Game Day 2011 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs GCS

[BulldogBelle]

This is the discussion thread for our Saturday afternoon game against GCS at Metricon Stadium.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 47 points
BOG : Matthew Boyd
Daniel Giansiracusa to kick the first goal.

[bornadog]

Dogs by 55

First Goal - Griffen

BOG Griffen

[DragzLS1]

dogs by 43

First goal - Dalhouse
BOG - Griffen

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Dogs by 74 points

First goal - Gia
BOG - Griffen

[AndrewP6]

Dogs by 41 after the Suns push us for a while
BOG Gia
First goal Willllllllbur!

[Greystache]

Dogs by 33
BOG- Boyd
First goal- Dahlhaus

[LostDoggy]

I just don't know, i really don't.

I have lost all confidence this season.

[LostDoggy]

Bulldogs by 26, 1st goal - Barry Hall, BOG - Cooney

[the banker]

Dogs by 29

BOG Higgins

goal Hall

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 34
First Goal = Gia
BOG = Griffen

[Go_Dogs]

Dogs by 43
First goal Griffen
BOG Boyd

[Hotdog60]

Dogs by 32
BOG Boyd
First Goal Hall

Grommet to get rising star.

[Pickenitup]

Dogs By 81
Bog Griffen
Hall to kick 1st and 6 for the day

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by 31
BOG: Callan Ward
First Goal: Daniel Giansiracusa

[LostDoggy]

Dogs by a moderately acceptable 24 points.
BOG: Griff
First Goal: Higgins

[LostDoggy]

I just don't know, i really don't.

I have lost all confidence this season.

I know how you feel, really anything could happen :o

[LostDoggy]

No Late changes, Christian Howard the sub. Luke Russell sub for GC

[SlimPickens]

Dogs 36 pts

BOG C Ward

First goal Griffen

[Drunken Bum]

Great work by Dollhouse, geez i;ve got a mancrush on this kid

[Go_Dogs]

Wood on Lynch isn't a great match up for us.

[SlimPickens]

Don't like the wood on lynch match up. Unfortunately don't see another option maybe Barlow

[bornadog]

Really impressed with Barlow

[bornadog]

Really impressed with Barlow

and a nice goal

[Go_Dogs]

Really impressed with Barlow

Agreed, nice goal too.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Really impressed with Barlow

Yep, he words hard around the game, and it also looks like he's been working hard at improving his game.

[Greystache]

Scoreboard flattering us at quarter time, GC have misses some easy shots and a top side would have put us to the sword. Good sigbs from some of the young guys, Barlow, Dahlhaus, and Schofield all been good.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Don't like the wood on lynch match up. Unfortunately don't see another option maybe Barlow

McKernan got an early one on Wood last week, too.

Too early to jump at shadows just yet.

Dixon is a spud, we could always swap Williams and Wood if we had to.

[LostDoggy]

Hate Cross. Keeps giving the ball away or putting team mates under pressure.
Couldnt even kick a goal from 30 metres.

[jasopan]

All I can say is Picken is a legend, look at him absolutely giving it to Abblet. Let's hope he keeps this up:)

[Greystache]

Happy with the Hunt vs Gia match up. Hunt is better in every measurable way except for the ability to play the game!!

[bornadog]

Happy with the Hunt vs Gia match up. Hunt is better in every measurable way except for the ability to play the game!!

He just showed Jones how to play

[whythelongface]

Yep Barlow has really impressed another good goal.

[Greystache]

He just showed Jones how to play

That would make you happy.

[SlimPickens]

Rischitelli great clearance setting up a goal!

[bornadog]

That would make you happy.

no makes me sick in the stomach. Why would you say something like that.

[SlimPickens]

Cooney looking a lot better, nice finish. Have been super impressed with Barlows game, has been fantastic.

[Go_Dogs]

We've been hitting hard the past few weeks.

[Greystache]

no makes me sick in the stomach. Why would you say something like that.

You stick the boots into him numerous times every week.

[bornadog]

You stick the boots into him numerous times every week.

Please, lets not start. I can't even call for a player to be dropped and I am accused of sinking the boots in.

[GVGjr]

We are going through a flat spot at the moment

[SlimPickens]

Geez we look tired at the moment some very laconic efforts

[Greystache]

Barry looks really really old, fumbling constantly, and doesnt even try to defend.

[comrade]

Barry looks really really old, fumbling constantly, and doesnt even try to defend.

Shouldn't be playing.

[The Pie Man]

Cooney looking a lot better, nice finish. Have been super impressed with Barlows game, has been fantastic.

Time off has done his disposal wonders, calls from certain sections of the media that he'll 'never be the same' maybe (thankfully) off target

We're still not looking great though are we?

[Maddog37]

Thank the lord Griff s in our team!!!

