Game Day - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

[BulldogBelle]

This is the discussion thread for this Saturday night's game at the SCG against Sydney.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 27 points
BOG : Brad Johnson
Barry Hall to kick the first goal

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 8
BOG Picken
Ist goal Barry Hall

[Greystache]

Dogs by 32
BOG- Cooney
First goal- Hall

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 34
BOG Johnson
Hall for the First Goal

[Scraggers]

Dogs by 36 points
BOG B Hall
First goal B Hall (in fact he will kick 7)

[FlightoftheCallanWards]

Dogs by 9
BOG Cooney
First Goal - Hall

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Dogs by 27 points
BOG Griffen
1st Goal Gia

[LostDoggy]

As long as we bounce back thats all I hope for

Dogs by 11pts
BOG Boyd
1st Goal Hahn

[mighty_west]

Dogs by 27
BOG - Cooney
1st goal - Johnson

[AndrewP6]

Dogs by 22
BOG Cooooooooney
First goal Bazza

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 29
BOG - Griff
1st goal - Grant

[bornadog]

Dogs by 32

First Goal Hall

Bog Cooney

Julia by 4 seats.

[KT31]

Dogs by 10
First goal Johnno
BOG - Cooooooney

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 32

First Goal Hall

Bog Cooney

Julia by 4 seats.

Even an election tip! Haha!
Classy ;)

[boydogs]

Dogs by 32

First Goal Hall

Bog Cooney

Julia by 4 seats.

Dogs by 24
BOG Johnson
First Goal Johnson
PM Gillard, dropping 9 of 13 needed for hung parliament

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 54
FG Hall
BOG: Johnno

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 32

First Goal Hall

Bog Cooney

Julia by 4 seats.

Love it:D

Dogs by 31
First Goal = Griffen
BOG = Gia

(and Julia by heaps too!)

[chef]

Doggies by 36 points.
Hall First Goal.
Hudson BOG.

[Remi Moses]

Dogs by 6 pts
Gillard by 6 seats
Bog Griffen
Ist goal Barry

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 25 points
Griffen first goal
Cross BOG

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 39 points
Hall first 8 goals
Cooney BOG

[Greystache]

Who would've tipped Huddo for the first goal?

[bornadog]

Cooney injured could be Hammy

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Damn looks like Cooney has done his hamstring in the opening couple of minutes. Gees.

[AndrewP6]

Defensive intensity lacking IMO... c'mon boys, lift.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Just showed the physio's working on Cooney on the sidelines, massaging his hamstring and his lower back. Maybe he hasn't done it, maybe just twinged it?

[bornadog]

The Beard with another one:)

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

2nd goal for Huddo.... he's on target for 8 goals at this rate!!:D

[AndrewP6]

Huddo our new leading scorer??? The Beard playing inspired footy!

[comrade]

Can we do any damage in September without Cooney? If he's done a proper string (4 weeks), we'll be forced to find out.

[bornadog]

Can we do any damage in September without Cooney? If he's done a proper string (4 weeks), we'll be forced to find out.

We need Cooney in September.

Looks like he may be coming back on.

Edit, no looking good, has ice on it.

[comrade]

We need Cooney in September.

Looks like he may be coming back on.

Thank the lord.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Nope Cooney's on ice and wearing the long coat now.

[AndrewP6]

Can we do any damage in September without Cooney? If he's done a proper string (4 weeks), we'll be forced to find out.

Not in my view...

[LostDoggy]

This could be season over, we won't do any damage without Cooney.

[comrade]

Nope Cooney's on ice and wearing the long coat now.

Shizen.

[bornadog]

Bloody Harbrow

[becmatty]

Cooney is looking dejected

[Flamethrower]

Terrible night for rangas in this country. :mad:

[bornadog]

We have let them back in with silly mistakes

[GVGjr]

It's going to be a good contest. Maybe not a great game but we will have to work hard if we are to win it.

[comrade]

We have let them back in with silly mistakes

Does it matter?

If Cooney is gone for 3-4 weeks, we'll struggle to make a dint in September.

[LostDoggy]

Lets hope we can blow them in the 2nd like we have in the past

[AndrewP6]

Lets hope we can blow them in the 2nd like we have in the past

Blow them away? :)

[Greystache]

Does it matter?

If Cooney is gone for 3-4 weeks, we'll struggle to make a dint in September.

Agree. Let's hope it's a back related spasm.

[LostDoggy]

Lake to full forward for the start of the 2nd.

[comrade]

Is Gia being sat on?

[AndrewP6]

Cooney or not, we won't go anywhere playing like this... dumb, dumb football...

[bornadog]

Is Gia being sat on?

Yes by Shaw.

We are not playing well at all.

[LostDoggy]

Blow them away? :)

Ahhh yeh, that to :o

Not looking good...

[bornadog]

Sydney are getting all the frees because they are first to the ball.

[AndrewP6]

Two weeks of embarrassing football?

[LostDoggy]

Why are people surprised? it is the Bulldogs we support guys :)

[ledge]

this is pathetic,havent been first 2 the ball all qtr and how about we stop playing the game in swans backline. Last week revisited .

[divvydan]

Playing horribly at the moment, the only silver lining is that losing might allowing Syd and Freo to get home finals in week one and might allow us to play an home final in week two against one of them if we lose week one of finals.

[comrade]

We haven't even had 100 possessions yet.

[LostDoggy]

No flag this year :)

[becmatty]

Similar to last week vs Geelong - our last goal was midway through the first quater, and then getting blown away...

Major worries.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Our work at stoppages has been disgusting.

[comrade]

Who's going head to head with Jack?

[LostDoggy]

What the hell is wrong with this team?!

[Greystache]

Cannot win a clearance, getting killed through the midfield, will not man up as usual.

[bornadog]

Two weeks of embarrassing football?

Yep, a repeat of last week.

[LostDoggy]

No Cooney, No Bulldogs

lol

[AndrewP6]

They ought to be bloody ashamed...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

This looks like a team bereft of any confidence at the moment.

Playing panicky, scared footy not following any semblance of a plan, just trying to 'hope' their way out of it.

[comrade]

How is it even possible that Sydney can kick 6 unanswered goals in a quarter?

[AndrewP6]

This looks like a team bereft of any confidence at the moment.


And skill :(

[becmatty]

Make some changes - Harbrow up forward please...

[Greystache]

How is it even possible that Sydney can kick 6 unanswered goals in a quarter?

We just refuse to defend, Boyd hasn't been in the same screen as Jack, Ward no better when Boyd was on the bench.

[comrade]

We just refuse to defend, Boyd hasn't been in the same screen as Jack, Ward no better when Boyd was on the bench.

So Boyd is on Jack? Wasn't he on Ablett last week?

Interesting.

[Go_Dogs]

Dream over.

