Wounded Dogs forced to shuffle

[The Coon Dog]

Emma Quayle - The Age - 29 April

THE Western Bulldogs have called on Will Minson for the first time this year and will ask Liam Jones to provide the ''physical presence'' in their forward line after losing Barry Hall to an ankle injury and Shaun Higgins and Ben Hudson to general soreness ahead of their clash with Collingwood on Sunday.

The Bulldogs were unable to recall Daniel Giansiracusa and may lose defender Tom Williams, who was subbed out of Monday night's game against Fremantle at three-quarter-time after suffering back spasms.

Article in full...

[Ghost Dog]

Well " The Rocket" ( poster )
you got your wish. Liam Jones is our KF in a game V the Pies.
Doesn't get much bigger than that. Going to cut his teeth on this one for sure!

[Cyberdoggie]

Well " The Rocket" ( poster )
you got your wish. Liam Jones is our KF in a game V the Pies.
Doesn't get much bigger than that. Going to cut his teeth on this one for sure!

Maxwell and co will tear him a new one.

[Desipura]

Maxwell and co will tear him a new one.

He cant be expected to dominate, Hall would struggle as a lone hand as well. It needs to be a team effort.

All the forwards need to attack the ball carrier and force him to handball to a teammate, and not be allowed to run free unattended, it requires a very defensive mindset.

In Jones & Addison we have 2 players that can apply that forward pressure. Sherman & Grant have pace to worry them. I would be tempted to play Lake forward as well.
Play Roughy on Brown, Markovic on Dawes and Williams on Cloke. Nothing to lose....

[LostDoggy]

He can be expected to dominate, Hall would struggle as a lone hand as well. It needs to be a team effort.

All the forwards need to attack the ball carrier and force him to handball to a teammate, and not be allowed to run free unattended, it requires a very defensive mindset.

In Jones & Addison we have 2 players that can apply that forward pressure. Sherman & Grant have pace to worry them. I would be tempted to play Lake forward as well.
Play Roughy on Brown, Markovic on Dawes and Williams on Cloke. Nothing to lose....

Yes there is — 4 points.

[Ozza]

He can be expected to dominate, Hall would struggle as a lone hand as well. It needs to be a team effort.

All the forwards need to attack the ball carrier and force him to handball to a teammate, and not be allowed to run free unattended, it requires a very defensive mindset.

In Jones & Addison we have 2 players that can apply that forward pressure. Sherman & Grant have pace to worry them. I would be tempted to play Lake forward as well.
Play Roughy on Brown, Markovic on Dawes and Williams on Cloke. Nothing to lose....

Jones is pretty reactive in his pressure, and Addison is slow as treacle...I'm not sure we should be hanging our hats on these two as lifting the forward defensive game. Particularly when they aren't likely to get much of the ball themselves.

I am glad that Jones is playing - he will continue to benefit from being given games.

[Desipura]

Yes there is — 4 points.

I will simplify it..........we are not expected to win and with a number of players out, our chances are slimmer, therefore we having nothing to lose.

[Desipura]

Jones is pretty reactive in his pressure, and Addison is slow as treacle...I'm not sure we should be hanging our hats on these two as lifting the forward defensive game. Particularly when they aren't likely to get much of the ball themselves.

I am glad that Jones is playing - he will continue to benefit from being given games.

I do agree with your summation of Addison & Jones however I think their defensive game is stronger than Hall & Higgins and even though they do not get alot of the ball as you say.
Against Collingwood especially, its important that their opponents dont get alot of it. I think these 2 are a better chance of ensuring that this does not happen.

[Ozza]

I do agree with your summation of Addison & Jones however I think their defensive game is stronger than Hall & Higgins and even though they do not get alot of the ball as you say.
Against Collingwood especially, its important that their opponents dont get alot of it. I think these 2 are a better chance of ensuring that this does not happen.

Thats fair enough - they probably are better defensively than Hall and Higgins.
There is obviously some give and take there - that Higgins and Hall have a bigger focus on getting the ball. Hopefully Addison can find it at least 14 or 15 times himself and get on the scoreboard if he is forward.

Nothing would make me happier than Jones taking a couple of nice grabs and kicking 3 or 4 - that could elevate his game for the rest of the season - but it will be very very hard for him on Sunday.

[LostDoggy]

He cant be expected to dominate, Hall would struggle as a lone hand as well. It needs to be a team effort.

All the forwards need to attack the ball carrier and force him to handball to a teammate, and not be allowed to run free unattended, it requires a very defensive mindset.

In Jones & Addison we have 2 players that can apply that forward pressure. Sherman & Grant have pace to worry them. I would be tempted to play Lake forward as well.
Play Roughy on Brown, Markovic on Dawes and Williams on Cloke. Nothing to lose....

And we will need goals from the midfield and backmen. Back to double digit numbers on the goal scoring list.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Jones is pretty reactive in his pressure.

I'm not sure I follow Ozza, are you saying he should chasing, and tackling even if we have the ball?

Isn't all pressure reactive?

[Ozza]

I'm not sure I follow Ozza, are you saying he should chasing, and tackling even if we have the ball?

Isn't all pressure reactive?

No, all pressure isn't reactive - an element of pressure (particularly in today's footy of 'forward press' etc) is your positioning when the opposition have the ball, and closing down potential targets.

Essendon were extremely good at this against us in round one. Collingwood are the yardstick.

The best pressure is when players look up - have no clear options and have to bomb the ball....thats what Collingwood (and now Essendon) thrive on.

[Mantis]

No, all pressure isn't reactive - an element of pressure (particularly in today's footy of 'forward press' etc) is your positioning when the opposition have the ball, and closing down potential targets.

It's also having the ability to predict where the ball is about to head and start moving in that direction.

Liam watches the play unfold and as you say reacts then.