Footy isn't far away

[comrade]

Tim Membrey and Max King, with the resting ruck Paddy Ryder/Rowan Marshall.

Max King is too big for Keath, and Membrey is too strong for Cordy. Throw in a resting ruck and it's not a great match up for our defence (tbh there aren't many in the comp that are).

[GVGjr]

Max King is too big for Keath, and Membrey is too strong for Cordy. Throw in a resting ruck and it's not a great match up for our defence (tbh there aren't many in the comp that are).

On top of that Carlisle has gone forward against us and has caused match-up issues. Marshall is handy up forward as well

If it was up to me Young and/or Trengove would be right in the mix

[Twodogs]

Max King is too big for Keath, and Membrey is too strong for Cordy. Throw in a resting ruck and it's not a great match up for our defence (tbh there aren't many in the comp that are).

We really need our mids to defend and stop the quick ball into their forward 50. We have to give our defenders time to get back to cover and bring the ball to ground.


Gee it's great to have footy to talk about.

[comrade]

We really need our mids to defend and stop the quick ball into their forward 50. We have to give our defenders time to get back to cover and bring the ball to ground.


Gee it's great to have footy to talk about.

I wish we didn't have to completely rely on our midfield dominating to protect our defence.

[bornadog]

I wish we didn't have to completely rely on our midfield dominating to protect our defence.

But all teams do, that is the nature of the game these days.

[comrade]

But all teams do, that is the nature of the game these days.

Not to the extent ours need protecting.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I wish we didn't have to completely rely on our midfield dominating to protect our defence.

As much as I agree, there is some silver lining;

1 - The way our midfield was categorically destroyed by GWS and Collingwood in the last two games, there isn't a defensive group in the league that could withstand that onslaught. Do I rate our back 6? No - it's not in the top 10, but in these two games our mids were slaughtered. I'm concerned it's happened in two big games - is our midfield mix right? We know we have one of the best midfields in the comp, but what's missing? Maybe they are two 'off' games which are unfortunately so close to one another and that as our group matures, it won't happen again.

2 - Trengove actually changes the set-up of our back six for the better. I don't really 'rate' him, but for now he needs to play most weeks. He allows others to play their natural intercept game (i.e. Keath and Wood/Young) and he isn't interested in getting 15+ disposals per game, as all our other defenders are. Long term we need some different options (I also don't rate Cordy), but short term he does balance our back 6 and - if needed - can play minutes in the ruck.

I'm hoping our coaching group never repeat the lineups v GWS and Collingwood ever again.

[Twodogs]

I wish we didn't have to completely rely on our midfield dominating to protect our defence.

But all teams do, that is the nature of the game these days.

Not to the extent ours need protecting.

I'm with you on that. I'd like to see our midfield streaming forward and kicking/setting up goals more often. The way they did they in the Essendon game. Midfielders don't grow up thinking "Bewdy. I'm really want to be an AFL footballer and spend all my time blocking and chasing the opposition down the whole game." Sure you have to be accountable but sometimes it's fun to make your opponents worry about you and show off your tricks.

I worry that our guys get less opportunity to do that than they would at other clubs.