[LostDoggy]

Time to freshen up this team, old stuff out & new stuff in for next year.

[Greystache]

So Boyd is on Jack? Wasn't he on Ablett last week?

Interesting.

What, are you sensing a trend?

Interesting.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

No doubt a massive hole in our midfield losing Cooney so early, however Boyd, Cross, Ward and Moles are not firing a shot.
Griffen has been our only midfielder looking in some form.

I really expected the guys would come out fierce this week, but their defensive efforts & positioning around stoppages has been woeful again.

[Jasper]

Time to throw it around:

Murphy Forward
Gia on ball
Boyd told to lock down on Jack

[LostDoggy]

We need speed, speed & more speed injected into our midfield, from where who knows.

[LostDoggy]

I thought that we will win this one quite easy after qtr. time. Lucky i didnt put any money on this game :S

[Mantis]

The one ruck experiment ain't working too well.

[EasternWest]

I dunno. I'm not watching so I could have it all wrong but it seems we're only really four goals down at the half and haven't played that well. I'm not normally a "let's keep it positive for the sake of it" guy, but surely at this stage rumours of the complete demise of our season are exaggerated?

Let's see what happens in the next quarter.

[AndrewP6]

I dunno. I'm not watching so I could have it all wrong but it seems we're only really four goals down at the half and haven't played that well. I'm not normally a "let's keep it positive for the sake of it" guy, but surely at this stage rumours of the complete demise of our season are exaggerated?

Let's see what happens in the next quarter.

It is only four and a half goals, but it's bad.

[LostDoggy]

I dunno. I'm not watching so I could have it all wrong but it seems we're only really four goals down at the half and haven't played that well. I'm not normally a "let's keep it positive for the sake of it" guy, but surely at this stage rumours of the complete demise of our season are exaggerated?

Let's see what happens in the next quarter.

Majority of football is played between the ears, i have major doubts with this group.

Let's see what they can do with there backs to the wall & finals beckoning.

[becmatty]

This season, we have averaged more clangers per game (20) than any other team.

Last week 29 was a record at Etihad. This week, we again are being worried out of it.

Tonight, the Swans have applied 25% more tackles and put us under pressure, resulting in us turning it over. We are also second to the ball and getting outsmarted with match-ups too.

Are our players relying on reputations, cos what we are serving up is inexcusable. This second half will determine whether or not we have any chance in 2010.

[LostDoggy]

2 inside 50s for that qtr.?

[AndrewP6]

Are our players relying on reputations, cos what we are serving up is inexcusable.

Just looking like they don't care enough..

[LostDoggy]

not one player from our team has over 50 DT points

[LostDoggy]

what the hell!!!@#!@$!#@

[LostDoggy]

No flag this year :)

Ok all just relax calm down and have a beer or a cuppa. Look back through my posts I did say to prepare ourselves for a loss (Its not over yet). What we are facing is a Sydney team at the SCG playing their Grand Final for two of their favorite sons. Do not underestimate that it is a massive ask after what we went through last week. We have travelled 2 out of 3 plus copped Geelong and a virus in between.

Losing my man Cooney is just a nightmare and we must all pray for no more!
That is the only thing we should do get through with no more.
I know we look like a different team and we are not doing anything what we are known for at the moment but try to look past it. We all know we are a 6 - 7 goal better side than Sydney so relax.

OK so this how we do it....

Pods will get two weeks after last night he has a carry over of 60 points. Their forward line will struggle they cannot Rely on Ablett to kick goals against Stkilda. So they lose the first final.

We cannot beat the pies without Cooney but we get a free life, so we walk away and cop maybe Freo in Melbourne. Then we get our wish and chance. The Saints in a Prelim. Correct me if Im wrong but our best chance for a Grand Final is playing the Saints in a Prelim and we would be back at full strength and I would seriously fancy our chances.

So fellow Woofers Pray for no more and keep a level head. Our time will come! :)

[The Underdog]

not one player from our team has over 50 DT points

Do the coaching staff know?

[LostDoggy]

Cooney back on?

[AndrewP6]

Pay a hold umps!

[LostDoggy]

Do the coaching staff know?

I hope they know something whats going on

[AndrewP6]

Cooney back on?

Nope

[bornadog]

The one ruck experiment ain't working too well.

and both Minson and Roughie played well today.

[LostDoggy]

Nope

Bloody SEN.

[LostDoggy]

We need something to lift the team up. Like a great goal, or corageous take down or smother! Come on Doggies!!!

[bornadog]

Great mark by Jones in the square and nice goal. Thats three in a row.

[becmatty]

Ok all just relax calm down and have a beer or a cuppa. Look back through my posts I did say to prepare ourselves for a loss (Its not over yet). What we are facing is a Sydney team at the SCG playing their Grand Final for two of their favorite sons. Do not underestimate that it is a massive ask after what we went through last week. We have travelled 2 out of 3 plus copped Geelong and a virus in between.

Losing my man Cooney is just a nightmare and we must all pray for no more!
That is the only thing we should do get through with no more.
I know we look like a different team and we are not doing anything what we are known for at the moment but try to look past it. We all know we are a 6 - 7 goal better side than Sydney so relax.

OK so this how we do it....

Pods will get two weeks after last night he has a carry over of 60 points. Their forward line will struggle they cannot Rely on Ablett to kick goals against Stkilda. So they lose the first final.

We cannot beat the pies without Cooney but we get a free life, so we walk away and cop maybe Freo in Melbourne. Then we get our wish and chance. The Saints in a Prelim. Correct me if Im wrong but our best chance for a Grand Final is playing the Saints in a Prelim and we would be back at full strength and I would seriously fancy our chances.

So fellow Woofers Pray for no more and keep a level head. Our time will come! :)

Brilliant. The ultimate glass half full view.

If we all think positive thoughts, perhaps we can send good vibes to the players and effect the result.

Since you posted it, we have come to life...

[LostDoggy]

Well done Jones!! 1 more!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

VEry nice mark from Jones. back to 15 points.
We're at least starting to break even at contested ball. But we just have to find someone to sit on Keiran Jack.

[AndrewP6]

Johnno's a liability at the moment...we're effectively 2 down

[NoName]

Johnson to retire after this game - he is now becoming a liability.

[comrade]

Johnson to retire after this game - he is now becoming a liability.

Not likely.

[LostDoggy]

And gone backwards again

[bornadog]

Johnno, track suit on, achilles tendon gone again.

[ledge]

are the players no longer responding 2 eade?

[bornadog]

are the players no longer responding 2 eade?

What:confused::confused::confused:

[bornadog]

Grant has got to learn to nail goals from 40m

[LostDoggy]

Brilliant. The ultimate glass half full view.

If we all think positive thoughts, perhaps we can send good vibes to the players and effect the result.

Since you posted it, we have come to life...

