Bulldogs gameday thread

[Midfield]

Was to be expected. We?ve been shown up against the saints, cats and dogs now, all quite a bit ahead of the rest of the comp. Perhaps, like a few on this forum, the boys got ahead of themselves after lasts week result and fell away from the things that made us such a great team over the years, namely; intensity at the contest and stopping their direct opponent for their mates. Once they got back to this in the second half they managed to get an even percentage of ball use. Yes the clangers cost us a few goals in the first half, actually lots, but we should not hide behind turnovers - the fact is the doggies smashed us all over the park in the first half. It will take some time for the younger boys to play like bloods. It was good to see Crouch shut down Aker. He couldn?t have done that from the other side of the fence.

[Nico]

The Oxymoron and the bald headed badger on SEN said that Goodes was far and away the best player on the ground. They said if the umpires don't give him 3 votes for that game they are not doing their job. Will be interesting on Brownlow Night to reflect on this one.

I didn't see the game today and switched on in the second quarter to hear we were 57 popints down. The commentators said the doggies were playing good footy but we were horrible. At one point they said our blokes were just walking around the field while the Dogs were rampant.

So who were the culprits that went missing in the 2nd quarter.

Bartlett said Jolly was looking at his man at every centre bounce yet White when he went onto the ball went straight for the ball. They said he appeared a man down on confidence.

[Xie Shan]

Swans today: fail.

I know we are not the team that we used to be but that was pathetic (Goodes and O'Keefe excepted, they were terrific). Even in the brief period at the start of the game when we WERE on top, we butchered the ball and let them back in the contest. Maybe it was complacency from playing Port, whose pressure was non-existent, last week? At least I'd hope that's the reason.

Watching us play in the first quarter (didn't see the whole game) it was almost as if the players thought they were Geelong the way they threw the ball around. Unfortunately you actually need to work as a team to be able to play like that, instead of Shaw abusing his teammate when a mis-directed handpass goes out of bounds (that was a bit rich coming from someone who doesn't have the best disposal...and yes he has improved) or Moore going for goal when Jolly is in the goalsquare. We almost need to get back to playing "Bloods football" again, though it might take a while. The teamwork and cohesion has been something that's been lacking so far this year. We're not going to win every week but at least play for each other.

That said, the Bulldogs in that period beginning half-way through the first quarter up until half time showed why they made a prelim final last year. They are still a very good side and are much more physical than in previous years. Given we have a few more younger bodies in the team now, that part of the loss is less surprising.

[Nico]

Was to be expected. We?ve been shown up against the saints, cats and dogs now, all quite a bit ahead of the rest of the comp. Perhaps, like a few on this forum, the boys got ahead of themselves after lasts week result and fell away from the things that made us such a great team over the years, namely; intensity at the contest and stopping their direct opponent for their mates. Once they got back to this in the second half they managed to get an even percentage of ball use. Yes the clangers cost us a few goals in the first half, actually lots, but we should not hide behind turnovers - the fact is the doggies smashed us all over the park in the first half. It will take some time for the younger boys to play like bloods. It was good to see Crouch shut down Aker. He couldn?t have done that from the other side of the fence.

I wonder, is it that we have a defensive mind set and coaching against good sides and maybe we should indulge in a shoot out. From what I heard we had 3 on 1 (Barry Hall) in the second quarter in the forward line and everyone was pushing back to stop the flood gates from opening up. Didn't work.

[Nico]

Swans today: fail.

I know we are not the team that we used to be but that was pathetic (Goodes and O'Keefe excepted, they were terrific). Even in the brief period at the start of the game when we WERE on top, we butchered the ball and let them back in the contest. Maybe it was complacency from playing Port, whose pressure was non-existent, last week? At least I'd hope that's the reason.

Watching us play in the first quarter (didn't see the whole game) it was almost as if the players thought they were Geelong the way they threw the ball around. Unfortunately you actually need to work as a team to be able to play like that, instead of Shaw abusing his teammate when a mis-directed handpass goes out of bounds (that was a bit rich coming from someone who doesn't have the best disposal...and yes he has improved) or Moore going for goal when Jolly is in the goalsquare. We almost need to get back to playing "Bloods football" again, though it might take a while. The teamwork and cohesion has been something that's been lacking so far this year. We're not going to win every week but at least play for each other.

That said, the Bulldogs in that period beginning half-way through the first quarter up until half time showed why they made a prelim final last year. They are still a very good side and are much more physical than in previous years. Given we have a few more younger bodies in the team now, that part of the loss is less surprising.

So Moore did that again. Selfish and not a team player or no vision. Either way he has to get that out of his game.

