Power V Bulldogs - Round 17, Sat 6/7/24 Adelaide Oval 1:45PM AEST

[bulldogtragic]

I can’t believe we pay Marra a million bucks a year, honestly.

[Happy Days]

English has been our best player. WOOF in shambles.

[Happy Days]

Man we really can’t have any fun today can we

[angelopetraglia]

One errant hand ball and we cough up a goal on the turnover.

Where is our run and dare from our back half? Non existent today.

[Mantis]

English has been our best player. WOOF in shambles.

Not much competition on a day like this.

Not one player is winning their position.

[Bullies]

At least look like you are trying

[angelopetraglia]

How bad is the commentary?

How are they allowed not to be at the ground? It?s embrassing. They don?t see the free kick to JHF, so they guess. How can it be 2024 and product is compromised in this way.

Absolute joke free kick BTW.

[angelopetraglia]

If that?s a free to JHF, Bont should get 40 free kicks per game.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

This is turning into one of the worst performances under Bevos tenure.

[ledge]

If you don’t know port by now , once they are in front they all run.
I will give credit to two players today , Treloar and Libba.

[Bullies]

Macneilis supposed to be a pressure forward. Can't tackle.Go figure

[bulldogtragic]

This is turning into one of the worst performances under Bevos tenure.

Which is saying something.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Hard to understand how a side with so much writing on the game can churn out a half like that. Except it's not because we did it against WCE last year.

I thought we might have put performances like this behind us. Silly me.

Embarrassing and shameful.


This is turning into one of the worst performances under Bevos tenure.
Yep and you know what will be coming. Heads will roll

[angelopetraglia]

This is embarrassing.

This is a team that fell over the line against the Saints last week. They kicked 8 goals.

Massive kick in the guts to the faithful.

[kruder]

It's hard to understand Bevo pushing Lobb forward now, he was looking promising in defence which is a move that its more than just about this result considering our unhealthily reliance on Liam Jones.

I don't get it, make Darcy work through a difficult day forward of the ball don't give him an out by moving him back.

[DOG GOD]

% has gone from 120 to 114

[jeemak]

McNeil thinks he's good enough for one handed marks now.

[kruder]

Classic Tim English performance pathetic first half and once again needed to be reminded to complete at half time. Much better in the second half so predictable.

[jeemak]

Bont falling over for no reason. You know it's bad when that's happening.

[bulldogtragic]

McNeil thinks he's good enough for one handed marks now.

If you kept getting picked despite showing little as a top leaguer you’d maybe do it too.

[Bullies]

If you don’t know port by now , once they are in front they all run.
I will give credit to two players today , Treloar and Libba. they have been slaughtered by the opp mids

[JanLorMill]

It's hard to understand Bevo pushing Lobb forward now, he was looking promising in defence which is a move that its more than just about this result considering our unhealthily reliance on Liam Jones.

I don't get it, make Darcy work through a difficult day forward of the ball don't give him an out by moving him back.

It’s called lost for ideas. We’ve made poor calls all week. Another isn’t gonna matter.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

McNeil thinks he's good enough for one handed marks now.

Why pick him?

How many times does he need to fail for us to realise we might as well pick ANYBODY else but him. I'm not convinced on Clarke or Arty but I'm convinced McNeil shouldn't be anywhere near AO right now.

[bornadog]

Classic Tim English performance pathetic first half and once again needed to be reminded to complete at half time. Much better in the second half so predictable.

Meanwhile typical Sweet game, 6 disposals.

[angelopetraglia]

We have kicked four goals in three quarters.

Four goals.

How?

This Port team lost at home by 79 points two weeks ago.

As bad a performance you will ever see with so much on the line.

[bulldogtragic]

Why pick him?

How many times does he need to fail for us to realise we might as well pick ANYBODY else but him. I'm not convinced on Clarke or Arty but I'm convinced McNeil shouldn't be anywhere near AO right now.

Yet his defenders will line up.

[Angak]

James O'Donnell has to do better to protect himself in that contest. You cant be getting a concussion from there

[bornadog]

Why pick him?

How many times does he need to fail for us to realise we might as well pick ANYBODY else but him. I'm not convinced on Clarke or Arty but I'm convinced McNeil shouldn't be anywhere near AO right now.

I agree, but the trouble is no one is putting their hand up for that role. McNeil goes back to VFL and picks up 20 disposals and a few goals. Clarke and Arty, just fart around.


Yet his defenders will line up.

Who else have we got that plays that role.

[Bullies]

Meanwhile typical Sweet game, 6 disposals. His tapwork has been sensational and given them first use. Wouldn't worry about his stats.

[josie]

% has gone from 120 to 114

Yuk. Let’s hope we make up some of that in last qtr. With JoD likely out next week hopefully we see Buss debut, not ideal vs hot Blues but something potentially positive to focus on next week.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Is it just me but I’ve noticed that every time Saunders gets the ball he handballs backwards. Also not
Only backwards but behind the player he is trying to hit. It’s takes all momentum out of us

[DOG GOD]

Why pick him?

How many times does he need to fail for us to realise we might as well pick ANYBODY else but him. I'm not convinced on Clarke or Arty but I'm convinced McNeil shouldn't be anywhere near AO right now.

All 3 won’t make it.