:) Just a long term view Becmatty our Future is not decided tonight or Last Week and I seriously cannot wait for this team to get to the G on a soft track! We all know how good our best is and it will come. :)

[LostDoggy]

are the players no longer responding 2 eade?

I don't think they respond to the constant yelling he does, you can't keep pushing the same tune.

[ledge]

What:confused::confused::confused:

Well he gave them a huge bake last week,said before the game we would be a different side 2 last week but we arent.

[AndrewP6]

This match doesn't necessarily determine our future, but are we that good that we can turn it on magically come September? I think not.

[AndrewP6]

I don't think they respond to the constant yelling he does, you can't keep pushing the same tune.

I don't think they'd respond to ECT at the moment.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I am really getting sick of this constant 3rd man up from either Cross or Boyd when Tommy is rucking. Invariably the ball is going to their opponent and Sydney get it out quickly.

I'd rather lose the tap and at least not allow a free man for Sydney when the ball hit's the deck.

[AndrewP6]

People have mentioned Boyd not manning up...same could be said for about ten others...if we can't apply any semblance of pressure now, we're gone for the year.

[LostDoggy]

I don't think they'd respond to ECT at the moment.

Did you see Griffen last week?

Eade was having a crack & he turned his back and walked away, it makes you think are the players getting sick of Rocket when he gives them a spray.

[LostDoggy]

People have mentioned Boyd not manning up...same could be said for about ten others...if we can't apply any semblance of pressure now, we're gone for the year.

They mentioned on SEN during the week that we are 16th in the league for tackles, terrible.

[becmatty]

We are down to two players on the bench, and will need to outrun the Swans in the last quarter.

We will need to score six goals to one to pinch it.

This is about as likely as a recount in the federal election.

[LostDoggy]

Did you see Griffen last week?

Eade was having a crack & he turned his back and walked away, it makes you think are the players getting sick of Rocket when he gives them a spray.

I to was worried last week all I wanted was for eade to say nothing just like tonight for fsake dogs hold it together tonight means nothing Benny

[bornadog]

Nice hit by Huddo on Hannebery

[comrade]

Thank god I've gotten in to MMA :D

[AndrewP6]

Did you see Griffen last week?

Eade was having a crack & he turned his back and walked away, it makes you think are the players getting sick of Rocket when he gives them a spray.

They've deserved every bit of it for the rubbish they've served up.

[LostDoggy]

If people think these results don't have any bearing on our season, they are seriously delusional.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

39 points down, and our September fortunes are plummeting on the back of 2 insipid performances.

Just so many passengers at the moment, half the team just completely out of form.

[Rance Fan]

Another year gone! Cant see us turning it around from here. Disappointing....:(

[DOG GOD]

With Cooney gone we are certainly in trouble.

[comrade]

Things are never as good or as bad as it seems, but it seems pretty bad at the moment.

How has Hahn played?

[LostDoggy]

What a f@#$%^g joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sack the coach, get rid of the has beens,start again!!!!

We discredit the top 4!!!!

[AndrewP6]

Things are never as good or as bad as it seems, but it seems pretty bad at the moment.

How has Hahn played?

Barely sighted.

[LostDoggy]

If we don't make the GF or even give a whimper in finals, will Eade come under a heavy review?

[The Underdog]

What a f@#$%^g joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sack the coach, get rid of the has beens,start again!!!!

We discredit the top 4!!!!

Good to see some constructive criticism.

[GVGjr]

39 points down, and our September fortunes are plummeting on the back of 2 insipid performances.

Just so many passengers at the moment, half the team just completely out of form.

You just wonder how a side can go from good form to poor in the space of a couple of weeks?

[Greystache]

Things are never as good or as bad as it seems, but it seems pretty bad at the moment.

How has Hahn played?

Pretty quiet, not terrible but not the same player he was last year. Hasn't looked as slow tonight in fairness.

[comrade]

Pretty quiet, not terrible but not the same player he was last year. Hasn't looked as slow tonight in fairness.

That's a positive ;)

[GVGjr]

If we don't make the GF or even give a whimper in finals, will Eade come under a heavy review?


It would be a huge disappointment but I doubt it would come down to another review.

[DOG GOD]

Hasn't looked as slow tonight in fairness.

Maybe coz of the smallish ground?

[DOG GOD]

Morris....great thats all we need.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

What a f@#$%^g joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sack the coach, get rid of the has beens,start again!!!!

We discredit the top 4!!!!


I think all supporters are upset and entitled to vent, but really Dale_dogs this is very ordinary.

[NoName]

Another year gone! Cant see us turning it around from here. Disappointing....:(

Agree.

[LostDoggy]

If people think these results don't have any bearing on our season, they are seriously delusional.

Jh40 when it's the first bounce of the first final can you tell me what the score is? Although this is bad but just look at stkilda you are only one good win away from turning it around and we do play the bombers next week. if Morris is hurt I will take it all back

[LostDoggy]

It would be a huge disappointment but I doubt it would come down to another review.

I am thinking the same, it makes you wonder though, given that Smorgon said anything less then a GF is unacceptable.

Maybe this group has been taken as far as it can go, some new faces in full time for next season & see what happens.

[LostDoggy]

Cannot believe how bad this sounds. Listening to ABC radio...not at all happy. Is it just me why are we useless. No attack, why is everything going their way??? Can't we just get a bit of luck....I mean EVER? This really is the pits. Coons and Johnson out, Harbrow, Hahn useless. It just gets worse with every minute of this last quarter. There is no footy God.
Bloody hell, now Morris has a back injury. :confused:

[The Underdog]

You just wonder how a side can go from good form to poor in the space of a couple of weeks?

It's a concern. There appears to be a certain resignation, at least a lack of belief within the group.
To be fair the deficiencies in our depth have shown up with some injuries and the deficiencies, particularly speed and accountability, in our midfield have been shown up pretty harshly in the past few weeks and by good teams all season.
We certainly don't appear to be a serious contender at this point. I can't see how we get back and could see us going in straight sets with Cooney on the sidelines.

[Greystache]

Maybe coz of the smallish ground?

Might be, he's played further up the ground too which might be helping.

[LostDoggy]

Jh40 when it's the first bounce of the first final can you tell me what the score is? Although this is bad but just look at stkilda you are only one good win away from turning it around and we do play the bombers next week. if Morris is hurt I will take it all back

I like you optimism, but i don't share it.

Well struggle to come up when the crunch is on, especially against the other top 3 teams. I have and well continue to question this groups mental application, until i am proved otherwise.

[bornadog]

Lots of players down, very disspointed with players like Griffen, Gilbee, Gia, Hahn, Harbrow, Murphy, and the list goes on.

Moles is not up to AFL level and I think Johnno is finished due to injury rather than anything else.

[GVGjr]

I am thinking the same, it makes you wonder though, given that Smorgon said anything less then a GF is unacceptable.

