Not sure where to post this but here seems as good a place as any:
TERRY WALLACE’S DEEP DIVE INTO THE BULLDOGS’ WORRYING PATTERNS
Terry Wallace has taken a deep dive into some worrying trends at Western Bulldogs over a 15-game stretch.
The Bulldogs could be outside the top eight by the end of the weekend after they were comprehensively beaten by reigning premiers Richmond to the tune of 41 points on Wednesday night.
peaking on SEN’s The Match Committee, Wallace assessed the manner in which the Dogs have been beaten in recent times and the question marks over their adaptability against well-structured sides.
“There is an absolute pattern occurring, in a matter of fact, it’s occurred for longer than that (this season),” the former Bulldogs coach said.
“In their last 15 games that they’ve played only one game, which was last weekend in the wet and slippery conditions against the Gold Coast, only one game has been decided by less than 24 points.
“They’ve either won every game by four-plus goals or they’ve been beaten every game by four-plus goals in 15 games.
“Who have they beaten this season? They’ve beaten 10th, 12th, 14th and 17th with one win against a top eight side in Essendon. They have beaten sides who are either immature or that lack real genuine organisation and cohesion.
“This is their losing margins this year: 52 (points), 39, 52, 41 – they’ve been belted when they’ve got beaten. So that’s against Collingwood (ninth), St Kilda (fifth), Carlton (11th) and Richmond (3rd).
“What are those sides to me? Most of them are good sides but what they are is they are disciplined and organised in their game structures and game plans.
“The young sides and the lack of organisation sides the Doggies are beating, the sides who work them out and figure them out, they don’t beat.
“When they get beaten, what beats them? It is absolutely clear what beats them – it’s sides who control the ball against the Bulldogs. Their inside 50 effectiveness drops from a win where it’s 49 per cent … to in a loss it’s 35 per cent. They are 14 per cent different if they are not allowed to play their own natural game.
“If they’re not allowed to play their natural game and the pressure comes back on them the other way, they fall apart.”
The Dogs have a quick turnaround before playing Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Monday night.
So are we the worst of the better teams or the best of the worst teams?
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
It's a pretty fair analysis by Plough, and one that many on here have previously noted over the last 18 months
I hope we can unlock the secret to reversing this clear trend. Otherwise we will be stuck in the middle-of-the-road and nowhere near contending.
"Look at me mate. Look at me. I'm flyin'"
I'm pretty sure I'm on my lonesome here but i think Schache fixes some of our forward line issues.
He doesn't get tangled up with Bruce for every entry, he makes repeated leads and can actually finish. Not a world beater by any stretch but imo makes us less predictable. Just don't play him in the wet
Schache perfectly compliments our forward line. He's exactly what we need along with a natural small forward. Problem with Schache is his efforts. If he'd just pull his finger out he'd have a permanent spot in the team on his ability. Hopefully it clicks for him soon otherwise what a waste.
He just constantly leads at the ball carrier, which means players upfield don't need to try and slow the game down to retain the ball.
He's no KPF but he does work hard and lead, lead, lead. He will have up and down games but right now he wouldn't be the worst forward we have if he gets a chance this week (I really believe he would have played last game except for concussion).
Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers
I don't think that's unreasonable. A lot of the malaise when we're playing poorly can be traced back to set up and intent between the arcs I think......noting it may only just seem that way because you can't see the whole ground on TV.
You're also right about the forward line, and it shows that without Lloyd or Dickson in the team, and with Dale putting in lackadaisical performances the mix we have is light on for quality forward craft and nous.
Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.
I don’t believe it’s the team showing up or not.
The trouble is every time they have played they have the same game plan with the same key players.
Last year Cordy (one of my favourite players) was killed with bigger key forwards repeatedly kicking personal bests. So where is the only place we play him. On a big key forward. Which his talent is wasted. Sure we have seen him slide along the ground to touch the ball on the goal line , but the game plan is only generating half of what he is capable of.
Now we are seeing The Bont and English and Bruce go the same way.
Time to base the game plan on football theory and not business management feel good sessions.
Hahaha, I was wondering why players arrive to training in smart casual and with their laptops.
Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.