Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

[Happy Days]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

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

Adams' was far more concerning.

[Mofra]

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.

Interesting, thanks.

Your opinion of Adams seems to match a few WAFL watchers who note Adams isn't the type to play on opponents taller than him, which concerns me. His footskills seem a concern too.

Roughy is worrying too, sounding more like Andrejs Everitt every year in that we don't seem to have a position for him.

Loving the improvement in Dale, Daniel and Redpath. The round 1 side almost certainly seems like one of Dale or Daniel will play as a high half-forward distributer.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Dunks is listed at 189cm I believe, so should of been an even sized match up pretty much.

Sounds like competition for inside mids is going to be hot this year amongst the group.
Libba, Wallis, Stevens, Daniel, Dahlhaus, Jong, Dunkley to name a few. Great that most have good versatility in that they can play dual roles but not many spots free.

I have a very strange feeling about this squad, never seen so much depth in a bulldogs squad before, yes there is some holes in defence and no real superstar in the ruck, but lots of quality and young quality coming through. Really only maybe 2 players that I think may find it hard to get a game from the senior list and that is due to the others around them.

Will be interesting to see the GWS game, I hope we don't go in with our best possible lineup. GWS will be eager and fresh.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

This was the 1st family day we have attended in many a year and whilst I thought what the club put on was very good. I will take the East meets West day anytime over the family day. With east meets west day the players mingle with supporters and you can actually engage in conversation in a very relaxed atmosphere. Having to line up to meet players then get photos was all a bit to rushed and not really what my kids and I was looking for. No fault of the players or the club but due to large crowd not sure what else they could do.

[Mofra]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

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.

I think Boyd is ahead of him already in the ruck/forward department - ok in the ruck (still learning) but already a far, far better forward and an infinitely better kick for goal.

Unpopular opinion, but competent forward/rucks are not very common at AFL level.

Tippett is the prototype and Richmond have Vickery & Griffiths, Stefan Martin can play the role, Geelong have a few injury prone types (Vardy & that St Kilda trade in), Melbourne have Gawn, Port have Ryder.... and who else is there?
Dixon plays 5 good games per year and is too injury prone for ruckwork, GC Nicholls has gone backwards at a rate of knots, Ben Brown is "ok" but probably will get there, maybe McGovern from WC can do it.
There aren't many.

[SlimPickens]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Good post Mofra. Maybe we look at reverting back to the Leigh Brown type of player. Which to me could be Redpaths go. He is a competitive animal and a handy forward. This allows Boyd to play forward exclusively, Roughead back and TC/Minno fighting it out for the first ruck spot.

Alternatively Roughead could play as a defender/ruck playing on those types you have suggested above.

[Bornadog]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

This was the 1st family day we have attended in many a year and whilst I thought what the club put on was very good. I will take the East meets West day anytime over the family day. With east meets west day the players mingle with supporters and you can actually engage in conversation in a very relaxed atmosphere. Having to line up to meet players then get photos was all a bit to rushed and not really what my kids and I was looking for. No fault of the players or the club but due to large crowd not sure what else they could do.

I use to take my daughter to family day. One time we arrived early and ran into Johnno and my daughter was very excited and asked him for an autograph. His response was no as we had to line up at the tent later on in the day. Needless to say I was not happy.

[Mofra]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Good post Mofra. Maybe we look at reverting back to the Leigh Brown type of player. Which to me could be Redpaths go. He is a competitive animal and a handy forward. This allows Boyd to play forward exclusively, Roughead back and TC/Minno fighting it out for the first ruck spot.

Alternatively Roughead could play as a defender/ruck playing on those types you have suggested above.

I guess having Redpath as well makes things interesting - Redders was quite handy pinch hitting in the ruck too so a Boyd/Redders combo as pinch hitters with a genuine first ruck option may be on the cards for some games (big ground games?)

Still not convinced we will play Redpath & Boyd in the same side too oftenm, and certainly not with Roughy too unless Roughead plays FB which would contradict pre-season training reports

[Greystache]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

I guess having Redpath as well makes things interesting - Redders was quite handy pinch hitting in the ruck too so a Boyd/Redders combo as pinch hitters with a genuine first ruck option may be on the cards for some games (big ground games?)

