Round 1 Team, 2017.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I'm not really sure where to post this, but this thread will do.

I'm expecting Stringer to return to his 2015 form next year. I'm excited about the prospect and so should every other Bulldogs supporter.

[Twodogs]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I don't think its that either as he speaks fairly highly of Dale.

I think that's S coast siman's point.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

Last team to start pre-season training....and why shouldn't we be with 2 premierships....Thursday November 24

[comrade]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

Last team to start pre-season training....and why shouldn't we be with 2 premierships....Thursday November 24

Pendles was there for Collingwood's first day today

I wonder if Bob will start with the kids, given he's had pretty much a year out?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

After JLT 1: Assuming our rested guns are fit:

B: Morris Adams M. Boyd
HB: Murphy Cordy/Roberts Wood
C: JJ Bonts Macrae
HF: Crameri Cloke Stringer
F: Dickson T. Boyd McLean
R: Roughy Libba Dahl
Int From: Hunter, Biggs, Daniel, Picken, Suckling, Dunkley, Smith
Emergencies: Campbell, Jong, Cordy/Roberts

Injured: Wallis, Redders, Prudden
Kids remaining: Webb, Dale, Honey, Hamilton, Collins, Williams, Lynch, Roarke, Lepinski, Greene, Young, M-M, English, Tweedie

[GVGjr]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I guess actual starting positions and interchange players don't need to make sense but Picken and Hunter on the bench doesn't seem right. What does strike me is the is a number of similar sized players albeit with some differing skill sets and attributes.

I still think we missed the opportunity during the trade period to get someone to replace Hamling or to provide a bit more depth in the ruck.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I guess actual starting positions and interchange players don't need to make sense but Picken and Hunter on the bench doesn't seem right. What does strike me is the is a number of similar sized players albeit with some differing skill sets and attributes.

I still think we missed the opportunity during the trade period to get someone to replace Hamling or to provide a bit more depth in the ruck.

Right on both points. Essentially I've selected a squad of 25 akin to a Thursday night selection for a Sunday game. The next two games should hopefully make it a little more clearer, but we have a fair amount of depth if the kids start playing well.

If Roughy was to miss with that knees knock, then Campbell and English are it for rucks which is very light on. Boyd shouldn't be playing majority ruck. We are very light on for key defenders too. We have to hope that Roberts has elevated his game, that Adams first 10 games can be replicated and that Cordy & Collins develop again. But there's nothing we can do about that it now.

[1eyedog]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I guess actual starting positions and interchange players don't need to make sense but Picken and Hunter on the bench doesn't seem right. What does strike me is the is a number of similar sized players albeit with some differing skill sets and attributes.

I still think we missed the opportunity during the trade period to get someone to replace Hamling or to provide a bit more depth in the ruck.

Perhaps although Cordy goes back to fill the hole left by Hamling which is timely given Cloke and Crammers will be pushing hard for a place. Fletcher in the wings gives me some confidence in our back stocks as does Woods and Morris' ability to play taller. We went so small at times last year that I feel we rely on our defensive gameplan rather than stock our back half with talls. Our ruck stocks are paper thin.

[Before I Die]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I guess actual starting positions and interchange players don't need to make sense but Picken and Hunter on the bench doesn't seem right. What does strike me is the is a number of similar sized players albeit with some differing skill sets and attributes.

I still think we missed the opportunity during the trade period to get someone to replace Hamling or to provide a bit more depth in the ruck.

I don't see the tall back shortage this year as we have Roberts, Adams and Cordy, Collins, Morris and Wood. I wouldn't be surprised to find that Morris and Wood are our first choice key backs most weeks this year in order to fit all our running defenders in. In a pinch Cloke could also go back. If the scenario was dire we also have Bontempelli and Stringer who are both 192/193cm who could fill in for an in-game injury. There may be a shortage of potential 2017 All Australian CHBs, though Adams could surprise, but I can't see an overall shortage of tall backs or potential stop gaps, which was good enough for the flag last year. If Morris retires and Adams leaves, then that puts a different complexion on things in 2018. But who knows how well Cordy and Collins may come on.

