AFL Game Day Round 14, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands

[Eastdog]

Predictions:
- Margin
- Our first goal kicker
- Our best on ground

Margin: Dogs by 2 points

Our first goal kicker: Josh Schache to kick our first and end the game with 3 goals

Our best on ground: Bont to be our best - such an X factor

Go Bulldogs!!

[Eastdog]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-19/...orth-melbourne

Match preview: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
Ryan Davidson
Jun 19, 2018 12:41PM

SUMMARY

North Melbourne will be out to boost the second-lowest percentage of teams in the top eight against an injury-ridden Western Bulldogs outfit on the scoring-friendly Etihad Stadium track. While the Dogs will lose captain Easton Wood and Brownlow Medal fancy Jack Macrae to hamstring injuries, the Kangaroos, fresh off the bye, will have a near full-strength side with the likely return of key cogs Jarrad Waite (calf) and Jed Anderson (hamstring). The midfield appears the biggest advantage the Roos will have, with former Bulldog Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington in All Australian form. Todd Goldstein is likely to provide his midfielders with silver service against a hurt and malfunctioning Dogs ruck division. With Wood out, Jackson Trengove will have the massive task of organising a young and inexperienced back against the twin towers of Ben Brown and Waite. This clash could get very ugly, very quickly.

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, June 23, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO:Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

R14, 2017, Western Bulldogs 15.17 (107) d North Melbourne 16.10 (106) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2017, Western Bulldogs 12.17 (89) d North Melbourne 12.14 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2016, Western Bulldogs 9.7 (61) d North Melbourne 7.5 (47) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2016, North Melbourne 9.7 (61) d Western Bulldogs 6.9 (45) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2015, Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96) d North Melbourne 10.13 (73) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Western Bulldogs have struggled to score this season, ranked 15th for goals per game with an average of 9.6. They've reached 100 points in a game just twice.

2. The Bulldogs have had the better of the Kangaroos recently, winning the last three games and four of the last five after North Melbourne's streak of four straight wins in 2012-14.

3. The Dogs play a strongly uncontested style of football, ranked fifth for uncontested possessions with an average of 236.6 per game, a long way ahead of the Kangaroos, who are 16th averaging 207.2.

4. The teams have played 23 times at Etihad Stadium with the Kangaroos winning 12 games to 11; the Dogs are three wins from seven games at Etihad this season, while North Melbourne has recorded three wins and two losses.

5. The Kangaroos have been popular with the umpires this season, ranked first for free kicks with 24.2 per game. Ben Brown is fifth in the competition for free kicks with 32 received. The Bulldogs are ninth with an average of 22.5 per game.

6. Marcus Bontempelli is the highest-positioned Bulldog in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. in 10th spot overall with 539.9 ranking points. Ben Cunnington is best-placed Kangaroo in 14th spot (522.5 points).

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …

Premiership Bulldog and diminutive playmaker Caleb Daniel collected just five possessions and failed to lay a tackle in the loss to Port Adelaide last week.

PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 45 points

[bornadog]

Draw ( although expecting a smacking again)

First Goal: Adams

BOG: The Bont

[Twodogs]

Dogs by 26 points
First goal, Adams
BOG, Lachie Hunter

[Mofra]

Kangas by 85
Gowers first goal
BOG McLean

[bulldogtragic]

Roos by 102
BOG Richards
FG Richards

Our Score: 6.10

Prediction: Boyd to primarily 1st ruck against an opposition AA ruck. Then get a bath against another AA opposition ruck. Then outrage that Boyd isn't providing enough as a ruckman because he's 'not a forward'. A situation that the MC and coach puts him in, not playing as forward and then rucking him against guys who've been learning the craft for 15+ years (to his 2 years). He's on a hiding to nothing, but the MC and coaches all but guarantee my prediction eventuating.

[Greystache]

Norf by 72
BOG- Honeychurch
First goal- Morris

Score- 5.14

[DOG GOD]

North by 56
Bog - Morris
1st goal- gowers

Ben brown to kick more than our team

Us- guaranteed to kick more points than goals ;)

[LostDoggy]

Roos by 6
BOG - Bont
1st Goal - Schache

[GVGjr]

A close win to us.
First goal Bontempelli, BOG Hunter

[Rocket Science]

Norf by 37
First Goal : Gowers
BOG : Bont

We'll kick 6.12

Can't stand losing to these pr!cks!

[comrade]

Norf by 37
First Goal : Gowers
BOG : Bont

We'll kick 6.12

Yep, pretty much.

We might sneak an extra goal or 2 but it won’t matter.

2018 is done.

[bornadog]

A close win to us.
First goal Bontempelli, BOG Hunter

With the mids depleted we need Hunter to step up

[Bulldog4life]

Dogs by 46 points
First goal, Schache
BOG, Naughton

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs by 1 point
1st goal. Gowers
BOG: Mclean

[Eastdog]

Love your optimism B4L and TD.

[AndrewP6]

Dogs by 8 points after kicking more goals in a half than we have kicked in the last month. Also I don't want Essendon to be the only team that causes a "massive upset".

