Mitch Wallis in mix for Western Bulldogs debut

[The Coon Dog]

Jon Ralph - Herald Sun - 30 March

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/03/29/1226030/338679-mitch-wallis.jpg

THE Western Bulldogs could give Mitch Wallis his first game against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, with up to four changes possible after the loss to Essendon.

Wallis is in the selection mix after a poor showing from the established midfield, while fellow father-son selection Tom Liberatore played an excellent game against the Bombers.

Dylan Addison should return after serving a one-match suspension for striking St Kilda's Sam Gilbert in the preliminary final.

Article in full... (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-wallis-in-mix-for-western-bulldogs-debut/story-e6frf9jf-1226030338163)

[LostDoggy]

already it's looking like the MC are going to have a hard time selecting each week. Finally we seem to have Depth in all areas of the field. Hopefully we can blood enough of the right players throughout the season and rotate enough so as to have the legs left in us at the end of the season :)

[Mofra]

DFA would have stopped some of the bleeding last weekend, rarely loses a one on one.
One of the slower developers but his improvement every year means he may well be in the best fit 22 come season's end.

[bornadog]

DFA would have stopped some of the bleeding last weekend, rarely loses a one on one.
One of the slower developers but his improvement every year means he may well be in the best fit 22 come season's end.

Gives 120% every week even though he doesn't have the skill level. Don't forget he is from NSW and was not brought up with footy.

Played well in the finals and deserves his spot, but where do you play him?

[LostDoggy]

Gives 120% every week even though he doesn't have the skill level. Don't forget he is from NSW and was not brought up with footy.

Played well in the finals and deserves his spot, but where do you play him?

Happy for DFA to play on the ball, forward or back. Similar to Picken, he has an agression about his game that seems lacking at the dogs (only round 1, I know). For mine, his lack of skill at times is more than made up for in effort and agression. A must to be selected this week.

[bornadog]

[/B]

Happy for DFA to play on the ball, forward or back. Similar to Picken, he has an agression about his game that seems lacking at the dogs (only round 1, I know). For mine, his lack of skill at times is more than made up for in effort and agression. A must to be selected this week.

Do we play him as a defensive forward or does he play in the backline?

[LostDoggy]

Will be happy to see Mitch out there, and yes, the return of the others is encouraging as well. After reading that article, I was surprised to read that Eade was critical of Hudson??? Huh, I'm no expert, but the MC picked a sole ruckman against two younger fitter guns?? I didn't see the game, so I don't know how Huddo played, but fair crack of the sauce bottle, it's a bit tough to be critical after putting him in that position? Am I wrong? Happy for fellow Woofers to tell me I'm way off track.....

[LostDoggy]

Do we play him as a defensive forward or does he play in the backline?

I think you play him where needed. Would maybe like to see him in a run with role to start with and give Picken the opportunity to start as a defensive forward. Like the look of Picken in the forward line, hard tough and knows where the goals are - just hasn't had the oppotunity up there. DFA in the side might release Picken to play another role than run with.

Can also slot into the backline, although I think Gilbee has to come in and cover for Wood.

Overall, I think DFA is the ideal swingman.

[LostDoggy]

Do we play him as a defensive forward or does he play in the backline?

I know his kicking isn't 100%, but just for something different I'd like to see him play the defensive forward, purely so Picken can play from the half backline and set up attack. DFA'd have Higgins, Grant, Gia, Hall, etc to pass off to once he's forced the turnover, so maybe that could work.

Even though we're all upset about last week, now is the time of year to try shit.


Will be happy to see Mitch out there, and yes, the return of the others is encouraging as well. After reading that article, I was surprised to read that Eade was critical of Hudson??? Huh, I'm no expert, but the MC picked a sole ruckman against two younger fitter guns?? I didn't see the game, so I don't know how Huddo played, but fair crack of the sauce bottle, it's a bit tough to be critical after putting him in that position? Am I wrong? Happy for fellow Woofers to tell me I'm way off track.....

I was surprised too, I thought Hudson battled as hard as ever. Perhaps he didn't follow instructions (whatever good they were when faced with Hille/Ryder), and consequently earnt Eade's wrath. Or, maybe the sly old bugger just doesn't want Huddo getting complacent, and wants to reinforce that there are other ruck options (albeit sans beard).

