Game Day - R11 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

[BulldogBelle]

This is the discussion thread for this Suday night's twillight game at ES against Collingwood.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 11 points
BOG : Daniel Cross
Barry Hall to kick the first goal.

[LostDoggy]

Pies by 17
BOG: Pendlebury
First goal Hill

[Doc26]

Magpies: 28pts
BOG: Shaw
First Goal: Didak

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Dogs back in form win by 21 points
BOG - Coons
1st Goal - Hall

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 5 points
BOG = Coooooooney!
First Goal = Bazza

[Rocco Jones]

Pies by 34 points
BOG: Swan (Although Boyd won't even be able to recall whether Swan played or not such is their regard for his opponent)
First goal: Thomas

[bornadog]

Dogs by 19

BOG - Griffen

First Goal - Bazza

[LostDoggy]

It's crazy to see so many woofers tipping the Pies! I tip with my heart way too much.

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 10
BOG: Griffen
FG: Gia
Eagle to get a goal with his first kick to (Confidence booster for the old man and for the fans)

[chef]

Pies by 37:(
BOG Lake
First Goal Hahn

[LostDoggy]

Pies by 37:(
BOG Lake
First Goal Hahn

I don't think Lake would be BOG if we end up losing by 6 goals. :P

[AndrewP6]

It's crazy to see so many woofers tipping the Pies! I tip with my heart way too much.

Agreed, I'm worried about this game....but can't bear to tip the Pies. Hate 'em!

[LostDoggy]

Missed last nights margin by 1pt..lets hope this prediction is right
Dogs by 14pts
First Goal: Cooney
Sutton/Rose Medal: Cooney (paying $11 @ sportsbet)

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 42 points
First Goal: Stack
BOG: Moles

[LostDoggy]

I like it when we are not favorites.

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 1 point
First goal - Giansiracusa
BOG - Boyd

[LostDoggy]

I like it when we are not favorites.

You mean Underdogs ;)

[lemmon]

Dogs by 4
First goal Bazza
BOG- Cooney

Time to get back on track and earn some credibility.

[DOG GOD]

Pies by 26 (their small fwd line to provide havoc once again)
1st goal - Hahn
BOG - Griffen

[chef]

I don't think Lake would be BOG if we end up losing by 6 goals. :P

Why can't Lake be the best Dog on the ground if we lose by 37 points?

[boydogs]

Dogs by 1 point
First goal - Giansiracusa
BOG - Boyd

Ditto. Will be a finals like intensity and tight finish IMO. Gia will play more forward with the midfield depth added to the side so is a chance to kick the first, and the Pies mids play wide of their opponents, so Boyd will likely be in a head to head matchup and able to put them to the sword

[jazzadogs]

Dogs by 23 - 23 is my margin every week, every game. No science to it, I just do it every time.

BOG: Cooooooooooooney

First Goal: Barry

[LostDoggy]

Pies by 26 (their small fwd line to provide havoc once again)
1st goal - Hahn
BOG - Griffen

Possible late withdrawl of Medhurst would be nice and contribute to stopping that problem (I think he kicked 4 or so last time) :rolleyes:

[Max469]

Pies by 5 pts

BOG: Gia

1st Goal: Hall

[BulldogBelle]

Dogs by 33 points.
BOG : Lake
1st goal: Eagleton!

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 21... united without 21

BOG Griff

1st goal Minson

[LostDoggy]

Getting on a flight out of Bali for tomorrows game.. GO DOGS

[KT31]

Dogs by 12
BOG Coooney
First Goal Bazza

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 7
Hill first goal
Griffen BOG spending some time along half back too.

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 6 points...not too confident though.

First goal Gia

Griffen BOG, expecting a big game from him.

[LostDoggy]

Pies by 44
wellingham first goal
bulldogs will get caught napping from first bounce.
but i hope we win this one we need it "C'MON DOGS STICK IT UP EM"

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 2 points with a Hall goal after the siren!
BOG Griff
1st goal - Higgins


GO DOGS!

[LostDoggy]

Would appreciate a PM if anyone has a stream of the match.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Please post it if ones going around

[LostDoggy]

Just got to the ground..not sure why our legends flags are up when it's thier home game..

[LostDoggy]

Can't find any streams at the moment, although i am currently watching Sydney v Essendon via stream.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Just got to the ground..not sure why our legends flags are up when it's thier home game..

Any late changes?

Do the boys look ready to go.

[vho]

would love a stream too! arghhh exams!!.

[LostDoggy]

3AW talking up Grant early on, must be causing Collingwood all sorts of trouble.

[Rocco Jones]

Watching it at home today, first game in Melbourne I have missed for awhile!

Grant's explosive pace is a real asset. Twice he clearly won 50/50 contests in the forward line to give himself a chance on goal but his finishing has let him done (how odd?).

Game is absolutely error ridden, a lot of unforced errors especially. Perhaps it's perceived pressure because I don't think the pressure has been exceptional. Perhaps those at game might disagree.

We are struggling with their rolling zone.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

3AW talking up Grant early on, must be causing Collingwood all sorts of trouble.

A pity the rest of our players are playing terrible.

Higgins has hurt his ankle - in the sheds getting it strapped. Hopefully it helps his kicking because at the moment he's picking up where he left off last week.
So many poor turnovers from bad kicks, with Stack an offender on a couple of occasions and Cooney also.
We are very lucky that Collingwood are also botching their possessions, and are only 7 points behind. The Filth should be 3-4 or goals ahead,
If we don't get it together right from the opening bounce in the 2nd quarter we can kiss this game goodbye.