First goal Gowers
BOG for us Bont.

[GVGjr]

Any chance it's Cordy playing forward tonight?

[Mantis]

Looks like Naughton, Cordy and Richards will all play forward.

[Before I Die]

And Williams and Gowers will get a run through the middle. At least that is the group they are warming up with.

[ratsmac]

Dogs by 13
First goal Schache
BOG Wallis to step up

[G-Mo77]

Williams and Gowers in the midfield tonight. Good times.

[jeemak]

Looks like the Kangas don't have to actually handball tonight......hope it goes both ways.

[SlimPickens]

Nice finish Billy

[bulldogtragic]

Tom Boyd with posies in all three areas of the ground already. We are going to see his fitness if he keeps working this hard.

[SlimPickens]

Our pressure is up.

[MrMahatma]

Pressure looks much better this week. But our first quarters have been ok so we need to maintain it.

[bulldogtragic]

JJ finding his grand final form. Great run, long kicks, not to our players.

Hit the targets man.

[MrMahatma]

They’re coming in through half forward without pressure a bit. Boyd has been important sitting in front.

[ratsmac]

15 KPD and McLean is caught out on Ben Brown

[SlimPickens]

Our team balance is pretty hilarious.

[jeemak]

JJ and McLean putting the ball on top of small leading players heads has cost us twice.

Good start from Crozier and Gowers. Hunter's struggling a bit.

[jeemak]

How Honeychurch didn't get a free for a push then is beyond me.

[bulldogtragic]

Love you Zaine.

[Rocket Science]

Has anyone had more kicks smothered in the history of the game than Honeychurch?

Sincere question.

[AndrewP6]

Our forward line set up appears to be "Everyone get down there and try to manufacture a score. If in doubt, kick it to leading players, especially those under 190cm"

[Rocket Science]

JJ and McLean putting the ball on top of small leading players heads has cost us twice.

Good start from Crozier and Gowers. Hunter's struggling a bit.

This is our bread and butter. Small forward giving a foot away to his opponent, let's lollypop it up high onto his head.

[SlimPickens]

Just need to do that for another 90 mins.

[bulldogtragic]

I like Gowers up the ground, Boyd & Crozier.

Not so the crazy height imbalance and JJ.

[GVGjr]

Great effort in a tight game. Lets keep that up next quarter

[Mofra]

Happy with the effort so far. Bevo seems to pulled out a few working tricks. Not sold on Naughton forward though

[DOG GOD]

A little bit more composed in our fwd 50 and we should’ve been 4 goals up. They go to brown every time, so Adams and co have started well. I like Cordy up front...throw a punch, do something, at least he keeps the defenders paying attention.

Good start for JJ and crozier...just need to make opportunities count.

[merantau]

Really wasted the ball. It's a conundrum. Are we over-kicking it or is it the fault of the receiver not leading up to the ball carrier?

[ratsmac]

Sorry but Honeychurch is absolutely useless

[ratsmac]

I can't believe I'm saying tgis but Crozier is killing it

[SlimPickens]

Good forward craft by Zaine

[bulldogtragic]

There's nothing Zaine can't do apparently.

[SlimPickens]

Loving the niggle. Get up em!!!

[bulldogtragic]

Gowers two set shots. Wowee, things might be going our way tonight.

[bulldogtragic]

Zaine, please smack Higgins the faux tough guy dickhead.

[bulldogtragic]

Precisely through the middle. So Naughts is a swing man.

[jeemak]

Caleb's best piece of play for the year. Lovely finish from Naughton.

It's amazing what happens when the team brings the pressure.

[SlimPickens]

Liking Shacks games at CHF

[SlimPickens]

Yes Bailey!

[bulldogtragic]

Williams & Richards love the near side pocket evidently.

[bulldogtragic]

On track for 5,000 free kicks tonight.

[SlimPickens]

Excellent half. Lacking polish but the intensity is what should be expected

[bulldogtragic]

Very good half. One more to go men.

[bulldogtragic]

There's going to be a fair few career best achievements tonight...

[GVGjr]

Great quarter but it could have been so much more.
Just have to keep this effort up.

[jeemak]

A lot of Crozier bashing may have been premature.

Trying to find his feet in a new team, and injured early, he's really playing well now.

Fantastic first half. Only a few players not having an impact, however, how we can find ourselves struggling to put two talls onto Brown with our selected side is a bit of a worry.

[GVGjr]

There's going to be a fair few career best achievements tonight...

Naughton first ever goal?

[Bulldog4life]

Our team balance is pretty hilarious.

Why?

[G-Mo77]

Excellent first half. They're doing everything I want them to do for a young team.

[DOG GOD]

Change of direction is working for us tonight. We have good run and not over using the ball like we have all year. Crozier playing a great game. Just need to take our set shots when they come and continue to pressure all over the ground.

[chef]

Loving our effort. Playing as a team which is nice.

[bulldogtragic]

Naughton first ever goal?

Crozier is going to smash a heap too.

[Bulldog4life]

A lot of Crozier bashing may have been premature.

Trying to find his feet in a new team, and injured early, he's really playing well now.

