With all this talk of fundraising and contracts and Bailey Smith...

[mjp]

...can anyone tell me if we are actually focussed on this week's game??

All I am hearing about is:

1/. How good we are and if it wasn't for Brisbane, we'd be the flag favourites.
2/. Fundraising for the new facility.
3/. Bailey Smith
4/. Tim's contract/impending free agency.

The club is focussed on the game against Adelaide right? 'Cos there's no point beating Melbourne (or Sydney, or Geelong, or Carlton) if you're going to fall asleep on the flight to Adelaide and not get the job done...

Really concerned right now. Not loving the change of focus from footy to fundraising. Yep - of course it's important but happy members will donate more....

[hujsh]

...can anyone tell me if we are actually focussed on this week's game??

All I am hearing about is:

1/. How good we are and if it wasn't for Brisbane, we'd be the flag favourites.
2/. Fundraising for the new facility.
3/. Bailey Smith
4/. Tim's contract/impending free agency.

The club is focussed on the game against Adelaide right? 'Cos there's no point beating Melbourne (or Sydney, or Geelong, or Carlton) if you're going to fall asleep on the flight to Adelaide and not get the job done...

Really concerned right now. Not loving the change of focus from footy to fundraising. Yep - of course it's important but happy members will donate more....

Do you think this is something that impacts the players and coaches? I know it's what WOOF has talked about but surely aside from the admin it's not really anything that gets much notice from the footy side of the club

[bornadog]

We need to be totally ready, says Beveridge (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1620975/we-need-to-be-totally-ready-says-beveridge)

The Western Bulldogs are hopeful they can achieve a positive outcome at Adelaide Oval this Sunday.

The Bulldogs are yet to register a win at the venue this season, but coach Luke Beveridge says preparing the same way they have over the last month will hold them in good stead.

?We?re 0 from two, so it?d be nice to at least get a positive result (there) this year. That?ll be our intent ? to go over there and put our best foot forward,? Beveridge told media on Tuesday.

?I was impressed by Adelaide against Essendon, and then they ran Geelong pretty close down at the sleepy hollow and almost should?ve won that game.

?I think Rankine is coming back this week, so when you look at their forward-line and their threats, and consider quite recently how prolific they were with how much they scored particularly early in the season, they?re extremely capable.

?We need to be totally ready for their best.?

Beveridge said the evenness of the competition, even still at this point in the run home, means his team needs to stay alert.

?We?ve only won 12, but there?s (probably four games) that we?d not rather forget, but you learn a bit from how the challenge of the competition is real...anyone can sit you on your backside so I think that?s probably the key,? he said.

?Being cats on a hot tin roof is about being really wary that that can happen in any given week. It?s why I highlight the possibility that Adelaide are that team.

?We need to be ready for them like we have been against the teams we?ve played in recent times who were above us on the ladder.?

[mjp]

Do you think this is something that impacts the players and coaches? I know it's what WOOF has talked about but surely aside from the admin it's not really anything that gets much notice from the footy side of the club

Yep - I sure do.

You need a bit of a unified purpose to be successful and whilst last week was all about retro round, honouring the past and moving forward together, this week it just doesn't feel like that. Adelaide fluffed their lines last week in a game they coulda/shoulda won...Further, the week before they beat Essendon and were deluding themselves finals were 'MAYBE' on the agenda...now that's clearly GONE so they will be playing with real freedom (aided by the desire to get a 2025 contract).

This just spells danger to me and my opinion is that Bevo would not be loving what's going on right now...we need to knuckle down. This has become SO important - who here wants to play GWS in Ballarat on the final day of the season with finals on the line and the Toby/Jesse show operating inside the Giants forward 50.

I am 100% hating all of this right now and the timing seems so wrong. I mean, when you need money you need money I guess and I bet the admin are saying "this stuff doesn't impact on footy"...but it does.

[comrade]

...can anyone tell me if we are actually focussed on this week's game??

All I am hearing about is:

1/. How good we are and if it wasn't for Brisbane, we'd be the flag favourites.
2/. Fundraising for the new facility.
3/. Bailey Smith
4/. Tim's contract/impending free agency.

The club is focussed on the game against Adelaide right? 'Cos there's no point beating Melbourne (or Sydney, or Geelong, or Carlton) if you're going to fall asleep on the flight to Adelaide and not get the job done...

