Game Day 2011 - R11 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

[BulldogBelle]

This is the discussion thread for our Saturday afternoon game against Geelong down at the SS cattery.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 8 points
BOG : Matthew Boyd
Shaun Higgins to kick the first goal

[bulldogsthru&thru]

im saying geelong by 47 points.

They absolutely smashed us last time we met. Down at the cattery they will dominate us and gradually kick out to a 9-10 goal lead before we peg it back a little. Cant see us competing with them at all with our current form. Just hoping for a bit of effort and intesity to apply continuous pressure from all 22 players!

[LostDoggy]

It'd take a miracle!

Cats by 45
BOG Boyd
First Goal J-Pod

[bornadog]

BOG for us - Griffen

First goal for us - Higgins

Dogs within 20 to 30 points

[Sedat]

Put me in the stocks and let fly with the rotten vegetables. I'm not one for unrealistic expectations but I have this feeling that Geelong will have a downer and we'll play with some long overdue freedom:

Dogs - 16 points
BOG - Morris (by shutting Stevie J right out of the game)
First goal - Griffen

[Greystache]

Geelong by 72
BOG- Enright, running free off halfback.
First goal- Johnson

[Sedat]

Geelong by 72
BOG- Enright, running free off halfback.
First goal- Johnson
You're not sharing my 'feeling' :D

I get the logic - if a journeyman, slighly above hack standard, like Guerra can have 35 possessions, 18 marks and 2 goals, imagine what carnage a really good rebounding defender like Enright could do. I just have this strange feeling that the Cats will be off their game (they've been up and about for a long time) and we'll be released from the shackles. They aren't blessed with great pace to run and spread, and we were pretty good in the clinches last week.

[Greystache]

You're not sharing my 'feeling' :D

I get the logic - if a journeyman, slighly above hack standard, like Guerra can have 35 possessions, 18 marks and 2 goals, imagine what carnage a really good rebounding defender like Enright could do. I just have this strange feeling that the Cats will be off their game (they've been up and about for a long time) and we'll be released from the shackles. They aren't blessed with great pace to run and spread, and we were pretty good in the clinches last week.

You're a good judge Sedat, so maybe I should be more confident. I just think despite all our talk defensive pressure isn't a priority, and defensive rebound is Geelong's strength.

[Remi Moses]

Cats by 80
BOG Johnson
Ist Goal J Pod

More Headlines "Dogs Crisis Deepens"
"Aker Takes Aim" Leon's odds will shorten to take over

[Sedat]

You're a good judge Sedat, so maybe I should be more confident. I just think despite all our talk defensive pressure isn't a priority, and defensive rebound is Geelong's strength.
Along with Johnson, it is Chappy and Gablett that pulverise us every time so it will be nice not to see these two playing in the hoops tomorrow. They don't run the ball anywhere near as quickly this season as they have done in the past - I always felt that they were a better version of what we were trying to be with our quick delivery by hand and foot through the corridor, which is why they regularly got a hold of us. We have selected a quicker team this week, which if we can win the midfield battle, means we should get it into forward 50 quickly and prevent the likes of Milburn/Enright/Scarlett doing as they please. But it's all only theory, and Geelong's rebounding defenders could just as easily carve holes on the counter because our forwards aren't working hard enough to keep it in there.

[Daughter of the West]

Heart: Dogs by 3
Head: Cats by 58
BOG: A Cat
First goal: L Jones

Not really looking foward to tomorrow, but hoping for a miracle!

[LostDoggy]

A bit broke after the West Coast trip, so with trains not running and ticket dramas, I'm going to sit this one out. Also, last time I was there (NAB Rd1) I got punched in the back of the head…

Dogs by 47 points.
BOG: Djerrkura
First goal: Big Willy

Predicted headlines: Dogs firm for premiership betting; Rocket signs 5 year extension; Grant kicks 10; BornAScragger charged for substance abuse

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I like Sedat have a good feeling too, the dogs have their backs to wall, the Dogs are due!

Geelong are due for a loss, have an unsettled team, Stars out of form.

For me Dogs by 27 points
BOG Picken as he will only have to worry about Selwood not Ablett, Chapman and Bartel
First goal Gia

Go Dogs!

[Ghost Dog]

Not pessamistic. Realistic. I think we'll give a good account.

Geelong by 40+
BOG: Steve J
first goal: Griffen

They just don't get beaten easily down there.
Huge home ground advantage and a bigger bodied side.
Quite a few debutants for us, which is great, but the handbaggers are like a well oiled machine - solid in attack and defence - accurate too, unlike us. Watching the replay V Hawks now. Some shocking disposal in that game has me quite realistic I'm afraid. It'll take a while for us to get back on track.

[LostDoggy]

Are people serious when they post in this thread?

Cats by 66
BOG: Selwood
First goal Stokes

[DragzLS1]

I'm thinking cats only by 8 point at half time, game will end cats by 38 points.

Bog griffen
1st goal jones

[LostDoggy]

Geelong are $19 to beat us by 100+

They did it last year at Etihad. Don't think it will be that much but I honestly don't think we will give them a run.

Cats comfortably by 51pts
BOG - Corey
First Goal - Grant

[Flamethrower]

1st goal: Nathan Djerrkura

BOG: Harry Taylor

Margin: Geelong will be just a little too good.

[LostDoggy]

Are people serious when they post in this thread?

Cats by 66
BOG: Selwood
First goal Stokes

Course we are serious - why do you ask?:D

[LostDoggy]

Can't tip against them, so.....

Dogs by 1 point
BOG = Ward
First goal = Boyd

PS - that's why I don't go into footy tipping competitions - I may as well spend the $'s on something I can use!

[AndrewP6]

I broke a vow this week and tipped against us in my work tipping comp - Dogs haven't helped my cause in that department this year! I'd love to tip us as much as anyone, but I can't see us getting close.

Cats by 66
BOG (for us) Griff
First goal Shermanator

[the banker]

Cats by 21
bog. Selwood. Ward for us
first goal. Pods. Gia

[Doggy]

Dogs by 12
BOG Griff
First goal Higgins

[Rocco Jones]

Cats by 83 points
BOG: Scarlett (not that he will have that much to do but he will rack it up whenever he gets a chance). Griff to be our BOG
1st goal: Stevie J

[LostDoggy]

Another upset tomorrow.

