the conclusions being drawn from this stat is a perfect example of getting causation confused with correlation.

A few other supporting stats would be helpful, for example, did the goals come from coast to coast general play, our turnovers, or from clearances or a blend?

Additionally, we kick one or two of the goals of the seven behinds we kicked and the future changes each time we do.

Also, just one game isn't a great data set to draw from. I wonder what happened last week.....

[Hotdog60]

I just listen to Bevo's presser and he got asked about how Naughton was quieter in the second half after being dominate in the first half.
He said he couldn't say anything but I get the indication that Naughton might have been impeded close to being against the rules of the game. (doesn't that happen most weeks. :))

Anyone at the game notice anything untoward going against Naughton.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I just listen to Bevo's presser and he got asked about how Naughton was quieter in the second half after being dominate in the first half.
He said he couldn't say anything but I get the indication that Naughton might have been impeded close to being against the rules of the game. (doesn't that happen most weeks. :))

Anyone at the game notice anything untoward going against Naughton.

He seemed right p1ssed too, right off the bat. At first, when he interrupted the journo who'd started to preface a question about the difference between Naughty's first and second half by saying 'we better be careful'- I thought, he might've been inferring Naught's was carrying a significant injury. But as the journo's tried to prod, it became obvious he was referring to something to do with the attention being paid to him.

[G-Mo77]

I just listen to Bevo's presser and he got asked about how Naughton was quieter in the second half after being dominate in the first half.
He said he couldn't say anything but I get the indication that Naughton might have been impeded close to being against the rules of the game. (doesn't that happen most weeks. :))

Anyone at the game notice anything untoward going against Naughton.

Naughton should charge Collins with indecent assault it was pretty ugly off the ball and the worst part wws the umpires saw it all and let it happen. They only time they blew their whistle was when he retaliated.

[azabob]

So what are we saying, having a recognised ruck on the bench makes us kick inaccurately?

Pretty much.
But in all seriousness my assumption and some others it seemed that when Sweet was off, GCS dominated. The scoreline says something different.

[Grantysghost]

Pretty much.
But in all seriousness my assumption and some others it seemed that when Sweet was off, GCS dominated. The scoreline says something different.

Witts had 55 hit outs! Crazy.

[G-Mo77]

Those trying to tear down Sweet.....again. He did fine today, competing against one of the best rucks in the game right now and held up OK. I really want to see us go in with a 2 pronged ruck when English comes back.

[Grantysghost]

Those trying to tear down Sweet.....again. He did fine today, competing against one of the best rucks in the game right now and held up OK. I really want to see us go in with a 2 pronged ruck when English comes back.

I thought he was pretty good. Has a presence.

Agree Sweet and English needs to be tried.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Those trying to tear down Sweet.....again. He did fine today, competing against one of the best rucks in the game right now and held up OK. I really want to see us go in with a 2 pronged ruck when English comes back.

I think Sweet played the role he was asked to do very well, and he'll learn a lot too.
Bevo mentioned that Witts is dominating the comp for hitouts to advantage. If today's stat's show Sweet limited Witts in this category then that would be a big feather in his cap.

[G-Mo77]

I thought he was pretty good. Has a presence.

Agree Sweet and English needs to be tried.

Statistically really didn't do much. 2nd efforts were good, tackling was solid and didn't get outmarked that I noticed. He's not going to be a #1 ruck but can certainly play that backup role quite well.

[jeemak]

But Sweet as big and strong as he is put up the numbers English got pilloried for continuously today and we think he was alright. Which is actually fine with me.

[Grantysghost]

But Sweet as big and strong as he is put up the numbers English got pilloried for continuously today and we think he was alright. Which is actually fine with me.

We all know the telemetry that matters is the turnover game.

By the way where is Martin didn't play in either game.

[bornadog]

Those trying to tear down Sweet.....again. He did fine today, competing against one of the best rucks in the game right now and held up OK. I really want to see us go in with a 2 pronged ruck when English comes back.

