Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

[jeemak]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Not a bad idea.

FWIW, I thought Clay might have also been a candidate for that role down the track

Not sure about that, I think Clay is an extremely offensive player that hasn't really ever had to do it (that I've I've seen, of course!).

[Scorlibo]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Murphy has been poor when forced to play lock down roles and was a source of complaint about McCartney's lack of coaching ability by playing them there. Picken took over last year, and while better, wasn't great at it.

Biggs hasn't played a game, and in the VFL and practice matches he's played a high rebounding defender role. His defensive skills at this stage at best could be described as adequate.

Murphy last year was statistically ranked 8th in the AFL among general defenders for reducing his opponent's overall output. Who was complaining? They were wrong.

I'm very aware that Biggs hasn't played an AFL game for us. His defensive skills are good, and if he wants a spot in the senior side, the role you're describing is the one he has to nail.

[soupman]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Not sure about that, I think Clay is an extremely offensive player that hasn't really ever had to do it (that I've I've seen, of course!).

In the month or so leading up to his first kneeinjury Smith was playing as a lockdown forward/mid who would get the ball going the other way. In the match he did it he had largely curbed Heppel's influence on the game while being fairly damaging himself. When he went off injured Heppel finally got off the leash and had a big impact in the last quarter to help steer the Bombers to victory. Smith was finally emerging as a player who could perform a really good lock down role and still get the ball, such a shame.

[1eyedog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Stephen Hill simply cannot be left to run where he wants. If he is we are roasted. Can anyone or any structural set up limit his outside run or is it a case of winning contested ball to limit his supply?

[The Underdog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Stephen Hill simply cannot be left to run where he wants. If he is we are roasted. Can anyone or any structural set up limit his outside run or is it a case of winning contested ball to limit his supply?

I would have thought Jong was the one player who athletically can match Hill, but I'd be surprised if he's ready. I think we missed him last week and he's become a pretty unique player on our list

[1eyedog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

I would have thought Jong was the one player who athletically can match Hill, but I'd be surprised if he's ready. I think we missed him last week and he's become a pretty unique player on our list

Athletically yes but my understanding is that he plays in bursts whereas Hill keeps running hard all match, I may well be wrong on this. How is Jong's tank coming along?

I'm not sure we have anyone to mind Hill. Agreed we really missed Jong last week, fingers crossed on him being listed tonight.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Murphy last year was statistically ranked 8th in the AFL among general defenders for reducing his opponent's overall output. Who was complaining? They were wrong.

I'm very aware that Biggs hasn't played an AFL game for us. His defensive skills are good, and if he wants a spot in the senior side, the role you're describing is the one he has to nail.

That's all totally irrelevant.

Murphy hasn't played on a dangerous small forward in 3 years, and when he did he wasn't very good at it. Biggs doesn't and won't either. What either of they have to do with our lack of a lock down small defender is anyone's guess.

Billings kicked 4 last week, Betts 4 two weeks earlier, and we don't have an obvious match up for either of Ballantyne or Walters this week. JJ has been getting the jobs and isn't really suited to it, Wood is back up and isn't ideal either, and Morris is our best option who's injured and turning 33 this year.

I would like to see Honey get a shot at that position.

He's a pretty sensible suggestion. I like his competitiveness and he's pretty strong for his size, but he doesn't appear to be overly quick or particularly agile which is a pretty important component. He may surprise and be a good option. It's a gap we've had for a few years and we don't appear to have tried to fill it. There's no one in the VFL team I see who's really being groomed for the role either.

[Scorlibo]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

That's all totally irrelevant.

Murphy hasn't played on a dangerous small forward in 3 years, and when he did he wasn't very good at it. Biggs doesn't and won't either. What either of they have to do with our lack of a lock down small defender is anyone's guess.

What, you think that Spud has been playing on spuds consistently for three years? Of the top ten general defenders last year at reducing their opponents' output, the highest average output of opponents (read: how good the opponents were) was 10.4 (Tyson Goldsack). Murph's opponents' average was 9.1, so he's absolutely worth acknowledging, he does play on quality opponents. Yes, he's best known for his run and creativity but he's also very underrated defensively. Biggs has played that role and will be tested in that role further in the months to come.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

We lose something when Murphy plays a lock down role. We need his run and bounce to attack from the backline. Same as JI. I agree with Stache we don't have that back back pocket type to play on the small forward types.