[Dogs 24/7]

I know a thrashing isn't necessarily a good time to rehash something from last week but is anyone open to discussing why Marra is struggling? Love the fella but he's been under performing.

[Mantis]

Meanwhile typical Sweet game, 6 disposals.

He helped set up their matching winning lead with his ruck work early on.

You aren?t going to win this fight.

[bornadog]

Is it just me but I’ve noticed that every time Saunders gets the ball he handballs backwards. Also not
Only backwards but behind the player he is trying to hit. It’s takes all momentum out of us

Yes he is quick to dish it off or do a stupid chip kick

[ledge]

I agree, but the trouble is no one is putting their hand up for that role. McNeil goes back to VFL and picks up 20 disposals and a few goals. Clarke and Arty, just fart around.



Who else have we got that plays that role.

I would put Scott in

[Bullies]

The Naughts concussion - really? Are our doctors gun shy now with the Picken case?

[DOG GOD]

Yuk. Let’s hope we make up some of that in last qtr. With JoD likely out next week hopefully we see Buss debut, not ideal vs hot Blues but something potentially positive to focus on next week.

Buku and buss vs curnow and McKay….yikes !!!!!!!!!

[jeemak]

Butters seems like a wanker.

[Dogs 24/7]

The Naughts concussion - really? Are our doctors gun shy now with the Picken case?

Can't blame them though.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Top finish Tim.
Cmon dogs keep pushing.

[Happy Days]

Butters seems like a wanker.

5 years of tireless recruiting all thrown down the drain because Jeemak went into business for himself and called Butters a wanker.

[Bullies]

Is it just me but I’ve noticed that every time Saunders gets the ball he handballs backwards. Also not
Only backwards but behind the player he is trying to hit. It’s takes all momentum out of us He is not up to the speed of the game which is why he doesn't go forward. It is a problem.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Gallagher has had far too much rope.

[EasternWest]

Meanwhile typical Sweet game, 6 disposals.

Lol.

[bornadog]

His tapwork has been sensational and given them first use. Wouldn't worry about his stats.

We are winning clearances so his tap work is not that good.

What I am saying is no use being a great tap and useless for the rest of the game

[Bullies]

Gallagher has had far too much rope. i think he needs a break - Poulter/Baker in next week

[bulldogtragic]

Gallagher has had far too much rope.

I don’t get it. A heap of rope.

[Happy Days]

English has been clearly our best player and killed Sweet. Plenty of other targets to pick at today.

[Mantis]

We are winning clearances so his tap work is not that good.

What I am saying is no use being a great tap and useless for the rest of the game

lol.

English should be destroying Sweet given his wage and standing in the game.

He was hidden in the forward line early on and was soundly beaten when it mattered.

[JanLorMill]

English has been clearly our best player and killed Sweet. Plenty of other targets to pick at today.
You didn’t watch the first half did you?

[Angak]

Is it just me but I’ve noticed that every time Saunders gets the ball he handballs backwards. Also not
Only backwards but behind the player he is trying to hit. It’s takes all momentum out of us

Good pickup. He needs to drive with his legs when he receives the ball before he handpasses/kicks. It will create more options for him instead of standing stationary where he is under pressure all the time.

[EasternWest]

English has been clearly our best player and killed Sweet. Plenty of other targets to pick at today.

I think you might be watching the wrong game. English had about five good minutes and has stunk it up the rest of the day.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

JUH just pushed aside yet again. He is so far out of touch it’s not funny.

[azabob]

Sanders has areas to work on and no surprise they are exposed when his 22 other teammates do not turn up.

[Happy Days]

I think you might be watching the wrong game. English had about five good minutes and has stunk it up the rest of the day.

Did think it was weird you were all so upset about a game we were winning by 10 goals.

[angelopetraglia]

It?s easy to beat up on our second string players.

But they would look very differently if our midfield even broke even. When your midfield gets destroyed. Everyone looks poor. You are on the back foot.

This loss is squarely on the back of our mids in that first half who get destroyed.

English, Bont, Libba, Treloar, Richards. Taught a lesson. That?s where the game was lost.

[G-Mo77]

Lol. English should have been licking his lips at facing an inferior opponent instead we got this. These meaningless stats after half time do not count. English is not a competitor and not worth the paper we wrote our 5 year offer onto.

[ledge]

Sanders has given us nothing but average football so far .
Why haven’t we put Macrae in the middle or have we ?

[jeemak]

Oh look, Bont sprayed it left.

[jeemak]

Sanders has given us nothing but average football so far .
Why haven’t we put Macrae in the middle or have we ?

Sanders is the least of my worries.

[kruder]

Meanwhile typical Sweet game, 6 disposals.

He isn't asking for a 7 year deal.

[jeemak]

Why wouldn't Bont just put it in the air and at least give Darcy some sort of chance?

[angelopetraglia]

Swamp

?45 disposals between Connor Rozee (18), Zak Butters (14) & Ollie Wines (13) in Q1
Most by a trio in a quarter this century?

That?s what our midfield allowed in the first quarter.

[ledge]

Lobb should play back all the time .
Today being the exception due to losing players and such a shit attempt at AFL football from the rest of the players

[Bullies]

That handball from MacNeill was a torpedo to Bont - he is a spud. Please leave him in Adelaide

[angelopetraglia]

Backline has not been the biggest issue. The midfield has been non competitive.