4 disposals doesn't help his cause

[jeemak]

4 disposals doesn't help his cause

Could you imagine the carnage around here if English got four disposals only and had a titch less than half the hitouts of his main opponent in a win or a loss?

Well you could, if you weren't busy worrying about player heights and weights but you get my point! :p

Cordy was shit at the same time, and he didn't have enough of an impact around the ground, so if it was up to me I'd not see either of them in next week's team if English is ready to play. If I had to choose one I'd choose Cordy, but I'd also consider others like Schache.

But let's not get theoretical because of what we think he could or might bring to the table due to his height or weight or whatever. He was rubbish and isn't up to it yet and it's better that we work around and away from him if we can.

[Danjul]

4 disposals doesn't help his cause
In game 58 English had 9 disposals and 17 hitouts. Two games earlier he had 8 disposals. And that was just last year. After 70 games people are commenting on his recent improvement.

Inround 22 last year English had 10 and 10. That’s in a game where the team managed 5 goals.

Sweet has had 7 games as number one ruckman and in 6 the team has had 14 or more., He is well behind experienced players like McNeil in game time and comparable to Khamis. He will never be getting English’s current figures But he does seem to give the midfielders some spark.

[GVGjr]

In game 58 English had 9 disposals and 17 hitouts. Two games earlier he had 8 disposals. And that was just last year. After 70 games people are commenting on his recent improvement.

Inround 22 last year English had 10 and 10. That’s in a game where the team managed 5 goals.

Sweet has had 7 games as number one ruckman and in 6 the team has had 14 or more., He is well behind experienced players like McNeil in game time and comparable to Khamis. He will never be getting English’s current figures But he does seem to give the midfielders some spark.

It's an interesting way of looking at Sweet but based on what I saw yesterday he's got some work to do to become an AFL standard ruck man. The concern is that he didn't take any marks. Still I'm happy to have him on the list.

I'd certainly consider keeping Sweet in the side next week to ease English back into the game. It might depend on who else we are considering bringing back in.

[G-Mo77]

4 disposals doesn't help his cause

Neither ruckman did much statistically apart from hitouts. The only time I felt Witts hurt us was when Sweet was off the ground. There was between 5 - 10 minutes of football in the 3rd when Sweet was benched and Cordy went up against Witts and they kicked 4 unanswered. The balls were coming into the forward 50 quickly, our defence held up really well during that time and could have been a turning point if they did not. I probably won't get time to rewatch the match and study exactly what Sweet did wrong or right, I'll leave that to the haters with axes to grind but I really thought that point of the game was pretty telling on how much he stifled Witts' ability to hit their mids with taps.

[Danjul]

Neither ruckman did much statistically apart from hitouts. The only time I felt Witts hurt us was when Sweet was off the ground. There was between 5 - 10 minutes of football in the 3rd when Sweet was benched and Cordy went up against Witts and they kicked 4 unanswered. The balls were coming into the forward 50 quickly, our defence held up really well during that time and could have been a turning point if they did not. I probably won't get time to rewatch the match and study exactly what Sweet did wrong or right, I'll leave that to the haters with axes to grind but I really thought that point of the game was pretty telling on how much he stifled Witts' ability to hit their mids with taps.
Naughton’s first three shots at goal came directly from Sweet’s centre bounce work. And Khamis’s first shot too.. Quick direct entries.

One thing I have noticed in the last two games is Sweet is not part of the team reflexes yet. A number of times he has moved forward of the ball to make good position and been ignored. That’s obviously going to take time to change.

[Grantysghost]

It's an interesting way of looking at Sweet but based on what I saw yesterday he's got some work to do to become an AFL standard ruck man. The concern is that he didn't take any marks. Still I'm happy to have him on the list.

I'd certainly consider keeping Sweet in the side next week to ease English back into the game. It might depend on who else we are considering bringing back in.