Fantastic first half. Only a few players not having an impact, however, how we can find ourselves struggling to put two talls onto Brown with our selected side is a bit of a worry.

That is what it is Jee

[Mofra]

Crozier was good two weeks ago, very good last week and outstanding this week.

[bulldogtragic]

Crozier was good two weeks ago, very good last week and outstanding this week.

So what of next week? :D

[SlimPickens]

Why?

Our fullback and CHB are playing FF and FP. Our FF is in the ruck, our BP is playing ruck rover and so on. You don’t think it’s hilarious that we have 7 defenders playing as our spine?

[Mofra]

Zaine Cordy the most distance covered for us at 6.8km. Working hard, good to see

Dunkley on Higgins match-up is working for us.

[Bulldog4life]

Our fullback and CHB are playing FF and FP. Our FF is in the ruck, our BP is playing ruck rover and so on. You don’t think it’s hilarious that we have 7 defenders playing as our spine?

I wasn't understanding what you were getting at Slim. Now I get it.

[GVGjr]

Crozier is going to smash a heap too.

BT, if you are at the game I hope you have the footy record, there is a bit of a write up on the draft. If not I'll add some details on the drafts board tomorrow

[jeemak]

Our fullback and CHB are playing FF and FP. Our FF is in the ruck, our BP is playing ruck rover and so on. You don’t think it’s hilarious that we have 7 defenders playing as our spine?


I wasn't understanding what you were getting at Slim. Now I get it.

It's an interesting one. Our CHB for the year was actually our premiership CHF, while I wonder what we'd have done with Naughton for all of the year with everyone who's playing tonight fit.

Probably just versatiled the bejesus out of him I suspect, which looks as if is happening now.

[bulldogtragic]

BT, if you are at the game I hope you have the footy record, there is a bit of a write up on the draft. If not I'll add some details on the drafts board tomorrow

I'd love it if you can put some up tomorrow!! I'm still rehabbing from surgery for while longer yet unfortunately.

[MrMahatma]

Great first half. Funny, Schache and Lippa would be the 2 best shots in the team but missed gettable ones.

Great pressure and that’s what our game should be based on.

[jeemak]

Hunter and JJ have really irked me tonight with their decision making and ball use. Another example of it then from JJ, cost us a goal. Pathetic attempt.

[bulldogtragic]

JJ is a dead set liability this year. He's not convincing me he's not untradable, or interested in his job.

[jeemak]

Toby McLean has also let us down on a number of occasions. Really frustrating that it is apparently our top bracket that are choosing to make bad decisions and not respect the football.

[chef]

The umpiring is just so inconsistent

[bulldogtragic]

Some great contested marking tonight from Tom. And a great goal. Imagine if he played the whole game there??

[MrMahatma]

Roarke Smith having his usual impact.

[bulldogtragic]

Roarke Smith having his usual impact.

Same with Honeychurch. Best we re-sign them now before another club might take them.

[jeemak]

How inconsistent are the calls on in the back in marking contests.

Frustrating that Brown got a soft one, then within a minute Ziebel gets into the back of Adams and nothing is done about it.

Naughton, great pack mark! And what a goal kicking technique!

[SlimPickens]

Sticks! Great hands

[bulldogtragic]

Two goals, one poster.

Say hello to our new full forward.

[MrMahatma]

Loads of frees. Both ways. Not sure I like it.

[GVGjr]

Going to the script so far for close games between us and North.

Hoping we can get a bit of luck for the balance of the game

That was a bad error by Cordy

[jeemak]

What a dick of a turnover from Cordy then.

[MrMahatma]

We don’t have the class at the moment. They do. Not a great feeling.

[AndrewP6]

If only Hunter was a threat with the ball.

[jeemak]

I am completely sick of Hunters kicking. It *!*!*!*!ing pisses me off so much.

Higgins is in the top handful of players in the competition right now. Absolute gun.

[bulldogtragic]

I'm not sure what the stats say, but Hunter in real terms is going at about 15% effective disposal.

[chef]

Good effort so far but we've got far too many players who cant kick. North will run over the top of us now.

[Mofra]

Sorry but Honeychurch is absolutely useless
We were terrible that quarter, and he was probably our worst.
Like him, tries hard, just looks out of his depth.

[bulldogtragic]

I am completely sick of Hunters kicking. It *!*!*!*!ing pisses me off so much.

Higgins is in the top handful of players in the competition right now. Absolute gun.

This is Hunter's ceiling. He's not going to be traded. Best we all accept it and not give in to the anger of a more highly talented footballer who seemingly doesn't sang to be that.

[DOG GOD]

FFS is hunter the laziest kick in the AFL?

Gotta get the first few goals of the last to be a chance.

[Mofra]

Good effort so far but we've got far too many players who cant kick. North will run over the top of us now.
They massacred us that quarter. Our only hope is they are a rotation down, although they have more running players than we do.

[westbulldog]

I have no idea what Honeychurch and Smith add to our team, someone enlighten me.

[DOG GOD]

How does smith play ahead of Jong ?