[Scorlibo]

Why does Leon Davis always have to play well against us? It's unfair.

[G-Mo77]

Dreadful game right now. Both teams have had some really poor skill errors.

I like the intensity from our boys which has been missing all season. They seem to be step behind Collingwood though.

[LostDoggy]

Higgins still got the boot off, probably won't return.

[Scorlibo]

If we don't get it together right from the opening bounce in the 2nd quarter we can kiss this game goodbye.

And the season one would suggest.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

And the season one would suggest.

Playing without any plan it seems, or mores the point the players are not executing at all.
We look all at sea both with the ball and without.

[vho]

Absolutely frustrating football.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Higgins still got the boot off, probably won't return.

Warming up now.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Ouch. stupid free from Harbrow gifts a goal to Davis, and the early danger signs have now materialised into scoreboard hurt.

[LostDoggy]

Why would you send Grant down back? as loose man.

[vho]

We will make our charge in the last quarter only to be denied by time, typical Western Bulldogs.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We are an absolute rabble.
33 points down now.
Higgins first possie back on ground turnover under no pressure.

Forget top 4, with the issues we've got at the moment we are not going to make the 8.
We have not had so many players out of form, since 2007.
WE have lost all semblance of any system or structure.

[Doggy]

Joffa has got one arm in his gold jacket.

[Dry Rot]

Listening to SEN radio, no TV feed.

From the call, we are crap. There's something fundamentally wrong with this team. Unless they turn everything around, we're going to get thumped.

[Dry Rot]

Forget top 4, with the issues we've got at the moment we are not going to make the 8.
We have not had so many players out of form, since 2007.
WE have lost all semblance of any system or structure.

Good summary. Arguably there's been signs of this all season.

[Rocco Jones]

Moles goals and we are 26 points down. Very lucky to be anywhere near it at the moment.

It's not so much losing but seeing the same guys who let us down get a game week in, week out.

[LostDog]

can't take much more of this the TV is going off, patience is wearing thin with this team

[vho]

Minson actually took a mark.

[Rocco Jones]

Minson makes it 20 points. What a menacing forward line we have at the moment.

[LostDog]

we have potential superstars playing in the 2's and cusp players playing 1's
the coaching staff have to be accountable on this

[Scorlibo]

I just don't get how we could have such a talented list of players, but be playing so crap. :confused:

[Hot_Doggies]

The list is no good. Simple!

Need a massive cull, including the likes of Hahn and Cross.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Moles goals and we are 26 points down. Very lucky to be anywhere near it at the moment.

It's not so much losing but seeing the same guys who let us down get a game week in, week out.

Another goal to us. 20 points down now. At least we've stemmed the tide somewhat.

Hahn, Eagleton disappointing. Not looking like a good decision right now for Eagleton to come in instead of Everitt.

[Dry Rot]

Minson makes it 20 points. What a menacing forward line we have at the moment.

And so good defensively.

[LostDog]

Hahn, Addison, Eagleton, Cross = half a player right now

[Dry Rot]

Who's playing on Ball and Swan?

[LostDog]

Harry Taylor and Leon Davis are killing us,
At least Grant is standing up

[vho]

karma, leon davis' dropping the ball.

[vho]

Harry Taylor and Leon Davis are killing us,
At least Grant is standing up

I didn't know Harry Taylor played for Collingwood.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Stack not good enough for mine.. he's had a few consecutive games, but seems fumbly, doesn't seem like he has good footy brain, and makes very poor decisions- when under pressure he will get rid of it to the nearest player even if that player is about to be tackled.

Gee. we just got a very very bad decision in our favour that has led to a goal.

[Doggy]

Hahn, Addison, Eagleton, Cross = half a player right now

Add Gia to that:mad:

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

WEll good to see the blokes have at least rediscovered their effort.
Still we are not going into our forward 50 with any sort of plan, and are playing into the Pies loose defenders hands.

[LostDog]

I didn't know Harry Taylor played for Collingwood.

Might as well O'Brien i meant

[LostDog]

Is Billys boy playing been very quiet

[Dry Rot]

Even worse it sounds like the pies aren't playing well either.

[G-Mo77]

I potted him last week and felt bad for it this week I won't. I don't care if Stack comes out and kicks a game winner tonight he should not be in this team! :mad:

He's got a lot of friends that can join him but his efforts are deplorable tonight!

[hujsh]

Usual mix of incipid and good patches.

Some have potted Cross but I though he was pretty important in our mini revival.

[Dry Rot]

Now all radio stations have dropped out of afl.com. What a pack of useless ****s!

[Rocco Jones]

Usual mix of incipid and good patches.

Some have potted Cross but I though he was pretty important in our mini revival.

Me too. He has his limitations but we all know that. I was happy with his first half.

[G-Mo77]

Now all radio stations have dropped out of afl.com. What a pack of useless ****s!

Try 3AW. There is a live feed from them.

http://www.3aw.com.au/

[Scorlibo]

Ball - 18 possessions
Swan - 17 possessions
Pendlebury - 17 possessions

All inside players, they are killing us.

[LostDoggy]

Judging by the radio call, it seems as though we have no forward 50 pressure again.

[whythelongface]

Even worse it sounds like the pies aren't playing well either.

Pies intensity is good. Defintitely not playing poorly.