It's hard to tell from the TV. Was he struggling to make himself dangerous GVG, ergo fitness/endurance is an issue? Or was it more smarts and knowing where to go?

I thought he was quite good in the ruck contests.

[Danjul]

It's an interesting way of looking at Sweet but based on what I saw yesterday he's got some work to do to become an AFL standard ruck man. The concern is that he didn't take any marks. Still I'm happy to have him on the list.

I'd certainly consider keeping Sweet in the side next week to ease English back into the game. It might depend on who else we are considering bringing back in.Witts who looked significantly taller took two. I’m sure I heard one of the commentators say Sweet wasn’t trying to outmark Witts but was trying to spoil him, and being successful. Similar role to Gardner who had only 5 possessions but did a good job.

[chef]

I thought we had a pretty good win yesterday against a similar strength team. Probably should have been by a bit more, but we like to do things the hard way. GC and Dew look like finally becoming more than just a joke club, nice to see.

Gee Ed Richards keeps on surprising me in a good way. Becoming our most important defender.

[GVGjr]

It's hard to tell from the TV. Was he struggling to make himself dangerous GVG, ergo fitness/endurance is an issue? Or was it more smarts and knowing where to go?

I thought he was quite good in the ruck contests.

He genuinely seemed to be coasting but that might be because Cordy was the relief option but even his time of the ground was only 75%

I agree he competed OK in the ruck contests and he just needs more opportunities to improve his craft.

[chef]

I think we can focus to much on actual disposals with some players. Bevo obviously rates highly what a player does without the ball as much as with it.

[GVGjr]

Witts who looked significantly taller took two. I’m sure I heard one of the commentators say Sweet wasn’t trying to outmark Witts but was trying to spoil him, and being successful. Similar role to Gardner who had only 5 possessions but did a good job.

It's a fair observation and I'm hoping to watch the replay later today. I'll keep an eye out of it.

Back to the game, the Suns lost 2 players with injuries and were a man down for a significant period and they also didn't get a lot from Rowell, Miller, Fiorini and to a lesser extent Anderson who should have been their prime movers and yet were right in it all the way through.
Our poor score conversions helped keep them in it but the Suns surprised me because it was a game they could have easily lost by 40 points plus.

[bornadog]

I think we can focus to much on actual disposals with some players. Bevo obviously rates highly what a player does without the ball as much as with it.

Agree on that and Sweet had 6 tackles.


Neither ruckman did much statistically apart from hitouts. The only time I felt Witts hurt us was when Sweet was off the ground. There was between 5 - 10 minutes of football in the 3rd when Sweet was benched and Cordy went up against Witts and they kicked 4 unanswered. The balls were coming into the forward 50 quickly, our defence held up really well during that time and could have been a turning point if they did not. I probably won't get time to rewatch the match and study exactly what Sweet did wrong or right, I'll leave that to the haters with axes to grind but I really thought that point of the game was pretty telling on how much he stifled Witts' ability to hit their mids with taps.

Yes Witts didn't do much around the ground either. I just think Sweet has away to go, but is worth pursing, and just needs to build up his core and run out games. He did well in the first half but ran out of puff in the second and had to have long spells on the bench which were costly.

[hujsh]

In game 58 English had 9 disposals and 17 hitouts. Two games earlier he had 8 disposals. And that was just last year. After 70 games people are commenting on his recent improvement.

Inround 22 last year English had 10 and 10. That’s in a game where the team managed 5 goals.

Sweet has had 7 games as number one ruckman and in 6 the team has had 14 or more., He is well behind experienced players like McNeil in game time and comparable to Khamis. He will never be getting English’s current figures But he does seem to give the midfielders some spark.

Out of curiosity I looked it up. In that game Martin was 1st ruck and got injured at some point. So English wasn't playing first ruck but did have to at some point. Then English got injured but managed to get back onto the field to finish the game before missing the next week. Just context for anyone curious.