[jeemak]

This is Hunter's ceiling. He's not going to be traded. Best we all accept it and not give in to the anger of a more highly talented footballer who seemingly doesn't sang to be that.

I don't agree. He can use the ball better than he does, he just doesn't concentrate. We've seen him be better, it's an application issue.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Hunter’s miss on the three quarter siren was typical of his lack lustre performances throughout the year. The same can be said of JJ who is very lucky to be in the side. Boyd has been slaughtered again in the ruck.

[merantau]

I believe we will win.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Big shout out to the Buildogs Cheersquad, Lisa has looked after my son in getting him into the cheersquad and making him welcome.

[jeemak]

*!*!*!*!ing Hunter, why the *!*!*!*! didn't you drop punt that around the corner FFS? A drop punt would have had us having a set shot at goal. Jesus.

[bulldogtragic]

I don't agree. He can use the ball better than he does, he just doesn't concentrate. We've seen him be better, it's an application issue.

It's been an issue all year. Surely a professional footballer can apply himself better, if application is the issue. If he can't do it for a year, then there's potentially something worse going on about whether he cares or not.

[bulldogtragic]

I believe we will win.

I very much hope you're right. But I'm not believing right now.

[bulldogtragic]

*!*!*!*!ing Hunter, why the *!*!*!*! didn't you drop punt that around the corner FFS? A drop punt would have had us having a set shot at goal. Jesus.

I'd take Holly Hunter right now over Lachie.

[MrMahatma]

I believe we will not kick a goal in the last qtr.

[bulldogtragic]

Roarke Smith leave now!






Before Bevo extends your rookie contract.

[G-Mo77]

Stole a goal then. Kicking into forward 50 is just disgusting right now.

[jeemak]

Roarke Smith leave now!






Before Bevo extends your rookie contract.


I reckon he was a bit stiff there, no options and had a tight kick in front of him.

[bulldogtragic]

I reckon he was a bit stiff there, no options and had a tight kick in front of him.

But that's about his best and only play tonight.

Besides, I wouldn't mind if we had won some of the 50/50 umpire calls tonight.

[bulldogtragic]

How dare you Richards steal Naughton's third! :D

[jeemak]

How does everyone feel about Gowers now?

Think we may have found a KPF too.

[jeemak]

That the umpire decided to intervene on Richards as a downfield free kick says to me they are completely up their own arses.

Great transition from defence to attack, great ball use from Schache too, great decision to play on Billy.

[bulldogtragic]

Mitch Wallis just lost the game.

[Mofra]

Mitch Wallis just cost us the game

[SlimPickens]

Oh Mitch what have you done?

[comrade]

Mitch Wallis, get stuffed.

[Topdog]

No he didn't. Shit kick yes, deplorable in fact but how did they end up with a player by himself in the goal square. Seriously how did we completely lose all composure and structure

[AndrewP6]

How does everyone feel about Gowers now?

Think we may have found a KPF too.

Have liked him since his first game.

[DOG GOD]

FFS I hate North so much.

[Mofra]

No he didn't. Shit kick yes, deplorable in fact but how did they end up with a player by himself in the goal square. Seriously how did we completely lose all composure and structure
Because that's what happens with turnover football on a fast transition.

[jeemak]

jesus.

[GVGjr]

Im devastated by the loss but I'm fully on board with how we performed tonight. We got beaten by a harder team but gee there was some impressive performances by some of our boys. Crozier, Gowers, Williams, Naughton and Wallis really stepped up.

Im a bit confused at the moment, I'm both pissed off and proud . :)

[ReLoad]

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

[Topdog]

Because that's what happens with turnover football on a fast transition.

Why is an entire team on a fast transition with no time left

[Mofra]

Why is an entire team on a fast transition with no time left
Because Wallis kicked the ball OOB on the full at the most important time we had to maintain possession, hence my original comment.
It's really not that hard to read a passage of play.

[G-Mo77]

I thought we had that one. Hard to be overky critical of tonight, of course we should have done a lot of things better but it was a pretty gutsy performance.

[Mofra]

I thought we had that one. Hard to be overky critical of tonight, of course we should have done a lot of things better but it was a pretty gutsy performance.
The effort was good.
Imagine we swap just one player for a Macrae or a Liberatore. We'd have it in the bag.

[jeemak]

Good performance tonight.

Disappointing that some of the execution in really simple situations cost us.

Would think we will learn a fair bit from the behind the goals footage on that last play, not sure we should have been pressing so high leaving a decision to move off Brown to attack Higgins and also leaving Ziebel free. Bad on the spot management by the playing group.

Needed to be smarter on a play starting from deep in our forward line. Clearly didn't defend the ground as we should have.

[merantau]

I believe we will win.

I said that at three quarter time and I am so pissed to lose in those circumstances. We only have ourselves to blame. There were so many times that we lacked COMPOSURE. It cost us badly. We just bombed away on so many occasions - cruel.
Still there were some good signs. Who said Gowers can't play?
And Crozier? I was wrong about him. Great to have Adams back too. We played our best football for quite a while and still lost. We could have had a 5 goal lead before half time but blew it. Just inexcusable and it's been a problem for two years.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Trengoves decision to come up to the play capped off his night.

