The Dog whisperer: Brendan McCartney

[LostDoggy]

The point is Gia has proven he is a very good player yet his name comes up constantly when posters want to bag a player.

I wonder why???

Maybe they are mistaking him for someone else?

[Topdog]

Your making big assumptions about what the coach wants to do with Gia and how he will perform to the coaches expectations.

The point is Gia has proven he is a very good player yet his name comes up constantly when posters want to bag a player.

And you are making even bigger assumptions about me. Our coach has emphasised defensive pressure. This is the main quality Gia lacks.

Where did I "want to bag a player"? Where did I "bag Gia"?

[bornadog]

And you are making even bigger assumptions about me. Our coach has emphasised defensive pressure. This is the main quality Gia lacks.

Where did I "want to bag a player"? Where did I "bag Gia"?

The trouble is every thread about players Gia's name comes up and it's worse than a broken record. Instead of focusing on a few players how about reading more in to what BMacc is talking about.

If the forward press is working effectively, you don't need super fast players in your forward line as the whole team is pressing forward and keeping the ball in. Gia is not the quickest player but he tries his guts out trying to tackle players, he doesn't just sit back. My reading of the new coach is the emphasis on team play and how individuals will fit into the team.

[Desipura]

The trouble is every thread about players Gia's name comes up and it's worse than a broken record. Instead of focusing on a few players how about reading more in to what BMacc is talking about.

If the forward press is working effectively, you don't need super fast players in your forward line as the whole team is pressing forward and keeping the ball in. Gia is not the quickest player but he tries his guts out trying to tackle players, he doesn't just sit back. My reading of the new coach is the emphasis on team play and how individuals will fit into the team.

I read the article differently and then all of a sudden you get precious about one of a number of players I mentioned.

[Mofra]

And you are making even bigger assumptions about me. Our coach has emphasised defensive pressure.

We only had 18 players last year average more than 2.5 tackles a game, and only 14 average 3 or more (2011 figures). That is not good enough.

Wallis & Libba both averaged more than 4 per game, so the young crop seem to understand what is required.

FWIW Higgins & Gia are 10th & 15th respectively on the ave stats - not the worst offenders on our list

[Topdog]

We only had 18 players last year average more than 2.5 tackles a game, and only 14 average 3 or more (2011 figures). That is not good enough.

Wallis & Libba both averaged more than 4 per game, so the young crop seem to understand what is required.

FWIW Higgins & Gia are 10th & 15th respectively on the ave stats - not the worst offenders on our list

The list of names underneath Gia on that average doesn't make good reading for him though.

And you are right it is not good enough from a teams perspective. I personally believe Gia will struggle from what I have heard early on from BMac.

Sorry if that offends but I have always stuck up for Gia and love him as a player.

Anyway these arguments always end the same, round and round in circles until I finally admit that everything at the Bulldogs is 100% rosy and we will win the next 8 premierships.

[Mofra]

And you are right it is not good enough from a teams perspective. I personally believe Gia will struggle from what I have heard early on from BMac.

I think his role may be redefined a little - I still rate his disposal in traffic as excellent. As fans, we often dwell on a player's shortcomings (in Gia's case, pace) but forget about some of their attributes.

Anyway these arguments always end the same, round and round in circles until I finally admit that everything at the Bulldogs is 100% rosy and we will win the next 8 premierships.

I think you're a better poster than to try and patronise anyone who disagrees with you, especially considering you've made good points on this thread alone.

[Ghost Dog]

Defending and critiquing players is all part of it. He has had a pretty good run with selection while at times being a bit patchy. Almost dropped last season when in other clubs, feel he would not have been given as much credit. each player now knows no more credit along the usual lines. People tend to get in a rhythm, Human nature is like this. We need others to get the best out of us. This is the advantage of fresh eyes at the club -

[LostDoggy]

Yep, BMac is talking the talk, and I sincerely hope that next year, we see that he is walking the walk and that the players are doing the same! Gotta keep thinking positive

[Topdog]

I think his role may be redefined a little - I still rate his disposal in traffic as excellent. As fans, we often dwell on a player's shortcomings (in Gia's case, pace) but forget about some of their attributes.


I think you're a better poster than to try and patronise anyone who disagrees with you, especially considering you've made good points on this thread alone.

Yeah in close he is excellent and I think a lot of people glossed over his work in the midfield for us, I think we could have used him there this year.

Possibly but I don't like being attacked for no reason (not you and the comment wasn't aimed at you) and am working off very little sleep.

[boydogs]

And you are right it is not good enough from a teams perspective. I personally believe Gia will struggle from what I have heard early on from BMac.

If he's going to struggle under McCartney with the expectation of team attack & team defense, then really he was struggling already.

[Mofra]

Yeah in close he is excellent and I think a lot of people glossed over his work in the midfield for us, I think we could have used him there this year.

The issue here is his pace - if Boyd and Crossy are around the stoppages, I don't think we can accomodate Gia there as well. There was a mention of lookign at another inside mid - I think Gia could play this role, although that would mean we have effectively lost our two major goal kickers in a season as well as a heap of experience in the F50.

It will be very interesting to see how BMac structures the side over the pre-season and in the early rounds.

[Bulldog4life]

Yep, BMac is talking the talk, and I sincerely hope that next year, we see that he is walking the walk and that the players are doing the same! Gotta keep thinking positive

That's the key otherwise life becomes depressing. I hate being depressed.

[LostDoggy]

The issue here is his pace - if Boyd and Crossy are around the stoppages, I don't think we can accomodate Gia there as well. There was a mention of lookign at another inside mid - I think Gia could play this role, although that would mean we have effectively lost our two major goal kickers in a season as well as a heap of experience in the F50.

It will be very interesting to see how BMac structures the side over the pre-season and in the early rounds.

The first requirement of the midfield is to get the pill. Pace alone won't win you the ball. Who among Bartel, Kelly, Corey, Chapman or Sellwod is express? None of them and this is the engine room of the best side in the competition.

Get me blokes who can get their hands on the ball first. I don't really care if they win the sprint on Grand Final day.

[LostDoggy]

The first requirement of the midfield is to get the pill. Pace alone won't win you the ball. Who among Bartel, Kelly, Corey, Chapman or Sellwod is express? None of them and this is the engine room of the best side in the competition.

Get me blokes who can get their hands on the ball first. I don't really care if they win the sprint on Grand Final day.

This.

The only speed you need around the stoppage is speed of thought.

The key attribute of all the Cats players named is that they all make great decisions with and without the ball. I was going to say that they have 'good disposal', but I think this is a furphy -- 99% of players on an AFL list can kick and handball fine, it's their decision making under pressure that makes a disposal look good or bad.

Gia is an elite midfield player, and his 'limitations' won't be an issue whatsoever in there -- he also has a tank that goes all day. It's because he can play above his height and is also a genius goalpoacher that he gets used up forward, where his pace going the other way becomes an issue. I think he has one, two years MAX as a forward in this age of the forward press -- at least three, if not more, as a mid.