Western Bulldogs vs Swans gameday chat

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by liz
Can anyone enlighten me to the reason for the free against Nicks in the first term? The signal seemed to be that he was holding the guernsey of Robbins but given that Robbins had the ball it had me scratching my head.

I think the umpire thought he grabbed Robbins before the latter grabbed the ball.

[Charlie]

Agree re: Buchanan. He simply must forge a place in the middle if he is to survive. I recall early last year he played there against Geelong and was getting clearances left, right and centre.

[NMWBloods]

Not been mentioned, but I thought Craig Bolton was outstanding today. Showed how to kick long to advantage in the forward line too.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Charlie
Agree re: Buchanan. He simply must forge a place in the middle if he is to survive. I recall early last year he played there against Geelong and was getting clearances left, right and centre.

Yep - midfield is his only chance. He's very good at getting the ball out and to advantage - just keep him away from the goals.

[satchmopugdog]

By "look at Crouch "I meant look at how long he has taken to recover from the same type of injury and he is the ultimate professional. It makes it seem unrealistic for others to recover quicker.

[satchmopugdog]

I thought Craig Bolton was fantastic today as well but isn't funny (hilarious) when it is time vote for the all important Troy Luff Medal I didn't give him a vote. He is just so reliable except for that shocking kick straight to one of thos people we played against.

[Glenn]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Not been mentioned, but I thought Craig Bolton was outstanding today. Showed how to kick long to advantage in the forward line too.

Well played by Bolton, really has been one of the few Swans to put in every week.

One thing that is alarming still some basic skill areas such as dropped marks etc, also the performance of Barry Hall I can only think he must be carrying a injury, really seems down on form/confidence at the moment, missing set shots you would expect him to get and also not backing himself when kicking for goal, but looking for short passes to people on a similiar angle to him.

[Vivien]

Originally posted by Glenn


also the performance of Barry Hall I can only think he must be carrying a injury, really seems down on form/confidence at the moment, missing set shots you would expect him to get and also not backing himself when kicking for goal, but looking for short passes to people on a similiar angle to him.

I was watching him closely and he was doing an awful lot of stretching out there - there definitely looked to be something wrong with him...but it could just be a confidence thing.

[liz]

Originally posted by Glenn

One thing that is alarming still some basic skill areas such as dropped marks etc, also the performance of Barry Hall I can only think he must be carrying a injury, really seems down on form/confidence at the moment, missing set shots you would expect him to get and also not backing himself when kicking for goal, but looking for short passes to people on a similiar angle to him.

The other way of looking at it is that we're just hanging in, winning games, without being carried by Hall. There were probably a few games we won last year that we should have lost but for individual brilliance by Big Baz - the Carlton game is one example.

We know he can play better. We know that we'll be better - much better - with Willo back in, plus a fit Maxfield, Davis and Ball should also improve the team.

Crouch is just finding his touch and Kennelly seems to be waking from his slumber.

Our skills have been very ordinary over the last few weeks yet we have still (just) managed to beat three teams who may not have played brilliantly but are not complete duds either. (Are any teams complete duds this year? - even Collingwood seem to have remembered how to play football!)

No reason to be booking a weekend in Melbourne at the end of September yet but enough reasons to look forward to the second third of the season.

[Schneiderman]

My thoughts for the day:

1. Bevan was HORRIBLE. He had a couple of nice tackles, but his disposal was atrocious by foot, and he takes FOREVER to make up his mind. That tacle where he coughed up a goal was possibly a two goal turnaround, as he had someone running through the square that he failed to see and hit with the ball.

2. Buchanan is very inconsistent. He does some nice things, but he spoiled a lot of good opportunities in the crumbing role today. I think its time to swap him for Schneider for a couple of weeks. Surely his form in the twos warrants that much.

3. Grant's injury did a lot for us. Although Bazza didn't dominate from then on, their backline lost their structure and Vogels probably benefitted the most.

4. Vogels is a true find. I am still tipping him to do great things for us. He has height, weight, experience, talent and brains. You cant ask for more from any player, and he should definately get moved to the senior list next year (if not ours then someone else will pick him up).

5. Jarred McVeigh still needs a lot of work. He didn't impress me greatly, although there was a couple of foot passes that had promise. The shot he had at goal in the end when it was critical was a bad miss. Still he will be needed to combat the Saints talent in the midfield so he gets another go.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by liz
We know he can play better. We know that we'll be better - much better - with Willo back in, plus a fit Maxfield, Davis and Ball should also improve the team.

Will Maxfield improve the team at all? Right now, I strongly doubt it. He was struggling to hold his place on form (although his injury may have palyed a part in that) but the fact is we are 3/3 since he stepped down.

I have a funny feeling that although it hasn't been announced, Stu has played his last game of footy...

[barry]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
My thoughts for the day:

1. Bevan was HORRIBLE.

Yeah, must be really hanging on to his spot by the skin of his teeth.

2. Buchanan is very inconsistent.

Its a tough gig being FP, or HFF. If he was kicking more accurately we wouldnt be worried. He's getting enough of the pill IMO.

3. Grant's injury did a lot for us.

Agree

4. Vogels is a true find.

Everyone is getting ahead of themselves here, and while he looks good needs to have full game time for a few games before I'm on his bandwagon.

5. Jarred McVeigh still needs a lot of work.

I reackon on day McVeigh will just click and have a 30 possession, 3 goal game, and realise he belongs in the AFL.

[Snowy]

Buchanan had a disappointing match. McVeigh's best for a while. Should nails those goals though, runs into kickable goals and often misses them.

[ScottH]

Interesting Leo was fairly quiet, today.

Maybe coz he is captain???
or
Maybe he didn't have a big name to stand, which is usually where he most impresses??

[liz]

Leo struggled with the pace of Murphy on the lead for much of today. But he stood tall later in the game with a couple of crucial marks / spoils.