Agree on Wallis kick too.

[bornadog]

What a difference having some experience in the backline . Morris, Adams helping out.

[Stefcep]

Why not just play the clock down and play keepings off?

[Rocket Science]

Trying to think of a team above us that Boyd & Schache would get a game for right now.

[jeemak]

Why not just play the clock down and play keepings off?

No real need if Wallis hits a simple target, and possibly could have if he did.

[jeemak]

Trying to think of a team above us that Boyd & Schache would get a game for right now.

Both would get a game as a forward in just about any team above us. Those teams would make space for them to develop as young talented KPF's rather than making them play ruck.

[Rocket Science]

What a difference having some experience in the backline . Morris, Adams helping out.

Plugging some holes certainly helped make us competitive for longer, but we still end up being sunk by the same bone-headed decision making and execution.

[jeemak]

Plugging some holes certainly helped make us competitive for longer, but we still end up being sunk by the same bone-headed decision making and execution.

Look at it holistically, and a game that we thought we'd be smashed in saw us actually set up the ground OK and control for the most part. Need to give credit to the MC and overall coaching department tonight.

We had around nine players who would contend for a game tonight on the injury list, the MC cobbled together a plan that almost got us over the line.

[MrMahatma]

Look at it holistically, and a game that we thought we'd be smashed in saw us actually set up the ground OK and control for the most part. Need to give credit to the MC and overall coaching department tonight.

We had around nine players who would contend for a game tonight on the injury list, the MC cobbled together a plan that almost got us over the line.

Gotta agree. Totally wasted opportunity to win but the coaching dep did what they could. A few easy misses and a few last qtr brain fades cost us.

Fact is: bring the pressure and you’re in the game. Prob our best 4 quarter effort all year.

[Twodogs]

I don't agree. He can use the ball better than he does, he just doesn't concentrate. We've seen him be better, it's an application issue.

Yep it's the huge exaggerated swing of the hand holding the ball that his ball drop has turned into that is the problem.

[jeemak]

Gotta agree. Totally wasted opportunity to win but the coaching dep did what they could. A few easy misses and a few last qtr brain fades cost us.

Fact is: bring the pressure and you’re in the game. Prob our best 4 quarter effort all year.

Yep, that and Essendon and Sydney stand out.

[jeemak]

On a positive note the police haven't shown up to my house yet.

[bornadog]

Gotta agree. Totally wasted opportunity to win but the coaching dep did what they could. A few easy misses and a few last qtr brain fades cost us.

Fact is: bring the pressure and you’re in the game. Prob our best 4 quarter effort all year.

Make no mistake we lost this game in the third quarter when we only kicked two goals and they kicked 5. They came out at half time with a lot more intent than we did.

[bulldogtragic]

On a positive note the police haven't shown up to my house yet.

I love how you can always see the positives in any situation. :D

[bornadog]

Plugging some holes certainly helped make us competitive for longer, but we still end up being sunk by the same bone-headed decision making and execution.

Morris and Adams are not plugging holes, we did that when they were injured.

[kruder]

Good to see a 4 quarter effort from the boys. Loved Adams last quarter its been a few years now since we have had a defender that could mark the ball. We still get way too high up that park which makes its nearly impossible to score at times cant wait for the AFL to change things up a bit. Im sick of the mass exodus of forward line players once the ball is turned over at half froward.

Going to be really interesting to see how the coaching group handles all the backs going forward we need to make a few decisions on who is going to play forward and stick with it. Naughton looks like a serious player liked him forward tonight.


Honey and Smith shouldn't be on the list next year.

[jeemak]

I love how you can always see the positives in any situation. :D

Seriously, being home alone is both a good and bad thing.

[westdog54]

Yes it was a good performance.

Yes, we held our own against a high quality team.

Yes, some players for the future showed their quality and gave us something to look forward to.

BUT...

If ever there was cause to replay Plough's 'spew up' speech it's tonight, because games like tonight right royally piss me off.

We let them back into the game far, far too easily in the third. And then when we had the game in our grasp we let it slip.

It may not mean much in the grand scheme of things as we are a mile off September action but tonight was a chance to have an impact on the competition and we blew it within a minute. All the positive signs in the world don't mean shit when the other mob is the one singing their song.

Now that I've got all that off my chest, their is definitely a hell of a lot to work off from this game.

Any doubt of Billy Gowers' quality is surely put to bed after tonight. He was magnificent. Ditto Crozier, did everything humanly possible to get us rebounding, covered Suckling's absence nicely.

We have a genuine swingman on our hands in Aaron Naughton. Such a smooth mover and a beautiful kick for goal.

Seeing Marcus Adams return and do as Marcus Adams does warned the cockles. So assured down back tonight.

Ed Richards could play 300. So much fun to watch.

Even JJ was starting to get his mojo back in that last quarter.

Bring on Friday night. The cats are gettable.

[bornadog]

Seriously, being home alone is both a good and bad thing.

Should have gone to the game

[jeemak]

Shaun Higgins is a bloody good player these days, almost freak level. Has a hard edge, is strong and competitive, and finishes as well as any player I have ever seen.