[EasternWest]

Why wouldn't Bont just put it in the air and at least give Darcy some sort of chance?

Because we know 6 foot 10 guys are at their best when the ball is on their feet.

He mustn't be right Bont, because he's been pretty ordinary today.


Lobb should play back all the time .
Today being the exception due to losing players and such a shit attempt at AFL football from the rest of the players

Lobb has shown plenty in the backline. Let's see if he can sustain it.

[ledge]

Well with the VFL team playing as bad I think we look to bring in the n VFLW players at least they won and show some effort.

[lemmon]

Sanders gives up a chase way too easily

[ledge]

Horne Francis ran away from Sanders like an adult player against an under 16s player

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Let's just salvage some respect in this quarter dogs.

[angelopetraglia]

Tim English needs to swallow that. Poor.

[bulldogtragic]

Tim English needs to swallow that. Poor.

No stat for that, but spoiling Doc caused that goal to Rozee.

[ledge]

Freijah looks like he knows how to kick a goal , attacking wing for the future

[Mantis]

Love the ball flight on that one.

[azabob]

Freijah looks like he knows how to kick a goal , attacking wing for the future

Ledge does he remind you of Andrew Embley?

[JanLorMill]

Lobb should play back all the time .
Today being the exception due to losing players and such a shit attempt at AFL football from the rest of the players
Might need to ruck next year.

[ledge]

Ledge does he remind you of Andrew Embley?

He actually has that hunched back like Dimattina to me

[jeemak]

Oh look, Bont sprayed one left again. Fiddlesticks.

[G-Mo77]

Only thing we can take out of this game is we've cashed in on junk time and salvaged some %

[Mantis]

Oh look, Bont sprayed one left again. Fiddlesticks.

Haven?t seen that before have we?

[jeemak]

No stat for that, but spoiling Doc caused that goal to Rozee.

Doc should have called the bigger player back.

[angelopetraglia]

Again. Embrassing that they are calling the game from Melbourne.

[ledge]

What is this ? Port stuff it and we give it back like it’s “you stuffed it try again”.

[jeemak]

Haven?t seen that before have we?

But he just looks so stylish when he leans back and kicks across his body when it works.

[jeemak]

I have no idea how that was only eight goals.

[angelopetraglia]

I have no idea how that was only eight goals.

Game was lost in first quarter. Game over.

[Rocket Science]

Once again, left to rue turning up to a knife fight with a half eaten stick of kabana.

[angelopetraglia]

Five goals each after half time. Some serous questions need to be asked after that first quarter.

[ledge]

Bevo should be disgusted in his own performance today, trying to be clever and just making a complete mess of it.

[ledge]

Only thing we can take out of this game is we've cashed in on junk time and salvaged some %

Did we ? Doesn’t look like it to me

[ledge]

Well GC lost if that helps

[EasternWest]

Ya know in pondering more there's absolutely no question that Marra has been stinking it up lately, but I can't recall a moment today where he was hit on a lead.

Just had the ball dropped on his head a lot and made to fend for himself.

I also think in the contest when the commentators were saying he "only goes for it with one hand" he was legit trying to tap it to Macrae who would have run into an open goal.

I dunno. He's playing poorly but we need to get around him.

[G-Mo77]

Did we ? Doesn’t look like it to me

Kick 4 goals in the 4th and kicked 4 in the first 3 quarters of this game. Junk time cash.

[GVGjr]

Essendon win, Dogs huge loss...I'm going for a long walk :)

[Bullies]

Ya know in pondering more there's absolutely no question that Marra has been stinking it up lately, but I can't recall a moment today where he was hit on a lead.

Just had the ball dropped on his head a lot and made to fend for himself.

I also think in the contest when the commentators were saying he "only goes for it with one hand" he was legit trying to tap it to Macrae who would have run into an open goal.

I dunno. He's playing poorly but we need to get around him. Come on. He needs to work hard. He drops his head and has no second effort. He is on $1m.

[Eastdog]

A dog of a day. The win from Port was set up in that first quarter via Rozee who we did not clamp.

Bont was quiet today but still got some goals. Libba and Trelaor worked hard. Lobb has been good down back. We miss Jones down there and I'm hoping he is right to go next week along with Weightman who we missed forward.

Jamarra needs to do better and has a lot of work still to do.

We got well beaten through the midfield and gave their forwards plenty of opportunities. JHF was a handful.

Now or never now for season 2024 the next few weeks with games against the Blues at Marvel, Cats down at Geelong, Swans at the SCG and the Demons back at Marvel. Going to be tough if we don't pick up.

[mighty_west]

Meanwhile typical Sweet game, 6 disposals.

I'm a Timmy fan but Sweet took him to the cleaners especially early which reflected on the scoreboard as their mids had a field day, we know Sweet doesn't do a lot around the ground but his impact on the game was immense in the middle which set their win up, Tim looked spooked by a plodder who has very good ruck craft, fortunately Tim got himself back in the game but the damage was done.

[Eastdog]

Game was lost in first quarter. Game over.

Eerily similar in our favour to when we beat Gold Coast in Ballarat Round 2 which came from some early Cody brilliance.