Really concerned right now. Not loving the change of focus from footy to fundraising. Yep - of course it's important but happy members will donate more....

Last week we had 10x more exposure about the new facility, how well we?re going etc. We had ex-legends talking about the new swimming pool. We were the lead on every footy show throughout last week (trust me, I watched them all). This week? Basically crickets. It?s all on the Swans wobbling, Brisbane rising etc. If we were guilty of being distracted by the off field stuff, last week would have confirmed it. We went alright if I recall.

Bailey Smith and Tim English have been ongoing topics of interest all year round, this week is no different.

Time to enjoy what you?re seeing on the field, mjp. Remember, you were pretty confident we?d drop the game against Melbourne also.

[azabob]

So what mjp is saying is "Get it done"

https://megaphone.link/NTETP3069341031

[jeemak]

I'm hoping the timing of our game gives us time to put today's fundraising behind us and purely focus over the next few days. If it was a Friday night game it'd be more concerning to me.

[comrade]

Are the players out there making calls and rattling tins today?

[Happy Days]

It did occur to me that they are risking screwing with the vibes by launching this weird opaque fundraising campaign seemingly out of nowhere, but also this stuff only really seems to be on my mind until the games start and then it disappears completely.

[EasternWest]

Are the players out there making calls and rattling tins today?

They've got too many side hustles to get to.

Besides, the family of 4 on 80k a year are more emotionally invested in the club and should definitely be bled for that little bit more.

[bornadog]

I am more concerned about actually playing at Adelaide Oval where we have lost two games this year.

Hopefully the boys don't get ahead of them selves and put in the effort to beat this mob.

[mjp]

Last week we had 10x more exposure about the new facility, how well we?re going etc. We had ex-legends talking about the new swimming pool. We were the lead on every footy show throughout last week (trust me, I watched them all). This week? Basically crickets. It?s all on the Swans wobbling, Brisbane rising etc. If we were guilty of being distracted by the off field stuff, last week would have confirmed it. We went alright if I recall.

Bailey Smith and Tim English have been ongoing topics of interest all year round, this week is no different.

Time to enjoy what you?re seeing on the field, mjp. Remember, you were pretty confident we?d drop the game against Melbourne also.

Start at the bottom first:

I wasn't CONFIDENT we would lose to Melbourne. I said - and I'm not gonna go and find it but it would have been something like this - "Until we can prove that our #1 attacking plan vs Melbourne ISN'T to kick the ball to Steven May and Jake Lever, then I am not prepared to concede we will win this game". To be fair, I did suggest we would beat Carlton and was pretty confident vs Sydney. I'm pretty sure I said the same thing about Tom Stewart that I said about Lever and May btw - both were footy based reasons to be nervous based on past performance.

I think the "distractions" LAST WEEK were all about footy. Past players coming in is GOOD for footy culture and players get very focussed in on performance when things like that are on. Having Hawkins at the club and watching highlights of Dougie doing Dougie things is inspirational. Listening to him talk about how he feels about the facilities etc - that helps ground them and reminds them of some simple truths - like, "We are lucky to be playing a game and getting paid to do it. We have things that those before us didn't have...etc".

The distractions this week are all about 'self' - $ and cents, pure and simple. That is not a good mindset for a football team.

If the players are disconnected from it...well, that's great. I just know that talking about Chinese walls and other such devices of separating issues within organisations is all cool until it isn't...I don't want it to not be cool this week against a dangerous team.

[The bulldog tragician]

Last week we had 10x more exposure about the new facility, how well we?re going etc. We had ex-legends talking about the new swimming pool. We were the lead on every footy show throughout last week (trust me, I watched them all). This week? Basically crickets. It?s all on the Swans wobbling, Brisbane rising etc. If we were guilty of being distracted by the off field stuff, last week would have confirmed it. We went alright if I recall.

Bailey Smith and Tim English have been ongoing topics of interest all year round, this week is no different.

Time to enjoy what you?re seeing on the field, mjp. Remember, you were pretty confident we?d drop the game against Melbourne also.

I feel the same. Last week I was alarmed that we were flavour of the month and concerned we would drop a game against a tough opponent who has historically troubled us while we basked in our own glory. I thought the signs were very good from the get-go against the Dees.