He'd not have reached this level with us, a change of environment has given him the shot he needed. He's seriously awesome and probably in the top handful of players in the comp now.

[jeemak]

Should have gone to the game

We all have our reasons BAD.

[bornadog]

We all have our reasons BAD.

No Probs.

[Sedat]

Terrible option by Wallis notwithstanding, our lack of midfield depth cost us in the end. Norf smashed us in the clearances as the game wore on, because our 4 core mids are getting bashed up due to our lack of decent rotations, and they duly can't run the game out.

Lucky we had 5 full backs otherwise Brown might have kicked 20.

[Sedat]

He'd not have reached this level with us, a change of environment has given him the shot he needed. He's seriously awesome and probably in the top handful of players in the comp now.
He might have under Bevo. Plenty of other players that BMac didn't rate improved out of sight under Bevo.

[jeemak]

He might have under Bevo. Plenty of other players that BMac didn't rate improved out of sight under Bevo.

Name them outside of Matty Boyd after a change of position, and Picken going forward.

Higgins was part of the playing group that was bigger than the club leading up to October 2014. He needed to be cleaned out as he was cooked with us.

[Sedat]

Name them outside of Matty Boyd after a change of position.
Wood and Picken to name a couple.

Irrespective, at the time it was probably good for both player and club for Higgins to part ways. He is now the gun mid he promised to be early in his career. Would be handy for us now.

[The bulldog tragician]

Im devastated by the loss but I'm fully on board with how we performed tonight. We got beaten by a harder team but gee there was some impressive performances by some of our boys. Crozier, Gowers, Williams, Naughton and Wallis really stepped up.

Im a bit confused at the moment, I'm both pissed off and proud . :)
Summed up beautifully. Given we all expected to be comprehensively beaten, a really game effort. Don’t think Norf were harder. But they had more class and better ball users. I’m still gutted. Such a wonderful moment when Little Red put us in front. And then....

[jeemak]

Wood and Picken to name a couple.

Irrespective, at the time it was probably good for both player and club for Higgins to part ways. He is now the gun mid he promised to be early in his career. Would be handy for us now.

Sorry mate, I've modified my previous post......a bit slow tonight.

I'd love to have him with us as he is now. I liked him more than most when he was, but I reckon the change of environment did him a world of good. He's genuinely a top ten player now.

[azabob]

Where and when did Wallis turn it over?

[josie]

Proud of boys. I know this sounds harsh but Wallis’ kick out on full not good enough from a senior player. Love how we were able to mark ball so much better with inclusion of Adams, Morris and Naughton. We were 1 or 2 midfielders short, otherwise I reckon we would and we would not have suffered the thriller end. Geez I wish we had of picked Brown instead of Fuller.

[Sedat]

Sorry mate, I've modified my previous post......a bit slow tonight.

I'd love to have him with us as he is now. I liked him more than most when he was, but I reckon the change of environment did him a world of good. He's genuinely a top ten player now.
Agreed. I just hope we prioritise midfield quality in the off season because it is killing us every week, and it isn't helping any of Bont, McLean and Hunter (and Macrae before injury) to do almost all the heavy lifting. Gowers in the middle was a nice addition and worked well - would like to see Williams in there more as well.

[Rocket Science]

According to the press pack Bevo apparently spat fire behind closed doors after this one, then mentioned in the presser they sat the players through an immediate review of the last minute, identifying a least "twelve" issues with the way we set up and proceeded to hang most of it on "experienced" players that should know better.

[angelopetraglia]

Just got back from the game. Proud of the effort. Bewildered by our inconsistency.

How can we bring that intensity tonight and not in other games? Don’t understand. If we bring that intensity every week we will be competitive with most.

[jeemak]

Where and when did Wallis turn it over?

He kicked the ball deep forward to a leading Gowers from 65 out camera side. Ended up being OOB on the full 25m out from our goal when we clearly should have had possession to ice the game.

Apparently Bev has gone apeshit at everyone tonight.

[bornadog]

He kicked the ball deep forward to a leading Gowers from 65 out camera side. Ended up being OOB on the full 25m out from our goal when we clearly should have had possession to ice the game.

Apparently Bev has gone apeshit at everyone tonight.

I wonder if the runners came out and told the players how long to go?

[angelopetraglia]

Just watched last two minutes. Why the hell did Wallis not go short to Honey! Not only a bad kick. Bad decision. Then a bad kick. Also, wasn’t only guilty one. Why were we trying to play so fast when we had the lead with less than a minute on the clock. Just needed some leadership to tell everyone to slow down!

[bornadog]

Just watched last two minutes. Why the hell did Wallis not go short to Honey! Not only a bad kick. Bad decision. Then a bad kick. Also, wasn’t only guilty one. Why were we trying to play so fast when we had the lead with less than a minute on the clock. Just needed some leadership to tell everyone to slow down!

It was a very fast game with the ball moving quickly all night but yeah, why not ice the clock. Even a mark you can ice almost 30 seconds.

[jeemak]

I wonder if the runners came out and told the players how long to go?