[Happy Days]

I have no idea how that was only eight goals.

Dogs back?

[EasternWest]

Come on. He needs to work hard. He drops his head and has no second effort. He is on $1m.

Did I not open with that?

He's underperforming terribly but our delivery to him is just woeful.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Did I not open with that?

He's underperforming terribly but our delivery to him is just woeful.

He had it delivered down his throat 4 or 5 times last week and coughed every one of them up. Today he didn't get that kind of delivery but we needed him to compete and fight but he was continually outmarked by an average player and his effort to get involved after that was just as poor.

Need to stop making excuses for him, he gets a free ride every week but he wanted big bucks and so it's about time we start demanding more from him instead of dancing around it.

On form he shouldn't be in this side.

[Grantysghost]

McNeil best on today.

Effort man he had it in spades.

Garcia can't get a game?

Just finished the game.

Very similar to the Lions mauling. Midfield smashed. Richards in there maybe isn't the magic bullet we thought. Makes losing Baz and Dunks all the more painful.

Half back was a disaster. No run, completely stopped dead. Didn't help we somehow decided to have Freijah inexplicably the sub. Where's the run coming from Bevo? Not Richards he can never play there again I guess?

Darcy in first cb. Lmfao. We got spooked by Sweety!

Haynes level of crazy things that happen at the start of vames when you over think shit.

All in all a disastrous afternoon and with the games to come the only thing to look forward to is the pick in the top 6 we will be watching GC use. Be good to see what might have been.

I haven't read anything from this thread above. Marra probably copping it, man I'd hate to be a forward with the kicks that come in there. Nightmare. Not sure any one tall played really well. English probably the best, then Lobb.

[SonofScray]

Pretty shameful.

Laid all our issues bare and pulled our pants down in every facet of the game. Someone didn’t do their homework.

So disappointing.

[merantau]

Massive kick in the guts. There may be a lot of pain ahead of us in the run home. It will take a massive turn around to win next week. We need stellar performances from half a dozen players. I don't think it's going to happen.

[azabob]

Interesting thoughts from Beveridge in his press conference around our three key forwards.

Twice he hinted that maybe our forward line is better suited to how we lined up against Fremantle. Not the players as such but the type of players. Once Naughton is ready to come back it will be an interesting watch.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Holy crapballs, I spent the afternoon outdoors in Melbourne like cold up, with very strong winds here in Brisbane at my daughter's netball. I somehow forgot to dress appropriately, and both froze and got an earache...and yet it seems like I still had a better afternoon than were I to have stayed home and watched the game.
Yowzers those types of performances just suck the wind right out of your sails as a supporter.

Not having seen the game, and I don't think I will, I can see Naughts is concussed and also JOD was also injured. Did Naughts' concussion look really bad? And is JOD going to miss weeks with his injury?

[azabob]

Holy crapballs, I spent the afternoon outdoors in Melbourne like cold up, with very strong winds here in Brisbane at my daughter's netball. I somehow forgot to dress appropriately, and both froze and got an earache...and yet it seems like I still had a better afternoon than were I to have stayed home and watched the game.
Yowzers those types of performances just suck the wind right out of your sails as a supporter.

Not having seen the game, and I don't think I will, I can see Naughts is concussed and also JOD was also injured. Did Naughts' concussion look really bad? And is JOD going to miss weeks with his injury?

Both concussed. Neither bad. Naughton copped a swinging back hander and JOD was dumb

[jeemak]

Holy crapballs, I spent the afternoon outdoors in Melbourne like cold up, with very strong winds here in Brisbane at my daughter's netball. I somehow forgot to dress appropriately, and both froze and got an earache...and yet it seems like I still had a better afternoon than were I to have stayed home and watched the game.
Yowzers those types of performances just suck the wind right out of your sails as a supporter.

Not having seen the game, and I don't think I will, I can see Naughts is concussed and also JOD was also injured. Did Naughts' concussion look really bad? And is JOD going to miss weeks with his injury?

JOD was always going to be late to a contest so he decided to run at it with his face and bounced off the marking opponent with a concussion for his efforts.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Coffield is a watch for me.

I kind of expected more, but granted he still hasn't had a good run at it yet and probably shouldn't have played today all things considered.

I just worry about his intensity and pace. The game seems to demand both of these assets and he's one of a few we have that have neither.

Can he play wing?

I get he just needs to 'PLAY' at this point, but I hope we can see some sort of return soon.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

JOD was always going to be late to a contest so he decided to run at it with his face and bounced off the marking opponent with a concussion for his efforts.

Ah the ole face tackle... nice......

[jeemak]

Ah the ole face tackle... nice......

It wasn't even a tackle or a spoil. It was like he wanted to be concussed, as that was the only thing that was ever going to come from the incident.

[Grantysghost]

It wasn't even a tackle or a spoil. It was like he wanted to be concussed, as that was the only thing that was ever going to come from the incident.
He got caught in two minds and made the worst choice.
He's so raw still. Our backline really is held together by sticky tape.
Did someone say Jones is our most important player in here recently.

They might be right

[bulldogtragic]

He got caught in two minds and made the worst choice.
He's so raw still. Our backline really is held together by sticky tape.
Did someone say Jones is our most important player in here recently.