Dogs by 13 points

Griff BOG

Lake 1st Goal

[BulldogBelle]

Cats by 90

Our first: Sherman
Our BOG : Boyd

[Go_Dogs]

Head says Cats by plenty, and the heart does too. Still a faint hope we'll do better than that, though.

Cats by 39
BOG Boyd
First Goal Higgins

[1eyedog]

I think we will be just a bit too good for geelong today.

Dogs by 21 points.

Griffen BOG
First goal of match JPOD

[SlimPickens]

Cats 28pts
BOG- Enright
First Goal- JPod

[Hotdog60]

Dogs by 84
BOG Ward
First Goal T.Williams (who will kick 8)

:D;):)

[bornadog]

Gia first goal, we are in front:D

Another one to Gia.

[LostDoggy]

Go Gia!

[comrade]

Mark McClure is a flog!

[LostDoggy]

This lead is going to blow out it seems, Geelong dominating early.

[LostDoggy]

Sounds like the jPod is killing Mulligan.

[bornadog]

Sounds like the jPod is killing Mulligan.

To be fair to Mulligan, the passing to him is accurate and not much he can do about it

[LostDoggy]

To be fair to Mulligan, the passing to him is accurate and not much he can do about it

I haven't seen the game yet but why wouldn't you make a move and throw Lake onto him? The jPod is on fire.

[LostDoggy]

"Lacking running players who can overlap & break the lines."

Surprise, surprise.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I haven't seen the game yet but why wouldn't you make a move and throw Lake onto him? The jPod is on fire.

Based on what Lake has shown, or not shown today, he would not fare any better. He's a one effort player at the moment, and his one effort is hardly even that.

[Rance Fan]

Lake seems to be still in outer space!
Mulligan struggling
Grant offering nothing! Whilst Scarlett does as he likes
Wallis still not up to it.
Morris and Murphy doing well again

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Lake on Pod and gets caught out on the lead. Goal to Podsiadly.
Maybe move Lake up forward, and Williams back?

[bornadog]

That was too easy that goal. We are letting them get away

[Rance Fan]

I think bit of a lost cause either way...Picken tryin hard like always

[Rance Fan]

100 + pt lose??? Eade fired???

Could be on the cards!

[Rance Fan]

Cats 2 goals in a minute
Margin 44pts!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think bit of a lost cause either way...Picken tryin hard like always

He might be trying hard in most instances, but his effort on Ottens was unPicken like, terrible.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

100 + pt lose??? Eade fired???

Could be on the cards!

Could be for the first question.
Definitely not for the second.

[DOG GOD]

This team looks like a "Going thru the motions Rhode era" team to me.

[Rance Fan]

Ottens is literally twice the weight and size!
Did look ordinary though

[GVGjr]

100 + pt lose??? Eade fired???

Could be on the cards!

It's a game day thread not about coaching speculation.

[azabob]

Mark McClure is a flog!

Why?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Dogs workrate deplorable, similar to that of our game against West Coast, from the TV view it seems as if there are 4 or 5 free Geelong players every time they have the ball, and 4-5 Dogs blokes just running around in no mans land marking grass waving their arms.

[LostDoggy]

Would be shocked if it's under a 100 point loss from the sounds of it, obviously didn't expect a win, but i was at least hoping to be competitive for 3 quarters

[angelopetraglia]

I didn't expect anything different. We are looking down the barrel of another massive mauling despite getting off to a good start.

This is really going to hurt the club. It's going to be a long, long season.

How many consecutive goals do we let opposition sides kick against us? Every single week. Just destroys you.

We appear just to roll over, without any perceived effort.

Hard to believe how far backwards we have gone in one season.

[AndrewP6]

Sounds like too little from too many. Game over.

[Rance Fan]

50pts at the half
8 goals to 2 that quarter
Not sure what we can do?
Maybe Grant back flank so he can get a touch
Lake forward?
Picken in the middle.

[LostDoggy]

I didn't expect anything else from today, we aren't going to miraculously turn our form around.

We were very average against Hawthorn last week, lucky for us, Hawthorn were poor as well.

[LostDoggy]

To look on the bright side, this might not be the biggest loss of the day.
West Coast are 31-0 up against the Suns after 10 minutes

[LostDoggy]

Game over boys.

[Rance Fan]

Anyone think we can lose by less than the margin now ..50pts?

[bornadog]

50pts at the half
8 goals to 2 that quarter
Not sure what we can do?
Maybe Grant back flank so he can get a touch
Lake forward?
Picken in the middle.

5 goals in the last 5 minutes, we went to sleep.

[Remi Moses]

I've ran out of objectives to describe this Club!
Eade will pay the price because that's what happens in pro sport
Brian Lake if you can't be arsed picking up the ball, tear your contract up and retire.

[LostDoggy]

Anyone think we can lose by less than the margin now ..50pts?

No.

It gets really upsetting when you fork out money every year for a Membership & someone like Lake is just walking around not even trying, disappointing.

[bornadog]

4 players with over 10 disposals compared to 10 with Geelong. 8 players with 5 or less disposals for the dogs.

This is just woeful

[AndrewP6]

To look on the bright side, this might not be the biggest loss of the day.
West Coast are 31-0 up against the Suns after 10 minutes

GC are closer than us. :(

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I've ran out of objectives to describe this Club!
Eade will pay the price because that's what happens in pro sport
Brian Lake if you can't be arsed picking up the ball, tear your contract up and retire.

I think the problem is the players are playing as if they don't have any objectives.
I'd say you and most of us have run out of adjectives trying to describe this.

[bornadog]

absolute rubbish free to Ottens, both holding each other. In fact Ottens grabbed Lake first.

[Topdog]

I've ran out of objectives to describe this Club!
Eade will pay the price because that's what happens in pro sport
Brian Lake if you can't be arsed picking up the ball, tear your contract up and retire.

Sounds all correct unfortunately.

[Rance Fan]

Cats beat us by 100+ last time we met?

[Rance Fan]

Lake goes forward drops what he could of swallowed.
Griffen goals!