It doesn't matter BAD. It's ammo stuff.

[bulldogtragic]

It doesn't matter BAD. It's ammo stuff.

True. But you'd also expect a player to not play on 35m out straight in front with 3 seconds until half time either, and nearly get sirened out but then was lucky enough to miss a simple shot. Instead of taking the simple set shot.

Or, maybe the ground doesn't have clocks anymore let alone trainers giving captain obvious messages. (Not aimed at you BAD)

[westdog54]

True. But you'd also expect a player to not play on 35m out straight in front with 3 seconds until half time either, and nearly get sirened out but then was lucky enough to miss a simple shot. Instead of taking the simple set shot.

Or, maybe the ground doesn't have clocks anymore let alone trainers giving captain obvious messages. (Not aimed at you BAD)

He had already missed the set shot in his mind and took a stupid risk playing on. He would have known the siren was close.

And then, despite having put boot to ball, missed what was probably the easiest shot in goal for the night behind Ben Brown's kick from the goal line.

Totally devoid of any confidence or composure.

[bornadog]

True. But you'd also expect a player to not play on 35m out straight in front with 3 seconds until half time either, and nearly get sirened out but then was lucky enough to miss a simple shot. Instead of taking the simple set shot.

Or, maybe the ground doesn't have clocks anymore let alone trainers giving captain obvious messages. (Not aimed at you BAD)

That was at the end of the third quarter and should have nailed it. The siren went after he kicked it, he just missed.

That was a crucial miss as the start of the fourth North nailed a goal and hit the front.

[bulldogtragic]

He had already missed the set shot in his mind and took a stupid risk playing on. He would have known the siren was close.

And then, despite having put boot to ball, missed what was probably the easiest shot in goal for the night behind Ben Brown's kick from the goal line.

Totally devoid of any confidence or composure.


That was at the end of the third quarter and should have nailed it. The siren went after he kicked it, he just missed.

That was a crucial miss as the start of the fourth North nailed a goal and hit the front.

Yep and yep.

[Dry Rot]

Jesus, I feel flat after that.

Re criticism of Wallis and his shocking kick, it reminds me of my rugby league supporting days.

Say two minutes left, 4 tries each, and a bloke misses a tackle, other side scores and game over.

Easy to blame that bloke and his missed tackle, but what about all the other dropped balls and missed tackles that lead to the earlier 4 tries?

We should have won that, but it wasn't just Wallis that lost the game.

[Ozza]

Last 3 games v North Melbourne have been decided by a combined 6 points.

If we go back further, its around 5 games decided by around 35 points I think, which we’ve won 3 of 5.

[Eastdog]

Should have won. Disappointed right now it was a good performance but we lost and the fact we didn't get the 4 points really hurts after a performance like that.

[Stefcep]

Jesus, I feel flat after that.

Re criticism of Wallis and his shocking kick, it reminds me of my rugby league supporting days.

Say two minutes left, 4 tries each, and a bloke misses a tackle, other side scores and game over.

Easy to blame that bloke and his missed tackle, but what about all the other dropped balls and missed tackles that lead to the earlier 4 tries?

We should have won that, but it wasn't just Wallis that lost the game.

Sure its a team game but when the game is there to be won and lost its what happens in that particular moment that counts. Its like in tennis and the big points. This was match point and Wallis bottled it. Not the the team. Wallis. This isn't the under 9's.

Bevo's face at the siren said it all. Not surprised he let them have it.

[Dry Rot]

Anyone else reckon Cordy likes playing forward?

[Ozza]

Anyone else reckon Cordy likes playing forward?

He gave us what we needed tonight - a genuine contest ahead to the ball. He’s a better defender, but it might be better for the team if he plays forward. At least for now.

[FrediKanoute]

Just watched last two minutes. Why the hell did Wallis not go short to Honey! Not only a bad kick. Bad decision. Then a bad kick. Also, wasn’t only guilty one. Why were we trying to play so fast when we had the lead with less than a minute on the clock. Just needed some leadership to tell everyone to slow down!

MIght be because every time to tonight anyone went short to Honey he either coughed it up or made a bad decision that led to a turn over. Wallis made a clanger that ultimately cost us the game, but when it comes down to a 2 point loss, numerous things went against us, numerous errors were made that collectively resulted in a 2 point loss.

[FrediKanoute]

Good to see a 4 quarter effort from the boys. Loved Adams last quarter its been a few years now since we have had a defender that could mark the ball. We still get way too high up that park which makes its nearly impossible to score at times cant wait for the AFL to change things up a bit. Im sick of the mass exodus of forward line players once the ball is turned over at half froward.

Going to be really interesting to see how the coaching group handles all the backs going forward we need to make a few decisions on who is going to play forward and stick with it. Naughton looks like a serious player liked him forward tonight.


Honey and Smith shouldn't be on the list next year.

Didn't think Smith's game was that bad. actually thought he gave us something. Gowers did too. His best performance for the year.

Honeychurch though I agree with - as bad a player I have ever seen pull on a rwb guernsey

[1eyedog]

Just got home we are a basket case. How can you lose that?