To me this week’s fundraising drive has been part of the unveiling of a brilliant new facility and celebrating our Footscray heritage. A positive future to sell and be part of, aligning with a team performing on the field. It doesn’t feel like a forlorn, desperate, down and out, poor old Dishlickers, can-we-at-least-stay-afloat strategy. It’s quite different to be asked to contribute to an amazing state of the art revitalisation than “hoping” to save the old John Gent stand when it was condemned as a fire hazard. So I don’t think, mjp, that it has had that sort of vibe. The Bailey Smith - English thing has gone on all year. Unless you mean it’s our Woof chatter that’s fixated on these things, I’m not sure where the sense that the club is likely to be distracted has come from?

[Mofra]

I want things difficult.
I really do. I want hurdles because we tend to perform best when we make things hard for ourselves.

Adelaide - and any team with small forward threats - worries me more than sizes with a more "traditional" set up. That's great.

We'll "find out" this week because if we don't beat Adelaide, I don't think we'll beat the Hawks either and they may week be our week 1 finals opponent (if we get there)

[Axe Man]

I want things difficult.
I really do. I want hurdles because we tend to perform best when we make things hard for ourselves.

Adelaide - and any team with small forward threats - worries me more than sizes with a more "traditional" set up. That's great.

We'll "find out" this week because if we don't beat Adelaide, I don't think we'll beat the Hawks either and they may week be our week 1 finals opponent (if we get there)

I think there is a fair chance Hawthorn miss out with 14 wins unless they can increase their percentage or there are some major upsets. They are also a fairly unlikely opponent for us in week 1.

[Grantysghost]

I think there is a fair chance Hawthorn miss out with 14 wins unless they can increase their percentage or there are some major upsets. They are also a fairly unlikely opponent for us in week 1.
Hawks bubble burst for mine.

[comrade]

They've got too many side hustles to get to.

Besides, the family of 4 on 80k a year are more emotionally invested in the club and should definitely be bled for that little bit more.

I did see Bont & a few others spruiking Camrys & Corollas on Airport Toyota?s social media last week and he somehow played alright on Friday despite the distraction of doing sponsorship duties.

[Mofra]

I think there is a fair chance Hawthorn miss out with 14 wins unless they can increase their percentage or there are some major upsets. They are also a fairly unlikely opponent for us in week 1.
Carlton are " gettable" this week and they have two easy games at that. This week is like an elimination final and if they win, I think they make it

[GVGjr]

Are the players out there making calls and rattling tins today?

Not that I'm aware of. I got two calls from the club today but neither of them were players. I think the players had the day off today.

[bornadog]

Not that I'm aware of. I got two calls from the club today but neither of them were players. I think the players had the day off today.

Yeah I got a call about donating and I said I contributed two days ago and suggested they check who they are calling

[EasternWest]

I did see Bont & a few others spruiking Camrys & Corollas on Airport Toyota?s social media last week and he somehow played alright on Friday despite the distraction of doing sponsorship duties.

It's not what the players do in their spare time I'm railing against.

[Go_Dogs]

100 point win coming up folks.

[Grantysghost]

At least

[comrade]

Who knows?The players may well be up and about seeing how we've hit the fundraising target.

[josie]

100 point win coming up folks.

Yes please.

[MrMahatma]

I don’t feel confident about any match left this season.

Not until the first bounce. Then I’ll be woooo woooo hoooo hooooing and telling anyone who’ll listen that we can’t lose.

But Crom are def no easy beats.

[1eyedog]

Start at the bottom first:

I wasn't CONFIDENT we would lose to Melbourne. I said - and I'm not gonna go and find it but it would have been something like this - "Until we can prove that our #1 attacking plan vs Melbourne ISN'T to kick the ball to Steven May and Jake Lever, then I am not prepared to concede we will win this game". To be fair, I did suggest we would beat Carlton and was pretty confident vs Sydney. I'm pretty sure I said the same thing about Tom Stewart that I said about Lever and May btw - both were footy based reasons to be nervous based on past performance.

I think the "distractions" LAST WEEK were all about footy. Past players coming in is GOOD for footy culture and players get very focussed in on performance when things like that are on. Having Hawkins at the club and watching highlights of Dougie doing Dougie things is inspirational. Listening to him talk about how he feels about the facilities etc - that helps ground them and reminds them of some simple truths - like, "We are lucky to be playing a game and getting paid to do it. We have things that those before us didn't have...etc".