[DOG GOD]

The Pies who arent a quick team, always seem to look quick against us. How slow is this fwd line of ours? Something has to give. Gia, Hahn, Higgins, Hall are just too slow.

Cooney and Boyd are trying their guts out, but we once again dont seem to be running the ball quick enough. Will need a MIGHTY effort to get over the line.

[whythelongface]

Judging by the radio call, it seems as though we have no forward 50 pressure again.

Yep. Pies are rebounding very easily out of our fwd 50.

[G-Mo77]

Ball - 18 possessions
Swan - 17 possessions
Pendlebury - 17 possessions

All inside players, they are killing us.

I wouldn't call 2 out of those 3 "inside" players.

[DOG GOD]

Judging by the radio call, it seems as though we have no forward 50 pressure again.

Might have something to do with our fwd line being one of the slowest in the AFL :(

[LostDoggy]

Might have something to do with our fwd line being one of the slowest in the AFL :(

Yep, it's a massive problem.

But never fear, we have Aker to come back in & add pace :p

[LostDoggy]

Yep. Pies are rebounding very easily out of our fwd 50.

Exactly what Essendon did to us last week, why can't the coaching staff see this as a major problem.

[ledge]

At the moment Collingwood are slamming the door on our way out.

[DOG GOD]

Yep, it's a massive problem.

But never fear, we have Aker to come back in & add pace :p

And Johnno and Murphy

[Scorlibo]

I wouldn't call 2 out of those 3 "inside" players.

Ball is a pure inside player, Swan and Pendlebury go both ways, but the point is that they are the ones winning the hard ball and initiating the Collingwood spread. Stopping them should be a priority over stopping the likes of Didak, Davis and Thomas.

[Rocco Jones]

The Pies who arent a quick team, always seem to look quick against us. How slow is this fwd line of ours? Something has to give. Gia, Hahn, Higgins, Hall are just too slow.

Yep. The Pies may not be quick but their defenders give them great rebound and their runners are great at knowing when their team mates are going to win a contest and peel off at the right time.

I would really love to see us regularly use a forward defensive tag (and no, I don't mean the Gia variety we are seeing at the moment). Everything points towards us playing a forward tag. Our depth in goal scoring optons is poor so we aren't losing much anyway and obviously our forward defensive pressure is also very poor. I love Picken and rate him highly but he really struggles up against Didak. Wwould have loved to see him against Heath Shaw.

Mitch Hahn looks like he belongs in those EJ Whitten All-Stars games.

[LostDoggy]

And Johnno and Murphy

Lol, forgot about those guys :D

[The Pie Man]

Love this - bounce to start the 2nd half, Hird calls Hahn as the defensive forward on Maxwell 'following him everwhere he goes'

Griffen kicks forward, and look whose got 3 metres on their opponent at the bounce of the pill.

[Dry Rot]

Try 3AW. There is a live feed from them.

http://www.3aw.com.au/

Thanks but I don't think the AFL lets individual stations broadcast away from afl.com - didn't work for me.

Have now managed to make SEN work again.

[LostDog]

My Supercoach season is going down the drain before this round undefeated
i have 2 trades left, higgins and lake maybe injured
and gia is crap

[ledge]

Whats with leaving Harbrow on Davis?

[LostDog]

Goodbye Top 4

last 3 years = 97,98,99

[Dry Rot]

Has something happened to Lake? I heard something about a knee.

[LostDoggy]

What is wrong with our coaching staff? Every time we play Collingwood we get towelled up by Harry O, Heath Shaw, and Maxwell. It's happening again today.

Stack wants to go back to the VFL, Hahn wants to join him, Higgins has forgotten how to kick to his own team.

:confused:

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Turnover city. We are our own worst enemy.

I don't know what the answer is now. WE have so many out of sorts we would get rolled by Richmond at the moment.

[LostDoggy]

In a word - pathetic

[whythelongface]

What is wrong with our team at the moment? This is seriously turning into a joke.

[LostDoggy]

When will the heat come on Eade?

[Rocco Jones]

This is what happens when you play the same guys who let you down week in, week out. Anyone on this board who had a clue could have seen this coming on Thursday night. Not saying any of our 22 would have got close but inane selections don't help.

[Scorlibo]

When will the heat come on Eade?

Was just thinking the same thing. We have arguably the best list in the AFL, but we have no direction or strategy about our play, and continually fail to stop big players and big plays from opposition sides. If we don't make a Prelim, Eade should be sacked, plain and simple.

[Hot_Doggies]

Harbrow must start forward next week.

[EasternWest]

So who goes and who stays?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Why is it that whenever we go into our forward line and we dont get a clean possession the ball just comes straight out again with no pressure on the Filth and they are able to get it to a shot on goal with no problem?

I just cannot believe this is the same team from the past two seasons.

Eade must be so frustrated, because it is all about execution.

Stakc, Eagleton and Hahn, are playing on borrowed time.

[LostDoggy]

This is what happens when you play the same guys who let you down week in, week out. Anyone on this board who had a clue could have seen this coming on Thursday night. Not saying any of our 22 would have got close but inane selections don't help.

It's been the same for a few years, same players are rotated in & out each week.

[whythelongface]

Surely it is time now for Eagleton to give the game away. Can add Hahn to that list as well.

[LostDoggy]

Was just thinking the same thing. We have arguably the best list in the AFL, but we have no direction or strategy about our play, and continually fail to stop big players and big plays from opposition sides. If we don't make a Prelim, Eade should be sacked, plain and simple.

