Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

[chef]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Last night was a great learning experience for the Pups, yes we blew it but we also showed we can perform at the highest level.

Another preseason, a few stars back and hopefully a ruck traded in and we'll be on our way again.


The future has never been brighter. Chin up Doggies fans.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Tossed and turned all night, still gutted. I know we're young and the future is bright but can't help thinking what if? We blew a really good opportunity to advance further into the finals and get some more much needed experience. Next year isn't just going to come either. We'll be hunted now and will have to play some tougher teams more than once. A lot of teams will improve and we need to get better or next year we could be on the outside looking in. It's going to be tough.

[Sedat]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

I walked out disappointed of course that our season was done, but I steeled myself to NOT do the Bulldog thing of decrying our history and sulking about what could have been for the next 10 years. We performed magnificently, when you take away the skill errors of a team so young. This was a completely different team profile than 2009, than 1997/8. We will learn and be back next year with a vengeance.

You're a better man than I am BAS

The trouble with us is that there are absolutely no guarantees that we will be back next year. There is much hard work to be done and improvement to be made just to even get to the same position again, let alone jump to the top 4. Our list definitely has this level of improvement in them, but they will be in for a rude shock if they think it will just happen automatically.

[SonofScray]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

You're a better man than I am BAS

The trouble with us is that there are absolutely no guarantees that we will be back next year. There is much hard work to be done and improvement to be made just to even get to the same position again, let alone jump to the top 4. Our list definitely has this level of improvement in them, but they will be in for a rude shock if they think it will just happen automatically.

Likewise Sedat. We've been on the Premiership Cycle Hamster Wheel for two full revolutions and have just kicked off another. It hurts because it doesn't guarantee you anything, I can't hold on to "we'll be great next year and in 3 years " etc. these guys need to understand that they are good enough NOW! They were good enough yesterday. It's all there at their feet and all that is/was required was to execute. And they didn't. Like their peers in recent history, they didn't take their opportunity and watched as someone else did.

It doesn't take away from he joys I experienced this season courtesy of the coaches and players - full credit to them, but I am tired of that outcome. I want our day in the sun. I want to kick the carcass of a vanquished opponent.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Tossed and turned all night, still gutted. I know we're young and the future is bright but can't help thinking what if? We blew a really good opportunity to advance further into the finals and get some more much needed experience. Next year isn't just going to come either. We'll be hunted now and will have to play some tougher teams more than once. A lot of teams will improve and we need to get better or next year we could be on the outside looking in. It's going to be tough.

Same here, I'm on very little sleep. I just couldn't switch off. I haven't been as animated, stressed and red lining watching us in a very long time. I've got to make sure I don't accidentally see any footy shows on TV this morning.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Same here, I'm on very little sleep. I just couldn't switch off. I haven't been as animated, stressed and red lining watching us in a very long time. I've got to make sure I don't accidentally see any footy shows on TV this morning.

I'm watching Peppa Pig with my son. He said Goo Dawgs this morning when he saw me this morning.

[jazzadogs]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Same here, I'm on very little sleep. I just couldn't switch off. I haven't been as animated, stressed and red lining watching us in a very long time. I've got to make sure I don't accidentally see any footy shows on TV this morning.

The time difference has allowed me to drown my sorrows for the last ten hours with absolutely no guilt.

That one is going to stick with me for a while. But as others have said, there is a heck of a lot of improvement in that team. Our best players were Dahl, Bont, Hunter...we lacked composure, we were inaccurate, but we had a team full of guys playing their first final who scored over 100 points and almost beat a red hot Adelaide side. It's coming.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

The loss still bites but I'm a gluten for punishment so I'm off to watch some junior football. I'll keep my cap low and sunnies on...it hides my tears.
Damn this hayfever

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

I thought the players who stood up were:

* Dickson - Have we ever seen anyone so good at set shots

* Hunter - 20 years old - Boy has he played well since coming back into the team. yes he made some mistakes, but pressure under finals is different

* Dahl - Great first half but subdued a bit in the second half. Has had a terrific year

* The Bont - 19 years old - Started off in spectacular style, then Adelaide put the breaks on him. Did some great things.

* Wallis - Another one that has had a great year, and was in and under with 26 disposals 11 contested.

* Lin Jong - Had a poor first half but then really got into the game

* Wood - If he isn't AA this year, I will eat my hat. How many times did he save us with his intercepts.

I thought Biggs was pretty good, Macrae could have done alot better, Will was very good against the comps top 3 ruckman, Bob played his heart out and was very steady in the backline, I thought Boyd looked a bit rusty and I wonder why he had last week off.

Grant was again a good link man, and the inexperience of our tall backs showed up. I can see a lot of upside in both Hamling and Roberts, remembering they have only played 11 and 19 games.

Stringer I believe was hampered by a hammy tweak in the first 5 minutes of the game.

In the end an experienced team beat an inexperienced team and I can't wait for next year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Agree with most of what you are saying, but somehow, I feel this group is different to other groups we have had play finals. This group is also inexperienced (3rd youngest in AFL) and they have the hunger. They have tasted the big stage and they will want to get there again and next time they won't let it slip away.

This.......I refuse to compare this group to previous (and I go back a long way).....they are young and inexperienced and have far exceeded my expectations for 2015. I have to believe this will make them hungrier next year, bring it on!!

[dog town]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

We just made critical errors all night by not playing the percentages. Even simple things like punching the ball back in from the zone. I think we let the ball get over the back 2 or 3 times for scores. Wood was definitely one of them.

We lead by 8 points with 10 minutes left and have all the momentum. Murphy picks it up on the wing and has an easy kick handball down the line. Worst case scenario is we get a lock in on the narrow side instead of opening up the ground. To be honest we almost certainly score from it if we take that option. I don't think we lose from there. Murph turns inside and hits an impossible pass to Fletcher (brilliant kick) but he drops it. The ball should never have gone there. We just need to temper that run and gun stuff sometimes. Thought Murphy was amazing by the way.

Obviously the Hunter missed handball hurts but we had lots of those moments. Very similar to the Freo game earlier in the year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Dangerfield was just massive in the last quarter. As was Tex. We just don't have those superstars that will step up in big moments yet.

That Hunter handball was just awful! But he worked so hard all night.

Thought Boyd had a really really disappointing game. Him and Picken went back into the slam the ball on the boot without looking phase.

We will be back

[lemmon]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Trying to avoid all football this morning but I think despite the loss it's hard to pick out guys who were poor on the night. We missed some big moments but the silver lining is obvious... Even if hard to see at the moment

[Sedat]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Yes we played really well, our collective intent and execution of the game plan was excellent, and we weren't rabbits in the headlight on the big stage, but let's not eulogise our opponent. We played 7th in a home final - Adelaide are not a champion team by a long stretch. If we have aspirations of getting into the top 4 and making an impact in future seasons, we are going to come against far better equipped teams than Adelaide last night. And likely in far more hostile environments on the road.

[dog town]

Re: Game Day Round EF 2015 - Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

Would love to hear Bevo on what went wrong with our team defence in the last month or so. Big scores against from West Coast, Brisbane and Adelaide. Can't all be personnel. Obviously they found a chink in it that we need to get better at.