2019 Round 1: Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans @ Marvel Stadium

[Bexl]

Melican has been out for ages. Need to cut him some slack and persevere with him. His best is very good. Reg has been fantastic but Melican should be in front of him in the queue.

Agree he has been out for a long time but I don't see why he is not in the 2's to get back to his best.We have other options ,COR Thurlow for a start. Seem the coaches want to play him even though his 3 games have been poor so far including JLT.

[Ludwig]

Our 2 best contested midfielders, Kennedy and Parker, are not good defenders, particularly Kennedy, so we are really at a disadvantage when we don't win the contested possession. We can't survive constantly playing in our defensive 50. It's the same problem as last year.

I had Thurlow and COR virtually locked for this game and was surprised they didn't make the cut. I'd be inclined to drop Melican instead of Reg and wait until Melican shows form in the reserves.

We shouldn't jump to conclusions after only 1 game, but the fact that we look the same as last year is not encouraging.

If things don't change we may have to try something more dramatic, like playing Reid and Aliir in defence and bring McCartin into the forward line, leaving out both Reg and Melican. This should add more speed to the team.

I also didn't have Clarke in my 1st round side, but thought he earned a shot given his good JLT. Ronke should come in to replace him.

Dawson looked shaky, but I think we have to play him in the seniors and build his confidence. We know he can play at a very high level in the reserves, so not point in sending him back. Maybe he should spend more time in the forward line.

The team overall looked sluggish, often giving up on contests around the ground. The Bulldogs got more players to contests and came out winners when the dust settled. There's not an easy cure for this except to go harder.

[ScottH]

Well, that was a fun night.
Go killed for speed and skill.
Started taking risks in the 2nd half which paid off until we turned it over leading to Bonts goal. Then we lost the momentum.

[jono2707]

And here I was hoping we'd left the mindless long bombing into the forward line back in last year. Obviously not.

To say our delivery in to the inside 50 still needs work is an understatement.

[aardvark]

I thought Sam Reid was a positive. I hope he can play a full season.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Melican is clearly struggling for form after his long time out, and agree with the Lloyd comment above. His disposal and decisions aren’t really that great a lot of the time. As for positives, Parker worked into the game to dominate the last quarter, Reid also showed how valuable he is, Buddy will be better for the run and our fight was impressive.

[ernie koala]

The team overall looked sluggish, often giving up on contests around the ground. The Bulldogs got more players to contests and came out winners when the dust settled.

This is the point. We went into this game with too many talls. One coming off groin surgery, two coming off a year out, one a debutant...??

That's very questionable selection.

Especially against a smaller quicker side, who you know will get numbers to most contests.

[Hotpotato]

Agree with Nico , play Reid down back (at least when necessary) he’s an inreliable kick for goal anyway.

This team is not very advanced in gelling yet, they will eventually (we hope) .... the good teams move the ball among everyone with trust and blink-and-miss-it speed now.

[stevoswan]

Something from the NEAFL write up to take to this weeks seniors selection table.....

"Recruit Jackson Thurlow and rising backman Colin O’Riordan provided smart decisions and a wealth of drive from defence."

This could be a worry though, for those who worry Horse's reaction to the loss is to bring in Jack.

"Kieren played 60 minutes and he was really good. It was a classic Kieren Jack performance,” Perris told Swans Media.

“His pressure around the ball and his hit, the trademark of his game, was there for the 60 minutes he played."

.....but then this could indicate he might be in the two'a bit longer. Perris was commenting on Rowbottom's efforts....

“He’d be learning a fair bit off Kieren,” Perris said "He’ll continue to learn off Kieren and James has been really proactive in that area: in asking questions, learning and developing.”

My changes at this stage for next week might be: Out: Melican, Grundy and Clarke. In: COR, Thurlow, Ronke.

....and for future reference:

"Second-year Swan Ryley Stoddart again showed he’s a player of outstanding versatility, with the 19-year-old influential in defence, dangerous on a wing and booting two goals when rotating through the forward line."

https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2019-03-23/neafl-jack-classic-inspires-win

[Melbourne_Blood]

Something from the NEAFL write up to take to this weeks seniors selection table.....