Well according to Smorgon, it was Grand Final or failure.

Will be interesting to see what happens, if we fail big time in the finals.

[EasternWest]

Was just thinking the same thing. We have arguably the best list in the AFL, but we have no direction or strategy about our play, and continually fail to stop big players and big plays from opposition sides. If we don't make a Prelim, Eade should be sacked, plain and simple.

Disagree. No real speedsters, no crumbing forward, no ready replacements for our ageing stars. It's one thing to have a potentially good list, it's another entirely for that list to be the best list in the afl.

[Dry Rot]

Well according to Smorgon, it was Grand Final or failure.

Will be interesting to see what happens, if we fail big time in the finals.

We won't make the finals playing like this.

[Scorlibo]

Disagree. No real speedsters, no crumbing forward, no ready replacements for our ageing stars. It's one thing to have a potentially good list, it's another entirely for that list to be the best list in the afl.

Best best 22 then. This year was the last year in our 'premiership window' so to speak, we recruited Bazza and our team was primed to be the best.

[LostDog]

Well according to Smorgon, it was Grand Final or failure.

Will be interesting to see what happens, if we fail big time in the finals.

He will change that statement to NAB Cup Grand Final

[LostDoggy]

We won't make the finals playing like this.

It's looking more likely by the day.

[LostDog]

2007 de ja vu

Whats with Healy saying Callan is a superstar also, doesnt he mean Ward
poor AFL caller, I wanna go deaf everytime I hear his voice

[Rocco Jones]

To me we are now just a slightly better than average side who will rarely get close to beating a top 4 side and struggle against any decent side who comes to play. Would have Carlton ahead of us and our new goal is probably securing a home elimination final.

[LostDoggy]

Higgins can't be 100% fit - two weeks in a row he's kicked the ball directly to the opposition, with little pressure on him.

Hahn is struggling big time - love the guy to death, but he just looks like the game has passed him.

Not an Eagleton fan - can't understand how he keeps getting a game. Does he have nude pics of Eade or something?!!!

Amazing how much we've changed in one year - gone from kicking high scores, to struggling to find goalkickers. Doesn't help that Johnson is out, but he's on the wrong side of 30 anyway. Aker has had a poor year also. Yet we've got Hall, who kicking plenty of goals. Pity he hasn't had much support around him.

Some of the youngsters are showing signs - like Grant's game. He's basically a head on a stick, but he puts his body on the line, takes a good mark, and tries hard. Pity Stack can't do the same - in today's game he has shown just how far he needs to go. Repeatedly refusing to put his body over the ball, and taken the soft option. Is Hill playing - barely sighted him.

Boyd - gotta love him. Tough. Hard. Determined. CLONE HIM NOW!!!

[SonofScray]

The heat should be on Rocket right now. So many people are letting us down atm, and he is one of them. The culture at the selection table needs to be changed, and I feel that Rocket needs to swallow a bit of pride and address the changes he thought would see us take the next step. We do not have thee mettle to play dour, defensive football.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Best best 22 then. This year was the last year in our 'premiership window' so to speak, we recruited Bazza and our team was primed to be the best.

We are missing 5 of those best 22 in Murphy, Ward, Johnno, Hargrave and Aker. I'm not saying they are the reason we are playing so poorly, clearly it's more than that.
However it does mean that we are having to dig into our list to cover for those 5.

The major problem though is that I am struggling to find more than 4 players for us who are in any semblance of form. We are simply not that good that we can win with so many key players totally out of touch.

Our season has gone off the rails and I don't see right now how we are going to get our groove back. It seems to me that we are in BIG danger of really spiralling out of control at this rate.

[G-Mo77]

This is what happens when you play the same guys who let you down week in, week out. Anyone on this board who had a clue could have seen this coming on Thursday night. Not saying any of our 22 would have got close but inane selections don't help.

Sad but true. The team we are playing tonight made hard calls on their regular players this year. We, instead leave them in there or drop them for a week and bring them back after a poor VFL game. Moles, Grant and Hill will the ones that will probably get dropped. (OK slight exaggeration)

[Rocco Jones]

2007 de ja vu

Whats with Healy saying Callan is a superstar also, doesnt he mean Ward
poor AFL caller, I wanna go deaf everytime I hear his voice

He also mentioned Hahn might get dropped. Very poor call considering Eade retires players before he drops them. I bet he is licking his lips at the prospects of recruiting Simmonds and Edwards in 2011.

[alwaysadog]

We won't make the finals playing like this.

We don't deserve to play finals if we play like this.

Not been happy with the coach's attitude for some time now. He'd better not continue his shaming and blaming act after this game.

When does he start to accept some responsibility, or is accountability for everyone else?

[Rocco Jones]

We don't deserve to play finals if we play like this.

Not been happy with the coach's attitude for some time now. He'd better not continue his shaming and blaming act after this game.

When does he start to accept some responsibility, or is accountability for everyone else?

Yep. He sure does love deflecting the attention. Not sure I have head a coach mention the 6 day break thing as often as he does. I think the turf around the 50 line at Docklands will be this week's Aker/Scott Thompson. Probably as stationery (probably even more mobile than but I guess that's the problem) and plays the same position as Aker too.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

That stoppage goal to the Filth from a throw in 5 metres out from goals just exemplifies how bereft of confidence and spirit our boys are.
No one in front of the pack and the easiest of goals.
WE've now stopped executing even the basics of football.
This is going to be a route if we've stopped executing even the most basic of skills.