[Greystache]

Picken has been brilliant in the first half.

[whythelongface]

Certainly don't deserve a 34 point lead at half time.

The Suns do look good - obviously inexperience in regards to disposal, inefficiency etc is hurting them but they certainly are a building for an exciting future.

[SlimPickens]

Barry looks really really old, fumbling constantly, and doesnt even try to defend.

Absolutely if he doesn't mark it contest over.Our ruckmen have to be more accountable, cannot believe the amount of space smith is getting.

[comrade]

Absolutely if he doesn't mark it contest over.Our ruckmen have to be more accountable, cannot believe the amount of space smith is getting.

He did the same thing earlier in the year, just keeps running wide. Huddo and Minson really don't belong in the same team.

I'd like to see Barlow take some ruck contests, just to see how he goes.

[GVGjr]

We need to keep this scoreboard ticking over. Kicking 18 goals plus and keeping them to no more than 12 should be the aim.

[bornadog]

Cooney looking like his old self, the way he is moving and kicking

[LostDoggy]

Another nice goal by Coons. Good to see accurate kicking today, and great to see flashes of Cooney's best.

[GVGjr]

Cooney looking like his old self, the way he is moving and kicking

At times he looks like has his zip right back. Looking good.

[LostDoggy]

Love how Easton goes about it. Whenever we're chipping around to maintain possession or chipping under pressure, if it ever hits his hands he is always willing to take the game on and go forward.

[SlimPickens]

Cooney has been really solid today hopefully it gives him the confidence in the body to have a really good end of the year.

[bornadog]

Ward struggling in this game, only 7 odd possessions.

[Greystache]

Hard to believe Lindsay Gilbee is the same guy who was a key player in a good team, his drop off has been remarkable.

[SlimPickens]

The pressure of Dollhouse is absolutely brilliant.

[LostDoggy]

Good to see Ablett being Pickened on! But Picken has given away 5 frees, Ablett has received 4.

[bornadog]

Ward struggling in this game, only 7 odd possessions.

That was a better quarter from Ward, picked up 10 more and a nice goal.

[LostDoggy]

Terrible quarter missed the opportunity to put them away you would think
We really need the percentage. Huddos been in abletts ear all day, if Minson could mark he would be a serious weapon, he has a very reliable kick. Sherman is really disappointing lately. We are a 6 goal better side with Cooney fit and a 10 goal better one with Barry fit so go easy and let him find his touch. Really hope we kick away.

[LostDoggy]

Huddo said something to Ablett at the Half Time "scuffle"..Ablett replied with yeah p*ss off Huddo or something to that effect..Boyd was then in his ear, Ablett said "Yeah good one Boyd" when they were all seperating, followed by something else. Spewin I can't lip read haha.

[LostDoggy]

Huddo said something to Ablett at the Half Time "scuffle"..Ablett replied with yeah p*ss off Huddo or something to that effect..Boyd was then in his ear, Ablett said "Yeah good one Boyd" when they were all seperating, followed by something else. Spewin I can't lip read haha.

Yep me to :D he took a mark over him in the second and was into him to!

[LostDoggy]

I've had enough of this crap. Where's the mute button!!!

[ledge]

Barlow impresses me a lot the last 2 games.
We need a goal though , Suns kicked the first 2 of the last.

[giaco]

I'm glad Michael Christian isn't umpiring. It'd be 40 free kicks to zero.

[LostDoggy]

MUTE can't stand either of them.

[Flamethrower]

None of these Bozos will have jobs next year. Good riddance Channel 10.

[comrade]

Watching on TV, Cross has been horrible. Coughed it up under no pressure multiple times and completely stopped our momentum with his persistence to prop on the spot.

Won't ever get dropped though.

[bornadog]

Watching on TV, Cross has been horrible. Coughed it up under no pressure multiple times and completely stopped our momentum with his persistence to prop on the spot.

Won't ever get dropped though.

He should never ever kick the ball.

[SlimPickens]

He should never ever kick the ball.

Which means in this day and age he shouldn't play

[bornadog]

This is a pathetic last quarter, we looked stuffed

[SlimPickens]

Geez we have been ordinary this qtr. No run, no second efforts.... Just bloody awful

[whythelongface]

Surely it's time to give Minson, Cross and Hudson a spell.

[LostDoggy]

Dahlhaus done hamstring?

[azabob]

Surely it's time to give Minson, Cross and Hudson a spell.

Who would ruck?

[LostDoggy]

I think we should enjoy beating them while we can. A win is a win and that's two in a row heaps of improvement left in us. Massive game Friday good stuff, love it, Go Dogs!

[bornadog]

How good was Picken, 13 tackles

[SlimPickens]

Dahlhaus done hamstring?

Don't think so just cramp.

[bornadog]

Don't think so just cramp.