[Chicago1]

This is disheartening. Earlier this evening I was able to watch "highlights" of our match against West Coast on a cable station from D.C. What the hell has happened in less than a year? At least I'm only listening to this debacle and not watching it. :( Another 100+ points loss today?

[LostDoggy]

I think the problem is the players are playing as if they don't have any objectives.
I'd say you and most of us have run out of adjectives trying to describe this.

I have many expletives to describe our performance if anybody needs

[LostDoggy]

They are hitting us hard now. Learn a lesson dogs.

[Rance Fan]

Morris,Griffen,Gia,Picken,Murphy...the only guys showing some game.

Boyd the captain hasnt stood up and led from the front today :(

[LostDoggy]

Grant is subbed.
I'd be surprised to see him play next week, think i might watch the foxtel cup to see if Vespremi can replace him

[whythelongface]

What is the story with Boyd's foot disposal? It is ordinary.

[Rance Fan]

Gia and Grant got crunched
Grant subbed off! for DJ
Lucky if he got 3 disposals for his time out there

[bornadog]

The disposal going forward is pathethic

[LostDoggy]

3aw - "Lake spills the mark. This is just sad."
Apparently no-one seems to want to talk to him either


I just don't get what is happening to him.
Atleast Mulligan has been respectable, clearly not the worst backman on.

[whythelongface]

It is disgraceful. Our skills are extremely poor, in fact they are currently the worst in the comp as far as efficiency is concerned.

[LostDoggy]

Morris,Griffen,Gia,Picken,Murphy...the only guys showing some game.

Boyd the captain hasnt stood up and led from the front today :(
Most of the same guys each week.
How many guys would be well served emulating the effort of Liam Picken?

[The Underdog]

What is the story with Boyd's foot disposal? It is ordinary.

It's never been good. It might be acceptable if he had a defensive game but it's a shame our nominal leader is a front runner.
The inability of our midfield to understand how hard they have to work defensively is just disheartening. They either can't or won't. Either way it's not acceptable.

[Ghost Dog]

Depressing. Had to stop watching.

Feel sorry for those dogs who went all the way there. What a punishment.

[LostDoggy]

What is the story with Boyd's foot disposal? It is ordinary.

I have never rated his disposal, i have posted that several times on this forum.

Howard playing well?

[Rance Fan]

Do we have a skills coach??
If we do ...fire him!

[Rance Fan]

Howard...not noticed him!

[LostDoggy]

That quarter actually went better than expected. Can't see this season getting much better when some of the players don't seem to care.

[The Underdog]

Do we have a skills coach??
If we do ...fire him!

Forget that, aren't we supposed to have a large screen that helps players with decision making. It must be broken.
Perhaps we need to hire a "give a *!*!*!*!" coach.

[Rance Fan]

Cross and Boyd have struggled today
Not sure if they had to do a shutdown role on someone?
Doesnt seem to be the case, not sure Cross has another year in him.

[whythelongface]

Do we have a skills coach??
If we do ...fire him!

It should be a given that players at AFL level have decent skills. It appears that (most of) our players don't possess these simple skills. This is something that obviously needs to be addressed by a coach. Is it even being looked at?

How can we cough up so many foot passes. Unbelievable. It is like watching park football.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Howard...not noticed him!

He's been quite involved in the back half, not going great, but is having a crack.
I would've thought there are plenty more blokes out there than a second gamer who are more noticeable for their absence.

[AndrewP6]

Howard...not noticed him!

Him and about a dozen others.

[Topdog]

Lake with 5 touches and 3 FA's. This really is sad.

Grant won't play next week.

[bornadog]

3aw - "Lake spills the mark. This is just sad."
Apparently no-one seems to want to talk to him either


I just don't get what is happening to him.
Atleast Mulligan has been respectable, clearly not the worst backman on.

Lake is playing forward and the delivery to him is shocking.

* Jones needs a spell, just not good enough. 5 disposals last week and 3 so far this week. * * Hill not up to it
* Grant should have stayed at Willi for a few more weeks.
* Mids are all struggling

* Higgins looked better in the backline.

* Howard is impressive, just needs to work on his accuracy in kicking.

[Rance Fan]

Awww still a quarter to go!
This is painful!

[whythelongface]

Cross and Boyd have struggled today
Not sure if they had to do a shutdown role on someone?
Doesnt seem to be the case, not sure Cross has another year in him.

Agree. Also I am really concerned about Boyd's on-field leadership. He goes missing way too often - sure he does pick up possessions, but how many of these are effective. I have lost complete confidence in these two.

[Rance Fan]

Thing that hurts most is we have no go ol', "bulldogs fight!"

[Ghost Dog]

It should be a given that players at AFL level have decent skills. It appears that (most of) our players don't possess these simple skills. This is something that obviously needs to be addressed by a coach. Is it even being looked at?

How can we cough up so many foot passes. Unbelievable. It is like watching park football.

When your captain does it, especially, it really lowers morale.

[whythelongface]

Another turn over by Boyd leads to a Geelong goal. This time it was a turn over by hand.

[bornadog]

When your captain does it, especially, it really lowers morale.

just did it again with a shocking handball straight to Geelong, bang down the ground and goal.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Boyd's poor handball causes what would've been a definite inside fifty for us, into a turnover and goal for Geelong.

Just not good enough from our captain. Sadly he has turned the ball over in similar situations a few times today, which must suck the confidence out of the players, and make it alot harder to sell a message as a captain must be able to do.

[ledge]

I think Woods been having a go. Wallis is a split second behind the play thus makes a lot of tackles but not getting the ball.
We are a team that wouldnt know how to win now, its sad and shows how quickly a side can completely fold in 2 months.
Something is wrong somewhere inside this club.

[whythelongface]

Lake is playing forward and the delivery to him is shocking.

* Jones needs a spell, just not good enough. 5 disposals last week and 3 so far this week. * * Hill not up to it
* Grant should have stayed at Willi for a few more weeks.
* Mids are all struggling

* Higgins looked better in the backline.

* Howard is impressive, just needs to work on his accuracy in kicking.

I would continue to persist with Jones. Goes missing but at least shows some promise. As for Grant yep he needs a long spell at Willi.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Maybe this will give Lake's confidence a lift.

[whythelongface]

Yay. Two in a row. Come on Lake we need you to lift over the next few weeks.

