Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

[always right]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

Cmon already with the Adcock love. Dicko has the runs on the board as do others who performed badly. Adcock has been bad to ordinary at best the moment he pulled on the jumper.

If he brings leadership then bring it and at least be strong at the contest. He simply hasn't been. Williams added more than Adcock today and I should think that Webb would as well. How he is keeping Webb out of the team is beyond my comprehension.

Mate....because people have a different view to you doesn't warrant the condescending reference to "Adcock love". You don't rate him...we get it.

[kruder]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

I'm not his biggest fan but I thought Macrae was the only player looking to open up the game, play the angles rather than just bomb it long to an under sized forward line. I thought it was his best game for the year.

Really disappointing that we fell for the same trap against North. Like that night, it was an industrious effort which lacked class. I really hope Lynch makes it at AFL level as has the atributes we are looking for, along with JJ, Suckling and hopefully Murphy.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

I don't want to get too invested in the Adcock discussion but I don't see how that is relevant now. If BAD want's to see more of an output from him at AFL level, the fact he racked up a few touches at VFL level weeks ago doesn't really change anything.

I understand why BAD would prefer to play younger players. One reason is
a) he thinks they might play better and if Adcock isn't giving us that much there's no harm in trying and
b) if Adcock isn't going to become a best 22-25 player (like Dickson did) but rather play a few games over a couple of years (like Goodes) then it may be that we're missing a chance to invest a few games into guys like Webb or Dunkley or to find out if Honeychurch will make it.

I don't think Adcock is horrible but I doubt he's the best guy short term or long term for the team.

But here is the thing, he says he isn't anti Adcock (or Goodes before him) because of their age however he then uses how we need to play 'younger players' to support his comments. Even BAD's reasoning for calling out Adcock today was that Williams was 10 years younger and got more of the ball than he did. As I've kept saying, I don't have an issue with anyone calling for Adcock to be dropped provided their reasoning isn't about his age and is largely form related. My preference is that selections are largely based on form not age considerations. Gifting games to youngsters or maintaining older players just because of past performances is not ideal if they don't have the form to support it.

We are a contending team that gives many youngsters a good go. We don't need to force out or promote players due to age considerations.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

I kind of expected that today - it went to script.

Let's be honest - we are missing some of our best players. You simply cannot replace the combination of pace and skill which Murphy, JJ and Suckling offer. They're right at the top of the tree in terms of their strengths.

M. Boyd compounds the trio of medium defenders missing. He has his flaws but he knows the game and structures well, providing good support for his other defenders.

We played Collins and we simply shouldn't have. He's a country mile off it and it was a bewildering decision to play him ahead of Hamling, given our long list of outs. Adams would have been handy today too - hopefully he's back soon.

No Redpath/T Boyd hurt us up forward - no more explanation needed. I thought we should have brought Minson in so that Campbell could play at FF for the bulk of the game. In the end, we had little structure up forward and Mummy dominated us in the ruck and around the clearances.

It's annoying and bloody frustrating to 'be in the game' at points, but not many lists in the AFL can lose 7-8 of their best 22 and still beat a top 4 side (which unfortunately, the AFL-GWS are). Our depth is good but we're asking too much.

For mine, I have some concern over our selections. I thought Dale received too many games when he hadn't earned them (he was good in the last qtr v Adelaide), I think we have better options than Adcock and Collins, and today would have been the time to play Minson. We have our injury issues and we probably lack another 1-2 quality/silky players. Our effort was right up there with GWS' despite what was counting against us, but they had more silk.

We need to continue drafting good ball users/good decision makers as this is still a big issue for us and I'd continue looking at free agency (ie. Suckling).

Not all is lost. We're just not there yet and have some work to do.

[Sedat]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

The Adcock play in the 2nd qtr wasn't the greatest piece of defensive forward pressure in the world, but Shaw did infringe against Adcock and should have been penalised. And why didn't the pass hit Adcock on the chest when the kick was under no pressure at all?

My only issue with Adcock is that he lacks leg speed and we are already carrying our fair share of one-paced players.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

I kind of expected that today - it went to script.

Let's be honest - we are missing some of our best players. You simply cannot replace the combination of pace and skill which Murphy, JJ and Suckling offer. They're right at the top of the tree in terms of their strengths.

M. Boyd compounds the trio of medium defenders missing. He has his flaws but he knows the game and structures well, providing good support for his other defenders.

We played Collins and we simply shouldn't have. He's a country mile off it and it was a bewildering decision to play him ahead of Hamling, given our long list of outs. Adams would have been handy today too - hopefully he's back soon.

No Redpath/T Boyd hurt us up forward - no more explanation needed. I thought we should have brought Minson in so that Campbell could play at FF for the bulk of the game. In the end, we had little structure up forward and Mummy dominated us in the ruck and around the clearances.

It's annoying and bloody frustrating to 'be in the game' at points, but not many lists in the AFL can lose 7-8 of their best 22 and still beat a top 4 side (which unfortunately, the AFL-GWS are). Our depth is good but we're asking too much.

