Half time against the Dogs

[Nico]

May I join the "First to Say It Club", and the make the big statement that Bevan should not be played in the back half.

He is too slow off the mark against a quick leading player like Johnson. His place is at centre bounces at the feet of the ruckman. He is close to the hardest player at the club so use him where it's hardest. We have a weakness at centre bounce clearances that must be restified, and fast.

Noticed that Schneider was playing back off the pack at centre bounces and stoppages, which suggests he is seen as an outside midfielder, there to take the handpass from the likes of Bolton and Kirk, rather than the in and under type. Disposal is still ordinary.

[footyhead]

Originally posted by Nico
May I join the "First to Say It Club", and the make the big statement that Bevan should not be played in the back half.

He is too slow off the mark against a quick leading player like Johnson. His place is at centre bounces at the feet of the ruckman. He is close to the hardest player at the club so use him where it's hardest. We have a weakness at centre bounce clearances that must be restified, and fast.

Noticed that Schneider was playing back off the pack at centre bounces and stoppages, which suggests he is seen as an outside midfielder, there to take the handpass from the likes of Bolton and Kirk, rather than the in and under type. Disposal is still ordinary.

Yeah go ahead and say it, we need some real hardness in the center and Beven is hard.
I am not convinced by Jude bolton yet, he is trying and he has improved as a player, but he is too pretty to be that really hard nut in and under midfeilder with eyes that never leave the ball and hands that always find their target.
I've been saying it for ages, we need MONGREL. Jude try's to look like the real deal, but if jude was in a team with a real midfield, he would look what he is : a good second string.
Bring on the Bevan.
and give mcV every chance along with morre , willoughby, and perhapes Ed Clarke (but where was he this week??)
No one (perhapes with the exception of Kirk- should feel safe in the midfield at the moment, there is still a lot of work to be done.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Nico
May I join the "First to Say It Club", and the make the big statement that Bevan should not be played in the back half.

He is too slow off the mark against a quick leading player like Johnson. His place is at centre bounces at the feet of the ruckman. He is close to the hardest player at the club so use him where it's hardest. We have a weakness at centre bounce clearances that must be restified, and fast.

Yep, I think I was making similar noises about Bevan last year. His defensive skills aren't particularly good, but he is tough and can get the ball, hence try him on the ball.

[Captain]

Agree with most that's been written. I like the idea of Bevan in the midfield.

My thoughts on the game:

Moore is going to be a very solid player, very impressed with him.

McVeigh looks like he is on track to make the next step

LRT needs the opportunity to hold down CHB

Fosdike was very, very ORDINARY. Considering he was one of the most senior players, more needed to be expected. I think he will spend a lot of time in Canberra this year.

Nicks played very well, a little rusty but was back to his form of 3-4 years ago. Definite starter for Round 1 bar injury.

Jolly has a lot to prove before I think he is worthy of a first round pick.

Agree wit Scottee, we need a new ruck coach.

[Nico]

Agree on Fosdike. he hardly had a clean possession and got caught red handed nearly everytime. Maybe cut him a bit of slack at the moment as it is early doors, and he did get where the ball was at, but was very slow on disposal. Will struggle to hold a permanent spot, but then again someone on the selection committee seems to like him.

[robbieando]

Well that was better than I expected, only a 20 point loss and some good signs from the kids. Still sloppy with the ball and a brain fade to begin the 3rd quarter really cost us. Bulldogs fans should be worried about their team, but I guess they will be blinded by the win.

The Good

LRT - I rather him at CHB than Goodes. Showed he can play the position and has improved his bodywork.
James - Save a couple of silly errors he really stood out for me. Will be Schaubs back up and might get a game or two to begin the season.
Moore - First impressions count and boy did he impress me. Needs to get use to the pace of the game, but he showed signs that he could be a superstar
McVeigh - Talent is there and today showed that he has brains to go with the talent. I think he was the best of our midfielders.
Vogels - Stood up and provided a good target up forward. Will take time to know how and when to lead, but should be a handy back up.
Doyle - A full pre season does this guy wonders. Clearly our best ruckman at the moment.