[LostDoggy]

Jones isn't up to it yet, don't think he has a big enough tank, and other than 3 or 4 solid marks he takes, he is very quite. However, it's not like we've got a massive season coming up, so i wouldn't mind seeing him stay in the team.
Lake kicks his second in a few minutes and hopefully it helps

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Is Otten that quick, or is Minson really slow.
We must have the most immobile ruck division going around.

[bornadog]

GIA BOG for us.

[GVGjr]

We are a team with no real strength at the moment. We don't have a lot of pace, our skills aren't a strength and we don't seem to be working as hard as we have over previous seasons.

There could be some allowances made for injuries but I fear it's more of a convenient excuse rather than an accurate one. There is no getting past the fact that we are a very disappointing side playing very poor football at the moment.

[GVGjr]

GIA BOG for us.

Sticking to his tasks but his team mates aren't answering the challenge

[ledge]

We are a team with no real strength at the moment. We don't have a lot of pace, our skills aren't a strength and we don't seem to be working as hard as we have over previous seasons.

There could be some allowances made for injuries but I fear it's more of a convenient excuse rather than an accurate one. There is no getting past the fact that we are a very disappointing side playing very poor football at the moment.

And why is the big question how do we fall so quick with so much expectation, did the players just think it would happen?
One positive thing is we are playing young players.
GVGjr do you have a feel at all of what is wrong?

[Topdog]

There could be some allowances made for injuries but I fear it's more of a convenient excuse rather than an accurate one. There is no getting past the fact that we are a very disappointing side playing very poor football at the moment.

It's a 30 point excuse. Unfortunately we aren't losing games by 30 points.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We are a team with no real strength at the moment. We don't have a lot of pace, our skills aren't a strength and we don't seem to be working as hard as we have over previous seasons.

There could be some allowances made for injuries but I fear it's more of a convenient excuse rather than an accurate one. There is no getting past the fact that we are a very disappointing side playing very poor football at the moment.

I am most disappointed at how easily the cohesiveness and willingness to work as a unit has dissipated in little under 9 months.

[whythelongface]

DJ looks ok. Hope he plays the full game next week. Has some pace and run.

[LostDoggy]

Was watching delayed coverage..chucked over during half time to see west coast/gold coast score..bam. live score in my face. hate that.

But prob saved me from thinking we can come good in the second half.

[The Underdog]

Quoth Mark McLure "Higgins is a quality player but he doesn't give enough". He speaketh the truth.

[bornadog]

Quoth Mark McLure "Higgins is a quality player but he doesn't give enough". He speaketh the truth.

McLure hates us. Higgins hasn't been the worst, he is moving alot better today.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

3 to Lake.

If we are going to persist with Lake in the team, then it has to be up forward I think.
at least we are getting something from him there.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

McLure hates us. Higgins hasn't been the worst, he is moving alot better today.

Yep, Higgins effort, at least from a TV point of view, looks a lot better. It may however look a different picture from the viewpoint of someone at the ground.

[GVGjr]

It's a 30 point excuse. Unfortunately we aren't losing games by 30 points.


That's where I'm coming from. To use injuries as an excuse sounds plausible because quality guys like Lake and Cooney are either not player or probably shouldn't be but if we dig a little deeper it would probably only give us a more honorable loss than necessarily getting us into a winning position.

[Ghost Dog]

3 to Lake.

If we are going to persist with Lake in the team, then it has to be up forward I think.
at least we are getting something from him there.

Is that so? or because Geelong took the foot off.

[GVGjr]

McLure hates us. Higgins hasn't been the worst, he is moving alot better today.

I don't for one minute believe he hates us but he certainly doesn't respect us. It will be hard to change his view on that unless we start playing good football.

[Topdog]

suppose we find out next week GD but certainly we got nothing from him in the backline.

[The Underdog]

I don't for one minute believe he hates us but he certainly doesn't respect us. It will be hard to change his view on that unless we start playing good football.

I agree, I don't think he hates us. He speaks the same way about all teams. I can understand why he wouldn't respect us, christ, at the moment I don't respect us.

[ledge]

I feel so sorry for Picken.
Gives his all and this is his reward?

[azabob]

Quoth Mark McLure "Higgins is a quality player but he doesn't give enough". He speaketh the truth.


McLure hates us. Higgins hasn't been the worst, he is moving alot better today.

What does it matter if MaClure hates us? He speaks honestly and is the best special comments in the business.

After the Sydney game he said we were a lazy football team looking for the cheap stat and will only run forward of the ball and won't run defensively and the midfield bar Griffen refuses to help out the defence.

Today before the game he questioned Boyds effectiveness? He said he'd prefer Boyd to get 20 odd touches and hold his direct opponent to a similar amount.

Out of the two comments I have para phrased and the one underdog quoted is incorrect?

[bornadog]

The only good thing is we didn't roll over in the last quarter.

[Chicago1]

Sad. Very, very sad. :( Almost 2am here. Good night. Until next week...

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I don't for one minute believe he hates us but he certainly doesn't respect us. It will be hard to change his view on that unless we start playing good football.

I've had the misfortune to meet and talk with him 12 years ago at a work function, when we were doing quite well during a season, and when the talk came to football, and I mentioned I was a Dogs supporter, he said "that's nothing to be proud of, "
Arrogant prick.

[LostDoggy]

Today before the game he questioned Boyds effectiveness? He said he'd prefer Boyd to get 20 odd touches and hold his direct opponent to a similar amount.

Something i mentioned a few weeks back on here, which forum members didn't agree with.

I haven't rated his year at all.

[lemmon]

Skills by foot are just so poor, bad decisions and no execution. Such a shame

Edit - And Higgins has absolutely no acceleration, really labours.

[Doggy]

To look on the bright side, this might not be the biggest loss of the day.
West Coast are 31-0 up against the Suns after 10 minutes

Hmm, Gold Coast are only 2 goals down at 3/4 time. How much did West Coast beat us by again?

[Topdog]

Gia sounds like he is about to cry. Just sounds absolutely shattered. - on MMM.

[GVGjr]

I've had the misfortune to meet and talk with him 12 years ago at a work function, when we were doing quite well during a season, and when the talk came to football, and I mentioned I was a Dogs supporter, he said "that's nothing to be proud of, "
Arrogant prick.