[LostDoggy]

DFA would have stopped some of the bleeding last weekend, rarely loses a one on one.
One of the slower developers but his improvement every year means he may well be in the best fit 22 come season's end.

Absolutely agree, he was excellent in the finals and busts a gut every time he plays.

[LostDoggy]

Will be happy to see Mitch out there, and yes, the return of the others is encouraging as well. After reading that article, I was surprised to read that Eade was critical of Hudson??? Huh, I'm no expert, but the MC picked a sole ruckman against two younger fitter guns?? I didn't see the game, so I don't know how Huddo played, but fair crack of the sauce bottle, it's a bit tough to be critical after putting him in that position? Am I wrong? Happy for fellow Woofers to tell me I'm way off track.....

As I said in the MC thread I think Huddo was the wrong choice for that game.

[Mofra]

I know his kicking isn't 100%, but just for something different I'd like to see him play the defensive forward, purely so Picken can play from the half backline and set up attack. DFA'd have Higgins, Grant, Gia, Hall, etc to pass off to once he's forced the turnover, so maybe that could work.

Even though we're all upset about last week, now is the time of year to try shit.
Football this year looks to have trended much more towards kicking to a contest, where wayward kicking may on occassion be less of an issue than last year. Contested football looks set to increase as well.

Football has trended Addison's way this year and he could become quite an important player for us, especially if Cross/Boyd have a drop in output. DFA is perhaps more versatile than either of them.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Football this year looks to have trended much more towards kicking to a contest, where wayward kicking may on occassion be less of an issue than last year. Contested football looks set to increase as well.

Football has trended Addison's way this year and he could become quite an important player for us, especially if Cross/Boyd have a drop in output. DFA is perhaps more versatile than either of them.

More versitile perhaps, but not as good.

Interesting that Addison's kicking doesn't matter but Cross and Boyd's kicking is their problem.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Given our group I like Dylan as a defensive forward, he's quite good in the air and generally I think his kicking/decision making is improving

In the final against Sydney he hit Hall with a couple of nice passes

[Mofra]

More versitile perhaps, but not as good.

Interesting that Addison's kicking doesn't matter but Cross and Boyd's kicking is their problem.
I'm not sure how you took "less important on occasion" to mean "doesn't matter".

Boyd and Cross were smashed on Sunday. IF Dylan is able to provide some inside mid cover for the side, then he becomes an important player for us.

[Dazza]

DFA deserves a spot in the side no doubt. Gives his absolute all and can be played in alot of different positions. Personally I'd like to see him played as a defensive forward. He can bob up with some good marks and certainly loves a contest at ground level.

[Go_Dogs]

More versitile perhaps, but not as good.

Interesting that Addison's kicking doesn't matter but Cross and Boyd's kicking is their problem.

I thought Addison used the ball very well at times last season, and certainly has better "skills" by foot than both Cross and Boyd, although doesn't always execute as well as he should.

Cross simply lacks penetration and can't move the ball quickly by foot, whilst Boyd probably tries to do too much at times and be too cute which he skill set isn't really built for. Addison is better than both with respect to those areas for mine.

Will be interesting to see how he develops again this year, because he has gradually improved every year and his attack on the ball and body and desperation to win a contest can really lift the side and show a lot of his more highly regarded teammates the level of commitment required.

[ratsmac]

Not sure how his pre-season went but going on last years finals form he has to come straight back in IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Although its nice with all these new guys getting a game, we need some consistency with the team and not just drop or change the list week in week out. These guys need to get used to playing with each other every week.

[Mofra]

Although its nice with all these new guys getting a game, we need some consistency with the team and not just drop or change the list week in week out. These guys need to get used to playing with each other every week.
Eade (and Dean Bailey IIRC) are big fans of that principle in the backline - unfortunately injury will prevent us for settling the back 6 for some time.

[EasternWest]

Interesting that Addison's kicking doesn't matter but Cross and Boyd's kicking is their problem.


I thought Addison used the ball very well at times last season, and certainly has better "skills" by foot than both Cross and Boyd, although doesn't always execute as well as he should.

Similar to Williams, I think his kicking is actually pretty good (though I regard Williams as a superior kick). It's the decision behind the kick that brings them both undone.

That being said, I believe they're both improving in that area.