Great game from the 18 year old, 19 disposals, 5 tackles, and two goal assists.

[LostDoggy]

Don't think so just cramp.

Cool.

Just seen him hobbling & holding it, glad it isn't serious.

[LostDoggy]

Cool.

Just seen him hobbling & holding it, glad it isn't serious.

Might of been a little hard maybe which I was worried about playing Hall. Hope his ankle is ok.

[LostDoggy]

Watching on TV, Cross has been horrible. Coughed it up under no pressure multiple times and completely stopped our momentum with his persistence to prop on the spot.

Won't ever get dropped though.

I just wish the MC would read the Wayne Schwass article.

The Bulldogs don't have to look far again to see what's possible. Collingwood made some tough calls last year so that the next generation of players was given ample opportunity to continue to develop and mature. John Anthony, Josh Fraser, Paul Medhurst, Shane O'Bree and Tarkyn Lockyer made way for the likes of Jarryd Blair, Ben Reid, Dayne Beams, Steele Sidebottom, Sharrod Wellingham and Brent Macaffer.

The Magpies held their ground last year when it would have been easy to go back to the well with their older players. The decision to help speed development and improvement in their younger players was paramount and there was no room for sentiment.
In hindsight, the Bulldogs may have erred by allowing Scott West, Jason Akermanis, Nathan Eagleton and Mitch Hahn to go another year. All four made valuable contributions but by playing an extra year, it meant the club wasn't able to invest early games into their younger players.

The Bulldogs missed a chance to open up new opportunities for fresh talent. Admittedly, telling older players their time is up is never easy but there are times when clubs must ake tough calls just like the Pies did at the end of last year.

Time for the Bulldogs to get rid of sentiment. Cross racks upillions of possessions but does nothing with them. Cant kick and cant sprint ....... ffs, why wouldnt we give his spot to someone like Dollhouse or Vezpremi or anyone young.

[SlimPickens]

Great game from the 18 year old, 19 disposals, 5 tackles, and two goal assists.

Yep, he is our best player without the ball at the moment!

[LostDoggy]

Decisions have to be made, I'm glad it's not me making them for he has been a fine warrior.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Yep, he is our best player without the ball at the moment!

Fully agree and he is the lock in forward we had gone with out since flicking Robins for Akar a few years ago....... Well that worked out well didn't it.

[LostDoggy]

Picken was great for most of the game.
Impressed with Barlow, Dollhouse even though a few mistakes.
Improvement from Cooney.
Griffens best year, seems very consistent.

Rocket looked to be very angry in the last qtr as he should be, expect some fallout.

[LostDoggy]

Fully agree and he is the lock in forward we had gone with out since flicking Robins for Akar a few years ago....... Well that worked out well didn't it.

Aker was great in 2009. One of our best.

[jazzadogs]

Biggest positive out of this game was Cooney. Nothing else in this match came close to making me as happy as seeing Coon with genuine speed, acceleration and skills.

[LostDoggy]

Cooney and Barlow. I might be have been wrong about Barlow.

[LostDoggy]

Biggest positive out of this game was Cooney. Nothing else in this match came close to making me as happy as seeing Coon with genuine speed, acceleration and skills.

Yep so true jazza. and it's kinda sad to think , if the rumours are true, that glimpses are all we will get from now on of the player he was .

[LostDoggy]

Cooney and Barlow. I might be have been wrong about Barlow.

lol by quater time i was eating my hat about barlow .

[LostDoggy]

Just came back from the game. Crappy seat so hard to notice much.
I can't get passed Hall's nonexistant second efforts. Someone before posted "If he doesn't mark the ball the play is over for him". This is bang on. My crappy 4wd has a better turning circle than Barry.

Cross ran passed where I was sitting a few times and I was yelling out "Handpass, Handpass, Handpass, For gods sake don't kick it!"

Tom Williams, even though kept his opponent reasonably quiet, He was very lucky. The game plan of cannoning into the back of the opposition rather than contest the mark probably wont get him too much further.

Cooney = Back on track.

LD Dreads = Gun. For his 3rd game he was a standout. There was a play in the third Qtr were he took on 5 GCS players in a loose ball contest and almost beat them. Lord knows were his help was. Should have a bright future as long as Sherman doesn't deliver any more hospital handpasses.

[LostDoggy]

Just came back from the game. Crappy seat so hard to notice much.

What's the stadium like overall?

[LostDoggy]

http://www.woof.net.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=309&stc=1&d=1309005501
http://www.woof.net.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=310&stc=1&d=1309005859

Check out the posts :D

[LostDoggy]

Quaint.