Still not convinced we will play Redpath & Boyd in the same side too oftenm, and certainly not with Roughy too unless Roughead plays FB which would contradict pre-season training reports

It will be interesting to see what Redpath's tank is like this season. In an ideal world he'd play a Barry Hall style role when he played for Sydney, that being the lead up CHF who can do stints deeper in the forward line when needed (like when Boyd pushes into the ruck) and can do his own pinch hitting in the ruck when needed. If he can build a serious tank over the next couple of years then he could play a really key role. Whether he has the capability to it is another discussion.

Roughy needs to play in defence with some pinch hitting in the ruck. I like the idea of him following the opposition ruck/forward around the ground. I don't want him anywhere near the forward line.

[Twodogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

I guess having Redpath as well makes things interesting - Redders was quite handy pinch hitting in the ruck too so a Boyd/Redders combo as pinch hitters with a genuine first ruck option may be on the cards for some games (big ground games?)

Still not convinced we will play Redpath & Boyd in the same side too oftenm, and certainly not with Roughy too unless Roughead plays FB which would contradict pre-season training reports

It will be interesting to see what Redpath's tank is like this season. In an ideal world he'd play a Barry Hall style role when he played for Sydney, that being the lead up CHF who can do stints deeper in the forward line when needed (like when Boyd pushes into the ruck) and can do his own pinch hitting in the ruck when needed. If he can build a serious tank over the next couple of years then he could play a really key role. Whether he has the capability to it is another discussion.

Roughy needs to play in defence with some pinch hitting in the ruck. I like the idea of him following the opposition ruck/forward around the ground. I don't want him anywhere near the forward line.

I see Redpath developing into our Daniel Bradshaw with the ability to play as a general tall forward and take boundary throw ins and ruck contests in the forward line.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2015-11-27/rookie-pick-11-brad-lynch

Was talking to a mad Dogs fan who went to the scratch match. He knows the players inside out - the one who really impressed him was Brad Lynch. Reckons he sees a lot of Leon Cameron in him, with the rangy build, loping style with surprising acceleration and crisp, penetrating disposal either side.

Went back and had a look at his highlights tape. Gee it's impressive for a Rookie, good pack mark and composed in traffic. Looks a lefty but goals from 50 on the right. Not bad for a 17 year old.

Clearly he's got a way to go and kilo's to put on, but in time he may just prove to be another of Dal's bargains.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Lynch was a bit of a standout for mine too. Just had a lot of raw ability which will take some time to develop. Only query I have is his ability to halve and win contested ball, but with a bigger body and correct teaching hopefully this works out itself. In terms of running and disposal he's a long way ahead of others.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Lynch was a bit of a standout for mine too. Just had a lot of raw ability which will take some time to develop. Only query I have is his ability to halve and win contested ball, but with a bigger body and correct teaching hopefully this works out itself. In terms of running and disposal he's a long way ahead of others.

Cheers TBB. Do you reckon my mates Leon Cameron comparison is somewhere near the mark, at least in terms of general style? I reckon a Cameron type augments our list very nicely.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

Cheers TBB. Do you reckon my mates Leon Cameron comparison is somewhere near the mark, at least in terms of general style? I reckon a Cameron type augments our list very nicely.

I'd need to see him a few more times PP, but on an initial assessment it's not a bad suggestion at all. He moves across the ground and through traffic quite well, spotting up targets on either side of his body - all traits of Leon.

Should be exciting to see how he goes in the VFL. We know already that he can be very dangerous with ball in hand given his pace and skill, but I can't comment yet on his footy nous.

[boydogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs Family Day -2016

It will be interesting to see what Redpath's tank is like this season. In an ideal world he'd play a Barry Hall style role when he played for Sydney, that being the lead up CHF who can do stints deeper in the forward line when needed (like when Boyd pushes into the ruck) and can do his own pinch hitting in the ruck when needed. If he can build a serious tank over the next couple of years then he could play a really key role. Whether he has the capability to it is another discussion.

Roughy needs to play in defence with some pinch hitting in the ruck. I like the idea of him following the opposition ruck/forward around the ground. I don't want him anywhere near the forward line.

I see it the same way, but the issue with our talls is not flexibility, it's quality