I don't question he is arrogant but he doesn't respect a lot of sides not just ours. I've heard him rip into North, Fremantle and Port as hard as he does us.

[The Pie Man]

I can accept not being good enough (as long as the effort's there) but what is hard to take is becoming a joke. Getting laughed at when Scarlett kicked his goal was pretty low.

Brian Lake looked on the verge tears in the last quarter. Strange times

[AndrewP6]

Odd feeling watching The Beard running around with Willi

[G-Mo77]

The only good thing is we didn't roll over in the last quarter.

Doesn't mean a lot when Geelong had the cue in the racks.

Very poor performance today, the usual suspects give their all but far to many passengers in the team. You could throw the excuse that they are a young team now but it wasn't the first years players that let us down.

It's time to take the pruning shears out and cut some dead wood. Players who are not in our future, sorry but you can play VFL, the players that are blood them for the rest of the year and work for next season.

Our biggest dead branch is a former AA Full Back. If we can find someone who can take on that albatross contract we should take it!

[always right]

Just so sad today. I don't understand how we can always be so outnumbered no matter where the play is. We are possibly the worst team in the AFL at the moment.

[Hotdog60]

I'd be worried about the Gold Coast, it could be a battle to get a win.

[G-Mo77]

Just so sad today. I don't understand how we can always be so outnumbered no matter where the play is. We are possibly the worst team in the AFL at the moment.

I honestly think we are very close, it has just gotten that bad. Gold Coast are improving each week and will probably knock us off in a few weeks. I still don't rate Brisbane to highly and they are getting belted right now so at this point in the season we are probably on par with them.

[LostDoggy]

I honestly think we are very close, it has just gotten that bad. Gold Coast are improving each week and will probably knock us off in a few weeks. I still don't rate Brisbane to highly and they are getting belted right now so at this point in the season we are probably on par with them.

The thing about the Dogs is they seem to do extremly well against really bad sides. I'm not sure what I'm exactly talking about, wether it's a match up thing or our game plan works well against weak sides but they seem to pile on the goals when playing lower ranked teams like Bris, GC, etc. It only seems to be when a top eight or higher team comes along they get exploited. I don't mean this to be an obvious statement, I heard David King explain it on 360 the other day and it really made sence why they blow out a weak team by 78pts but loose to the mid to high rung sides.

[LostDoggy]

I honestly think we are very close, it has just gotten that bad. Gold Coast are improving each week and will probably knock us off in a few weeks. I still don't rate Brisbane to highly and they are getting belted right now so at this point in the season we are probably on par with them.

Wait, I haven't seen the game (been sitting here in a hotel room trying to listen to it, but mainly following score updates on the HS website), but that's a big call. No doubt we are going badly at the moment, but we've always struggled against the top teams, even when we were top 4. I remember copping 60+ point beltings, especially from the cats, in the last three years.

I don't think a team that beat a top 8 Richmond only 3 weeks ago can be considered 'the worst team in the comp'. (Having said that, we did finish 2007 a bottom 4 side, so maybe we are just more vulnerable to form losses than most teams.)

ps. from what I'm hearing, we got belted in the clearances again. Also, once again we were undone by a run-on by the opposition, this time in the second quarter -- we need to be able to find the ability to shut a game down when the tide is going against us, even if it means playing unattractive, keepings off type football, or stoppage heavy stuff.

I'm looking forward to watching the tape of this game.

pps. I know the last quarter was junk time play, and all it shows is that we can only compete with the top teams when they relax, but it's at least some momentum going into a slightly easier 4 week stretch -- play at that level and we should be able to get at least 3 wins out of that lot of games, especially with Coons coming back. Get to 6-8 with 8 weeks to go, and anything can happen.

[G-Mo77]

pps. I know the last quarter was junk time play, and all it shows is that we can only compete with the top teams when they relax, but it's at least some momentum going into a slightly easier 4 week stretch -- play at that level and we should be able to get at least 3 wins out of that lot of games, especially with Coons coming back. Get to 6-8 with 8 weeks to go, and anything can happen.

There is a difference between the good teams and us even when we were at the top of the table. We lapse when the game is on the line, good teams put sides away and then relax. Nothing should be taken out of that last quarter, junk time doesn't count. Geelong rested up, laughed, joked and generally made us look like dills.

Melbourne responded well after being embarrassed. I have no confidence that our team can. They play with no pride and no heart.

[Ghost Dog]

There is a difference between the good teams and us even when we were at the top of the table. We lapse when the game is on the line, good teams put sides away and then relax. Nothing should be taken out of that last quarter, junk time doesn't count. Geelong rested up, laughed, joked and generally made us look like dills.

Melbourne responded well after being embarrassed. I have no confidence that our team can. They play with no pride and no heart.

SOME of the players play with no pride and no heart.
Picken, Gia, Griff did everything you could ask today.

Let's put blame where it's due. Today really hurt

[Desipura]

We are not even competitive. We are playing with no passion or excitement
Tired of the coaches instructions,
Tired and battle weary see Cooney, Lake. Gilbee and Huddo.
It's time to move on the older guys and try to build a team that can become a contender

[LostDoggy]

Finishes bottle of red , kicks chair , gets bag of peas from freezer for sore foot , forgets that bag of peas is open , gets shovel and brush to clean up peas , knocks over empty glass , cuts hand picking up glass , gets shovel and brush for broken glass , gets cloth to clean up blood , falls over chair that was kicked over , gives up , sleeps on floor

.

[BulldogBelle]

Finishes bottle of red , kicks chair , gets bag of peas from freezer for sore foot , forgets that bag of peas is open , gets shovel and brush to clean up peas , knocks over empty glass , cuts hand picking up glass , gets shovel and brush for broken glass , gets cloth to clean up blood , falls over chair that was kicked over , gives up , sleeps on floor

.


Sounds like our game plan :o

[SonofScray]

Went to the game today, I commented to my mate around the time we were 3 and a bit goals down that we'll probably pack it in once they get to 4 goals up. That is exactly what I saw when they did in fact get 4 goals up. A group of guys collectively surrender, "its all too hard from here lads, pack it up, save ourselves for next week."