The distractions this week are all about 'self' - $ and cents, pure and simple. That is not a good mindset for a football team.

If the players are disconnected from it...well, that's great. I just know that talking about Chinese walls and other such devices of separating issues within organisations is all cool until it isn't...I don't want it to not be cool this week against a dangerous team.

On the contrary I think the members raising a million bucks in one day, (how long did it take in 89?), is a real motivator for the football department and it shows that we believe in them and the club is important to us. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Bevo mention it at some stage on Sunday.

Every single team is dangerous but I have 100% faith that the players and coaches won't let us down this week.

[Axe Man]

Carlton are " gettable" this week and they have two easy games at that. This week is like an elimination final and if they win, I think they make it

14 wins is factoring them in to win their last 3 games, including Carlton. Because their percentage isn't great they need to rely on teams ahead losing. Carlton have West Coast and St Kilda, they could drop one but shouldn't. Fingers crossed we don't drop the 2 games out of 3 they need. Freo might be their best hope (Cats & Port home, GWS away) - hawks need them to drop 2 of those.

[ledge]

On the contrary I think the members raising a million bucks in one day, (how long did it take in 89?), is a real motivator for the football department and it shows that we believe in them and the club is important to us. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Bevo mention it at some stage on Sunday.

Every single team is dangerous but I have 100% faith that the players and coaches won't let us down this week.

I tend to think Bevo will use it as motivation in the same way . Look at our supporters we need to thank them etc etc

[Axe Man]

Yeah I got a call about donating and I said I contributed two days ago and suggested they check who they are calling

Wow, BAD has dropped a don't you know who I am? :D

[bornadog]

Wow, BAD has dropped a don't you know who I am? :D

very funny :D

[The Underdog]

I don?t feel confident about any match left this season.

Not until the first bounce. Then I?ll be woooo woooo hoooo hooooing and telling anyone who?ll listen that we can?t lose.

But Crom are def no easy beats.

I'm never confident, but the reality is to win the premiership, we probably need to go minimum 6-1 over the next 2 months. And I'll be shitting bricks over every single one of those, including North. We might be playing some of the best football I've ever seen us play right now and we're still long odds to win it all.

[mjp]

To me this week?s fundraising drive has been part of the unveiling of a brilliant new facility and celebrating our Footscray heritage.

Everything last week - lead into Melbourne - was Retro round, celebrating Footscray and 1954 premiership players around the club.

Everything this week was almighty dollar and fundraising and corporate guff. And an extended break (8 days between games).

Today's result was totally predictable and I am so bloody annoyed right now. Yep - the poor goal-kicking didn't help but guess what you don't do when you're not thinking about what you need to do better? Really challenge one another on the minutae of the game - like have specific stoppage setups to combat what was likely to be a dominant oppo ruck, taking your time and taking chances in front of goal, making sure defensive spoils are boundary side this week due to the danger of the Adelaide smalls.

[Bullies]

After drinking their own bath water all week the players have decided to bottle some and sell it as part of their next fund raising.

[Grantysghost]

Everything last week - lead into Melbourne - was Retro round, celebrating Footscray and 1954 premiership players around the club.

Everything this week was almighty dollar and fundraising and corporate guff. And an extended break (8 days between games).

Today's result was totally predictable and I am so bloody annoyed right now. Yep - the poor goal-kicking didn't help but guess what you don't do when you're not thinking about what you need to do better? Really challenge one another on the minutae of the game - like have specific stoppage setups to combat what was likely to be a dominant oppo ruck, taking your time and taking chances in front of goal, making sure defensive spoils are boundary side this week due to the danger of the Adelaide smalls.
I think with what was on the line, a potential top four spot and momentum going into finals that's in Bevo's worst two or three losses.

We never were in the game, were absolutely over awed by the moment and ended up getting smashed.

The gameplan is one way full boar all the time.

There's little nuance and when we are being hunted with elite pressure we keep playing the same way like headless chooks allowing the hunt to continue.

That first ten minutes of the third quarter was an abomination. Think we were 10-2 clearances against when we need to come out and show something with the importance of the match.

Fuming!

[hujsh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDzyKvV4gKU&ab_channel=PWee28

Why do you forsake us mjp, Kami of omens and portents? Was the offering not sufficient?