For mine, I have some concern over our selections. I thought Dale received too many games when he hadn't earned them (he was good in the last qtr v Adelaide), I think we have better options than Adcock and Collins, and today would have been the time to play Minson. We have our injury issues and we probably lack another 1-2 quality/silky players. Our effort was right up there with GWS' despite what was counting against us, but they had more silk.

We need to continue drafting good ball users/good decision makers as this is still a big issue for us and I'd continue looking at free agency (ie. Suckling).

Not all is lost. We're just not there yet and have some work to do.

To lose Murphy JJ M Boyd Adams and Suckling left our defence thread bare today with only Wood Biggs and Morris good enough to match it with the GWS forward line. I agree with your sentiments on Adcock and Collins who are inadequate. Stringer will be a lot better player with Redpath back next week. Both Jong and Stevens do not have enough skill in disposing of the ball which showed up today in the talented GWS midfielders better skills.

[The Underdog]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

Posters can sugar coat Adcock's performance all you want, but for me Bailey Williams a kid 10 years his junior in his second game, played a better game off the backline. There was a reason why Brisbane didn't want him and we are finding out now.

They were both in the team though. Who would you have had playing Adcock's role (small defender) given our injuries?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

All in all, I was most encouraged by today. GWS at home are formidable (to date they have beaten Geelong by 13, Port by 86, Hawthorn by 75 and GCS by 91 so far this year) and were good today but we were still highly competitive, breaking even in most stats and separated only by forward 50 efficiency, a highly promising result given all of our outs and the breaks generally going GWS way.

Biggest plusses were Williams efforts, Camheads continued competitiveness and Bont's 3rd 30+ effort in a row (and the likes of Morris, Picken, Macrae and Dahl delivering with typical honesty and class). Biggest impediment was our forward structure without Boyd/Redpath. Stringer so needs to not be the main man.

We are well on course with so many not far from return.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

For the second time this season I'm at least happy we didn't get blown out if the water and lose by 10+ goals. At least part of our game held up.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

But here is the thing, he says he isn't anti Adcock (or Goodes before him) because of their age however he then uses how we need to play 'younger players' to support his comments. Even BAD's reasoning for calling out Adcock today was that Williams was 10 years younger and got more of the ball than he did. As I've kept saying, I don't have an issue with anyone calling for Adcock to be dropped provided their reasoning isn't about his age and is largely form related. My preference is that selections are largely based on form not age considerations. Gifting games to youngsters or maintaining older players just because of past performances is not ideal if they don't have the form to support it.

We are a contending team that gives many youngsters a good go. We don't need to force out or promote players due to age considerations.

Either I am not explaining it or you don't get it. It has nothing to do with his age. I just expect an experienced player to give us more on the ground. He has played over 200 games, surely he can contribute? If you can't get your hands on the ball, then you are not contributing. I used the Williams example because the kid did some good things with the ball.

I do not condone gifting games to young players, not sure why you keep bringing that up. Guys like Honeychurch have been averging 30 disposals a week at VFL, as is Dunkley and to a lesser extent Webb. I think they have earned a call up.

[1eyedog]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

Mate....because people have a different view to you doesn't warrant the condescending reference to "Adcock love". You don't rate him...we get it.

Ease up champ. You're easily offended. It was no more or less inappropriate than your pull up Captain Censorship.

[SonofScray]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

For the second time this season I'm at least happy we didn't get blown out if the water and lose by 10+ goals. At least part of our game held up.

That is something that gave me a bit of hope out of yesterday. We have a resilient & robust defensive strategy that looks after the scoreboard pretty well. Feels like we are aways a chance so long as the other areas of the game get going.

Even yesterday, in a game we were never really in at all, you feel like two goals on the trot would have shifted things. Follow up Campbell's 150m drop punt goal with a quick one and all of a sudden the wheels start turning properly. The goal reversal hurt a little in that context as well, emotional let down after building towards some momentum.

[Mofra]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

I do not condone gifting games to young players, not sure why you keep bringing that up. Guys like Honeychurch have been averging 30 disposals a week at VFL, as is Dunkley and to a lesser extent Webb. I think they have earned a call up.

Dunkley and Honeychurch must be close to playing but with Adams, Boyd & Redpath likely to be available this week it will be hard enough getting those three into the side.

Personally I'm not convinced we can play both Boyd and Adcock in the same defence but clearly the MC see it differently.
Honeychurch's defensive pressure is elite and would perhaps stop the best opposition distributer in the back half cutting us up (Shaw killed us yesterday) but Mclean is the more attacking weapon and Dickson has the runs on the board, despite having an absolute shocker yesterday,

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

I do not condone gifting games to young players, not sure why you keep bringing that up. Guys like Honeychurch have been averging 30 disposals a week at VFL, as is Dunkley and to a lesser extent Webb. I think they have earned a call up.

Those guys are all playing midfield and last time time I checked our midfield is at full strength and has been functioning well.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Game Day Round 9 2016 - GWS Giants V Western Bulldogs

Koby has only had about 10 missed tackles... Not good enough from a strong/ mature player.

He might still be sore