Also liked the games from Bevan, Kirk, Schneider, Buchanan and Powell. Would think the rest did OK, but really need to improve to help the team out.

And for the love of God, O'Keefe get rid of that ****ing Alice Band. Not a good look at all. Not impressed by Spriggs (Downhill skier) and Jolly but I'll give them more time to prove themselves.

[penga]

Originally posted by liz
Then he (James) runs too far after failing to find a way through the congestion.

he actually ran 14 steps, which is not running too far! his decision making was correct as schneider was in the clear and ready to go, it was just a mistake by the umpire... second gift goal the bulldogs were given.

moore - big call, but who needs luke ball? while in the media he has been compared to harvey, he reminded me of a stockier ball.

LRT - he was prepared to leave his man and attack the ball where he didnt get caught out once. loved his game.

totti - took some strong grabs but he got pushed under the ball a couple of times, something that he does often, even in regular season. needs to improve on that aspect and then he is pretty much the complete package...

plenty of positives

i was a bit disappointed in grundy, while he led well, he just couldnt take a grab.

[lescygnes]

man that was a crappy game of footy if i ever saw one. and i travelled how many thousands on miles for that!!!!

(thanks for the SMS jules, hit the nail on the head - so to speak;-))

we need a ruck coach. the overuse of the handball was difficult to watch.

and what was with nicks??? he was simply awful.

and copping goldspank and mclaren in the same game was just the most horrible luck.

but to only lose by 20 odd pts with a seconds side means that i dont think there is much to read in it overall. the doggies are just crap. their supporters are indeed in for a long year.

great to be back at a game of footy though. i spent alot of time just laughing at crowd comments. you dont get that kind of involvement in north america.

and great to see some of the RWO gang too! love ya's!

john

ps-round 10 until a swans game down here????? WTF?????

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by penga
he actually ran 14 steps, which is not running too far!

I thought it's 15 metres, not 15 steps, and usually, when running, a step will cover more than one metre. Can any of the umps on the board confirm/refute this.

Either way though, watching live, it looked like he went a very long way and can't blame the ump for that one.

[Captain]

Originally posted by lescygnes
and what was with nicks??? he was simply awful.

You must have been watching a different game to me.

Nicks was one of our better players and was definately one of the few experienced players to stand up.

I loved his game and reckon that he will hold down a HBF this year if he keeps his form.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by midaro
All I can say, is that Bulldogs supporters are in for a very long year.

Did you see that old lady crying in the 3rd quarter?

I coouldn't believe what I was watching when I saw her on the screen like that.

Is it true that that was the Doggies first win since half way through last year?

JF

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by liz
The "senior" fringe players were maybe a bit of a disappointment this afternoon, the likes of Bevan, Schneider and Buchanan. None was bad but none of them have their place for round 1 sown up based on this afternoon's performance.

And how pathetic was Jude Bolton's games. His kicking was too bad to be believed. In a team made up of mere pups, I was hoping and EXPECTING that players of his calibre would step up. He did not.

He has some explaining to do about his disposal skills, I think.

JF

[Diego]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
And how pathetic was Jude Bolton's games. His kicking was too bad to be believed. In a team made up of mere pups, I was hoping and EXPECTING that players of his calibre would step up. He did not.

He has some explaining to do about his disposal skills, I think.

JF

Don't get me started on this hack. What a waste of money this guy is.

I really couldnt see any positives at all.

[Diego]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Did you see that old lady crying in the 3rd quarter?

I coouldn't believe what I was watching when I saw her on the screen like that.

Is it true that that was the Doggies first win since half way through last year?

JF

Jules i was amongst the bulldog fans and i have to say they were cheering and going on like this was a prelim. It was funny to watch towards the end.

What I couldnt cope was the arrogance of the victorian supporter towards any swans fans. I have been to games down here in the past but never any sydney games.

Its like, how dare we play in their comp!

[Diego]

Originally posted by lescygnes
ps-round 10 until a swans game down here????? WTF?????

This alone has made me think if moving down here was a wise move!

(runs from girlfriend)