They might be right

I’m all chips in on Barass. If we get a late first and something for Baz, I’d gladly hand over the first to WCE and pay big bucks to Barass. We simply need another proven KPD.

[kruder]

Interesting thoughts from Beveridge in his press conference around our three key forwards.

Twice he hinted that maybe our forward line is better suited to how we lined up against Fremantle. Not the players as such but the type of players. Once Naughton is ready to come back it will be an interesting watch.

While we continue to play Croft forward in the VFL.....

[Grantysghost]

Percentage took a hit down to 114.8

[azabob]

While we continue to play Croft forward in the VFL.....

Hopefully it is part of a bigger plan, but surely playing him and Buss together in defence would be better longer term for continuity etc.

[ledge]

Hopefully it is part of a bigger plan, but surely playing him and Buss together in defence would be better longer term for continuity etc.

He didn’t play today

[kruder]

Hopefully it is part of a bigger plan, but surely playing him and Buss together in defence would be better longer term for continuity etc.

Keath and Gardy have been out also yet continue to play him forward. He is another tall that is a poor set shot I'm not sure what the plan is to be honest.

[kruder]

Coffield is a watch for me.

I kind of expected more, but granted he still hasn't had a good run at it yet and probably shouldn't have played today all things considered.

I just worry about his intensity and pace. The game seems to demand both of these assets and he's one of a few we have that have neither.

Can he play wing?

I get he just needs to 'PLAY' at this point, but I hope we can see some sort of return soon.

Fingers crossed once he gets continuity he can add to our ability to rebound because its Bailey Dale or bust atm.

[Stevo]

Shattered by our loss today. Bevo is clearly looking for answers.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

He got caught in two minds and made the worst choice.
He's so raw still. Our backline really is held together by sticky tape.
Did someone say Jones is our most important player in here recently.

They might be right

I'm sure others have said it too but I've been singing this for a while. As soon as I saw he was out injured I knew today would be a hard slog.

However, what I wasn't expecting was the pathetic performance from our mids. We would've lost today even if Jones had played. Probably just a lesser margin.

I'm sick of our lazy mids.

[Grantysghost]

Bevo's briefs.

Do the evolution baby.

https://click.e.westernbulldogs.com.au/?qs=99dc843c8de8448d47e0bfaa6196cf595921910fc2efada96f9df747 483f34981d3aa0ebf5ac30efdc24e417213a0ea36281efb3d7c1cbd4f8e2 e1cf7ab747db

[Grantysghost]

45 disposals between Connor Rozee (18), Zak Butters (14) & Ollie Wines (13) in Q1
Most by a trio in a quarter this century

[Happy Days]

45 disposals between Connor Rozee (18), Zak Butters (14) & Ollie Wines (13) in Q1
Most by a trio in a quarter this century

I can’t believe Tim English would do this to us

[Go_Dogs]

It wasn't even a tackle or a spoil. It was like he wanted to be concussed, as that was the only thing that was ever going to come from the incident.

Surprised more of our players didn?t look to take that option yesterday tbh.

[JanLorMill]

I can’t believe Tim English would do this to us
Sweet 15 HO from 24 to English 5 from 22 in the first.
Rozee butters and wines were given a silver service.

[Danjul]

Sweet 15 HO from 24 to English 5 from 22 in the first.
Rozee butters and wines were given a silver service.
I don?t understand the discussion or surprise about this.

Anybody who was at the Collingwood game in 2022 saw exactly the same situation. Libba, Treloar and Macrae combined for over 100 possessions and Bont also spent time in the centre as part of one of his best games for the season.

Interestingly, the final score line was the same as yesterday, but this time it was the Bulldogs with 100 points and Collingwood with 50.

[Grantysghost]

I can?t believe Tim English would do this to us

We have the most one way mids in history I think. The Lions and this game carbon copies. Has to be completely on their terms against other good midfields.
I'm of the opinion these days : we don't have a great midfield. We have some great midfielders...but the mix doesn't work.

[Grantysghost]

I don?t understand the discussion or surprise about this.

Anybody who was at the Collingwood game in 2022 saw exactly the same situation. Libba, Treloar and Macrae combined for over 100 possessions and Bont also spent time in the centre as part of one of his best games for the season.

Interestingly, the final score line was the same as yesterday, but this time it was the Bulldogs with 100 points and Collingwood with 50.
Danj! Don't be a stranger.

[Go_Dogs]

We have the most one way mids in history I think. The Lions and this game carbon copies. Has to be completely on their terms against other good midfields.
I'm of the opinion these days : we don't have a great midfield. We have some great midfielders...but the mix doesn't work.

I think most have been saying this for a while. At times this year we’ve gone with different looks which has worked well, however we don’t seem willing or able to make material game day changes to the mix unless our hand is forced with injury. I get we should back our one wood, but early in the first we should’ve clocked what was happening and could’ve looked at:

Richards to tag Rozee
Bont forward to replace injured Naughton
West some midfield rotation time
Macrae onto Wines

In clearly making this up, but pull a lever or two and see if we can stem the bleed. It seemed to take us until half time to wrestle back a bit of ground but that’s a combination of it all being over along with us refocusing.

