2019 JLT Series - Match 2 Western Bulldogs v St Kilda

**Grantysghost** · 11-03-2019, 04:14 PM

Realistically I think we are tracking as expected in Bevo's evolution. Off season we lost some experience in Roughead, Dalhaus, Biggs, Redpath and whilst they weren't setting the world on fire I'm sure their influence and leadership around the team is going to leave a void.
My expectations were low on the back of what we brought in, of these I think Lloyd will be a very good pickup and Durea adds some experience and kicking skills . Smith obviously looks a talent.
So our performances so far haven't been far off what I expected tbh. Not enjoyable of course, but that's the reality.

**Ghost Dog** · 11-03-2019, 04:26 PM

Even when we won the flag our kicking skills were a bit edgy. Something that's been dragging us down for a while. Between the ears or skills coaching?

**bornadog** · 11-03-2019, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by GVGjr

But that is what focusing on skills is all about. Executing well under pressure and when Bevo first arriving it was about getting players to kick better with their opposite foot and this year apparently the focus was again on improving our overall skills.
I know it's a small sample size so far but I'm not sure we have made any improvements.

I believe the coach has concentrated on the skills at training, but match conditions are different. Maybe we just overate our players and their skills aren't good enough for AFL level.

**GVGjr** · 11-03-2019, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by bornadog

Schache missed some easy shots yesterday and could have had at least 4 goals. From what I saw he played pretty well, so I think he is a positive from the hitout.

Again I am not too fussed about the two practise matches, I think we did do alot of experimenting, but come round 1 we need to settle players in their right position.

The biggest unknown is will we play Trengove, English, Schache in our 22 - I think we should.

I can recall one missed shot, I'll have another look at the replay but he's typically a pretty good kick.

I don't think we have a choice in playing all 3.

**bornadog** · 11-03-2019, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by GVGjr

I can recall one missed shot, I'll have another look at the replay but he's typically a pretty good kick.

I don't think we have a choice in playing all 3.

Missed in the 3rd and one in the last, about 30 metres out

**Mantis** · 11-03-2019, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by mjp

I don't know. Saints had a season from hell last year and one thing they have that we don't is experience in their young key position players...they have a positive midfield group and I thought we did well to combat them. The side has copped a fair bit of criticism but has lost 2-games by a combined total of 3-goals and been pretty up and about in terms of effort and commitment around the contest. The handball game clearly seems to be 'back' although the players couldn't quite get the 'when to kick' balance right yesterday...but that will come.

St.Kilda's midfield is vanilla as it comes, especially when their most dynamic mid is in the stands and their KPP's are battlers too, especially when Carlisle isn't playing and McCartin plays 20min.

Whilst it's nice we were competitive, we've played 2 teams that most think will finish bottom 4, and whilst teams often surprise (think Nth last year) it's more likely than not that they're going to battle.

And by and large our effort & commitment has been pretty good over the last couple of years, amongst a few issues it's mainly been our inability to use the ball effectively that's held us back.. from the short sample we've seen so far it looks that little has changed in that area.

Bring on round 1.

**boydogs** · 11-03-2019, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by comrade

When we had only one active ruckman in the game and they were off, we opted to not even contest the ruck and just let the opposition have a free run at it. I think Trengove & English both have to play, and leave Schache forward 100% of the game.

Schache is the type you can play forward 100% of the time because he gets on his bike, unlike Liam Jones & Tom Boyd. The bigger issue is the effectiveness of the resting ruck

**kruder** · 11-03-2019, 11:20 PM

Two questions

What were people thinking when Naughton lined up in the forward line after being BOG in defence in JLT1?

What were people thinking after seeing Dunkley and co play second ruck once again?

**bornadog** · 11-03-2019, 11:26 PM