Also was round 22 when we moved him forward to cover for Bruce and were using makeshift options in the ruck?

[Go_Dogs]

Bit of talk around the Naughton stuff. I only caught bits and pieces, but the turnover frees when we had a mark on the 50m arc was costly and in the replays I saw they were 50/50 at best and easily could’ve been downfield for Naughton. He’s the only big banana forward that doesn’t constantly get royal treatment from the umps - in fact he gets dudded time and again. The club needs some clarity on this - or we just need to start doing some really hard checking on his man off the ball if that’s allowed (as it apparently is).


Glad we’ve got the 4 points.

Glad we’ve got a bunch of talent and role players to come back in.

I’m starting to get optimistic we’ll be building towards a healthy list and peaking at the right time.

Williams to a wing seems a great move - he’s getting lots of shots on goal, and staying involved in the forward half - plus is capable of being a hard working player back to help defenders - could be a masterstroke.

[bornadog]

Also was round 22 when we moved him forward to cover for Bruce and were using makeshift options in the ruck?

Yes, the reason why we used Young in the ruck. English covering for Bruce

[bornadog]

Williams to a wing seems a great move - he’s getting lots of shots on goal, and staying involved in the forward half - plus is capable of being a hard working player back to help defenders - could be a masterstroke.

Many of us suggested this move on WOOF :)

[Danjul]

Out of curiosity I looked it up. In that game Martin was 1st ruck and got injured at some point. So English wasn't playing first ruck but did have to at some point. Then English got injured but managed to get back onto the field to finish the game before missing the next week. Just context for anyone curious.

Also was round 22 when we moved him forward to cover for Bruce and were using makeshift options in the ruck?

Thanks for the extra details.

[Hotdog60]

On Sweet as I have mentioned in the past we needed to have given him game time when Martin and English was out during the course of the year when we didn't have a recognised ruck instead of mid fielders filling in.
I still think that was a missed opportunity because game time at senior level is huge for a players development.
It also gives you the time to assess if a player is worth persevering with.

[divvydan]

Just on Witts and the hitouts to advantage, from the stats on the AFL site, it appears Witts had 20 hitouts to advantage and Sweet 10. Witts has been averaging 14-15 hitouts to advantage this season so it was a significant jump for him. It's not clear what % came against Sweet and what % against Cordy.

[bornadog]

Just on Witts and the hitouts to advantage, from the stats on the AFL site, it appears Witts had 20 hitouts to advantage and Sweet 10. Witts has been averaging 14-15 hitouts to advantage this season so it was a significant jump for him. It's not clear what % came against Sweet and what % against Cordy.

Witts really got on top of Sweet in the last 10 minutes of the game. Sweet was very tired.

Onething with Witts, he continually wrestled with Sweet around the ground stoppages, and Sweet was getting frustrated with the man handling. Of course the umpires did nothing about it.

[Bulldog4life]

Witts really got on top of Sweet in the last 10 minutes of the game. Sweet was very tired.

Onething with Witts, he continually wrestled with Sweet around the ground stoppages, and Sweet was getting frustrated with the man handling. Of course the umpires did nothing about it.

The reason why the AFL introduced the line in the centre square was to stop the wrestling. I remember the game that was the final catalyst was Dempsey against Moore. But you are right the umps do nothing about the wrestling around the ground sometimes pulling a free out of the hat from time to time.

[jeemak]

Are hitouts to advantage simply where the ruckman puts the ball or is it contingent on where the midfielders get to? If it's the latter then hitouts to advantage for and against are more of a midfield/ team effort, right?

[divvydan]

Are hitouts to advantage simply where the ruckman puts the ball or is it contingent on where the midfielders get to? If it's the latter then hitouts to advantage for and against are more of a midfield/ team effort, right?

Official definition is "A hit-out that reaches an intended teammate." So it does rely on the midfielder grabbing it cleanly.