[Grantysghost]

I think most have been saying this for a while. At times this year we’ve gone with different looks which has worked well, however we don’t seem willing or able to make material game day changes to the mix unless our hand is forced with injury. I get we should back our one wood, but early in the first we should’ve clocked what was happening and could’ve looked at:

Richards to tag Rozee
Bont forward to replace injured Naughton
West some midfield rotation time
Macrae onto Wines

In clearly making this up, but pull a lever or two and see if we can stem the bleed. It seemed to take us until half time to wrestle back a bit of ground but that’s a combination of it all being over along with us refocusing.
Yes I think you're on the right path.

We have a gameplan that seems hugely dependant on midfield dominance. When that isn't there we tend to fall apart.
Compare that with say a Melbourne who have a defend first mentality and attack from the back more (we are a get it in lock it in territory team) they have far more consistent results and are often still in games they haven't played that well in.

We couldn't score from midfield or defence yesterday which tells you the importance of our game plan of forward stoppage goals. So you deprive us of the ball and gameplan gone.

Not finishing top 4 in Bevo's tenure for mine shows the difficulty of sustaining his game plan for long periods.

I think even our coaches over rate our midfield mixture.

[The Underdog]

I can’t believe Tim English would do this to us

It was McNeil’s fault.

[jeemak]

Yes I think you're on the right path.

We have a gameplan that seems hugely dependant on midfield dominance. When that isn't there we tend to fall apart.
Compare that with say a Melbourne who have a defend first mentality and attack from the back more (we are a get it in lock it in territory team) they have far more consistent results and are often still in games they haven't played that well in.

We couldn't score from midfield or defence yesterday which tells you the importance of our game plan of forward stoppage goals. So you deprive us of the ball and gameplan gone.

Not finishing top 4 in Bevo's tenure for mine shows the difficulty of sustaining his game plan for long periods.

I think even our coaches over rate our midfield mixture.

Every team requires midfield parity at the very least to be consistently competitive, and supremacy to consistently win. Having great key defenders helps, of course.

Last week our score from turnover game was cooked (and called out by the coach), this week again it was an issue. It's clearly a focus and something we need to get right.

[Go_Dogs]

Every team requires midfield parity at the very least to be consistently competitive, and supremacy to consistently win. Having great key defenders helps, of course.

Last week our score from turnover game was cooked (and called out by the coach), this week again it was an issue. It's clearly a focus and something we need to get right.

Is it how we’re setting up the field, intensity and execution, a lack of dare with ball movement, a lack of run from both behind and in front of the ball, all or most of the above? We’re a way off at the moment and when we can’t get a few players having it on a string (namely Bont and Dale) we really suffer.

[Grantysghost]

Every team requires midfield parity at the very least to be consistently competitive, and supremacy to consistently win. Having great key defenders helps, of course.

Last week our score from turnover game was cooked (and called out by the coach), this week again it was an issue. It's clearly a focus and something we need to get right.
You could certainly argue the game plan is tailored to our strengths which is a good thing clearly.

It's when the cascading effect of goals and centre bounce clearances happen and we don't have time to force secondary stoppage and get the half forward / mid 2s involved that it falls apart. When we did win some around the ground stoppage port had the outnumber down back which allowed them to play keepings off.

Yesterday we were locked in enemy territory so often and when it was in ours we couldn't keep it or get it back (their keepings off).

The Power had a great plan and executed it well.

[jeemak]

You could certainly argue the game plan is tailored to our strengths which is a good thing clearly.

It's when the cascading effect of goals and centre bounce clearances happen and we don't have time to force secondary stoppage and get the half forward / mid 2s involved that it falls apart. When we did win some around the ground stoppage port had the outnumber down back which allowed them to play keepings off.

Yesterday we were locked in enemy territory so often and when it was in ours we couldn't keep it or get it back (their keepings off).

The Power had a great plan and executed it well.

Largely because their mids actually showed up. We've looked fantastic and our game plan has as well when our mids have.

At times yesterday reminded me of the second half versus GWS at Mars last year, where the ground was set up to try and protect a defence that was unstable and undermanned - and the opposition was able to overlap with run and hands on the way out. Credit to Power for exposing us in the way they did.

We desperately need Jones back in the lineup. Coffield will be better for the run, and hopefully Lobb who was OK at times yesterday can take another step forward.

[lemmon]

I missed the game yesterday and am just catching up with it now - I think the complete fall-down in structure is the biggest concern.

They killed us on the outside. We couldn't stop their short kicking and uncontested marking game, and our forwards let them roll past for the handball receive far too often. We didn't get deep entries and forward stoppages for West and McNeil to do much, but they had to be more accountable with the Port halfbacks. Look at how aggressive Lachie Jones was in his running and our forwards let him get out in space way too easily.

I don't think our work around the contest was that bad, the damage was done on the outside. English didn't impose himself, but I feel like we were cut up when the ball was in space and the stoppage stuff was relatively neutral. Butters and Rozee got most of their footy running loose once the ball had exited the stoppage. They just cut up our zone by foot.

When we did rebound from 50, we were kicking long to a contest and our forwards weren't able to make it count against a pretty undermanned backline. If I'm Marra and Bergman starts on me, I'm thinking that I need to have 12 marks today and impose myself on this guy, because he's going to be looking to run and create off me. There was a real stagnancy in how we tried to rebound the ball as well, we missed a JJ type with legs to break the lines and take the space in front of him.