Maybe this group has been taken as far as it can go, some new faces in full time for next season & see what happens.

Well the proof of his word would be seeing some action. I'm not tipping too much though.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

You just wonder how a side can go from good form to poor in the space of a couple of weeks?

Over the past few years, we seem to have been prone to these sort of rapid changes in form/morale/confidence. Harkening back as far as far as the last year or two of Wallace's reign.
I know I've said it a few times before, but I really am starting to believe that some of our so called good players who were around as far back as then, have some deep seated confidence issues that re-surface when ever they are put under pressure.

[Scorlibo]

[/B]
Barely sighted.

That's BS AP6, Hahn has had more impact on the game than most of the rest of the team. No more scapegoats, the whole team is putting in a crap performance, just one player with 20 possessions or more.

[comrade]

That's BS AP6, Hahn has had more impact on the game than most of the rest of the team. No more scapegoats, the whole team is putting in a crap performance, just one player with 20 possessions or more.

His 13 touches and 1 tackle must have been absolute rippers then.

[GVGjr]

I know I've said it a few times before, but I really am starting to believe that some of our so called good players who were around as far back as then, have some deep seated confidence issues that re-surface when ever they are put under pressure.

You might be onto something but the skills seem to desert some players when the pressure is on and I don't think it's just to a lack of confidence it's more around that their skills aren't that great to begin with.

[Scorlibo]

His 13 touches and 1 tackle must have been absolute rippers then.

As I said, no one except Boyd has had 20+ possessions. Hahn did some trademark bullocking work through stoppages with his possessions, and is one of the few players who opened up space for us.

[AndrewP6]

That's BS AP6, Hahn has had more impact on the game than most of the rest of the team. No more scapegoats, the whole team is putting in a crap performance, just one player with 20 possessions or more.

Something's wrong with my TV then...he looked old and slow from my seat.

[Chicago1]

I'm going to have to reevaluate flying to Melbourne in three weeks. I was so looking forward to seeing us play in the Finals... :(

[LostDoggy]

Funny (not) but we always play other teams into great form don't we?
Just sooooooo disappointing.

[GVGjr]

I'm going to have to reevaluate flying to Melbourne in three weeks. I was so looking forward to seeing us play in the Finals... :(


It might pay to sleep on it for a couple of days.

[The Underdog]

Funny (not) but we always play other teams into great form don't we?
Just sooooooo disappointing.

They were travelling ok without our help. We're just in bad form and have injuries that are testing a depth we don't have.

[LostDoggy]

You just wonder how a side can go from good form to poor in the space of a couple of weeks?

Gvgjr after what we have been through in the last three weeks I was hoping at least you would have a voice of calm. Remember Woofers we go back to Melb and stay there my thoughts have always been that everything starts after the sydney game now after cooney we Might have to wait until after the pies. We all know that we should win the second final then we get our chance

[Scorlibo]

Something's wrong with my TV then...he looked old and slow from my seat.

He's never been quick, but that doesn't stop him from breaking tackles and getting the team moving in the right direction. If you can't see that then sure it's either your TV or your eyes.

[Jasper]

That's BS AP6, Hahn has had more impact on the game than most of the rest of the team. No more scapegoats, the whole team is putting in a crap performance, just one player with 20 possessions or more.

Time to fess up Scorlibo, its ok you can admit it, you are Mitch's mum??

Fairdinkum if Mitch didn't perform well on the small SCG where his pace issues can be camouflaged then he won't anywhere. But we have bigger problems than Mitch.

In the bigger scheme of things:

Daniel Giansiracusa 2 33 41
Tom Williams 3 32 17
Robert Murphy 3 31 34
Brad Johnson 3 29 42
Adam Cooney 0 6 9

Our bottom five players of the night dreamteam wise, Cooney and Williams excused the rest are key players and leaders of the team. Didn't turn up....

[The Underdog]

Gvgjr after what we have been through in the last three weeks I was hoping at least you would have a voice of calm. Remember Woofers we go back to Melb and stay there my thoughts have always been that everything starts after the sydney game now after cooney we Might have to wait until after the pies. We all know that we should win the second final then we get our chance

I don't think stating that we are in poor form is an outlandish claim or particularly hysterical. It is in fact correct. Next week is meaningless. We are clearly a step behind the top 2 or 3 at the moment. It's true our season isn't over but there's a lot of really obvious problems at hand and we are a long way behind where we were at the corresponding point in the last 2 years.

[angelopetraglia]

Like Deja Vu. We could not get our hands on footy in the 2nd quarter.

Thought we looked OK in the first half of the 3rd quarter but did not make them pay.

Eagleton could have closed it to 7 points, misses, then they go straight down the other end and goal with a Shane Warne leg spin bounce.

After that, just fell away, simply non-competitive.

Basically played with 20 men tonight that could not of helped our cause.

How could things turn this bad in two weeks? We are basically guaranteed a top four position but can we do anything in September?

In recent years we have re-grouped to be competitive but it looks like we are are a spent force. Can we still blame the Flu impact? Have we fully recovered? Never good when you are making five changes. We need a settled side come two weeks time.

To top it all off, the Cooney hamstring is a tragedy. He makes such a difference to us, give us that zip around the contested footy we have missed so much in the last two weeks. If Cooney doesn't play in the first week of September we have no show I fear.

[Greystache]

Something's wrong with my TV then...he looked old and slow from my seat.

Must be, there's been about 15 worse than him. Boyd the only one who got more than 20 touches and as usual his opponent killed us

[The Underdog]

In the bigger scheme of things:

Daniel Giansiracusa 2 33 41
Tom Williams 3 32 17
Robert Murphy 3 31 34
Brad Johnson 3 29 42
Adam Cooney 0 6 9

Our bottom five players of the night dreamteam wise, Cooney and Williams excused the rest are key players and leaders of the team. Didn't turn up....

What is the obsession with DT stats as a measurable of actual meaningful football?
So sick of it.

[GVGjr]

Gvgjr after what we have been through in the last three weeks I was hoping at least you would have a voice of calm. Remember Woofers we go back to Melb and stay there my thoughts have always been that everything starts after the sydney game now after cooney we Might have to wait until after the pies. We all know that we should win the second final then we get our chance

I'm not sure how my comment could be considered as anything other than calm. It was just a question about how form can rise and fall so quickly.

[LostDoggy]

Time to fess up Scorlibo, its ok you can admit it, you are Mitch's mum??

Fairdinkum if Mitch didn't perform well on the small SCG where his pace issues can be camouflaged then he won't anywhere. But we have bigger problems than Mitch.

In the bigger scheme of things:

Daniel Giansiracusa 2 33 41
Tom Williams 3 32 17
Robert Murphy 3 31 34
Brad Johnson 3 29 42
Adam Cooney 0 6 9

Our bottom five players of the night dreamteam wise, Cooney and Williams excused the rest are key players and leaders of the team. Didn't turn up....