[jeemak]

Official definition is "A hit-out that reaches an intended teammate." So it does rely on the midfielder grabbing it cleanly.

Thanks. So you would think to quell hitouts to advantage a team's ruck/ midfielders would need to analyse opposition ruck/ midfielder patterns at all stoppage types with the ruck doing what it can to limit access and the midfielders doing what they can to get ball side of the intended receiver.

[Grantysghost]

Thanks. So you would think to quell hitouts to advantage a team's ruck/ midfielders would need to analyse opposition ruck/ midfielder patterns at all stoppage types with the ruck doing what it can to limit access and the midfielders doing what they can to get ball side of the intended receiver.

That's a really interesting question.

How much time is put into the opposition setups..

I guess it's hard to tell if :

A) it's a perfect setup and the opposition defended it
B) it's a tap out that didn't go to plan
C) it went to plan but the mids stuffed it.

Hitouts to advantage percentage might be more interesting. Hitouts : hitouts to advantage ratio.

From a layman's perspective it seems midfields just try their thing and rarely setup to defend another teams play or even have much idea of their play book.

[jeemak]

That's a really interesting question.

How much time is put into the opposition setups..

I guess it's hard to tell if :

A) it's a perfect setup and the opposition defended it
B) it's a tap out that didn't go to plan
C) it went to plan but the mids stuffed it.

Hitouts to advantage percentage might be more interesting. Hitouts : hitouts to advantage ratio.

From a layman's perspective it seems midfields just try their thing and rarely setup to defend another teams play or even have much idea of their play book.

I would hope that given Bevo mentioned how strong Witts is in that area we took a holistic approach and didn't just rely on Sweet, but I hoped that we may have done the same against Melbourne in the grand final and it seemed we didn't really want to at that stage so you never know!

[bornadog]

Thanks. So you would think to quell hitouts to advantage a team's ruck/ midfielders would need to analyse opposition ruck/ midfielder patterns at all stoppage types with the ruck doing what it can to limit access and the midfielders doing what they can to get ball side of the intended receiver.

We are the clearance kings with the best midfield group in the AFL. Ranked 1 in AFL. Surprinsgly Suns ranked 2, but they were smashed

[MrMahatma]

We are the clearance kings with the best midfield group in the AFL. Ranked 1 in AFL. Surprinsgly Suns ranked 2, but they were smashed

That’s an amazing stat.

So annoying… Lions lost today. We should be in the top 2-3. Crows, Tigers, Blues… even the Port loss. So frustrating. I’m so glad the season is getting back on track.

[bornadog]

That’s an amazing stat.

So annoying… Lions lost today. We should be in the top 2-3. Crows, Tigers, Blues… even the Port loss. So frustrating. I’m so glad the season is getting back on track.

After Lions match they jumped us to top.

On Centre clearances we are 3rd (Lions 4th)

[Grantysghost]

That’s an amazing stat.

So annoying… Lions lost today. We should be in the top 2-3. Crows, Tigers, Blues… even the Port loss. So frustrating. I’m so glad the season is getting back on track.

Melbourne are 2 games clear on top already.

I'm not sure they've tried yet.

How are they so good!? These guys are pretty much the same bunch of losers except Langdon, Pickett, Jackson, Sparrow, Jordan and none of those are superstars yet.
Langdon is playing like one atm but I need a bigger sample size.
I reckon the rule changes have really helped them.

[Scraggers]

Buku offered a $3,000 fine, down to $2,000 for first offence.

[jeemak]

Melbourne are 2 games clear on top already.

I'm not sure they've tried yet.

How are they so good!? These guys are pretty much the same bunch of losers except Langdon, Pickett, Jackson, Sparrow, Jordan and none of those are superstars yet.
Langdon is playing like one atm but I need a bigger sample size.
I reckon the rule changes have really helped them.

They are well coached, play as a team and have an excellent structure when everyone is fit, plus they have added the players you have named and a few more have come on in development.

