Always Right Match Committee Thread Round 20, Vs Brisbane

[BornInDroopSt'54]

ROUND 20 SQUAD

B: Taylor Duryea, Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd
F: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int (ext.): Matthew Suckling, Josh Schache, Rhylee West, Toby McLean, Ed Richards, Pat Lipinski, Bailey Williams, Jordon Sweet

In: Matt Suckling, Josh Schache, Toby McLean, Bailey Williams, Jordon Sweet
Out: Dale Morris (knee)

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Strong team, will be interesting who’s on the bench this week. We are settled and in for a fight this week. Let’s hope the boys are up for it.

My bench would be Schache, McClean, West and Suckling

[Bumper Bulldogs]

'Gabbatoir' could decide Dogs' finals fate

Plenty has changed since Jason Johannisen last played at the Gabba, where a resurgent Brisbane could make or break the Western Bulldogs' finals chances this weekend.

Sunday's game is a must-win for the Bulldogs, who sit ninth on the ladder amid half a dozen teams chasing a finals berth.

The Dogs trail eighth-placed Adelaide only on percentage but are just four points clear of Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Fremantle and St Kilda.

Johannisen hasn't played at the Gabba in almost four years, having been a late withdrawal for the Bulldogs' last visit in 2017.

Back then, the Lions were easybeats on their home deck, where they posted just 10 wins and 34 losses between 2015 and 2018.

The tables have turned this season.

Brisbane have lost just once – to Collingwood in round 5 – from eight games at the Gabba, and they sit third on the ladder.

Their form resurgence has also bumped crowds up, creating an atmosphere that Johannisen likened to West Coast's Optus Stadium fortress.

"They're getting some record crowds up there," he said.

"It's definitely (becoming) like with West Coast when you go over there. The crowd really gets into it and it's a hard venue to play at.

"They're the most in-form team in the competition. They're playing some really good footy.

"In saying that, we did beat them earlier in the year. Obviously it was in Ballarat. This week's going to be much different conditions.

"We know they're going to be a massive challenge but we're up for it."

Johannisen noted the Lions had few weaknesses, with Brownlow Medal frontrunner Lachie Neale firing in the midfield and damaging talls at both ends of the ground.

He said Zaine Cordy was likely to swing back to defence to replace Dale Morris, whose career is likely over after he suffered another ACL injury.

That could open the door for key forward Josh Schache, who trained on Wednesday along with other potential inclusions Toby McLean and Matthew Suckling.

Nothing will come easy for the Bulldogs in a home stretch that also includes games against Essendon, GWS and Adelaide.

But Johannisen, a key player in the Bulldogs' 2016 premiership, feels they're as well-placed to challenge as any contender.

"The morale is right up there," he said.

"It's as good as it's felt since I've been here. We've just got to keep growing that.

"The way we move the ball is unpredictable and very damaging. If we do make it to finals, it could cause teams some havoc."

How Dumb are footballers. Why talk yourself up. We need to be quietly confident and show some respect. Not talking up how much damage we will do in the finals. You would think with so much on the line now our PR department would wheel out our vest performing media people that have been prepped and come out with Vanilla ice cream.

It worked me that ever time we talk ourselves up we hit the ground with a thud.

[AshMac]

'Gabbatoir' could decide Dogs' finals fate

"The way we move the ball is unpredictable and very damaging. If we do make it to finals, it could cause teams some havoc."

Couldn’t agree w that last sentence more. We’ll be up and about, unpredictable and have done it before.

We’ll rattle whomever we played in an elimination final.

[Axe Man]

Strong team, will be interesting who’s on the bench this week. We are settled and in for a fight this week. Let’s hope the boys are up for it.

My bench would be Schache, McClean, West and Suckling

You want to drop Lipinski?

[westbulldog]

I fear Trengove and Cordy will again have a hard time. Lewis Young is entitled to leave this club, no opportunities here.

[bornadog]

I fear Trengove and Cordy will again have a hard time. Lewis Young is entitled to leave this club, no opportunities here.

* Lewis Young just signed a new contract.

* He is 20 years old.

* He has been asked to work on specific areas in his game.

Let's be a little patient with him. I am confident he will get there, however, you are right Trengove and Cordy will have a hard time, but so did Roberts and Cordy in Ballarat and we won.

[Axe Man]

Lewis Young is entitled to leave this club, no opportunities here.

You must be joking? From what I have seen of him at AFL level and what I have read about his form at VFL level, he hasn't come close to demanding a spot. Like BAD says, be patient, he will get opportunities if and when he deserves them.

[Pickenitup]

Doc Duryea out bit of a blow you would think Suckling would replace him .

[Bumper Bulldogs]

You want to drop Lipinski?

Not really but didn’t want to drop West after one game.

[Rocket Science]

That really does hurt against this mob.

Suckers can replace Duryea's leg but can't replace his low-risk smarts around the contest which we're gonna need in spades this weekend.

[bornadog]

ROUND 20 TEAM

B: Matt Suckling, Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd
F: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson
Foll: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
Int: Josh Schache, Toby McLean, Ed Richards, Pat Lipinski

Emer: Rhylee West, Will Hayes, Bailey Williams, Jordon Sweet

In: Matt Suckling, Josh Schache, Toby McLean
Out: Dale Morris (knee), Taylor Duryea (groin soreness), Rhylee West

[Axe Man]

Surprised by West but the season is on the line. I'm happy for the match committee to pick the side they think is the best chance to get the win.

[bornadog]

In pure 'win now' terms though, he (Mclean) should probably come in for West).

We are going for the win

[bornadog]

Schache 50 games