[wimberga]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

That's all totally irrelevant.

Murphy hasn't played on a dangerous small forward in 3 years, and when he did he wasn't very good at it. Biggs doesn't and won't either. What either of they have to do with our lack of a lock down small defender is anyone's guess.

Billings kicked 4 last week, Betts 4 two weeks earlier, and we don't have an obvious match up for either of Ballantyne or Walters this week. JJ has been getting the jobs and isn't really suited to it, Wood is back up and isn't ideal either, and Morris is our best option who's injured and turning 33 this year.

What about Picken? From memory, Picken used to play a regular lock down role on Cyril anytime we played the hawks and was reasonable at it. He has also done jobs on boomer Harvey too, both in the backline and around the ground.

I'm not saying we can take him out of the centre necessarily, more putting up the name of a player who we have on the list who can play as a lockdown.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

What about Picken? From memory, Picken used to play a regular lock down role on Cyril anytime we played the hawks and was reasonable at it. He has also done jobs on boomer Harvey too, both in the backline and around the ground.

I'm not saying we can take him out of the centre necessarily, more putting up the name of a player who we have on the list who can play as a lockdown.

Yep Picken is the most capable of playing that role, I did mention him as playing that role in my earlier post, and he's played it quite a bit in the previous 2 years. He's got the pace, competitiveness, and physicality for the role, but I agree with how we're using him now and think it's more efficient use of him. His ball use from deep in defence was an issue too, although that shouldn't be a primary concern when looking for restrict the opposition's best small forward.

[Ozza]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

JJ may have to play on a wing this week, pushing Goodes (if picked) to the backline perhaps on Mayne - allowing Wood to play on Walters.

Just a thought.

We like to have Wood pretty close to the last line - so I think he needs to play on a small this week.
I don't like the idea of JJ playing on either Balla or Walters.

[ratsmac]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Ins
Minson, Wallis, Jong, Boyd

Outs
Smith, Stevens, Hrovat, Cordy.

Adelaide got us on the rebound after the Hawthorn thrashing so Freo better watch out!

[Greystache]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Ins
Minson, Wallis, Jong, Boyd

Outs
Smith, Stevens, Hrovat, Cordy.

Adelaide got us on the rebound after the Hawthorn thrashing so Freo better watch out!

Pretty happy with that, although I'd still like to see Campbell come in for an extended run. There's a few players there with injury clouds over them, I'd hope we wouldn't take more than two if they're not 100% right.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 7 vs Fremantle

Some of the Stats head to Head

Head to Head Edge Western Bulldogs Average Per Game Fremantle Edge -4.6% 351.3 Disposals 385.5 4.6% -6.1% 197.0 Kicks 222.7 6.1% -19.8% 74.5 Marks 111.2 19.8% -2.7% 154.3 Handballs 162.8 2.7% 14.6% 73.5 Tackles 54.8 -14.6% -14.4% 15.5 Frees For 20.7 14.4% 0.9% 17.3 Frees Against 17.0 -0.9% -17.4% 34.0 Hitouts 48.3 17.4% -19.7% 9.2 Cont Marks 13.7 19.7% 1.1% 39.7 Clearances 38.8 -1.1% 4.0% 55.2 Inside 50s 51.0 -4.0% 7.3% 36.2 Rebound 50s 31.3 -7.3% 3.9% 144.0 Cont Poss 133.2 -3.9% -10.6% 204.3 Unc Poss 252.8 10.6% 12.6% 47.3 1%ers 36.7 -12.6% -32.7% 6.7 Eff Hitouts 13.2 32.7% Hitouts to Advantage -22.4% 3.8 Gls from Stoppages 6.0 22.4% 6.5% 8.2 Goals from Turnovers 7.2 -6.5% -11.4% 7.0 Goal Assists 8.8 11.4%