Always Right Match Committee Thread Round 11, Vs West Coast Eagles

[Rocket Science]

What is going on?

It's a very pertinent question.

Richards, Williams and Lewy Young in particular all scream WT-actual-F. McLean's mysteriously plateaued. Dale's treading water, backwards despite having a skill set we're dying for. Lynch has seemingly fallen off a cliff. And we'll all be watching the 2019 travails of Lipinski, Greene and Webb with considerable trepidation in 2019.

Hardly the makings of a 'factory'.

Thank god the raw natural talent of Naughton and Smith has seen them through.

[Danjul]

McLean is playing a completely different role this year

With half as many possessions (contributions) it’s easy to say I preferred his old role.

And why did he need a new role when he was playing great football?

last year he had over 500 possessions, just behind Macrae and Hunter.

[Bullies]

McLean had 14 touches, less than any game last year.

Play McLean on a wing. He knows how to get and use the ball. He is not getting a good run at it on the forward line (no one could with our delivery). If they can't get him in the middle then wing is next best with Hunter on the other one.

[bornadog]

Play McLean on a wing. He knows how to get and use the ball. He is not getting a good run at it on the forward line (no one could with our delivery). If they can't get him in the middle then wing is next best with Hunter on the other one.

We are second in the AFL for marks inside 50.

[G-Mo77]

Hahaa fair indictment on Schache.

And our list management in general.

Obviously that was the guy they wanted and who Bevo talked about in the press conference but what if someone else snapped him up. What then? I'm not fussed about him walking up to start at AFL level. He's been playing VFL for us and probably out performing our listed players so why not give him a go? That being said it shows how horribly poor our list management was in the off-season. The Tom Boyd retirement wasn't something out of left field, they would have known his situation and the chances of being without him for a long period time at the very least. Why didn't we target this area on our list earlier? We continuously be reactive in our decisions and we'll continue to be a step behind the rest if we keep the same path. Dalrymple for the Swans was questioned on why select another ruck man in the mid season draft and answered it perfectly. It was along the lines of one of their rucks was on the LTI with a knee and weren't certain on recovery and the player selected was talented enough and physically ready now so he's a long term project if ruck stocks are healthy but can jump in if something doesn't go the way it should. Proactive list management.

[Mofra]

Play McLean on a wing. He knows how to get and use the ball. He is not getting a good run at it on the forward line (no one could with our delivery). If they can't get him in the middle then wing is next best with Hunter on the other one.

I mentioned this last week, was a little disappointed that Bailey Dale was given the opposite wing more often than not.

McLean is surprisingly good overhead which helps our transition out of the backline, I'd back him over most opponents of similar height.

[Axe Man]

So we know Crozier and Wallis out and Gardner in.

My guess is no further outs (unless there is another mystery injury) and Dickson in.

[kruder]

So we know Crozier and Wallis out and Gardner in.

My guess is no further outs (unless there is another mystery injury) and Dickson in.

Yeah I think your right. West is a chance but I'm not sure you wanna debut 2 young players again. Richards could be lucky again.

[AutoFill]

Agree. Why?? Was he doing too well?. But that seems to be the way. If your amongst our best midfielders, you play forward, best intercept mark, let’s run you up forward too. Selection since 2017 has been an absolute mystery

[bornadog]

Agree. Why?? Was he doing too well?. But that seems to be the way. If your amongst our best midfielders, you play forward, best intercept mark, let’s run you up forward too. Selection since 2017 has been an absolute mystery

Welcome with your first post.

Can you please explain which players you are talking about. - cheers

[boydogs]

Welcome with your first post.

Can you please explain which players you are talking about. - cheers

Going to guess McLean & Naughton, in response to this post at the bottom of the previous page

McLean is playing a completely different role this year

[Mofra]

So we know Crozier and Wallis out and Gardner in.

My guess is no further outs (unless there is another mystery injury) and Dickson in.

I'd guess the same - 3 goals at VFL level and mature enough to play on Hurn to try and nullify him.

[bornadog]

Press Conference:


LB: Always romantic when guys persevere & get their opportunity. The combination of what Ryan’s learnt in Geelong & here will have him ready for both ends.


LB: We need to make sure we get the upper hand as early as possible against West Coast to give ourselves the best opportunity.


LB: Mitch has got some stress in the lower leg & it’s popped up, we’ll be conservative & make sure we can reintroduce him in the back end of the year.


LB: Tory will come to Perth with us and may be in the 22. Croz will miss, so will Wally. There may be one or two others.


LB: Dale Morris will be back with us soon after the bye. Trained on Tuesday, did most of the ball work. It’s really promising, we’ll definitely bring him back through Footscray then and get his match fitness up.


LB: It’s a huge challenge, best thing is we gave ourselves a good account of ourselves against Fremantle last time. We understand how strong WCE are & we’ll chip away at some of their vulnerabilities

[Axe Man]

Debut mystery: New Dog's role against Eagles kept under wraps

EARLY confirmation of a debut for Ryan Gardner has not drawn Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge into revealing which end of the ground the key position player will line up against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Selected in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft from Footscray on Monday and declared a certain member of the senior side less than 24 hours later, Gardner was lauded by his coach for his refusal to give up on playing at AFL level.

"Yeah, they're always romantic stories when the guys persevere and get another chance. As he's (Gardner) been talking publicly, he's capable at both ends of the ground and we've used him there during the VFL season this year," Beveridge said on Thursday.

The 21-year-old could be thrust into defence as a taller replacement for Hayden Crozier, who is set to miss 2-3 weeks with a toe injury, as the imposing task of stopping the Eagles' forward line awaits the travelling Bulldogs. Beveridge kept his cards close to his chest.

"Obviously he's been schooled a little bit at Geelong and so the combination of what he's learnt there and what he's got here will prepare him for both ends. Rather not declare where he'll start, but he obviously won't be in the ruck," Beveridge said.

The inclusion of 197cm Gardner doesn't bode well for other tall options Lewis Young or Josh Schache, but their coach insists the call doesn't rule them out of contention this week.

"I talk to those lads every week and they've seen what Ryan is capable of at VFL level. Over the last couple of weeks Ryan has played different roles for us, some lockdown roles, and it probably doesn't look that great on the stat sheet at times. His early form forward was terrific," Beveridge said.

"He (Schache) played pretty well last week and so he's under consideration to come back in anyway, so it's not like I've had to say to Josh, ‘hey bad luck, it's Ryan not you’. Hopefully he trains well today."

Speculation emerged this week surrounding the Bulldogs’ interest in Hawthorn midfielder Isaac Smith and Gold Coast forward Jack Martin in the trade period, moves the coach has little inclination to confirm or deny during the season.

"I got asked a question at the end of last week's game due to the fact that 'Boydy' is not with us anymore and obviously 'Picko' has retired as well."

"There is an opening there (and) would we be focusing on the possibility of picking up a key position player… and we did. But that's the only reason I was talking about list management, because I got asked a question.

"So out of respect for our players and opposition players at other clubs between now and when we get to trade at the end of the year, I won't be talking about individuals."

Veteran forward Tory Dickson kicked three goals in the VFL last week and will be in the squad on the plane to Perth.

Beveridge acknowledged the trip is arguably the toughest in the AFL, while remaining upbeat of an upset against the reigning premiers.

"They've (West Coast) been beaten three times, you look at the reasons why. No team is infallible and at our best we've shown we're not a bad team."

[bornadog]

Based on the above article, Schache in