[LostDoggy]

Hopefully this will be the breaker that sees the "same olds" finally get dropped and allow those that are performing well at Willi to be included ...... hence , lets play people who are in form.

We have a history of using the seniors to try and play people into form .... rather than having them run around in the seconds.

As someone said earlier .... we seem to prefr to retire players (the favourites) rather than drop them.

[Rocco Jones]

Hopefully this will be the breaker that sees the "same olds" finally get dropped and allow those that are performing well at Willi to be included ...... hence , lets play people who are in form.


Very unlikely unfortunately. If anything (and perhaps even probably) Eade might see it as even more reason to be conservative. It's the way he has reacted to poor periods before. I really hope you're right though. I think Stack, Addison, Hill and Moles will go before some of our older duds. Not that I rate any of them highly but I am very sick of the same old young scapgoats.

[LostDoggy]

Collingwood have obviously stopped, this last quarter will save some players.

[LostDoggy]

What was Grant's goal like?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What was Grant's goal like?

Fantastic, burst on to the ball as a crumber from inside the square, raced two Filth players off their feet, took two bounces and steadied from 15 metres out.

This is even more frustrating, as for the second week in a row, we've remembered we can play when it's too late.

[LostDoggy]

10 point loss, guess we will see the same guys next then.

[vho]

We will make our charge in the last quarter only to be denied by time, typical Western Bulldogs.

:o:o

[ledge]

Not good enough!
Crap football for 3 quarters, Lake up forward? well who would have thought that I wonder??

[LostDoggy]

Eade needs to show some guts - drop those who didn't perform when it was needed. Don't just look at the final result, and the final 20 minutes.

[SonofScray]

:o:o

No one should even acknowledge that last run on. That we even get in that position is a sign of how poor we are going. What it shows is that we have the talent, the ability is there but the rest of the package is missing, or damaged.

Rocket needs to sort it out quick smart.

[vho]

No one should even acknowledge that last run on. That we even get in that position is a sign of how poor we are going. What it shows is that we have the talent, the ability is there but the rest of the package is missing, or damaged.

Rocket needs to sort it out quick smart.

Yeah, i was just pointing out how this happens so often with the Bulldogs you can just predict it (but why? i have no idea). We have struggled to play 4 consistent quarters of footy.

[The Pie Man]

:o:o

Spooky - we are the kings of the comeback in vain

[alwaysadog]

Yeah, i was just pointing out how this happens so often with the Bulldogs you can just predict it (but why? i have no idea). We have struggled to play 4 consistent quarters of footy.

I suggested some weeks ago that the problem is between the ears and I see no reason to change my mind.

[Dry Rot]

From the radio call, it sounded like the dibby dabby gameplan for 3 quarters and then they threw it out the window for the last - is this correct?

[The Pie Man]

No one should even acknowledge that last run on. That we even get in that position is a sign of how poor we are going. What it shows is that we have the talent, the ability is there but the rest of the package is missing, or damaged.

Rocket needs to sort it out quick smart.

Having lost the battle, you hope they don't lose the lesson as well - but there are some lessons out of the way we structured in last half that enabled us to score more freely.

If I see see Hahn line up in the forward 50 next week I'd suggest that lesson/opportunity is lost.

I doubt Eade will go easy on the group because we nearly won - remember Wallace in the Year of the Dog doco walking accross he G after we just fell short saying 'I'm going to stick it right up em' (and didn't he just)

Grant's goal and all round performance was the highlight of my day. Very happy with how he's progressing.

Oh and I spotted a beard scarfe in the crowd on tv after Grant's goal :) Was that you B-Rad Bulldog?

[G-Mo77]

From the radio call, it sounded like the dibby dabby gameplan for 3 quarters and then they threw it out the window for the last - is this correct?

Pretty much. Same as last week. That is what is so frustrating they can do it. Just wish they could do it all game.

[vho]

I suggested some weeks ago that the problem is between the ears and I see no reason to change my mind.

maybe we should slap 30 points at the start of every quarter to our opposition.:D

[Dry Rot]

Pretty much. Same as last week. That is what is so frustrating they can do it. Just wish they could do it all game.

Maybe the gameplan and coach is partly responsible for the first three quarters?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Pretty much. Same as last week. That is what is so frustrating they can do it. Just wish they could do it all game.

Precisely. We seem over cautious and intent on not mucking it up... the irony is this approach only sees us stuff up even more.
We then fall behind on the scoreboard early, which seems to compound with even more errors in a vicious circle.

Yet in each of the last two week's last quarter charges, we have played a style that is close to what we have played week in week out for the past two seasons.

Eade needs to get it through to the group that they need to play like they have in the last quarters from the opening bounce.

[G-Mo77]

Maybe the gameplan and coach is partly responsible for the first three quarters?

Well maybe they are. I really rated the way they played in that last quarter I know some have dismissed it but unlike last week we really had a chance of stealing it. They ran hard, they took risks they moved the ball quickly all the things they haven't done all season. That is going to win us games and maybe the coaches are holding them back?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Maybe the gameplan and coach is partly responsible for the first three quarters?

I'm not convinced of that, especially when how we played in the last quarter is our game plan in a nutshell for the past two years. I can't believe that Eade would encourage the type of play we showed for the first three quarters.