O'Donnell's positioning was really naive as well, he just gave Georgiades so much space out the back.

[bornadog]

We have the most one way mids in history I think. The Lions and this game carbon copies. Has to be completely on their terms against other good midfields.
I'm of the opinion these days : we don't have a great midfield. We have some great midfielders...but the mix doesn't work.

This is why we need Smith to stay. He is 23 years old, has pace and is a bull.

Come on Sam Power get it done. Give him what he wants.

[Grantysghost]

This is why we need Smith to stay. He is 23 years old, has pace and is a bull.

Come on Sam Power get it done. Give him what he wants.

Can he build a beach in Barkly St?

[The Adelaide Connection]

There is a lot of doom and gloom, and to be fair we were awful for the most part.

BUT as rock bottom as we were and without the rub of the green they were getting, we only lost the last three quarters by 2.6.

As awful as we were in the first quarter we should have had four goals on the board to their five- 2 sitters from set shots, a VDM brain fade, and a bs free kick called on Naughton for hands in the back.

Lots of if, buts and candynuts- but I don?t think we should be throwing away the season just yet. I?m driving over this weekend, I want to be cashing in my free Grilld burger for a dogs win come Monday.

[hujsh]

This is why we need Smith to stay. He is 23 years old, has pace and is a bull.

Come on Sam Power get it done. Give him what he wants.

A trade to a bigger club?

[Grantysghost]

We are down to 11th currently.

Pick 8 to GCS.

[chef]

We are down to 11th currently.

Pick 8 to GCS.

That looks a disastrous trade with how vanilla Sanders looks.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

That looks a disastrous trade with how vanilla Sanders looks.

Sanders looked so good in the early season. Was that a false hope? Someone mentioned he looks like Mitch Wallis 2.0. I hate how accurate that is starting to feel.

[EasternWest]

Sanders looked so good in the early season. Was that a false hope? Someone mentioned he looks like Mitch Wallis 2.0. I hate how accurate that is starting to feel.

Wasn't Mitch Wallis actually pretty good before he broke his leg though?

[lemmon]

A trade to a bigger club?

Cotton On based on the Maribyrnong

[Mantis]

Wasn't Mitch Wallis actually pretty good before he broke his leg though?

He was always pretty limited. He could accumulate, but he lacked pace and hurt factor with his disposals.

[jeemak]

Wasn't Mitch Wallis actually pretty good before he broke his leg though?

Champion Data rated him elite prior to the 2016 season. His ball handling and hands were magnificent.

[Grantysghost]

That looks a disastrous trade with how vanilla Sanders looks.

Sanders looks very lacking in hurt factor. I don't really see an elite trait? Endurance?

[jeemak]

Sanders is playing a difficult role for a first year player. He hasn't been afforded the luxury of coasting behind the ball, he's not a key mid in a shitty team.

I am not at all worried about him.

Versus Tom Liberatore at the same age:

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=8&playerStatus2=A&tid2=8&type=A&pid1=7159&pid2=3486&fid1=O&fid2=O

Yes I know stats aren't everything, but they help. After next year there'll be an inside mid spot especially for him, and he'll thrive.

[Grantysghost]

Sanders is playing a difficult role for a first year player. He hasn't been afforded the luxury of coasting behind the ball, he's not a key mid in a shitty team.

I am not at all worried about him.

Versus Tom Liberatore at the same age:

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=8&playerStatus2=A&tid2=8&type=A&pid1=7159&pid2=3486&fid1=O&fid2=O

Yes I know stats aren't everything, but they help. After next year there'll be an inside mid spot

especially for him, and he'll thrive.

Of course way too early to judge but if you've watched enough footy you get a sense.

Melbourne's first two picks Windsor and Tholstrup just look like long term players straight away.

Sanders, he's going to have to be an inside player with his speed and I'm not sure they're as important as they used to be. Pure inside types.

[jeemak]

Of course way too early to judge but if you've watched enough footy you get a sense.

Melbourne's first two picks Windsor and Tholstrup just look like long term players straight away.

Sanders, he's going to have to be an inside player with his speed and I'm not sure they're as important as they used to be. Pure inside types.

No worries, I'll defer to you and your expertise then. :)

[chef]

Sanders looks very lacking in hurt factor. I don't really see an elite trait? Endurance?

Yeah he looks a bit of a plodder with no penetration in his kicking. Hope for our sake he develops a lot.

[Grantysghost]

No worries, I'll defer to you and your expertise then.

Jee that wasn't a go at you. Apologies if it came across that way.

All these things are my opinion, yours is as valid as mine and I enjoy reading them.

Sanders is too good of a junior not to be a good AFL player, I guess my concern is how good.

[lemmon]

Sanders is playing a difficult role for a first year player. He hasn't been afforded the luxury of coasting behind the ball, he's not a key mid in a shitty team.

I am not at all worried about him.

Versus Tom Liberatore at the same age:

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=8&playerStatus2=A&tid2=8&type=A&pid1=7159&pid2=3486&fid1=O&fid2=O

Yes I know stats aren't everything, but they help. After next year there'll be an inside mid spot especially for him, and he'll thrive.

