I can remember having a slate blackboard and writing on it with chalk. When it came time to rub out our work with a blackboard duster we'd leave all the ticks the teacher had marked on it.
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Well, that was pleasant and unpleasant, and then completely wild.
I thought it was going to fizz into one of those terrible Sunday afternoon at Docklands games where the umpires seem to have a massive influence over the result, and both teams take turns shooting themselves in the foot with the winner accidentally winning the game. It didn't turn out like that, but threatened to even at stages in the last quarter.
Will watch the replay and comment more, though immediate thougths:
- Would love to have reliable kicks like Kennedy and Darling playing for us. They kept WC in the game whilst we didn't convert
- We need to get a bit better at knowing when to go forward and when to handle the footy laterally. We make it too easy for defenders to drop back when playing around with it
- WC set up the ground really well all game, and when they started getting more footy around the contest it showed even more. They transition through the press really well, and use the system they perfected at Subiaco where they take the short kick you don't think they will and whooshka they then have run and depth to go over the back
- We have some genuine pace in the side with Smith, Vanders, McNeil and Scott with the latter two getting some valuable experience. Both should make way for others next week however special mention to McNeil in the last as he intercepted a handball and relied on instinct to run forward rather than not, and he used the ball perfectly to release Vanders for a great team goal and moment of the day
Go Dogs!
You got to love Vandermeer he just makes shit happen. His block for Hunter in the last was so good which enabled him to gather possession then he came back to the footy received from Hunter and hit Naughty on the chest.
That kid is Bulldog through and through.
You beauty! Just got home. who’d have thought goals from set shots from Bruce, Naughts and Bont in a row!
Go dogs!
Well that was a fun game. 2021 could be anything with this group.
At 3/4 time I said for us to win, Bont needed to go nuts.
He did, and I saw something I haven’t since 2016...guys who just found a way when things weren’t going right. They wouldn’t settle for an honourable loss with the usual caveats: if we’d kicked straight/picked the “right” players/etc etc..
We are on the right path. For what it meant for the group, and the narrative around our season, just about our most important (& thrilling) win since the premiership.
That win addressed something that has been a knock on the squad for a few years. We just haven’t handled those scenarios where the momentum swings and the opposition manages to get a bit of distance between us on the scoreboard. There was an emphatic swing against us in the 3rd and early in the last, but we got it back on our terms and did the business.
That’s a big tick, huge tick actually.
Liam Ryan is so good to watch, I love his ability in the air but also he's cool as a cucumber when the ball is on the ground or in open play etc. and he has to use it.
As an aside I sometimes have to take a bit of a step back and marvel at how crazy/ maniacal just about every big man in the league is at times in aerial contests.
What a day. Great to be back at the footy. Fantastic gutsy win. Thought we were gone a few times but three big set shots in the last quarter got us across the line when we could not hit the side of a barn all day.
Really telling that Bont, Bruce and Naughts all kicked multiple high pressure goals.
As much as we missed plenty of opportunities in the 2nd quarter especially, those 3 stood up when we needed a big goal.
If Naughton goes to the backline we lose that kick down the line to Naughton which he wins so often.
Great bloody win
Huge win. That can't be understated - massive win for the group.
Thought Treloar was important in the last, he and Bont had some game changing moments. Bont showed why it's Martin, him and then the rest.
Thought Vanders was crucial. He's such a dynamic, combative player. Absolutely love what he brings.
McNeil was a lot better, IMO he stays.
Stef was big in the last, Macrae just keeps going, Williams had some big wins, Gardiner was solid. Thought Keath was poor and didn't play tight enough, Daniel had a mare but it happens. Dunks and Libba were big work horses in the middle.
Loved Bruce's game, worked really hard and just looks so much fitter. He's had a really good start to the year. Naughty had a big game too and had a great second half.
Lots to be excited about, we have our flaws but we're a beautifully frustrating unfinished piece of art.