[LostDoggy]

Will mediocrity be rewarded again next week? Swing the axe Rocket, this side is that complacent its not funny! Put some faith in other players that might have a dip!:mad:

[Swoop]

Firstly I'd like to start off by saying that generally I am glass half full sort of person but I find myself getting continually frustrated with our performances in recent times.

For a side to put up that Jekyll & Hyde performance two weeks in a row is a true a disappointment. Our effort in the past two weeks is a true indictment on the playing group and their lack of mental strength & toughness. Both last quarter efforts only show to me that we are in fact good enough and highlights more than anything that it is our attitude that is lacking - a poor reflection on the players.

There is a saying "The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result."

At the moment we continue to persist with the same players against the big teams and we continue to expect a different result despite being let down in the past.

As I've stated earlier, I am generally a positive person and will defend players despite criticism but it's time players were made accountable for their effort or rather lack of. One spell now could send a clear message and save heartache later in the year.

If I was Everitt at the minute I would be fairly frustrated at not being able to get back into this side especially when others continue to be given the benefit of the doubt which doesn't appear to apply to all players. I do not expect wholesale changes however I certainly hope that there is a clear message sent by our match committee this week of what is and is not acceptable.

Unfortunately I fear the reality is a much different story and there will be the token 1-2 changes with the usual suspects included and life will continue to be rosy in dog land.

[LostDoggy]

Did Moles hold his own tonight? couldn't gauge it from the radio call.

[Dry Rot]

How did you rate Minson's game tonight?

[LostDoggy]

How did you rate Minson's game tonight?

I am guessing you're talking to me :)

Obviously i didn't get to watch the match, but sounded like he played well. Got involved & actually seemed to have an impact around the ground, kicked a few as well.

Well done Will.

[LostDoggy]

Having lost the battle, you hope they don't lose the lesson as well - but there are some lessons out of the way we structured in last half that enabled us to score more freely.

If I see see Hahn line up in the forward 50 next week I'd suggest that lesson/opportunity is lost.

I doubt Eade will go easy on the group because we nearly won - remember Wallace in the Year of the Dog doco walking accross he G after we just fell short saying 'I'm going to stick it right up em' (and didn't he just)

Grant's goal and all round performance was the highlight of my day. Very happy with how he's progressing.

Oh and I spotted a beard scarfe in the crowd on tv after Grant's goal :) Was that you B-Rad Bulldog?

Indeed it was Pie Man, indeed it was ;)
I think I made a fool of myself though by jumping everywhere when he kicked it...haha

[choconmientay]

Our boys didn't 'turn up' to the game until ...the last quarter :(

Really good signs looking back at the last 30 minutes. We were back playing our exciting football from the last 2,3 years.

Some of the young guys played quite well. I was impressed by Grant performances. Moles was solid. Stack fumbled to much. Hill was OK. He still need to put more forward pressures and help out more.

One surprised aspect of the game was after Lake got a knock on the knee, he got treated and switched to Full Forward. Took a few marks, kicked few goals and did have some impact in the forward line. We may need to use him more forward :)

[Doggy]

All is not lost. It is only round 11. Collingwood were at full strength and we have 5 of our best to come back into the side in the next few weeks.

[The Pie Man]

mjp made mention of Cross' attack on the footy in another thread (Grant thread) and it should be acknowledged how good he was in the 2nd half today.

I knock him a bit (was filthy at him half time last week) but his courage at the contest was a great example of what's required. Stack, please take a look at Cross and understand the application needed to succeed.

[mjp]

mjp made mention of Cross' attack on the footy in another thread (Grant thread) and it should be acknowledged how good he was in the 2nd half today.


Cross showed real leadership today.

[Jasper]

When the game was hot at the start, what did / didn't we see, no surprises...

Addison turn it over and cost us goals
Hahn fumble below his knees and cost us a goal, Hahn kick it blindly forward and turn it over...
Gia not chasing and applying minimal defensive pressure...yes it was Gia's man Harry O who ran down unattended to kick that 55m plus goal
Higgins playing injured, and then injured again, and then played again...
Defensive unit lacking composure deep in its fifty
Offensive unit not applying defensive forwardline pressure...and Lake having to show our forwards how to to do this.

And... Stack jibbed it that often that even those clowns on Foxtel picked it up and highlighted it. He should not play for the club until he displays
a - hardness at the contest and no short steps
b - composure when he has the ball

At least Hill has the latter.

Who said History never Repeats

[Mofra]

Did Moles hold his own tonight? couldn't gauge it from the radio call.
His disposal under pressure is a worry - he can find the ball, runs hard and often made the right decision. I'm worried about his ability to play in a final like last year's prelim, where every error is magnified.

Overall I'd like one more clean user of the ball in the side. Addison, Moles and Cross go in hard, but the disposal isn't fantastic, Boyd has improved but is still down on last years ball use, and Morris & Williams aren't going to cut teams up on the rebound.
Just holding one or two of our better users of the ball seems to make a significant difference in our kicking efficiency overall.

[Hotdog60]

Moles does remind me of Paul Dimattina, I think someone had mention this before.
But when he gets the ball at least his trying to take them on and move it quickly, I wonder if he will improve with more exposure to higher tempo football. The only trouble being that the way we are playing we cannot afford more turn overs.

[hujsh]

Cross was excellent today. Best game I've seen him play in ages.

Hahn has to go for Everitt. We'll get no worse from Skinny and we looked far more dangerous (who'd have believed I'd been saying this about the Dogs) with multiple tall forwards. We can't keep throwing Lake up forward when we play teams with better key forwards but if we have to Everitt is at least a better option to replace Lake down back.

