Bulldogs Ballarat Practice Match.... Your thoughts.

[Jeanette54]

Your thoughts on the players performance and team progress ?

[Jeanette54]

Liam Jones has already answered any questions regarding whether his time away from football has effected his performance. His total commitment to the contest and defensive skills are very much still there.

I find it fascinating watching the individual duels between our established players, for example Adz vs Bailey Smith, or Tim English vs Rory Lobb. Tim has shown a more aggressive side to his game and is making a physical impact in the ruck contest and following up at ground level.

Josh Bruce has done some good things down back, and Alex Keath is running back into form.

Several players have shown glimpses of good form, but nobody has been a consistent winner throughout the match. Cody Raak and Arthur Jones have made an impact at various times too.

[AutoFill]

Looks like Jones and Bruce are setting themselves up as our 1st round key defenders. Early days though.

[kruder]

Anthony Scott>>>>>>>>>>>> Oskar Baker at this stage for mine.

[josie]

Of the fringe players I think Cleary & Buku & Scott helped their pick me causes.

[chef]

Looks like Jones and Bruce are setting themselves up as our 1st round key defenders. Early days though.

Yeah nah, cant see Bruce starting ahead of Gardner or Keath.

[Testekill]

Cleary, Buku and Scott are the fringe players that stuck their hands up for me. Artie Jones was also pretty good, will be looking forward to him getting an audition in the scratch game next week.

The three towers in Naughton, Lobb and Marra are looking dangerous. Build more chemistry so they stay out of each others way and watch out.

[SonofScray]

I missed the 3rd qtr.

Pleased by a range of performances, I thought the tightness of the contest can be read as promising for where the list is at and still have some concerns about the momentum swings and the role English has when they are happening.

Jones and Lobb looked like they will give us what we are expecting. They are going to be really important.

JUH and Bont played with an air of confidence and physicality that I thought really points to their talent and capacity to absolutely put the team on their backs.

Jones might give us something if he can slide in to VDM slot in the team. Front and square of the big fellas, slick hands down low. Quick release by foot.

[kruder]

Yeah nah, cant see Bruce starting ahead of Gardner or Keath.

The training reports have been spot on, Bruce is scary with the ball in hand its going tot take some time agree.

[jazzadogs]

Didn't watch siren to siren, so probably missed or misinterpreted things, but:

- I thought the Naughton, Lobb, Marra forward combo worked well. Loved seeing Marra higher up the ground and he surprised me with his ability to stay involved and get to contests. I'm not sure how Buku or Darcy fit in that mix.

- Liam Jones was great. No worries about him.

-Williams and Scott clear first choice wings. I had built up some solid expectations of Baker based on pre season reports and he didn't meet them.

- surprised to see Crozier in the AFL defence, but thought he performed well. Richards and Dale were both at their usual level. Didn't notice Duryea, would have been great to have Cody playing to get a feel for where they're at.

- Goater and Poulter both impressed me.

- Sweet has definitely progressed. When English cops an injury, I'll be happy for sweet to cover. Interesting we also used Khamis in the ruck.

[Bullies]

Did Ryan Gardner get injured? Any updates?

[DISHLICKERS]

Regarding Gardner he did get injured but nothing serious it seems as he came back on the ground

[DISHLICKERS]

For those at the game or watched it from the streaming service how did you see English and his ruck/tap work against Sweet and others.

I’m hoping it’s one area he could address in the off season as I think it was an issue season 22

[meenies]

IMGP3357.jpg

From todays match.
Not sure if I am uploading the image correctly. If only see a thumbnail, click on image to enlarge.

[Hotdog60]

I thought it was nearly 50/50 between Sweet and English and may be give Tim a sight advantage.
Sweet is more your old style ruck which is the problem in todays game.
What I was happy to see was Marra getting more involve and his tank seems to have improved.