"Recruit Jackson Thurlow and rising backman Colin O’Riordan provided smart decisions and a wealth of drive from defence."

This could be a worry though, for those who worry Horse's reaction to the loss is to bring in Jack.

"Kieren played 60 minutes and he was really good. It was a classic Kieren Jack performance,” Perris told Swans Media.

“His pressure around the ball and his hit, the trademark of his game, was there for the 60 minutes he played."

.....but then this could indicate he might be in the two'a bit longer. Perris was commenting on Rowbottom's efforts....

“He’d be learning a fair bit off Kieren,” Perris said "He’ll continue to learn off Kieren and James has been really proactive in that area: in asking questions, learning and developing.”

My changes at this stage for next week might be: Out: Melican, Grundy and Clarke. In: COR, Thurlow, Ronke.

....and for future reference:

"Second-year Swan Ryley Stoddart again showed he’s a player of outstanding versatility, with the 19-year-old influential in defence, dangerous on a wing and booting two goals when rotating through the forward line."

NEAFL: Jack classic inspires win - sydneyswans.com.au

I have no qualms about jack getting a game if his form demands it. He hasn’t been great Recent years but if he is over some of his body issues he does offer a bit in terms of leadership , zip ( I understand he has lost a yard or two ) and hardness. Probably needs a few weeks of excellent NEAFL form to warrant a look but I wouldn’t be against it. His game against the Dees last year at the G was bloody good. Even maybe as a defensive small forward , has the discipline and tagging pedigree , and can kick a goal . Not saying this one game ( of which he played limited minutes ) demands it, just that I’m not prepared to say he is finished in the 1’s.


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[Ralph Dawg]

Blakey onto left wing. Any thoughts from other posters?

[waswan]

Reg for thurlow
Playing him in the ruck only proves he is a fifth wheel.
He is in our 22 on reputation, still valuable but just insurance behind Melican, he is too slow.
Alir Melican Thurlow Rampe Lloyd Mcveigh, well balanced.
Melican is needed against Walker, hard to be a good defender when the mids were terrible

Havent seen heaps of COR but what i have seen he us a turnover king, id take Thurlow for sure

I agree leaving Papley deep if anyone you want to turn i to a mid it should be Hayward

[Ludwig]

Blakey onto left wing. Any thoughts from other posters?

Blakey is definitely an option on the wing, coming out of half forward or even starting in the midfield.

I'm fine with KJ coming back into the side once he's match fit, if he can play somewhere near his best level. If he plays like last year, it's just not worth him taking the spot of a developing player.

It could be worth trying Stoddart again. We can certainly use his pace. He should be a regular in side at some point over the next couple of years.

[stevoswan]

I have no qualms about jack getting a game if his form demands it. He hasn’t been great Recent years but if he is over some of his body issues he does offer a bit in terms of leadership , zip ( I understand he has lost a yard or two ) and hardness. Probably needs a few weeks of excellent NEAFL form to warrant a look but I wouldn’t be against it. His game against the Dees last year at the G was bloody good. Even maybe as a defensive small forward , has the discipline and tagging pedigree , and can kick a goal . Not saying this one game ( of which he played limited minutes ) demands it, just that I’m not prepared to say he is finished in the 1’s.


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Fair comment MB. I was sort of thinking the same thing.....if he's back to what he used to offer the team, then straight back in.....unless those who are in the one's suddenly and magically start nailing it.

[MattW]

Blakey is definitely an option on the wing, coming out of half forward or even starting in the midfield.

I'm fine with KJ coming back into the side once he's match fit, if he can play somewhere near his best level. If he plays like last year, it's just not worth him taking the spot of a developing player.

It could be worth trying Stoddart again. We can certainly use his pace. He should be a regular in side at some point over the next couple of years.

It was good to hear Stoddart had a good game for the reserves. Agree he's an important part of the future. I'd like to see a run of form and fitness before he comes in.