Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

[Eastdog]

Once the Round 7 match against Fremantle is completed, let us know the three things you learned after watching the match.

Be constructive but be honest.

[GVGjr]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

Bump

[Bornadog]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. Our midfield still has along way to go to match the best, but in time they will be the best.

2. You can't win a game when your ruckman wins only 3 hitouts each (Cordy 3 Boyd 3)

3. Impressed with Fletcher Roberts today, and I think he will make it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

Three things I learned:

1. I have missed the last few games live, and went to this one with a determined aim of trying to decode the reasons for Cordy retaining his spot, as on TV I just don't see it. I did today. He ran hard both ways, he was outmuscled plenty of times but still fought hard to compete anyway and gave 110%. I'm not quite converted but he went a long way to winning me over today.
2. It's easy to win a Brownlow when you don't have to dispose of the ball correctly, and can run through packs taking blokes out left, right and centre with no penalty whatsoever (which helps get those highlights-friendly pack-busting disposals, because nobody notices you just KO'ed a bloke on the way through). I might get over my sour grapes later, but I'm pretty peeved about the free run Fyfe got today both from our midfield and the boys in green.
3. When the Dogs look like getting blown away, strap yourself and feel the gees, because we ain't done yet.

Things I knew already but were reinforced to me today:

1. Matthew Pavlich is a champion and deserves a flag.
2. Ross Lyon is a bastard and deserves to never win a flag.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. When we work out the rucking thing and having a dedicated tagger, we may see very quick improvement on top of our bell curve.
2. Tory deeper forward bears fruit. He's a forward so I'd prefer to play him there.
3. Hunter is not a HBF or on baller. If he's not playing forward, I think Biggs, Hrovat and Macrae (vfl this week) deserve the spot he's taking.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. When we work out the rucking thing and having a dedicated tagger, we may see very quick improvement on top of our bell curve.
2. Tory deeper forward bears fruit. He's a forward so I'd prefer to play him there.
3. Hunter is not a HBF or on baller. If he's not playing forward, I think Biggs, Hrovat and Macrae (vfl this week) deserve the spot he's taking.

I agree with this. I know he's been racking up the stats in the twos and has well and truly "put his hand up" for selection, but there's little point unless he's adding something tangible to the team. Nothing wrong with beating down the door in the VFL and not getting a spot. It's called depth. I'll allow some leeway for his being the sub, but he was brought on quite early despite that and struggled to make an impact. If he's going to play like that he needs about 8 to 10 more tackles to his name to justify his spot.

[always right]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. Beveridge is a lateral thinker. I was incredulous when I saw Goodes and Stevens competing in the ruck but it actually worked in a bizarre way. Goodes did an excellent job.
2. Easton Wood is in AA form
3. I may have judged Dickson harshly in the past.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1 - Roberts deserved to get another chance and as the extra tall was an important part of the structure

2 - Jong and Stringer were off today , probably should have been rested for Biggs and Redpath

3 - T.Boyd is worth every cent , just needs more quality supply

[jeemak]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

I agree with this. I know he's been racking up the stats in the twos and has well and truly "put his hand up" for selection, but there's little point unless he's adding something tangible to the team. Nothing wrong with beating down the door in the VFL and not getting a spot. It's called depth. I'll allow some leeway for his being the sub, but he was brought on quite early despite that and struggled to make an impact. If he's going to play like that he needs about 8 to 10 more tackles to his name to justify his spot.

It's funny, looking at the stats sheet you're probably forgiven for giving a pass mark with Hunter earning eight touches, three marks and three tackles in just under a half of footy.

I didn't notice him a great deal out there today, one way or another, whilst stats only ever tell part of the story. Last week I was particularly annoyed with his approach, probably because our midfield was getting a pasting and greatly contributing to a nine goal lead being eroded, whereas today we seemed to be balancing things out as the game went on.

[westbulldog]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

After 1/4 time against the top team we kicked 13-4 to their 10-8 ..... in a year's time they won't get near us.
The comeback effort today was almost as good as the Sydney win, great effort boys.
We need a ruckman.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. We're made of stern stuff. I was expecting a blowout after quarter time.
2. You shoukldnt rush players back from injury (though I knew that already really) - Jong and Wallis
3. We need a real ruckman. If Bevo is adamant that Will isn't it, we need to get one who is. Cordy is probably the only ruck who plays better when he's not in the ruck.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. Last week was a down one for whatever reason, but I'm confident we can respond week after week and tough it out until we take control and play our brand.

2. More of our 1-3 year players will need rests shortly.

3. We need a bigger spread of goal kickers every week than what we had today. Wallis and Jong were doing this before their injuries, hopefully it's back soon.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. We have a good defence. It was one of my biggest fears going into this season and without Morris they've performed very well. Roberts coming in and doing some good work has added depth as well.
2. Always Right is right on this. Easton Wood is AA right now.
3. Hurts to lose but it's a positive to feel that burn after being numb from losses for so long. This team is going places.

[ratsmac]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. I know Bevo doesn't care much for the ruck position but after today I hope this changes his mind somewhat. It probably cost us 4 points in the end. Minson would have also got beat on the ruck stats sheet against Sandy but the Freo midfielder would of had to work a little bit harder for their possessions.

2. JJ has serious pace (I did know that already) but he is brimming with confidence atm. He is showing all the signs that we first saw a couple years ago. It's good to see.

3. Dickson is a clever player who can kick bags of goals. When Dickson, Stringer and Boyd all fire together, wow, just wow!

[always right]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 7 Edition

1. I know Bevo doesn't care much for the ruck position but after today I hope this changes his mind somewhat. It probably cost us 4 points in the end. Minson would have also got beat on the ruck stats sheet against Sandy but the Freo midfielder would of had to work a little bit harder for their possessions.

2. JJ has serious pace (I did know that already) but he is brimming with confidence atm. He is showing all the signs that we first saw a couple years ago. It's good to see.

3. Dickson is a clever player who can kick bags of goals. When Dickson, Stringer and Boyd all fire together, wow, just wow!

What did you think contributed more to our loss.......the ruck dominance of Freo or our delivery into Johnston......er, sorry....I mean our forward line?