If you were on the Bulldogs match committee what changes would you make for our round 6 game against Adelaide at Etihad?
As always a brief explanation for your changes would add a lot of value to the discussion.
If you were on the Bulldogs match committee what changes would you make for our round 6 game against Adelaide at Etihad?
As always a brief explanation for your changes would add a lot of value to the discussion.
"Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"
There should be a few considerations for next weeks game
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"
Ins: Dickson, Morris, Hunter, Campbell (If Jones susp)
Out: Stringer, Jong, Gia, Jones (if susp)
Stevens to be ok from report.
Young seems to make some basic errors, but he's tallish, so he's got that going for him.
I don't know enought about Wallis, but he's not been trending well this season,
Williams seems un droppable when not injured, and Roughie is still out.
Minson given a rocket.
Higgins given one too.
In fact most given a rocket, this is the quintessential example of a scoreboard flattering a team.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
Out : Stringer, Williams, Gia
In: Dickson, morris, hunter
If Morris isn't fit, Williams stays.
Gia sadly is now way too slow.
More of an In Bruges guy?
I think Jones will be ok, not a lot in it - got low enough.
Out: Stringer, Williams
In: Cordy, Morris
Stringer needs a break. Young/Williams both very average today but we need to continue to persist with Young.
Cordy to replace String and chop out in the ruck, and Moz an automatic in.
I would bring Campbell in for Stringer to give us a target up forward . Honeychurch was a standout for Footscray today and an obvious replacement for Jong. On what we saw from both Williams and Talia today I would think that Austin is a better option. Apart from Crameri and Dahlhaus the forward line lacked penetration which may see both Dickson and Hunter return. I thought we had at least 8 players that were not up to speed in the senior line up. The loss of Roughead and Morris left our defence in complete disarray.
Has Campbell done anything these past weeks that suggests he's ready to take the number one ruck spot, irrespective of Will's poor performances?
I'm not too phased with Bringing one of Campbell and Cordy in, I don't think we're being served well by having only Will as a ruck.
Out - Stringer, Jong, Talia
In - Campbell, Tutt, Morris
I don't like bringing a young player in for one game only, though it's clear to me Talia was only brought in out of necessity. Williams played a good game last week after coming in under done. He gets one more week. Irrespective of the poor assistance from the midfield he let himself down on too many occasions. I'd be tempted to give him a half forward next week as well depending on how the game is playing out.
Tutt shouldn't have been dropped last week. Don't know how he went this week in the two's though. If not very well I'd be OK with Dickson coming in for him. Jong has been OK but at this point I don't think he has developed beyond being an effort player, and I saw him tire at times last week and think he'll do well from going back to Footscray to pick up more ball under less pressure.
Stringer improved as the game progressed, but he still doesn't do enough of the basics properly to justify receiving games each week. He also doesn't get enough of the ball or score when he does get it.
Campbell's form has been solid rather than spectacular, but he's shown plenty at AFL level and has big upside. Minson's just getting beaten week in week out (including throughout the preseason). Change is needed.
I've wanted Campbell in the side all season, if he was playing the 2nd ruck/forward role today then chances are Henderson would've had to play in defence and not be able to exploit our poor key defensive options.
Western Bulldogs: We exist to win premierships
I'd keep Jong in and drop Wallis instead. Jong has more flexibility and can perform a role down back and even up forward if his midfield match-up isn't working. Plus he is far quicker than Wallis and no worse with his disposal.
I'm worried about Wallis. Thought the tagging role was going to be the making of him late last season but his complete and utter lack of hurt factor with ball in hand, and his plodding pace, means that he has to keep his opponent to single-figure possessions just to break even. He completely failed to control an out of form midget like Murphy tonight so what hope does he have against faster and bigger opposition mids?
Stringer was terrible in the first half but he really shone in the 2nd half with incisive passages of play and smart running to position and distribution. If he is dropped I'm ok with it, but I feel like he turned something of a corner in the 2nd half tonight and started to give us what we need and what he is capable of.
I'm glad you made that comment on Stringer, I thought I was the only one who saw some very heartening signs from him, I'm particularly surprised at his quick hands. I would keep him in, i think. He gets marked harshly by some but learning to be a forward with our haphazard delivery will take a while.
www.bulldogtragician.com A blog about being a lifelong fan of the Dogs and our quixotic attempt to replicate 1954. AND WE DID
Author of "The Mighty West: the Bulldogs journey from daydream believers to premiership heroes"
Twitter @bulldogstragic