[AndrewP6]

All is not lost. It is only round 11. Collingwood were at full strength and we have 5 of our best to come back into the side in the next few weeks.

I know what you're getting at, but we keep echoing this - "It's only Round 1, it's only Round 2... It's only ****insert relevant Round number here****....

We keep saying it, and not much has changed.

[AndrewP6]

Did Moles hold his own tonight? couldn't gauge it from the radio call.

As has been noted by others, he was alright. I liked the way he takes them on, backs himself (although gets caught in doing so on occasion)... disposal under pressure isn't good, but hey, he's not Robinson Crusoe there.

[AndrewP6]

Maybe the gameplan and coach is partly responsible for the first three quarters?

Can't possibly see the coaches telling people to jog at half pace, kick wide/short of intended targets, or stay as far away from your direct opponent as you like.

Sorry for the sarcasm...just p***ed off (again!)

[AndrewP6]

Not an Eagleton fan - can't understand how he keeps getting a game. Does he have nude pics of Eade or something?!!!

He's basically a head on a stick, but he puts his body on the line, takes a good mark, and tries hard.

I'm not in a laughing mood, but these two quotes made me laugh. :)

[AndrewP6]

To me we are now just a slightly better than average side who will rarely get close to beating a top 4 side and struggle against any decent side who comes to play. Would have Carlton ahead of us and our new goal is probably securing a home elimination final.

I reckon our new goal ought to be "Finish in the top 8"... sadly, I'm not joking.

[Rocco Jones]

Can't possibly see the coaches telling people to jog at half pace, kick wide/short of intended targets, or stay as far away from your direct opponent as you like.


No but I think it's an understandable by product of having a chip sideways/backwards default that we seem to have. It's OK to chip it around but it needs to be calculated whereas we seem to use it as an out.

[Rocco Jones]

I reckon our new goal ought to be "Finish in the top 8"... sadly, I'm not joking.

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think it's easy to be overly negative or positive after a result but fact is that we are 6th now despite having a disappointing season so far.

[Hotdog60]

I reckon our new goal ought to be "Finish in the top 8"... sadly, I'm not joking.

You should watch the press conference on the AFL site, your very close.

[LostDoggy]

Well this was the only highlight of my night...

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1013/mefooty.jpg

[The Bulldogs Bite]

What a terrible game. No real need to provide an analysis, everybody's pretty much reading off the same page unfortunately at the moment. We're really struggling badly and there's only 4-5 who can hold their head up high.

Cross was phenomenal today. He tried hard all game with some incredible efforts. When we started to play better, he really did lift his game up another level. The desperation he displayed was inspirational and it's a shame it didn't rub off on the rest of the side much earlier. Played to his limitations really well, tried to bring others into the game but was tidy by foot/hand himself.

Lake didn't have a great game but he gave us another option up forward which really helped us going forward. Hall suddenly looked more dangerous and the Collingwood defenders began arguing amongst themselves. Both Lake and Hall are rarely out marked and are both pretty good at ground level, too. In an ideal world we'd have two Lakes - he's such a good player.

Grant is one of our most important players at the moment and that's a real worry for us. He's applying pressure at ground level, leading and contesting in the air. Real credit to him that he keeps improving his game each week. It was heartening to see him take the game on and finish off his work with that spectacular goal. His effort (despite his lack of strength) is fantastic and the fact that he looks much better than more than half our side says something. He's a really smart player and he could be anything for us in future years.

Williams did OK and didn't appear to get beaten too many times. Made some good spoils and keeps a pretty good record over Cloke, who's having a solid season. Probably would like to see Williams offer us a little more offensively but I guess he just needs to keep playing and in time, hopefully, that'll come.

Harbrow really struggles against Davis and his disposal has been ordinary in recent weeks, Boyd constantly turns it over, Higgins needs to be rested/dropped and Griff was very quiet. It'll be an interesting week ahead at the selection table, but with possible injuries and suspensions, we may not see the likes of Hahn, Eagleton, Addison and Stack dropped.

Everitt simply has to be trialed as a forward next week. Hall needs help and we can't afford to play Lake down there all the time.

[LostDoggy]

Just need to play 4 Quaters. The talent is there, but the mentality isn't. Bring Dr. Phil in.

[Dry Rot]

Lake didn't have a great game but he gave us another option up forward which really helped us going forward. Hall suddenly looked more dangerous and the Collingwood defenders began arguing amongst themselves. Both Lake and Hall are rarely out marked and are both pretty good at ground level, too. In an ideal world we'd have two Lakes - he's such a good player.


Everitt simply has to be trialed as a forward next week. Hall needs help and we can't afford to play Lake down there all the time.

When he's fit, is it worth giving Markovic a go?

[comrade]

When he's fit, is it worth giving Markovic a go?

If we are going to try an unknown quantity at full back, I'd rather Mulligan to be honest, even if it is unjustified to an extent (though he has been solid). He's a big body and is very quick.

Markovic looks and moves like Wayde Skipper and I fear would be destroyed by any key forward worth his AFL salt.

Replacing Lake isn't necessary. Keep him at full back, put Everitt at CHF and p*** Hahn off. Done.