[FrediKanoute]

Jesus, I feel flat after that.

Re criticism of Wallis and his shocking kick, it reminds me of my rugby league supporting days.

Say two minutes left, 4 tries each, and a bloke misses a tackle, other side scores and game over.

Easy to blame that bloke and his missed tackle, but what about all the other dropped balls and missed tackles that lead to the earlier 4 tries?

We should have won that, but it wasn't just Wallis that lost the game.

I agree.

[Eastdog]

Just got home we are a basket case. How can you lose that?

I have the same thoughts as well 1eyedog.

[westdog54]

Anyone else reckon Cordy likes playing forward?

He's a contest halver. Even in a two on one he seems to have this knack of bringing the ball to ground front and centre. If he was his brother's height he'd be the best ruckman on our list.

[Mofra]

MIght be because every time to tonight anyone went short to Honey he either coughed it up or made a bad decision that led to a turn over. Wallis made a clanger that ultimately cost us the game, but when it comes down to a 2 point loss, numerous things went against us, numerous errors were made that collectively resulted in a 2 point loss.
Interesting to read about Bevo's spray to the group after the game and singling out the Wallis kick stating it should have gone to the top of the square.
Noted there were other errors too in the last two minutes and the journos could hear it through the walls.

[soupman]

Agree with the match point analogy with Wallis' kick. Theoretically its just as important as a kick in the second quarter but its not, it's for the game.

Liked Cordys game, I'm a big believer that if you can't play a good key forward then you need to play an aggressive one, amd that is exactly what Cordy is. Just a shame he is our best key defender, although Adams might fix that issue.

Smith and Honeychurch as usual liabilities and continue to demonstrate they are no where near the level.

Some good signs from Gowers and schache, both of whom were much more involved than usual and both showed in different ways they are good with the ball.

[merantau]

Smith is a problem. Last night when he took that pretty good Mark deep in defence my immediate thought was - and I kid you not - : "He'll turn it over." And he did.
I didn't think he was too bad last night though. I don't think he's a defender though. If the club are going to persist with him, try him in Honeychurch's role because I don't think he is going to go any further.

[Doc26]

Roarke Smith’s 5th game of football in 3 years, coming off two ACL’s, in a backline decimates by injury, leadership and experience.

Whilst he no doubt needs to improve his decision making he does show potential with very good overhead marking and his kicking, aside from some ordinary decisions, is not too shabby. He’s understandably lost some of the speed he showed early on but this may still improve.

I hope that we do persevere with him at least through to season’s end as he might just surprise and become next week’s Crozier.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

A few positives:

- Schache contested well. Had some poor moments but overall a very pleasing performance. Showed some better aggression, got involved and moved well. His skill and decision making is elite - that kick to Gowers in the last under pressure was brilliant. Josh will take some time but I’m really encouraged by his progress.

- Gowers stood up when we needed him to. Continues to be a source of frustration at times but he also continues to impact games. With better players around him he has a future if he can tidy up a few things.

- Naughton is a gun and looked very dangerous as a forward. Competed well against some experienced key backs, his marking and leap is a real highlight. I wonder where his best position will be?

- Richards had a quieter game but had some big moments. That tackle which he was penalised for was ridiculous. Love Eds desperation, aggression, pace and skill.

- Adams was excellent for his first game back. God I hope he has an injury free career from here, he’s quality.

[Eastdog]

I love winning by 2 points
I hate losing by 2 points

[bornadog]

- Richards had a quieter game but had some big moments. That tackle which he was penalised for was ridiculous. Love Eds desperation, aggression, pace and skill.

I haven't watched the replay, so not 100% on this, but I think the ball was taken off Richards due to what happened the kick before, so they paid down field.

[westdog54]

I think the one TBB is talking about was paid for holding the man, he was committed to the tackle as the North player was disposing of the ball. There was zero in it. It was a shocker.

[bulldogtragic]

I think the one TBB is talking about was paid for holding the man, he was committed to the tackle as the North player was disposing of the ball. There was zero in it. It was a shocker.

Yep, I don't think his arm was actually on the North player after he disposed of it. It might have looked like it, but I think it was a guess. A wrong guess, which really shouldn't be happening with four better umpires each game.

[bornadog]

I think the one TBB is talking about was paid for holding the man, he was committed to the tackle as the North player was disposing of the ball. There was zero in it. It was a shocker.

I just thought about it, the tackle I was talking about was the Roarke Smith one. My mistake.

[Eastdog]

Loved seeing that run from JJ back last night. Still has a bit to go to get back to his full potential but much better than previous weeks.

[GVGjr]

Is there any chance that we are better balanced side without Easton Wood? I'm not knocking him as a player but we tried him as a forward and when he is the 4th tall defender we can be a bit static.

[bornadog]

Is there any chance that we are better balanced side without Easton Wood? I'm not knocking him as a player but we tried him as a forward and when he is the 4th tall defender we can be a bit static.

I have said this from day one, we shouldn't be playing these guys as a tall. Wood was excellent when he could run and bounce the ball and attack off half back flank. It was embarrassing when he played on Franklin earlier this year, but we had no choice at the time.