And that is why if they all had good games then I would bow my head and say we are not good enough. But the fact is we played crap again and I seriously didn't expect anything else. That is why I am looking forward to the next few weeks and after what we have been through we will get better every week. We are lucky this isn't last year where we had to win. We have the advantage of time all we need is cool heads. PLEASE somebody remember back when we had the Saints on toast and remember back to when the Pies were changing their strides because they havnt improved since then and we will be back. It doesn't matter if we didn't win them games but a bounce of the ball is all it takes and I have complete faith that we can go with them all that matters is we keep our heads.....and hang on till Cooney is back but I seriously doubt the reports of 3 - 4 are right he wasn't at full stride so at worst it was tweaked and the docs knowing it was a dead rubber put him on ice.

[AndrewP6]

Must be, there's been about 15 worse than him. Boyd the only one who got more than 20 touches and as usual his opponent killed us

Didn't say he was worst, just didn't think he impacted things greatly.

[Chicago1]

It might pay to sleep on it for a couple of days.

I have until the morning I'm supposed to leave(Sept.11) to change my reservation with no penalty(I'd rebook to fly out for the start of the 2011 season) or cancel for a charge of $150. I'll wait until after we play Week 1 of the Finals to decide. I don't want to fly out if we're going to get smashed in the PF(if we even make it). Of course, if we lose to Essendon next week by a lot, I won't be coming. Two weeks ago I was looking forward to seeing my first Finals for 11 years. Now, well...:(

[LostDoggy]

I'm not sure how my comment could be considered as anything other than calm. It was just a question about how form can rise and fall so quickly.

I know mate it's just I feel that Im the only one thats trying to be positive and my voice doesnt carry much weight.

[GVGjr]

I know mate it's just I feel that Im the only one thats trying to be positive and my voice doesnt carry much weight.

I'm still positive because I do believe that as quick as we have fallen, and we have, we can regain it with one good outing.

[LostDoggy]

I'm still positive because I do believe that as quick as we have fallen, and we have, we can regain it with one good outing.

Yep your right and we play the Bombers. Do you think the Saints can beat the Cats without Pods and Hawkins just travelling?

[Twodogs]

Like the little girl with the curl we can be frustratingly mecurial. We could lose the first final by ten goals or we could win it by ten goals. Neither result would suprise me.

[comrade]

Like the little girl with the curl we can be frustratingly mecurial. We could lose the first final by ten goals or we could win it by ten goals. Neither result would suprise me.

We're like a European sports car. Bloody temperamental and hard to tune, but when it clicks....

Unfortunately, our engine only runs against dud teams.

[LostDoggy]

I'm still positive because I do believe that as quick as we have fallen, and we have, we can regain it with one good outing.

But, we came up against a true contender last week & failed. Isn't that a true indicator of where we are at?

We haven't beaten anyone of significance this year, not in terms of teams who are truly pushing for a premiership.

[Mantis]

Another piss poor performance.

Our field kicking was terrible.

Thank Christ I am heading off for a holiday tomorrow otherwise I might do my head in...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I'm still positive because I do believe that as quick as we have fallen, and we have, we can regain it with one good outing.

We have been able to rebound on the eve of finals before following a late season slump, however Essendon in recent times really seem to have the wood over us.

Their run and gun style really seems to work against those teams that don't have great leg speed, and we don't exactly have a bagful of speedy players we can call on.

[Scorlibo]

Time to fess up Scorlibo, its ok you can admit it, you are Mitch's mum??


:p Being male and younger than Mitch himself makes that proposition difficult. I admit to arguing for Mitch's value far more than most on this site, but that's only because there is such an anti-Hahn mindset and though he isn't a star and might not even be in our best 10-15 players, he doesn't deserve half the criticism he gets, especially on nights like these, when he out performs most of the side.



Didn't say he was worst, just didn't think he impacted things greatly.

Nobody did, so why does he have to be singled out ahead of everyone else?

[LostDoggy]

But, we came up against a true contender last week & failed. Isn't that a true indicator of where we are at?

We haven't beaten anyone of significance this year, not in terms of teams who are truly pushing for a premiership.

Come on JH you and I both know we had no chance last week. I think James Cuming said you only beat them once in a year Im hangin on to that. Take it for whats it worth.

[LostDoggy]

Come on JH you and I both know we had no chance last week. I think James Cuming said you only beat them once in a year Im hangin on to that. Take it for whats it worth.

Our inability to beat other top four teams over the past few seasons, doesn't worry you at all?

[BulldogBelle]

A very dissapointing result tonight - Sydney was always going to be 'up' this game with the Kirk and Roos last game at the SCG theme. I was hoping we moved on from our loss last week but wasn't to be.

I switched off my mobile after the game as I knew I would be receiving heaps of calls/texts from my non bulldog supporting friends/family wanting to have a dig.:eek:

[LostDoggy]

Our inability to beat other top four teams over the past few seasons, doesn't worry you at all?

If we were getting belted by them it would but all we need is an ounce of luck and a clear mind. :)

[AndrewP6]

Nobody did, so why does he have to be singled out ahead of everyone else?

Because of this...


How has Hahn played?
Someone asked, I gave my view.

[AndrewP6]

Thank Christ I am heading off for a holiday tomorrow otherwise I might do my head in...

Can I come? I'll squeeze into the suitcase!

[Remi Moses]

Like the little girl with the curl we can be frustratingly mecurial. We could lose the first final by ten goals or we could win it by ten goals. Neither result would suprise me.

Disappointed but are we shocked? Embarassed last week and they dish up another sub-standard effort!We look slow (all Sides do when your second to it)Please can a few on here stop calling out to get behind the team,it's up to the players to pull us out of the mire!!Just hope to Christ we can lift

[LostDoggy]

How are we going to do any damage in September? We haven't beaten any of the top teams and our form is far too inconsistent. We now have a number of players under injury clouds or out of form which are not ominous signs in the lead up to another finals series.

I can't see us beating Collingwood in the qualifying final. We will probably win the semi-final then once again fall short yet another prelim. What are we missing to compete with the top teams in the competition?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

What are we missing to compete with the top teams in the competition?

Leaders.

There are none.

When Sydney pounded us in the second quarter, where was Boyd, Cross, Johnson, Gia, Murphy, Lake and Eagleton? Nowhere. They were collectively dreadful.

Same old story - but the MC has to take part blame. Why would you play Eagleton and Hahn - we all know they are finished. They offer nothing.

Not sure who I'm more disappointed with. Both staff/players are failing miserably.

