WOOF welcomes Joel Freijah to the Kennel

[kruder]

Got to love how he has developed in his first year, really liked how the club has settled him off HBF.

It's good timing considering JJ and Doc are closer to the end, obviously has the attributes to play wing also but what I liked last week is that he really wanted the ball in his hands.

[MrMahatma]

Go get em!!

Gonna dominate

[jeemak]

I hope he goes well but I feel like we're being given shiny things to distract us.

Or we might just be trying to change the team dynamic which is what our coach has literally said we're trying to do. But I guess it can be that and distraction at the same time.

[bulldogtragic]

Or we might just be trying to change the team dynamic which is what our coach has literally said we're trying to do. But I guess it can be that and distraction at the same time.

It?s also a pretty good line when defeats comes up?

Sure we?ve lost a few more games than we wanted. But the kids were knocking the door down in the VFL and we needed to reward form. Dsrcy & Gallagher got rising star nominations, Sanders impressed and we blooded Clarke & Freijah too. While getting games into players like Buku, Garcia & O?Donnell. Sure we haven?t won as many games as we would like, but you have to reward form at VFL. If we didn?t, you?d be criticising me for not playing kids in form. So which one is it?

[whythelongface]

It?s also a pretty good line when defeats comes up?

Sure we?ve lost a few more games than we wanted. But the kids were knocking the door down in the VFL and we needed to reward form. Dsrcy & Gallagher got rising star nominations, Sanders impressed and we blooded Clarke & Freijah too. While getting games into players like Buku, Garcia & O?Donnell. Sure we haven?t won as many games as we would like, but you have to reward form at VFL. If we didn?t, you?d be criticising me for not playing kids in form. So which one is it?

Absolutely and we also need to refresh and expose our young talent to the rigours of AFL to know what to expect. Clarke has had a taste, albeit one game, but now has an idea of what is expected. Similar to Sanders. Looking forward to seeing Buss next. There is some decent talent there to replace some of our older players. Whilst we may not make the eight let?s enjoy watching some of our younger guys have a crack. Kinda exciting. Looking forward to Freijah tonight given the great reports from some of our posters

[Smads57]

Re-reading a couple of my pre-season reports, I had Freijah in the 'will need at least 12 months in the VFL' category. He was played out on the wing in the intra club hitouts and looked a bit 'lost' and unable to get into the games. Upon reflection, it was likely he was simply a new recruit who was unknown by the other players and therefore ignored (unintentionally).

When he started training with the backline, he suddenly took on a totally different 'look' as he linked up nicely with that group.

Over the past few weeks in the VFL he has really upped the ante basically demanding the ball as a link up player through the middle of the ground.

When he started with the backline group he did struggle with the defensive side of things - he didn't seem that confident attempting an overhead mark in a pack, but his overhead marking recently has improved.

Looking forward to seeing how he adjusts to the next level in the AFL.

[EasternWest]

Re-reading a couple of my pre-season reports, I had Freijah in the 'will need at least 12 months in the VFL' category. He was played out on the wing in the intra club hitouts and looked a bit 'lost' and unable to get into the games. Upon reflection, it was likely he was simply a new recruit who was unknown by the other players and therefore ignored (unintentionally).

When he started training with the backline, he suddenly took on a totally different 'look' as he linked up nicely with that group.

Over the past few weeks in the VFL he has really upped the ante basically demanding the ball as a link up player through the middle of the ground.

When he started with the backline group he did struggle with the defensive side of things - he didn't seem that confident attempting an overhead mark in a pack, but his overhead marking recently has improved.

Looking forward to seeing how he adjusts to the next level in the AFL.

The rare self narc.

Thanks smads always like reading your thoughts.

[jazzadogs]

Interesting...that contest with Mansell at the start of the second definitely had the feel of a lack of confidence.

[ledge]

Interesting...that contest with Mansell at the start of the second definitely had the feel of a lack of confidence.

I wonder why , it’s not like he is playing his first game.

[Mofra]

Interesting...that contest with Mansell at the start of the second definitely had the feel of a lack of confidence.

Going to take him a couple of games to feel comfortable. I thought his ball use was quite good and he managed to position himself well. Not sure you can ask for much more from a kid in his first year getting an early season debut.

[Testekill]

17 touches at 82% DE, something to build on. Did look a little overawed early on but grew as the game went on

[GVGjr]

Going to take him a couple of games to feel comfortable. I thought his ball use was quite good and he managed to position himself well. Not sure you can ask for much more from a kid in his first year getting an early season debut.

He did well, I agree you couldn't ask for much more.

[jazzadogs]

I wonder why , it’s not like he is playing his first game.

Sorry I didn't quote Smads, but he specifically said that it was something Freijah had struggled with at VFL level initially but then built confidence.

I wasn't criticising him, I thought he played very well - it was more of a compliment of Smads observations!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Agree with the above, I think what I liked tonight is that he clearly has the ability to make it. Some you look at and you're unsure (Clarke), some are blatantly obvious (Darcy), but I saw enough to suggest he can be a player where we work to get the ball in his hands.

[bornadog]

Loved the way he moves and is a good size for an 18 year old