[LostDoggy]

If we can play "come-back" footy for the last 30 minutes, then we obviously have the ability and talent to do so (notwithstanding that the Pies probably tired some). I'm as disappointed as anyone, but it seems to me that for whatever reason (see media hype, press articles, etc. etc) the boys just seem to have lost confidence in their ability to play well for 4 quarters. Turnovers are killing us and Baz does need some help down there - we need some fit players back on the park and maybe things will turn around. Just trying to stay positive! ;)

[Desipura]

Just need to play 4 Quaters. The talent is there, but the mentality isn't. Bring Dr. Phil in.
Not its not, without Murphy, Ward, Johnson Hargrave & Aker and a half fit Higgins we were seriously lacking in talent combined with our lack of form from a number of senior players, we are struggling.

[Desipura]

If we are going to try an unknown quantity at full back, I'd rather Mulligan to be honest, even if it is unjustified to an extent (though he has been solid). He's a big body and is very quick.

Markovic looks and moves like Wayde Skipper and I fear would be destroyed by any key forward worth his AFL salt.

Replacing Lake isn't necessary. Keep him at full back, put Everitt at CHF and p*** Hahn off. Done.
We looked most dangerous when Lake was making Maxwell accountable taking overhead marks as well as on a lead. The unique thing about Lake is he knws were the ball is going to drop in flight. Hnece why he is such a good overhead mark. I do not believe Everitt at CHF will offer us much more than what Grant does as a leading type forward. Jones is the player that should get promoted, he reads the ball very well and is the long term answer to our forward issues.

[Desipura]

If we are going to try an unknown quantity at full back, I'd rather Mulligan to be honest, even if it is unjustified to an extent (though he has been solid). He's a big body and is very quick.

Markovic looks and moves like Wayde Skipper and I fear would be destroyed by any key forward worth his AFL salt.

Replacing Lake isn't necessary. Keep him at full back, put Everitt at CHF and p*** Hahn off. Done.

We looked most dangerous when Lake was making Maxwell accountable taking overhead marks as well as on a lead. The unique thing about Lake is he knows were the ball is going to drop in flight. Hence why he is such a good overhead mark.
I do not believe Everitt at CHF will offer us much more than what Grant does as a leading type forward. Jones is the player that should get promoted, he reads the ball very well and is the long term answer to our forward issues.
Interesting to read what Barry Hall said about Liam Jones a Williamstown pre-match luncheon a few weeks back, said he will be a “super star”

[LostDoggy]

seriously someone needs to tell us what time the game starts we do it too often, it just frustrates me because it shows we can play that good footy, but why can't we start like that.

[chef]

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think it's easy to be overly negative or positive after a result but fact is that we are 6th now despite having a disappointing season so far.

Yep, still along way to go. Top 4's not out of the question yet(but 5th-6th might be our best bet). If we can get our best team on the park come September we are as good of a chance as any. I'm still confident we can win the flag.

[bornadog]

If we are going to try an unknown quantity at full back, I'd rather Mulligan to be honest, even if it is unjustified to an extent (though he has been solid). He's a big body and is very quick.

Markovic looks and moves like Wayde Skipper and I fear would be destroyed by any key forward worth his AFL salt.

Replacing Lake isn't necessary. Keep him at full back, put Everitt at CHF and p*** Hahn off. Done.

Totally Agree, the time has come for Hahn to be dropped.

[LostDoggy]

Not its not, without Murphy, Ward, Johnson Hargreave & Aker and a half fit Higgins we were seriously lacking in talent combined with our lack of form from a number of senior players, we are struggling.

According to everyone early in the year we had too much talent.

[LostDoggy]

According to everyone early in the year we had too much talent.

Injuries have hurt us hard, and our lack of AFL ready youngsters has been exposed.

Our best 25 is right up there, but having that best 25 available is the key.

[anfo27]

I was disgusted with that performance yesterday. To play like that for 3 quarters and then come out and play the best footy i have seen this year is disgraceful. I can handle losing and being dogs supporters we are used to it but I what I can't tolerate are efforts like the first 3 quarters. Effort is not negotiable.
Stack should never wear a bulldogs jumper again, he should play indoor footy where there is no contact and he would excel.
Lake has to play forward, i don't care how great a full back he is. Lake is clearly the best player in our team and needs to play forward and I don't care if its Markovic or Mulligan or Boumann or whoever but someone can fill that spot because that forward line is all over the place at the moment.
Its not about getting our best 22 on the park its about getting that 22 to play as a team and give it everything they have for the entire game because we can have our best 22 with that piss poor effort and we still will not come close to the top 4.
Finally, we are the worst tackling team in the comp, why do we refuse to do the hard things or leave it for others to do?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

We looked most dangerous when Lake was making Maxwell accountable taking overhead marks as well as on a lead. The unique thing about Lake is he knows were the ball is going to drop in flight. Hence why he is such a good overhead mark.
I do not believe Everitt at CHF will offer us much more than what Grant does as a leading type forward. Jones is the player that should get promoted, he reads the ball very well and is the long term answer to our forward issues.
Interesting to read what Barry Hall said about Liam Jones a Williamstown pre-match luncheon a few weeks back, said he will be a “super star”

It's a good point you make about Lake's ability to read the flight of the ball. This is something he struggled with in his earlier days, hence he was hopeless when played up forward. This season - he's improved dramatically in this area. Every time he's sent forward, he gives us a big lift. You can really see it takes pressure off Barry too.

You might be right regarding Everitt as he isn't noted for contested making and is more likely to offer us a role similar to Grant. At least it'll be more effective than the one Hahn's played for 11 weeks.

At this stage, Jones just isn't ready but hopefully he can sneak a few games later in the year.