[EasternWest]

:p Being male and younger than Mitch himself makes that proposition difficult. I admit to arguing for Mitch's value far more than most on this site, but that's only because there is such an anti-Hahn mindset and though he isn't a star and might not even be in our best 10-15 players, he doesn't deserve half the criticism he gets, especially on nights like these, when he out performs most of the side.


I'm not so sure it's anti Hahn per se. It's more about what playing him signifies.

For mine, I think Mitch has been a terrific servant for our club, and I will never fault his integrity as a player. He's overcome natural talent (or lack thereof) with desire and ferocity.

But I do believe his days at the top level are done, and for us to play him is a regressive step. Time gets called for everyone in the end, and I think it's time for Mitch.

[LostDoggy]

Leaders.

There are none.

When Sydney pounded us in the second quarter, where was Boyd, Cross, Johnson, Gia, Murphy, Lake and Eagleton? Nowhere. They were collectively dreadful.

Same old story - but the MC has to take part blame. Why would you play Eagleton and Hahn - we all know they are finished. They offer nothing.

Not sure who I'm more disappointed with. Both staff/players are failing miserably.

This. All of it.

[Jasper]

What is the obsession with DT stats as a measurable of actual meaningful football?
So sick of it.

Yeah fair cop mate, I don't like it much either, just didn't have the stats handy - a bit lazy I suppose. What I was getting at was that Murphy, Gia and Johnno didn't appear to get much of the pill or tackle. Gia (8 Disposals) and Johnno (6 disposals) still in the bottom four. Murphy (11 disposals). Not good enough would suggest creative players like these who we rely on to get and use the ball well (lets face it Johnno ain't known as defensive player), need to do a lot more.

Eade would appear to agree:

"We need our leaders who have played more than 100 games to really stand up."

[comrade]

Eade would appear to agree:

"We need our leaders who have played more than 100 games to really stand up."

No s***

Unfortunately, our lack of leadership and on-field accountability has been an issue all year, yet the repeat offenders get a free run.

[GVGjr]

Unfortunately, our lack of leadership and on-field accountability has been an issue all year, yet the repeat offenders get a free run.

Too much faith in the group or do we just not have the depth in the list to make an example out of one of them?

[The Underdog]

Yeah fair cop mate, I don't like it much either, just didn't have the stats handy - a bit lazy I suppose. What I was getting at was that Murphy, Gia and Johnno didn't appear to get much of the pill or tackle. Gia (8 Disposals) and Johnno (6 disposals) still in the bottom four. Murphy (11 disposals). Not good enough would suggest creative players like these who we rely on to get and use the ball well (lets face it Johnno ain't known as defensive player), need to do a lot more.

Eade would appear to agree:

"We need our leaders who have played more than 100 games to really stand up."

Sorry I probably came off a bit snappy, I've just had a bit of a personal Supercoach / DT backlash this year. I'm over it.
Agree with your point about our experienced players. We've too many one way players who aren't doing much that way either


Too much faith in the group or do we just not have the depth in the list to make an example out of one of them?

Both. There's certainly a midfield dearth atm. Particularly with guys like Higgins and Ward not being fit all year.
But there's clearly too much faith being placed in guys who've constantly disappeared in big games.

[KT31]

Cloud- we are playing terrible, many injured players and finals only two weeks away.

Silver lining - we can't lose fourth, home final, players have time to regroup and finals only two weeks away.

Ironically after two loses we are in a better position than when we were winning.

[Go_Dogs]

Too much faith in the group or do we just not have the depth in the list to make an example out of one of them?

We've overrated both areas IMO, and it's now been shown we're a fair way off the mark.



I see similarities with where we were after the WC loss last year. After which we won 3 big games in a row. Hopefully we can win 3 more big games this year. It's all we need...

[LostDoggy]

Ok all just relax calm down and have a beer or a cuppa. Look back through my posts I did say to prepare ourselves for a loss (Its not over yet). What we are facing is a Sydney team at the SCG playing their Grand Final for two of their favorite sons. Do not underestimate that it is a massive ask after what we went through last week. We have travelled 2 out of 3 plus copped Geelong and a virus in between.

Losing my man Cooney is just a nightmare and we must all pray for no more!
That is the only thing we should do get through with no more.
I know we look like a different team and we are not doing anything what we are known for at the moment but try to look past it. We all know we are a 6 - 7 goal better side than Sydney so relax.

OK so this how we do it....

Pods will get two weeks after last night he has a carry over of 60 points. Their forward line will struggle they cannot Rely on Ablett to kick goals against Stkilda. So they lose the first final.

We cannot beat the pies without Cooney but we get a free life, so we walk away and cop maybe Freo in Melbourne. Then we get our wish and chance. The Saints in a Prelim. Correct me if Im wrong but our best chance for a Grand Final is playing the Saints in a Prelim and we would be back at full strength and I would seriously fancy our chances.

So fellow Woofers Pray for no more and keep a level head. Our time will come! :)

Amen.

[azabob]

No s***

Unfortunately, our lack of leadership and on-field accountability has been an issue all year, yet the repeat offenders get a free run.

One could argue lack of leadership has been an issue for the last 5 years.

Eade can blame injuries we got during the game all he wants, reality is for the second time in two weeks no one stood up when the opposition got a run on.

No one stood up when Collingwood got a run on twice this season.

No one stood up when St.Kilda came back from the dead this season.

No one stood up when the game was to be won against Hawthorn this season.

Who was the last player to stand up and drag the team over the line?

[bornadog]

Too much faith in the group or do we just not have the depth in the list to make an example out of one of them?

One thing for sure is we stuffed up the draft last year with some stupid picks. Supporters were critical of Clayton over the years but really, he is a damn good recruiter. We have been unable to play one first year player this year, although I do suspect Howard would have played if it wasn't for injury. The rest of our picks donot look like AFL players, including the Rookie pick of Moles.

I agree with you GvGjr, we should have cut into the list a little bit deeper when we had the chance. At minimum, Eagleton, Aker, should have been cut.

[Flamethrower]

I still can't believe we went in with only 1 ruckman, who had been ill during the last 2 weeks.
It doesn't matter whether it was Roughead or Minson, one of them had to play. China Doll Tom is a NOT a backup ruckman (he is still learning how to play as a backman) and Huddo was always going to get worn down going against 2 "monsters" like Mumford and Pyke.

This game was decided at selection - many of us said it before the game. Everitt and Roughead/Minson had to play against a team that stuctures up like the Swans. I was convinced that there would be 2 late changes when I saw the team, but when I saw all 3 of these players run out at Box Hill I knew the Swans were over the line. It was easy money for anyone who enjoys a punt on the footy.