Geelong were taking the piss, show boating early, throwing Scarlett up forward to get him a rare goal, laughing at us. They showed us no respect, because we simply do not deserve it, nor demand it. How long will it be until this sort of stuff actually lights a fire in some of our guys? Zero respect from a growing portion of the football community.

About 15 minutes in I realised that we had no weapons in the arsenal to combat Geelong. No star player to turn the tide, no master stroke in the box to turn the game on its head, no will power to hang tough and grind the game out. Nothing.

Its not the result that stings, we've been well beaten by the likes of Geelong when we all thought we were much closer to the mark. It is how it is happening now. Without resistance and with a massive case of impotency in every aspect of the game.

[G-Mo77]

Went to the game today, I commented to my mate around the time we were 3 and a bit goals down that we'll probably pack it in once they get to 4 goals up. That is exactly what I saw when they did in fact get 4 goals up. A group of guys collectively surrender, "its all too hard from here lads, pack it up, save ourselves for next week."

Geelong were taking the piss, show boating early, throwing Scarlett up forward to get him a rare goal, laughing at us. They showed us no respect, because we simply do not deserve it, nor demand it. How long will it be until this sort of stuff actually lights a fire in some of our guys? Zero respect from a growing portion of the football community.

About 15 minutes in I realised that we had no weapons in the arsenal to combat Geelong. No star player to turn the tide, no master stroke in the box to turn the game on its head, no will power to hang tough and grind the game out. Nothing.

Its not the result that stings, we've been well beaten by the likes of Geelong when we all thought we were much closer to the mark. It is how it is happening now. Without resistance and with a massive case of impotency in every aspect of the game.

Great post. Especially the last paragraph. It sums up the way I feel as well.

[FrediKanoute]

And why is the big question how do we fall so quick with so much expectation, did the players just think it would happen?
One positive thing is we are playing young players.
GVGjr do you have a feel at all of what is wrong?

I do. I didn't watch the game....it wasn't on ESPN this week so seeing a Bulldogs game in the UK is hit and miss. However, I listened to the ABC call of the game and Granty summed it up beautifully. The difference between us and the Cats is the way our midfield just do not work hard enough to apply pressure to the opposition. Granty gave the example today of the way Bartel, Ling etc woudl work back into the space in our forwardline, effectively making it impossible for us to spot up a lead. You could have Plugger Locket in the forward line, but if there is no space to lead then getting goals is simply that much harder.

By comparison our midfield does not work back. He gave the example of a mark taken by a S Johnson of Geelong in the forward line. We had two guys, Cross and Sherman, who built the line at half back, but then allowed the space behind them to open up letting Johson run onto an easy mark. Put simply we don't work hard enough in the midfield to support the backline. This means that sides core easly against us, which wasn't a problem when we had the precision of Gilbee, Eagleton and the class of Aker and Johnno to see us through.

Football is not that difficult a game. The Press, the Flood, the zone, the huddle etc are all fads. The simple difference between Geelong and us today was that they worked harder. Their guys were prepared to do more to win the ball, create space, spoil our forward attempts end of.....the question for me is whether we have the guys who are actually prepared to work that hard, as hard or harder than the Geelong guys. On what I've seen so far this year, the answer is no.

[the banker]

Our skill level us very low. This is sapping a lot of confidence and confusing decision making. Being so poor by foot does not allow the game plan to be executed. There are only a handful who have footy smarts. The rest work hard but make bad decisions and execute poorly. There is a dearth of talent in the team.

Boyds personality is not charismatic. He is of stern temperament. Have the captain and the coach lost some key players. We seem a team divided into camps. I would live to witness their leading teams sessions.

I am confused. There seems to be a fundamental team element missing. Are our assistant coaches poor teachers? Only a handful are buying the message.

[Grantysghost]

That Scarlett goal and the shot of Ling laughing on the bench coupled with James Kelly marking a wayward kick and clowning around with the crowd as the sub were about as embarrassing as it gets in a "competitive" match. This was like a local game were a division 1 side is playing a newly promoted team and going through the motions; it was horrendous. Worse than West Coast.

The players and coach both need to cop it for that display. The players for not applying any pressure whatsoever to the oppostion (Picken excluded) and the coaches for not having a plan to stop Geelongs relentless use of the corridor at Skilled. The ground has no wings. I couldn't believe how many times Geelong overlapped up the corridor out of defense it was killing me! We chose to go one on one as we did v the Hawks, but when that failed i would have liked to see some sort of midfield zone applied to limit their run. Speaking to some coaches i know that would have been part of their planning during the week.
Seem rudderless at the moment.

[Hotdog60]

Maybe we need a secret box for all the players to put in what they think is wrong with the team at the moment, if they can be honest and say if it's the coach or the captain so at least we can work toward fixing what ever has gone wrong. Even if it's just mental or fitness.

[Dancin' Douggy]

yep. Literally unbelievable. Where are they all? Having marmalade sandwiches in the shade somewhere?

[OLD SCRAGGer]

Thank god match commitee didn't take notice of SOME people on this board .... OTHERWISE Gia wouldn't have played today and what would the score look like without his 5 goals, he bleeds Red White & Blue and still some will find reason to bag him.:mad:

[Dancin' Douggy]

Wait, I haven't seen the game (been sitting here in a hotel room trying to listen to it, but mainly following score updates on the HS website), but that's a big call. No doubt we are going badly at the moment, but we've always struggled against the top teams, even when we were top 4. I remember copping 60+ point beltings, especially from the cats, in the last three years.

I don't think a team that beat a top 8 Richmond only 3 weeks ago can be considered 'the worst team in the comp'. (Having said that, we did finish 2007 a bottom 4 side, so maybe we are just more vulnerable to form losses than most teams.)

ps. from what I'm hearing, we got belted in the clearances again. Also, once again we were undone by a run-on by the opposition, this time in the second quarter -- we need to be able to find the ability to shut a game down when the tide is going against us, even if it means playing unattractive, keepings off type football, or stoppage heavy stuff.

I'm looking forward to watching the tape of this game.

pps. I know the last quarter was junk time play, and all it shows is that we can only compete with the top teams when they relax, but it's at least some momentum going into a slightly easier 4 week stretch -- play at that level and we should be able to get at least 3 wins out of that lot of games, especially with Coons coming back. Get to 6-8 with 8 weeks to go, and anything can happen.

