NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

[Bornadog]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Final Score WB 104 Defeat GWS 73

[Bornadog]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Gee hate playing in that heat and that woeful jumper

[chef]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Good stuff. Ran out of puff a bit but we were two short.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Suckling won a couple of contested balls and had 17 disposals at 100% efficiency and looked very much at home in our structure. Very pleasing debut.

[Eastdog]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

First win and many more to come.

Players I liked tonight: Stringer, JJ, Dahl, Campbell and Bont more better in the 2 half, Stevens

Collins show lots of good signs tonight. Hrovat I liked as well.

[merantau]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Thanks for the reports. Have just got home so very happy to get the news. Goals, best players? Our posts overlapped (see above) Thanks

[divvydan]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Have to assume only playing 24 tonight was partly due to wanting to reduce the overall number of rotations in a bid to prepare for the 90 cap this season.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Have to assume only playing 24 tonight was partly due to wanting to reduce the overall number of rotations in a bid to prepare for the 90 cap this season.

We are also big believers in heat training, so the 24 tonight just got a really solid session under their belts.

[Eastdog]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

I'll add to my previous post Macrae as well who was very good.

[Eastdog]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

We are also big believers in heat training, so the 24 tonight just got a really solid session under their belts.

Yes great experience for our young group in tough conditions.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Our defense was very shaky all night. Although we were missing a couple of players, I was disappointed with the ease at which GWS were able to score given their own outs. There were quite a few passages of play similar to that of the EF v Adelaide where the ball got over the top and we were nowhere to be found. Our positioning was quite poor for most of the night in this respect and whilst Boyd and a few others will help, it's still an area of great concern. Will be interesting to see how this progresses over the season.

Caleb was sensational and is firmly within our best 18. His ball retention is fantastic; decision making spot on, skill level flawless. I love watching him play and feel assured whenever he has the ball in hand because he simply doesn't waste it. Clearly improved his tank too and looks set for a great season.

Campbell had a strong second half and should be our #1 ruck - proved again he is capable up forward, whilst also showing some inconsistencies at times but he is far, FAR superior to Roughead as a ruck/forward. I thought Minson was pretty good too and battled well around the ground.

It's early but Roughead looks absolutely out of his depth as both a ruck and forward. I really hope we reconsider his position; for me it's full back or VFL. We simply have better options in the ruck and forward.

Toby McLean showed some exciting glimpses and got better as the game worn on. Looking forward to his development, one of our most talented young players who will be a damaging player soon enough. Koby was rock solid and showed why he is so important to us both as a mid and resting forward, Stringer looks in good condition and Bonti improved as the game wore on too. Also impressed by both Hunter and Macrae.

The signs are good, but I still have deep concerns about our team defense and our key defenders. Collins and Adams will learn a LOT from tonight but they are both a long way off the pace for now, which you would expect. We really need Hamling and Roberts to have big seasons, but I still think Roughy should go back and if he can't take a position in our back six I see no position for him period.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Caleb was sensational and is firmly within our best 18. His ball retention is fantastic; decision making spot on, skill level flawless. I love watching him play and feel assured whenever he has the ball in hand because he simply doesn't waste it. Clearly improved his tank too and looks set for a great season.

Hard to find an argument that he shouldn't be in the round team.
He makes a difference when he is on the field

Campbell had a strong second half and should be our #1 ruck - proved again he is capable up forward, whilst also showing some inconsistencies at times but he is far, FAR superior to Roughead as a ruck/forward. I thought Minson was pretty good too and battled well around the ground.

Campbell and then Minson should be our plans for the ruck position. I've yet to see what the coach sees in the Roughead ruckman forward planning. He needs to be able to ruck on occasions but we shouldn't think he is a long term prospect there based on what we have seen. Like you, I prefer him as a defender.

The signs are good, but I still have deep concerns about our team defense and our key defenders. Collins and Adams will learn a LOT from tonight but they are both a long way off the pace for now, which you would expect. We really need Hamling and Roberts to have big seasons, but I still think Roughy should go back and if he can't take a position in our back six I see no position for him period.

It's early days for Collins and Adams and we will look a lot better when Hamling and Roberts are available.


Some of the things I saw tonight concern me but we will get better over the next few weeks. I was pleased with Suckling and Daniel and thought they both made an impact.

[Doc26]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Good summation TBB.

Also just wanted to add how impressive Suckling fitted in for his debut with us tonight.

His work rate was especially pleasing and his disposal efficiency was running close to 100%.

McLean is one very clever footballer. A couple of his kicks in the forward fifty were very special. A bit of strength to his frame and he will be a scary prospect.

[ledge]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Adams and Collins just need to learn to not get sucked in by opponents, also to not let the ball get over the top,they will be ok ,it was a very young backline . I think Murph only played a half.
Alls good in the kennel I would say after tonight.
Pleasing performance with ball speed and connecting up to run the ball out.
Probably missed big red or Tom Boyd more than I thought we would but we definitely would have done better with Red crashing the packs or presenting.

[always right]

Re: NAB Challenge Game 1 v GWS Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Disappointing last quarter but overall happy with the way we moved the ball...albeit against limited opposition.

Very happy with Steven's first half and Hrovat, Minson, Campbell and Bont's second half.
Not happy with Roughead's game and Adams didn't allay anyone's concerns with his disposal.
JJ was the best four quarter player and Stringer.....well he was Stringer.
Collins showed some good signs and I liked a number of things McLean did.