[LostDoggy]

The Swans had 360 disposals to 256. Obviously this shows we couldn't even get near it. So why did this happen? Was it because we lost Cooney early on and Johnson struggled with injury and we ran out of legs? Was it work ethic? It seemed to me that at every stoppage the Swans were winning the contested ball and would continually bring the ball out to their defensive side and move it from there. I'm not sure what the statistics for contested ball are but I'm sure we were beaten. Another interesting stat would be goals from stoppages. When I look back we were a much better team last season. Too many players have dropped off to be able to compete with the better sides of the competition. If we were have a bad game last season it felt like we would always find a way to win. That's not the case this year. We have lost the tight ones and when the heat is on we are vulnerable.

[soupman]

I consider myself an optimistic supporter, who can make reasonable judgements on where players and the side are at, and looks for the positives in performances. I watch every game I can, and haven't willingly left or stopped watching a match before the final siren since I can remember.

Last night, halfway through the last quarter, I had had enough. That is the most pissed off I have ever been with our club. We were nothing short of pathetic and I came away from it with a multitude of points of annoyance.

Team Selection How did both Roughead and Everitt, two young players who weren't terrible last week, lose their spots? Roughead has continued to show that he offers a good option as a second ruck, and will only get better. Why would we drop him in a match against a team that loves stoppages on a small ground like the SCG.

And Everitt was dropped for Hahn. Everitt was the perfect cover for injuries, unexpected matchups and whatever thi week. He could play a role down back, help out in the ruck, play forward, or play a midfield type role. Very dissapointed he was dropped after a promising display last week.

Meanwhile, Eagleton and Hahn both got a game. I know there may have been solid reasons for these inclusions, but Eagleton was poor last week and isn't the way forward for finals, and Hahn has been put into the side on a currently outdated reputation.

Ruck As an extension of the above, why would we turn a strong area of the team (hudson+Minson, or Hudsoon+Roughead) into a weakness with our main ruckman trying to play most of the match with an injury prone defender who whilst admirable in his efforts, shouldn't be playing in the ruck if we can help it.

Brett Kirk I undertsnad Kirk's last match was always going to have them up and about, but for him to embarass us as a leading forward is unforgiveable. Kirk has none of the attributes of a good leading forward, yet made Gilbee look like an idiot. How can a player like Kirk beat our defence so easily in a role he is so unfamiliar and unsuited too?

Hudson Charging Why would you do that? Pointless, irresponsible crap. I know he is a much loved figure at the club, but someone needs to pull him aside for that and tell him it's not on. It's stupid and will cost us games when he inevitably gets suspended

Nathan Eagleton Truly I don't dislike him like some on this forum do, and I actually think he adds something to our side sometimes. However, he should not have been slected, and whilst getting a couple of handy goals he showed why he shouldn't be in our side when he missed a set shot from straight in front that would have truly gotten us back into the game. He is not a player we can count on to stand up when we need him.

Leadership Speaking of players not standing up, who did last night? Nobody for mine. We were just happy to roll over and take it. No fight, no desperation. Not good enough.

Brodie Moles on Jude Bolton It seemed from the Tv coverage that Moles was matched up on Bolton, yet Bolton continually got free, got possessions and influenced the match. Likewise with Boyd on Jack. Where is the accountability?

One on One Did we win a one on one contest? Continually we were shown up as not wanting the footy enough, and too frequently they managed to push extra numbers to the contest while our players never appeared.

Zone defence over man on man Why when the opposition are working the ball out of defence do we put our 18th player as a loose player trying to anticipate the long kick. Every time good opponents will just use up their free man and work it forward that way. Our current system never works. Just find a man each for gods sake.

Desperation There was too little desperation on our behalf. The one player I remember chasing with real intent was Liam Jones. Other than that we were half hearted and it showed. Sydney on the other hand were hard at it and desperate. That smother on Grant is what wins games. We lack that kind of desperation too often.

Pace You realise just how slow we are when a team like Sydney is clearly quicker than us. This is an area we really need to recruit in in the off season, but I have no idea how. We need a quick, crumbing forward who applies defensive pressure and a quick mid who can break the lines. Atm we are slow and one paced.

Why do we continually insist on breaking our supporters hearts by stuffing up again and again? It makes it so hard to be a Bulldogs member when you continually have to defend them. After a week of defending us after the Geelong loss, promising that we'll bounce back and prove why we will be finals contenders I get to watch us put in another piss-poor effort. It was the complete lack of desperation that was most dissapointing.

[mighty_west]

I still can't believe we went in with only 1 ruckman, who had been ill during the last 2 weeks.
It doesn't matter whether it was Roughead or Minson, one of them had to play. China Doll Tom is a NOT a backup ruckman (he is still learning how to play as a backman) and Huddo was always going to get worn down going against 2 "monsters" like Mumford and Pyke.

This game was decided at selection - many of us said it before the game. Everitt and Roughead/Minson had to play against a team that stuctures up like the Swans. I was convinced that there would be 2 late changes when I saw the team, but when I saw all 3 of these players run out at Box Hill I knew the Swans were over the line. It was easy money for anyone who enjoys a punt on the footy.

This.

Was scratching my head on thursday night with the team selection, and Everitt simply had to play if we went in with only one ruckman, Hahn is finished imo and shouldn't have played, he looked like a 36 year old out there.

Eagleton is good for those have to win games against teams that allow us to run freely, not usually on the small SCG, he was ok when the game was open for the first term, but when things went their way, and then closed up shop on us, he was found wanting.

Harbrow should have played at least a game for Willy after a month off, play god damn fit & in form players!!!!!

[anfo27]

The Swans had 360 disposals to 256. Obviously this shows we couldn't even get near it. So why did this happen? Was it because we lost Cooney early on and Johnson struggled with injury and we ran out of legs? Was it work ethic? It seemed to me that at every stoppage the Swans were winning the contested ball and would continually bring the ball out to their defensive side and move it from there. I'm not sure what the statistics for contested ball are but I'm sure we were beaten. Another interesting stat would be goals from stoppages. When I look back we were a much better team last season. Too many players have dropped off to be able to compete with the better sides of the competition. If we were have a bad game last season it felt like we would always find a way to win. That's not the case this year. We have lost the tight ones and when the heat is on we are vulnerable.

The key stat you need to look at and always need to look at is tackles Arkie. They had 100 more possesions and still ended up with more tackles than us and that is unacceptable. Before Eade arrived we were the worst tackling team going around and nothing has changed in this area. I'm sick of seeing the opposition win the cleareance without any pressure from our midfielders and put our defence under immense pressure.

I've had enough and the buck stops with rocket, its time for him to go.

[azabob]

The key stat you need to look at and always need to look at is tackles Arkie. They had 100 more possesions and still ended up with more tackles than us and that is unacceptable. Before Eade arrived we were the worst tackling team going around and nothing has changed in this area. I'm sick of seeing the opposition win the cleareance without any pressure from our midfielders and put our defence under immense pressure.

I've had enough and the buck stops with rocket, its time for him to go.

Who do we replace him with?

