Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

I went along, just a few things.

- Key-defenders didn't look good
- Liked Redpath a lot before he went off
- Stringer is just ridiculous. Hardly broke out of 2nd gear and made everyone around him look silly
- Caleb Daniel so, SO clever
- Really liked the look of Williams and Lynch. That being said, an intra club at that pace/style = perfect for a HBF to look good
- Suckling is just about the most 1D player in the game but boy that kick is a weapon. Hit a bomb to Adcock to create a ton of space.

[jeemak]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Suckling is a genuine cream player. Him being recruited tells me the coaching and recruiting staff believe we're ready for cream to be added to the top of the cake.

[Happy Days]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Suckling is a genuine cream player. Him being recruited tells me the coaching and recruiting staff believe we're ready for cream to be added to the top of the cake.

After the scratch match (I know) I''m harbouring a great concern that we won't be able to carry him defensively, given the amount of possession the opposition will be given based on how frenetic our ball movement looks like it will be this year, and the amount of transitional space that will open up for them based upon this.

His offensive strengths (namely the ability to get the ball to work in such a manner that can only be described as 'reverse swing') will be an obvious additive to our attacking mix, but I'm going to need to see him as a piece in a game of greater intensity to feel at ease.

Just on the (lack of) intensity factor, I think that's why Adams game was so underwhelming. I had concerns that his sidewinder-style kicking action may not hold up under AFL-pace, and yesterday did nothing to dissuade them.

I know there's probably too much being read into here, but just some food for thought. I swear I feel bullish about most of what I saw yesterday.

[kruder]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

I did ledge. Got there at 8.30 and taken around to the front of the ELC but not inside. Couldn't really see much, but Bevo did come out and speak briefly to the group. After 30 mins, we were taken up to the 3rd level of the administration 'infill'. View was great (but sun was hot initially) and having a pair of binoculars, I was personally able to have a good morning watching the play.

They served up some bottled drinks, egg and bacon rolls and some fruit platters around 9.45 which went down well with the punters.

The CEO and COO both came around and introduced themselves to everyone including the children. Hannah from the football club looked after us.

At three quarter time, the group was taken back down to the front of the ELC so they could be first in line for autographs from players after the game (before they went into the Autograph tents). I actually elected to stay where I was until the end of the game, so not sure how successful the autograph session was for the others.

An opportunity that I did take advantage of was listening to the stats guys also working on the same level of the infill. It was interesting to hear how they compile the stats and at times I found myself listening to what they were describing which complemented what I was viewing thru the binoculars (like listening to a radio broadcast). I asked at half time who was the leading stat getter, but they preferred not to answer my question as I suspect they had better things to do.

With respect to the game, I thought last year's midfield players (plus Libba) were the most solid contributors on the day and that the ruck duels were interesting - i don't think this first hit out has made it any clearer who will head up the ruck duties for 2016. I noted the comment by Rohan Smith after the game (on the Bulldogs website), where he mentioned we may not necessarily have the one ruckman playing the role full time - suggests whoever does get a gig will need to be multi-positional (as suggested in other threads).

I noted after Lynch was beaten one on one by Dunkley (which led to a goal) that MBoyd spent time coaching Lynch around options he might have had and was 'geeing' him on - the result (I think) was a fairly good hit out by Lynch after half time.

I think the stat guy might be getting a little ahead of himself! Why wouldn't you answer the question?

[always right]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Will wait to see a genuine hit out against opposition before making any negative statements about individual players.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

I'm in China. So that's my excuse.
I loved the video on the club website. It's not hard to spot JJ now is it? Big puff of blonde hair moving like a furry comet.
How was the turn out in general? Hope the club did well out it. And so, so happy for Libba to be featured in the BOG.

Thanks for the updates, those who went. Redpath is going from unfashionable workhorse, to Tory Dickson-like effectiveness. I really hope he can keep this up. Like Dickson his stocks were pretty low on here for quite a while. Of course, Ghost Dog always believed he would be Barry Hall Mk II.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Had to work all day.
Busier then a one armed brick layer from Beirut ATM!!