If you didn't see the game here's a summary.
We were appalling and played with no heart or skill or thought.
We will lose to every team in the competition for the rest of the year if we keep playing like that. Murphy, Wood and Picken tried. But there was just never anyone to kick it to? Except swarms of geelong players. As for the last quarter, I think I saw some Geelong players actually drinking Martinis and chatting on the wing. Some were even smoking I think.

[LostDoggy]

Thank god match commitee didn't take notice of SOME people on this board .... OTHERWISE Gia wouldn't have played today and what would the score look like without his 5 goals, he bleeds Red White & Blue and still some will find reason to bag him.:mad:

Yes, I,ll put my hand up and say I,ve been a critic of Gia , particularly last week with his lack of defensive pressure but against Geelong you had to dip your lid , he at least showed some pride in the jumper

.

[Maddog37]

Gia is really stepping up the last few weeks. Certainly showing some of that leadership we have heard about from inside the club. Good on him.

Playing for is career?

[Grantysghost]

Thank god match commitee didn't take notice of SOME people on this board .... OTHERWISE Gia wouldn't have played today and what would the score look like without his 5 goals, he bleeds Red White & Blue and still some will find reason to bag him.:mad:

So true. It seems Boyd has taken over the mantle as enemy # 1 with the haters.

[Desipura]

Thank god match commitee didn't take notice of SOME people on this board .... OTHERWISE Gia wouldn't have played today and what would the score look like without his 5 goals, he bleeds Red White & Blue and still some will find reason to bag him.:mad:

Get over yourself old scragger, he was our best by a mile. He won't be part of our next premiership team, that's a sad fact!

[LostDoggy]

Get over yourself old scragger, he was our best by a mile. He won't be part of our next premiership team, that's a sad fact!

We should just delist him and half the side then.

[GVGjr]

Get over yourself old scragger, he was our best by a mile. He won't be part of our next premiership team, that's a sad fact!

As Chops pointed out, if we use that as the justification for team selection then there is a strong chance a fair portion of the list won't be around then. I'm about playing the players with form and spirit regardless of their age and on those levels Giansiracusa deserves games.

Calls to drop him, especially using the "he won't be part of a flag argument", are just flat out wrong.

[SonofScray]

Credit where it is due, he has been having an impact on the scoreboard and holding some strong marks inside 50 to finish the rare good work coming in from the midfield and half forward line. Which IMO is the aspect of his game that had dropped away a fair bit recently.

Certainly he has shaken the suggestion that he is front runner over the past few weeks, surely?

[Rocco Jones]

Credit where it is due, he has been having an impact on the scoreboard and holding some strong marks inside 50 to finish the rare good work coming in from the midfield and half forward line. Which IMO is the aspect of his game that had dropped away a fair bit recently.

Certainly he has shaken the suggestion that he is front runner over the past few weeks, surely?

Totally agree with you mate.

I have been pleasantly surprised by how Gia has stood up in the last few weeks.

[LostDoggy]

Thank god match commitee didn't take notice of SOME people on this board .... OTHERWISE Gia wouldn't have played today and what would the score look like without his 5 goals, he bleeds Red White & Blue and still some will find reason to bag him.:mad:
You would think even if some feel their bagging of Gia is warranted they could come out and give praise when praise is due. All I can say is thank god he played yesterday. This soft tag really makes me mad, the Gia I see is not SOFT. I wonder how many that bag him only see it on tv, when you go to the game while you miss some things, you see a lot that you do not see on tv.

[LongWait]

I'll put my hand up as one who is no fan of Gia's but he was bloody good yesterday. More performances like that will win me over permanently.

[Desipura]

As Chops pointed out, if we use that as the justification for team selection then there is a strong chance a fair portion of the list won't be around then. I'm about playing the players with form and spirit regardless of their age and on those levels Giansiracusa deserves games.

Calls to drop him, especially using the "he won't be part of a flag argument", are just flat out wrong.

I never said that, you put 2 and 2 together and got 5.
If these so called leaders were able to produce in big finals, we may have had a 2nd premiership, they didn't and therein lies the problem. We need leaders who thrive on the big stage not go in their shells.
Unfortunately Gia is one of those leaders, a number of players need to move on at years end. If Gia is one that form warrants he stays at years end, then so be it.
Either way there has to be a changing of the guard, a rebuild at the top end.

[GVGjr]

I never said that, you put 2 and 2 together and got 5.
If these so called leaders were able to produce in big finals, we may have had a 2nd premiership, they didn't and therein lies the problem. We need leaders who thrive on the big stage not go in their shells.
Unfortunately Gia is one of those leaders, a number of players need to move on at years end.

It's a game day thread so it reflects yesterdays game and Giansiracusa was a fine player which you acknowledged.

We need to be more clinical about our list management and given our season so far Giansiracusa, like all the other over 30's, will be reviewed at the seasons end.
That being said, if he has a contract into 2012 then I think it will be honored.

[G-Mo77]

We need to be more clinical about our list management and given our season so far Giansiracusa, like all the other over 30's, will be reviewed at the seasons end.
That being said, if he has a contract into 2012 then I think it will be honored.

What is the contract situation with the older players. Lake has 2 years left, Hall is out of contract after this year. That's all I know. :o

[LostDoggy]

I never said that, you put 2 and 2 together and got 5.
If these so called leaders were able to produce in big finals, we may have had a 2nd premiership, they didn't and therein lies the problem. We need leaders who thrive on the big stage not go in their shells.

Yes we should have delisted Gia after the Swans final last year because he was no good in that game:rolleyes:

[Jasper]

Yes we should have delisted Gia after the Swans final last year because he was no good in that game:rolleyes:

Mate go back a game, have a look at Gia being pushed off the ball near the boundary against the Pies. If you were there you would have heard the sigh that went through the crowd, it was a defining moment and Gia fell over - again.

But yes he played well in a 61 point thrashing well done Gia. And frankly he has always been a good H & A player. A good servant of the club. Just not a big game player.