I'm not anti-Sanders - I think he's playing more outside than he'd like, he needs to get fitter, his disposal has been pretty good for the most part and he'll only get better, but I am a bit concerned about some of the 'intangibles'.

There's been a lack of intensity in some of his defensive work - he'll tackle when it's his turn, but he gives up a chase easily and some of his running off the ball is pretty lackadaisical.

There was one point in the last where Horne-Francis burned him off coming out of the stoppage - I don't think that Sanders physically could've caught him...but as a first-year player fighting for a best 22 spot, I want to see him grit his teeth and look like he's squeezing everything out of his legs that he can.

If you're going to make it as a career inside mid who doesn't have a great turn of foot, I think he needs to find a level of intensity and aggression at the contest that doesn't seem to be there right now.

[jeemak]

Jee that wasn't a go at you. Apologies if it came across that way.

All these things are my opinion, yours is as valid as mine and I enjoy reading them.

Sanders is too good of a junior not to be a good AFL player, I guess my concern is how good.

Sorry I put a smiley face on the post, no worries dude was just having a bit of fun.

[Grantysghost]

Sorry I put a smiley face on the post, no worries dude was just having a bit of fun.
Well, Ive had a Turkish coffee this afternoon so I'm bouncing. No that's not a euphemism.

I talk a lot of shit, once in every hundred posts I might hit the mark!

[Grantysghost]

I'm not anti-Sanders - I think he's playing more outside than he'd like, he needs to get fitter, his disposal has been pretty good for the most part and he'll only get better, but I am a bit concerned about some of the 'intangibles'.

There's been a lack of intensity in some of his defensive work - he'll tackle when it's his turn, but he gives up a chase easily and some of his running off the ball is pretty lackadaisical.

There was one point in the last where Horne-Francis burned him off coming out of the stoppage - I don't think that Sanders physically could've caught him...but as a first-year player fighting for a best 22 spot, I want to see him grit his teeth and look like he's squeezing everything out of his legs that he can.

If you're going to make it as a career inside mid who doesn't have a great turn of foot, I think he needs to find a level of intensity and aggression at the contest that doesn't seem to be there right now.

He looks like an old fashioned accumulator. Simon Atkins, Macrae type.

Not sure useful they are now, but you do need at least one good one so he's ours going forward.
You need speed around the ball. Was hoping McKercher would get through but that was a pipe dream

[EasternWest]

Champion Data rated him elite prior to the 2016 season. His ball handling and hands were magnificent.


He was always pretty limited. He could accumulate, but he lacked pace and hurt factor with his disposals.
Both of these things I remember.


Sanders looks very lacking in hurt factor. I don't really see an elite trait? Endurance?

I think Sanders is fine and will be fine. Needs a few years to become a man, but I feel like we're judging him way to harshly way too soon.


Jee that wasn't a go at you. Apologies if it came across that way.

All these things are my opinion, yours is as valid as mine and I enjoy reading them.

Sanders is too good of a junior not to be a good AFL player, I guess my concern is how good.


Sorry I put a smiley face on the post, no worries dude was just having a bit of fun.

Nets.

[Grantysghost]

I think we can discuss Sanders, the most prepareddraftpick ever, without meaning we are writing him off.
Clearly a talented kid.
Also Nets: I can't I'm getting my hair cut.

[Danjul]

I think we can discuss Sanders, the most prepareddraftpick ever, without meaning we are writing him off.
Clearly a talented kid.
Also Nets: I can't I'm getting my hair cut.
Sanders and Gallagher are talented, but both have directional dysfunction.

When Gallagher gets the ball he ensures that there is an opponent to tackle him in his path.

Sanders, on the other hand, runs away from opponents but then totally ignores the necessity to turn and quickly direct the play a significant distance to goal end.

A small amount of guidance would have a big impact on their usefulness.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Wasn't Mitch Wallis actually pretty good before he broke his leg though?

He was a talented footballer but the modern game surpassed him. He was too slow and lacked lethal skills.

[D Mitchell]

Not every top 10 pick ends up a Bont.

[bornadog]

Sanders and Gallagher are talented, but both have directional dysfunction.

When Gallagher gets the ball he ensures that there is an opponent to tackle him in his path.

Sanders, on the other hand, runs away from opponents but then totally ignores the necessity to turn and quickly direct the play a significant distance to goal end.

A small amount of guidance would have a big impact on their usefulness.

All part of his development

[The Adelaide Connection]

I remember seeing a fair bit of Sam Walsh early and thinking he was pretty vanilla. He seemed to get a lot of it, but seemed scared to have it- it was always backwards and sideways and often to someone in a worse position.

I feel like that is what he are seeing with Sanders. To be fair he is a kid and he?s had one preseason- having seasoned bodies coming at you has gotta be intimidating. I?m hoping in time we will see more composure and more hurt factor.

Somebody get tis kid a cheap goal to get that rolling too.

[EasternWest]

I think we can discuss Sanders, the most prepareddraftpick ever, without meaning we are writing him off.
Clearly a talented kid.
Also Nets: I can't I'm getting my hair cut.

I don't know how I can respond to this given I've been expressly forbidden about talking about the game day thread.

[Grantysghost]

I don't know how I can respond to this given I've been expressly forbidden about talking about the game day thread.

Lolz in bad.