[ScottH]

There was an article this week abou the dogs being the slowest out of the blocks in the first 20 mins.
Looks like they've cut that down to 10 mins.

[Q...]

You misunderstood me I just meant that if he were surrounded by a great midfield like Judd was at West Coast and Abblett is at Geelong then he would be even better and would get the accolades he truly deserves.. I think he is great and I admire that he is a team player and I do admire that the Swans do play most times as a team and not individually. I get angry and upset when they lose too but I still think that the fact today was not a 100 point loss just makes me realise they are a team that do not give up. I also had a look at where we were in 2005 after round 10 and we were in 9th spot with 5 wins and 5 losses and 91.37% & West Coast were 9 wins and 1 loss in first spot with 145% so anything is possible we just need a bit of luck!

For him, I understand your point. But I do like your understanding of my point.

My bias is for the Swans, not Goodes. Kudos to Goodes, kudos to Swans. Kudos to Swans, not necessarily to Goodes.

Woot!

[Robbo]

That 2nd quarter would have to be the worst quarter I've seen us play.

[Melbournehammer]

The Oxymoron and the bald headed badger on SEN said that Goodes was far and away the best player on the ground. They said if the umpires don't give him 3 votes for that game they are not doing their job. Will be interesting on Brownlow Night to reflect on this one.

I didn't see the game today and switched on in the second quarter to hear we were 57 popints down. The commentators said the doggies were playing good footy but we were horrible. At one point they said our blokes were just walking around the field while the Dogs were rampant.

So who were the culprits that went missing in the 2nd quarter.

Bartlett said Jolly was looking at his man at every centre bounce yet White when he went onto the ball went straight for the ball. They said he appeared a man down on confidence.

ABC also gave goodes BOG - and noted it was one of the first times a player whose team had been so comprehensively beaten was the standout.

But once again the match demonstrated just how poor the tail end of our list is (perhaps not list but the 22 selected). We have been very unlucky with injuries losing kennelly, fosdike, schmidt, meredith etc.

But our bottom 6 in games where we are beaten are often anonymous - grundy, LRT, Moore, Jack, all struggle to get it or cant get it in a contest. And when you look at it our season has been determined by a mattner tackle and a jack snap, a hawthorn game where the other side was shockingly down in personnel.

I think we willget done over the next three rounds at which point (5--8) it will be virtually impossible to finish other than 6-12. And I dont think I ever would have said this but I would prefer to be going somewhere rather than merely treading water beating crap sides and getting smashed by the better sides.

I get the feeling we are like those cyclists in the tour de france who fall off every time the hill gets steeper and catch up on the downhill - what phil liggett calls the rubber band effect which stretches until it finally snaps. I reckon we are not far from snapping at the moment

[connolly]

So Moore did that again. Selfish and not a team player or no vision. Either way he has to get that out of his game.

Which should be in the reserves next week. Thornton should come in with Smith. Ablett the other to stay in Canberra.

[connolly]

It was good to see Crouch shut down Aker. He couldn?t have done that from the other side of the fence.

Neither of them had any influence on the game. Crouch had about 12 touches, failed to run off the yapper and do any counter attack. He did what he always does - play a totally negative game. Not good enough in todays game.It was like both of the old stagers were in a time warp playing their own contest. Was anyone riveted by this? Both of them will be on our side of the fence next season.

[dimelb]

Neither of them had any influence on the game. Crouch had about 12 touches, failed to run off the yapper and do any counter attack. He did what he always does - play a totally negative game. Not good enough in todays game.It was like both of the old stagers were in a time warp playing their own contest. Was anyone riveted by this? Both of them will be on our side of the fence next season.

Crouch is primarily a stopper. He did his job. He was the reason Aker didn't figure in the action as he did last week. If Crouch then does a few extra things - as he did today - he's definitely on the plus side of the ledger. If he is to be replaced it will have to be by someone who does the job better - and I don't think any of the youngsters are quite there yet. In the meantime it is too early to drop him and start tanking.

[Hartijon]

Which should be in the reserves next week. Thornton should come in with Smith. Ablett the other to stay in Canberra.

One week too late..time for the team selection to show some imagination.Ablett is a nice guy but an embarassment on the field .Nearly got pinged a second time for HTB.

[Hartijon]

Roos stated it was one of the worst displays he's seen under his reign.

It was also one of his worst coaching performances.What coach sits back and watches the opposition post 10 goals without trying something different?

[Nico]

Which should be in the reserves next week. Thornton should come in with Smith. Ablett the other to stay in Canberra.

My son who watched the whole game on the TV said Moore did it twice; not going to a player on his own in the square.

It's ok being hungry if you nail the goals but Moore has a terrible conversion rate.