[chef]

I never said that, you put 2 and 2 together and got 5.
If these so called leaders were able to produce in big finals, we may have had a 2nd premiership, they didn't and therein lies the problem. We need leaders who thrive on the big stage not go in their shells.
Unfortunately Gia is one of those leaders, a number of players need to move on at years end. If Gia is one that form warrants he stays at years end, then so be it.
Either way there has to be a changing of the guard, a rebuild at the top end.

This^^

[LostDoggy]

I never said that, you put 2 and 2 together and got 5.
If these so called leaders were able to produce in big finals, we may have had a 2nd premiership, they didn't and therein lies the problem. We need leaders who thrive on the big stage not go in their shells.
Unfortunately Gia is one of those leaders, a number of players need to move on at years end. If Gia is one that form warrants he stays at years end, then so be it.
Either way there has to be a changing of the guard, a rebuild at the top end.

His form always warrants it, if you look back on his history he hasn't dropped off statistically at all.

Last year was his best year for tackles per game, i think he will be there next year & i think he deserves it.

[LostDoggy]

Mate go back a game, have a look at Gia being pushed off the ball near the boundary against the Pies. If you were there you would have heard the sigh that went through the crowd, it was a defining moment and Gia fell over - again.

But yes he played well in a 61 point thrashing well done Gia. And frankly he has always been a good H & A player. A good servant of the club. Just not a big game player.

Not sure what you are talking about. Gia was accused of not playing well in finals which I pointed out is incorrect. Ward hardily touched the ball in number of finals as well but he doesn't get half the grief Gia does.

[Ghost Dog]

As Chops pointed out, if we use that as the justification for team selection then there is a strong chance a fair portion of the list won't be around then. I'm about playing the players with form and spirit regardless of their age and on those levels Giansiracusa deserves games.

Calls to drop him, especially using the "he won't be part of a flag argument", are just flat out wrong.

Form, spirit, but how about teamwork ?
just so many turnovers displays a real lack of confidence in each other.
F 50 entry is the yellow canary in the mineshaft of any team.

[Drunken Bum]

I don't think Gia should be dropped and is easily in our best 18, calls to drop him now and/or trade him at the end of the year are ridiculous i think.
Having said that i suspect that Gia would have missed at least a cpl of the goals he kicked yesterday if the game had of been close/on the line.
I'm not saying he is soft or anything, he goes when he has to go as far as i am concerned, i just think he is suspect around goals in pressure situations.

[Desipura]

Mate go back a game, have a look at Gia being pushed off the ball near the boundary against the Pies. If you were there you would have heard the sigh that went through the crowd, it was a defining moment and Gia fell over - again.

But yes he played well in a 61 point thrashing well done Gia. And frankly he has always been a good H & A player. A good servant of the club. Just not a big game player.
Well said Kelvinator, agree wholeheartedly. Collingwood has overtaken us and many other sides in the league.
If we continue to do the same things (have faith in the same personnel), we will get the same results (or worse in our case this season)

[Desipura]

His form always warrants it, if you look back on his history he hasn't dropped off statistically at all.

Last year was his best year for tackles per game, i think he will be there next year & i think he deserves it.
You may be proven correct. I will say he is one of a few older players that still looks like he wants to play the game.
Guys like Gilbee, Hudson and Hargrave appear to have lost that appetite, maybe its beyond them.

[chef]

I don't think Gia should be dropped and is easily in our best 18, calls to drop him now and/or trade him at the end of the year are ridiculous i think.
Having said that i suspect that Gia would have missed at least a cpl of the goals he kicked yesterday if the game had of been close/on the line.
I'm not saying he is soft or anything, he goes when he has to go as far as i am concerned, i just think he is suspect around goals in pressure situations.

Yet he's about our only forward who can create these opportunities(which is half the battle).

[LostDoggy]

The most demoralising thing about all this is the fact that Gold Coast could comlpetely shut West Coast down for 3 and a half quarters. Whereas we were helpless.

Yes Rocket we are playing Kids and have a completely different side to this time last year, but i'm sorry if Gold Coast can apply themselves and act as an effective defensive unit then any team should be able too.

Massive mental issues.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

HUGE mental issues. You can see it in their eyes and body language. Surely Rocket can see it. There may be more going on than what we are being told as i am at a complete loss as to how a club can fall from grace so quickly and with no apparent desire to do anything about it. I think we are in danger of losing to GC in 2 weeks if we cannot come out and beat the saints and crows. A bit sad considering we were a half within the GF last year. What on earth has happened to this club?

[bornadog]

HUGE mental issues. You can see it in their eyes and body language. Surely Rocket can see it. There may be more going on than what we are being told as i am at a complete loss as to how a club can fall from grace so quickly and with no apparent desire to do anything about it. I think we are in danger of losing to GC in 2 weeks if we cannot come out and beat the saints and crows. A bit sad considering we were a half within the GF last year. What on earth has happened to this club?

Do you seriously think that. If this is true then the club should sack the entire football department, NOW.

[Ozza]

The group has no confidence at the moment. And when a team has no confidence, they stop playing as a team - and blokes go into their shells, or you could call it going into survival mode out there on the field. With no confidence, guys lose focus, make strange decisions with the ball, and even your attack on the footy drops off when the confidence goes.

When that happens - they are no longer playing as one unit. There's a handful of guys busting their arses to adhere to the plans and structures at the moment - but it needs to be the whole team pulling in the same direction to get back to playing any sort of decent footy.

[bornadog]

The group has no confidence at the moment. And when a team has no confidence, they stop playing as a team - and blokes go into their shells, or you could call it going into survival mode out there on the field. With no confidence, guys lose focus, make strange decisions with the ball, and even your attack on the footy drops off when the confidence goes.

When that happens - they are no longer playing as one unit. There's a handful of guys busting their arses to adhere to the plans and structures at the moment - but it needs to be the whole team pulling in the same direction to get back to playing any sort of decent footy.

You hit the nail on the head, team being the operative word, not individuals.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Do you seriously think that. If this is true then the club should sack the entire football department, NOW.

it just looks to be that way atm. Obviously it is not but nothing has changed at all this season. Its still the same old isues of no defensive pressure, no accountability and no intensity. Its the same core 5 or 6 players who put in the effort but outside of that nothing has changed and the big issues of last season have either not been addressed or haven't been fixed. What were they doing in the offseason?