Seriously though, It is smaller. But it looks like they will add to it as their supporter base grows. I was sitting on the eastern side of the ground and the sun was in our face all game, Can't avoid that being round I guess.
It is quite 'open' (between inside/outside the stadium). All in all it was good i thought. Even the amenities were good, plenty of food/bars/toilets. No line ups. only 16k at the game today though.
I did watch a Baseball game at the old carrara stadium and can't for the life of me remember what it was like back then.

[Jasper]

lol by quater time i was eating my hat about barlow .

Me too - but let's see how he goes against top 8 teams..

[LostDoggy]

As many others already have, i'll admit i was wrong on Barlow. While i'm still not sold on him becoming a regular long term player, it wasn't a mistake to firstly draft him or secondly, play him.
Looked good for the second straight week and has been well above expected. Glad to be proven wrong there and i hope he can go on to become what was expected of him at Sydney

No need to say anything about Dalhlaus, it has all already been said.

The thing that stood out most for me and made very happy was that, for the first time in 2 or so years, Cooney like have some speed again. The disposal was always going to come back some time, but i thought his injuries might have killed off his pace. There was one passage where he got out of a pack and away from GAblett which i loved.

[DragzLS1]

I forgot how fast Cooney was until I seen him today just those big steps and man he is quick at picking the ball up on the run at 118km/h lol loved it!

I forgive them for dropping off last quarter they were 49 points ahead towards the end of the 3rd quarter and I think most teams would say its in the bag and take the accelerator off..

Collingwood did and they nearly lost :s

We are starting to look more confident especially with our kicking so looking forward to next week :)

well done dogs next week to beat melb by 18 points

[Hotdog60]

What's the stadium like overall?

It's a very modern open air type stadium, seating was comfortable but I also was seated looking into the sun. due to the vertical seating not much leg room when people need to get past. I didn't buy anything there but heard someone on the train say it was 25 dollars for 2 serves of fish and chips. I brought Subway before hand.

There was a lot of noise, the band was entertaining but I'm old school and like a bit more peace and quite.

Mental note to give my son a clip around the ear because he did the some of the speaker wiring.

Sun supporters were well behaved around me, but some must be new to the game. There was only one loud mouth and he left at 3 quarter time, so he missed their best quarter.:)

I don't think I'll be back due to nearly 2 hours of public transport because of poor parking at the ground.

[LostDoggy]

Open air is the right word. Stadium has hardly any walls.

[LostDoggy]

It was a hard game to watch , passages of good structured play , repeated overuse of the ball .
Boyd hacking the ball forward to no one , Cross being caught out wide trying to chase , Barlow surprising me again - valuable as a mobile tall- 22 disposals 3 tackles 2 goals , Picken giving Ablett a bad day at the office - 13 tackles tells the story , Cooney , well I thought he should have an operation and set himself for pre-season he proved me wrong- 23 disposals 4 tackles 3 goals - not that clean with the ball but was a welcome sight , Schofield was very clean 14 disposals at 85% - would have liked to see more defensive pressure , Dahlhaus the Gromminator was quick and sharp not that clean with the ball but his handball to Griffen for the first goal was a highlight - 19 disposals 5 tackles , Griffen again the dominant player - 28 disposals 5 tackles 3 goals


Some positive signs , some improvement , the season of restructure/ rebuild continues

.

[LostDoggy]

Cooney , well I thought he should have an operation and set himself for pre-season he proved me wrong- 23 disposals 4 tackles 3 goals - not that clean with the ball but was a welcome sight ,

Elaborate on this a little if you have time WD.
I thought he was quite sharp with the ball. I know a disposal into the forward line (2nd qtr i think) grubbed in short but he did show a clean pair of heels just before the kick. Not to mention his pick ups and footwork.

[LostDoggy]

Elaborate on this a little if you have time WD.
I thought he was quite sharp with the ball. I know a disposal into the forward line (2nd qtr i think) grubbed in short but he did show a clean pair of heels just before the kick. Not to mention his pick ups and footwork.

Stats say he was 60% efficient with his disposals , really to be fair if someone doesn,t lead or position to receive the ball and there is a turnover it,s not his fault , he was a bit rusty as he gets more confidence in how his patella recovers from games he will improve

.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Cooney and Barlow. I might be have been wrong about Barlow.

That was I was thinking too. Barlow looked absolutely spent in the last, but his first three quarters were pretty good. He played well last week too. Maybe Barlow could be our Leigh Brown? May only improve as our side gets better.

Cooney looked terrific. Really pleasing to see.

Have to love Griffen and the way he plays footy. He's an elite player; he gives in 110% effort every week and is incredibly strong and fast. A couple of years ago, we were all wondering whether Griff would be able to take that next step. He's certainly done that - he's great to watch.

I thought Schofield showed a bit yesterday. He looks a little raw, but he has plenty to work with IMO. With Libba, Wallis, Schofield and Dahlhaus, it looks a strong draft for us.