But, you also need to look at who they've played and how those teams have been going.

We had them in round one and if we're honest we weren't going that well after a fair amount of off-field upheaval over the break, while they weren't flash against the Suns the following week. Post that game they played against a Power team that was still reeling from its preliminary final loss at Adelaide Oval (or were just going shit because of personnel available and form), and have had six games at the MCG against teams finding their way or just middling outside of playing the Eagles at Optus and Kangaroos at Marvel.

So good for them I guess.

[bornadog]

Buku offered a $3,000 fine, down to $2,000 for first offence.

What a bloody joke

[Grantysghost]

What a bloody joke

It was paid a free that should be the end of it. Game is run by idiots.

[1eyedog]

That’s an amazing stat.

So annoying… Lions lost today. We should be in the top 2-3. Crows, Tigers, Blues… even the Port loss. So frustrating. I’m so glad the season is getting back on track.

Win next week almost guaranteed 8th spot.

[bornadog]

It was paid a free that should be the end of it. Game is run by idiots.

Buku's late hit was in the back and his arm went up as he was falling and slightly touched his head. The player lay there as if he was shot - complete fake

[Grantysghost]

Buku's late hit was in the back and his arm went up as he was falling and slightly touched his head. The player lay there as if he was shot - complete fake

He definitely milked the 50. Buku made a mistake but it was dealt with appropriately on the day it was very light contact.

[jazzadogs]

Interestingly on the expected scores our inaccuracy was not unexpected...

Actual: Bulldogs 106 - 87 Suns
Expected: Bulldogs 113 - 76 Suns

[bornadog]

Took me an extra hour to get home Saturday due to a fatality on the Western Highway, very frustrating, but condolences to the driver killed.

[Go_Dogs]

Damo calling for Bevo to apologise for what he said about Naughton…. Pls.

[Grantysghost]

Aflca votes

Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast8 Bailey Smith (WB)
6 Ed Richards (WB)
5 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
3 Jack Macrae (WB)
3 Joel Sudar-Jeffrey (GCFC)
2 David Swallow (GCFC)
2 Bailey Williams (WB)
1 Aaron Naughton (WB)

LEADERBOARD

61 Clayton Oliver (MELB)
53 Patrick Cripps (CARL)
50 Christian Petracca (MELB)
49 Lachie Neale (BL)
47 Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
41 Callum Mills (SYD)
40 Bailey Smith (WB)
39 Jack Crisp (COLL)
38 Touk Miller (GCFC)
38 James Sicily (HAW)
37 Charlie Curnow (CARL)
34 Jeremy Cameron (GEEL)
31 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
31 Darcy Parish (ESS)
30 Max Gawn (MELB)
30 Sam Walsh (CARL)
29 Shai Bolton (RICH)
27 Jack Higgins (STK)
27 Jayden Short (RICH)

[Grantysghost]

Marcus appears to have received a 5 from one coach, and a 0 from the other!

Which way we betting?

[Go_Dogs]

Marcus appears to have received a 5 from one coach, and a 0 from the other!

Which way we betting?

I was trying to work it out and looks like you’re right. Bont and Ed got the 5’s, Smith a pair of 4’s… Bont didn’t get another vote and Ed got a 1. Odd such big discrepancies.

[Grantysghost]

I was trying to work it out and looks like you’re right. Bont and Ed got the 5’s, Smith a pair of 4’s… Bont didn’t get another vote and Ed got a 1. Odd such big discrepancies.

Very! Who do you think went the 5?

Surely Dew wouldn't have given Bont 0?

I have a feeling it was Bevo, he probably gave Ed the 5.

Why don't they show what each coach gave seems a little smoke and mirrors behind the shadows.

[jeemak]

Bevo made a point of it not being Bont's most productive day when in the middle.

[Happy Days]

Wow that’s harsh. He won us the game!

And we reckon we judge him too harshly.