On top of that Carlisle has gone forward against us and has caused match-up issues. Marshall is handy up forward as well
If it was up to me Young and/or Trengove would be right in the mix
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As much as I agree, there is some silver lining;
1 - The way our midfield was categorically destroyed by GWS and Collingwood in the last two games, there isn't a defensive group in the league that could withstand that onslaught. Do I rate our back 6? No - it's not in the top 10, but in these two games our mids were slaughtered. I'm concerned it's happened in two big games - is our midfield mix right? We know we have one of the best midfields in the comp, but what's missing? Maybe they are two 'off' games which are unfortunately so close to one another and that as our group matures, it won't happen again.
2 - Trengove actually changes the set-up of our back six for the better. I don't really 'rate' him, but for now he needs to play most weeks. He allows others to play their natural intercept game (i.e. Keath and Wood/Young) and he isn't interested in getting 15+ disposals per game, as all our other defenders are. Long term we need some different options (I also don't rate Cordy), but short term he does balance our back 6 and - if needed - can play minutes in the ruck.
I'm hoping our coaching group never repeat the lineups v GWS and Collingwood ever again.
If Naughton doesn't play, I'd go in with:
OUT: Naughton, Gardner, Dale, Hunter
IN: Trengove, Schache, Richards, Lipinski
B: Crozier Trengove Wood
HB: JJ Keath Young
C: Richards Dunkley Smith
HF: Lipinski Schache Lloyd
FF: Cavarra Bruce Wallis
R: English Bont Macrae
I: Williams, Daniel, Suckling, Cordy (but would prefer Lachie Young here)
Cordy to give Schache & Bruce a chop out up forward, and only plays in defence as a break in case of emergency option if Saints load up the forward to stretch us at times.
Still major concerns about our defence, but it's better with Trengove in it and he also gives us ruck relief.
Our forward line is treacle slow with the exception of Cavarra and there isn't much tackling prowess. Would really like to see West & Weightman emerge as genuine options because our offensive group needs a big spark.
I'm with you on that. I'd like to see our midfield streaming forward and kicking/setting up goals more often. The way they did they in the Essendon game. Midfielders don't grow up thinking "Bewdy. I'm really want to be an AFL footballer and spend all my time blocking and chasing the opposition down the whole game." Sure you have to be accountable but sometimes it's fun to make your opponents worry about you and show off your tricks.
I worry that our guys get less opportunity to do that than they would at other clubs.
A shorter version
Aaron Naughton is in doubt for round two after joining the rehab group when Western Bulldogs players returned to training this week ahead of the AFL season restart.
The rising star played in round one in March but he’s still sore, with the Dogs cautious due to his history of knee injuries.
The 20-year-old key forward suffered a left knee injury in last September’s elimination final defeat to GWS.
While he recovered from that lateral ligament problem to train in the pre-season, Naughton underwent an arthroscope on his right knee in February.
The Bulldogs are hopeful he will prove his fitness for round two - against an opponent to be named in the coming days - but there are no guarantees.
In better news, Tom Liberatore is a chance to play after he missed the opening game of the season.
But, as with Naughton, the club will take a cautious approach given the premiership midfielder’s wretched history with knee injuries.
Move Cordy to Naughty's spot, put Naughty in Cordy's spot when he returns...
Bulldogs for premiers.