[anfo27]

Who do we replace him with?

What about Ricky Bobby or Jackie Moon?

Seriously though didn't Smorgan say that a grand final berth was the only result that would be acceptable?

I'd like Mick Malthouse when hs is done at the pies but that is 12 months away still. I guess i'm saying I don't know who you replace him with but are you happy to keep going with him?

[azabob]

What about Ricky Bobby or Jackie Moon?

Seriously though didn't Smorgan say that a grand final berth was the only result that would be acceptable?

I'd like Mick Malthouse when hs is done at the pies but that is 12 months away still. I guess i'm saying I don't know who you replace him with but are you happy to keep going with him?

Yes Smorgon did say that.

I think we need to make very hard calls on our playing list. Not sure what we gain by sacking Eade, so yes I'd keep him.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Yes Smorgon did say that.

I think we need to make very hard calls on our playing list. Not sure what we gain by sacking Eade, so yes I'd keep him.

The bind is we really should've done this a year ago, possibly even two. Now with the bulk of draft picks and talent going to GC and next year GWS, we are going to have to potentially pay more for any trades. That is the offer of draft picks now are not as valuable as prior years, and therefore we may need to offer more to get a deal done.

The match committee also face the dilemma of perhaps trading out some seasoned blokes, and in losing a couple of these types we may end up having to go backward to go forward eventually. Is the club in a financial position to risk having a poor year or two?

We seriously need to inject some pace in the team, and with the probably loss of Harbrow come seasons end, we are going to look even slower next year without some big changes.

I hope the club is going to be in a position to make the tough decisions that need to be made at seasons end.

[anfo27]

Yes Smorgon did say that.

I think we need to make very hard calls on our playing list. Not sure what we gain by sacking Eade, so yes I'd keep him.

I don't think Eade is capable enough to make these tough decisions. He has shown too much faith in players that continually let the team down.
We have had a pretty crap year and which senior players other than Minson & Eagleton has he dropped?
The pies are on top of the ladder and they have dropped Fraser, Lockyer, Medhurst. O'Bree & Brown when they haven't performed.

[azabob]

I don't think Eade is capable enough to make these tough decisions. He has shown too much faith in players that continually let the team down.
We have had a pretty crap year and which senior players other than Minson & Eagleton has he dropped?
The pies are on top of the ladder and they have dropped Fraser, Lockyer, Medhurst. O'Bree & Brown when they haven't performed.

Agree about Eade and his unwillingness to drop senior players. Problem this year is injuries have made it hard to drop the senior players.

[azabob]

I hope the club is going to be in a position to make the tough decisions that need to be made at seasons end.

Agree, disapointing thing is we have said the same thing for the last couple of years.
Yet nothing seems to change.

[Go_Dogs]

I consider myself an optimistic supporter, who can make reasonable judgements on where players and the side are at, and looks for the positives in performances.

Great post soupaman. Agree with just about everything you have said.

[GVGjr]

What about Ricky Bobby or Jackie Moon?

Seriously though didn't Smorgan say that a grand final berth was the only result that would be acceptable?

I'd like Mick Malthouse when hs is done at the pies but that is 12 months away still. I guess i'm saying I don't know who you replace him with but are you happy to keep going with him?

Yes he said it but I wonder to what degree he meant it?

I can't see the sense in changing coaches especially since Eade is a good one.
Perhaps the answer is a chairman of selectors/list manager who will make the hard call on players at both the selection table and at the end of the season.
I've saying for a while now that we didn't move on enough players over the last two years and despite the success of Williamstown, the cupboard just isn't overflowing with talented players.

[Hotdog60]

Yes he said it but I wonder to what degree he meant it?

I can't see the sense in changing coaches especially since Eade is a good one.
Perhaps the answer is a chairman of selectors/list manager who will make the hard call on players at both the selection table and at the end of the season.
I've saying for a while now that we didn't move on enough players over the last two years and despite the success of Williamstown, the cupboard just isn't overflowing with talented players.

This is the downside of not having a reserve competition, to have a team that you can experiment with. Like put Hill in defense to work on his accountability and put Stack in the midfield to make him win the ball and to try things you can't afford to do now.

Williamstown are their own club and are striving for success and you cannot stuff around with games.

With the compromised draft over the next couple of years we may well have to blood what we have and see if any of them are worth keeping. Next year could be a long one regardless of what happens this year.

[GVGjr]

This is the downside of not having a reserve competition, to have a team that you can experiment with. Like put Hill in defense to work on his accountability and put Stack in the midfield to make him win the ball and to try things you can't afford to do now.

Williamstown are their own club and are striving for success and you cannot stuff around with games.

With the compromised draft over the next couple of years we may well have to blood what we have and see if any of them are worth keeping. Next year could be a long one regardless of what happens this year.

We have known about this for a few years and that we also had father son selections as good as locked in. Why didn't we cut deeper into the list over the last 2 years?

The Williamstown alignment is what you make of it and isn't an excuse for the list not developing. I just don't think it's been well managed.

[mighty_west]

We have known about this for a few years and that we also had father son selections as good as locked in. Why didn't we cut deeper into the list over the last 2 years?

The Williamstown alignment is what you make of it and isn't an excuse for the list not developing. I just don't think it's been well managed.

Obviously the clubs mindset was locked on a Premiership, with bringing in the likes of Hall & Akermanis, the draft last year bringing in mature aged recruits, Markovic & Thorne, and trying to give the club it's best chance of having that success whilst the like of Johnson, Eagleton & co were still playing good footy [no one could have predicted Johnno's season from hell after a very good season last year].

[GVGjr]

Obviously the clubs mindset was locked on a Premiership, with bringing in the likes of Hall & Akermanis, the draft last year bringing in mature aged recruits, Markovic & Thorne, and trying to give the club it's best chance of having that success whilst the like of Johnson, Eagleton & co were still playing good footy [no one could have predicted Johnno's season from hell after a very good season last year].

It's OK to put all the eggs in the same basket if a result is delivered. I'd still argue that we should have seen that maintaining Eagleton and Akermanis whilst recruiting Hall had the potential to age the list quickly.

[Hotdog60]

It's OK to put all the eggs in the same basket if a result is delivered. I'd still argue that we should have seen that maintaining Eagleton and Akermanis whilst recruiting Hall had the potential to age the list quickly.

The club must have seen this year as the best chance with the list we have and although it's not over, on the last couple of weeks it doesn't look promising. Do you think the club may have realized that things weren't going well with the senior players and thats why we have see more young guys get extended time.
This is properly isn't the place for this and could be a tread on it's own, but on your thoughts that we should have cut into the list 2 years ago is pasted now. What do we do for the future, can we remain competitive for the next few years. One would think that there will be retirees at the end of this season so spots will be there, but will the team able to compete at a top 4 level or are going to go backwards.