[Mofra]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

If Roughead can't nail down a spot in the best 22 by season end, then he's going to figure in my trade scenarios on this forum in about 7.5 months.

The Andrejs Everitt conundrum. Talented player who doesn't own a spot

[jeemak]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Interestingly it might be his versatility that means he continues to be a required player.

Not many rucks are competent KPF's, so if he can continue to improve his ruck work and chips away at his forward craft he's probably safe on a Beveridge lead list.

[Greystache]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Not much to add that hasn't already been said.

Libba looked sharp and intense, including running into the fence on the outer wing. He seemed to be the only one who didn't realise no one gave a shit about the game!

Daniel was BOG for me, his composure in trafic combined with his balance make him a ball magnet and an excellent user of the ball. He's a bit like Libba in that his disposals are effective without necessarily look like they're cutting the opposition to pieces.

Dale was excellent. Found space on the wings and used the ball well, he also found some footy in congestion.

Dunkley was impressive, has a big body, won some good contests, and used the ball pretty well. He looks similar to Clay Smith when he first came through, with maybe a little better disposal.

Redpath looked dangerous every time the ball went forward, likewise Hamling looked like being beaten every time the ball went in.

Roughead didn't stand out in the ruck and was invisible yet again as a forward. He's a long way behind Minson as a forward and Minson is a terrible forward. He is needed in defence and I hope we play him there.

I was pretty underwhelmed by Adams. He's a stocky unit but I'm convinced we were short sold on his height. He looks like a midfielder and nowhere near the 192/193cm he's listed at. He stood side by side with Dunkley and I think Dunkley had him covered. Can't see him playing on opposition talls.

Bonti looked short of a gallop but didn't some Bonti things and some not so Bonti things.

MaCrae looked sharp and is a consistent performer.

Liked the look of Bailey Williams too.

[Ozza]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Not much to add that hasn't already been said.

Libba looked sharp and intense, including running into the fence on the outer wing. He seemed to be the only one who didn't realise no one gave a shit about the game!

Daniel was BOG for me, his composure in trafic combined with his balance make him a ball magnet and an excellent user of the ball. He's a bit like Libba in that his disposals are effective without necessarily look like they're cutting the opposition to pieces.

Dale was excellent. Found space on the wings and used the ball well, he also found some footy in congestion.

Dunkley was impressive, has a big body, won some good contests, and used the ball pretty well. He looks similar to Clay Smith when he first came through, with maybe a little better disposal.

Redpath looked dangerous every time the ball went forward, likewise Hamling looked like being beaten every time the ball went in.

Roughead didn't stand out in the ruck and was invisible yet again as a forward. He's a long way behind Minson as a forward and Minson is a terrible forward. He is needed in defence and I hope we play him there.

I was pretty underwhelmed by Adams. He's a stocky unit but I'm convinced we were short sold on his height. He looks like a midfielder and nowhere near the 192/193cm he's listed at. He stood side by side with Dunkley and I think Dunkley had him covered. Can't see him playing on opposition talls.

Bonti looked short of a gallop but didn't some Bonti things and some not so Bonti things.

MaCrae looked sharp and is a consistent performer.

Liked the look of Bailey Williams too.

Thanks for the rundown 'stache. Interesting observations about Adams and I will be very interested to see how he goes. I'm always a bit uncertain when it comes to recruiting mature aged WAFL players, particularly tall/er players.

[Twodogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

What's Dunkleys kicking technique like GS? Will it stand up under AFL pressure?

[Greystache]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

What's Dunkleys kicking technique like GS? Will it stand up under AFL pressure?

It didn't look too bad to me, but I didn't exactly get a chance to study it. It looked like he need a fraction to steady himself and get his mechanics right. The question will be whether he can replicate that under the pressure of AFL footy. Clay Smith found it a battle at times on the run under pressure to get everything right, and then someone like Howard completely fell to pieces without time and space.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Thanks to all for their insights GVG, TBB, GStache and others

Its early days and the positive for me is that we have seem to have a mostly injury free list who've had good continuity over the summer

Looking forward to seeing how we continue building from here

[Bornadog]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016



Any update on Clay Smith from the speeches?