I am not sure there is a problem with the rucks either. How many is enough, how many is too many. We are only playing one pure ruckman (probably not even one at the moment), and we have two back-ups. One who is ready to go and one who isn't, but may be by mid season. If Roughy and Campbell fall over and English isn't ready, then T Boyd rucks, supported by Cloke or Cordy, or Redpath when he comes back. Not ideal, but Boyd has shown he could do it and we now have the tall forwards to cover for him.

We have a further two tall kids on the list though they are clearly not yet strong enough. The alternative would have been to sacrifice a rookie with potential for a journeyman, most likely one dimensional, ruckman on the rookie list 'just in case'. The club could have re-signed Wilbur for another year 'just in case'. I think they made the right decision.

[GVGjr]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I don't see the tall back shortage this year as we have Roberts, Adams and Cordy, Collins, Morris and Wood. I wouldn't be surprised to find that Morris and Wood are our first choice key backs most weeks this year in order to fit all our running defenders in. In a pinch Cloke could also go back. If the scenario was dire we also have Bontempelli and Stringer who are both 192/193cm who could fill in for an in-game injury. There may be a shortage of potential 2017 All Australian CHBs, though Adams could surprise, but I can't see an overall shortage of tall backs or potential stop gaps, which was good enough for the flag last year. If Morris retires and Adams leaves, then that puts a different complexion on things in 2018. But who knows how well Cordy and Collins may come on.

With testing levels of injuries we did well with the personnel we had. Hamling played some very good games for us late in the year so losing him and not really replacing him does weaken us in my opinion. Sure Cordy returns to the back line but I don't think we have the depth needed.

I am not sure there is a problem with the rucks either. How many is enough, how many is too many. We are only playing one pure ruckman (probably not even one at the moment), and we have two back-ups. One who is ready to go and one who isn't, but may be by mid season. If Roughy and Campbell fall over and English isn't ready, then T Boyd rucks, supported by Cloke or Cordy, or Redpath when he comes back. Not ideal, but Boyd has shown he could do it and we now have the tall forwards to cover for him.

We are a ruckman short or at least a versatile ruckman forward short. I think it's fair to say English won't be ready for a couple of seasons and too much is left to Roughead, Campbell and Boyd. We should have squeezed one in as a priority.
Redpath might be able to handle a few short bursts as a back-up but we would struggle to get him into the side after his extended absence with Cloke and Boyd already there.

With Roughead out for at least 8 weeks a lot falls onto Campbell and Boyd to hold down the ruck duties in the early part of the season.

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

After JLT 1: Assuming our rested guns are fit:

B: Morris Adams M. Boyd
HB: Murphy Cordy/Roberts Wood
C: JJ Bonts Macrae
HF: Crameri Cloke Stringer
F: Dickson T. Boyd McLean
R: Roughy Libba Dahl
Int From: Hunter, Biggs, Daniel, Picken, Suckling, Dunkley, Smith
Emergencies: Campbell, Jong, Cordy/Roberts

Injured: Wallis, Redders, Prudden
Kids remaining: Webb, Dale, Honey, Hamilton, Collins, Williams, Lynch, Roarke, Lepinski, Greene, Young, M-M, English, Tweedie

I think Roberts is now way ahead of Adams. I was not impressed with Adams yesterday, and he needs to earn his spot back.

[whythelongface]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I think Roberts is now way ahead of Adams. I was not impressed with Adams yesterday, and he needs to earn his spot back.

Once Adams gets a few games under his belt he should be ok. He looked a bit rusty but confident he will bounce back to where he was prior to his injury.

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

Once Adams gets a few games under his belt he should be ok. He looked a bit rusty but confident he will bounce back to where he was prior to his injury.

Unlike others, I am not overly confident Adams can hold a key position. Whilst he played some good games last year, his biggest issue is his height and lack of ability to leap to make up the height difference. He struggled against Tommy Hawkins, and will struggle against other monster forwards like, Patton, Buddy and GC player Lynch.

Mind you Roberts needs to improve on the one on one contests as well.

[Ozza]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

I think Roberts is now way ahead of Adams. I was not impressed with Adams yesterday, and he needs to earn his spot back.

Agree completely.
Thought Roberts backed himself and looked confident in the air....whereas Adams looked unsure, nervous and losing his feet.

[1eyedog]

Re: Round 1 Team, 2017.

Unlike others, I am not overly confident Adams can hold a key position. Whilst he played some good games last year, his biggest issue is his height and lack of ability to leap to make up the height difference. He struggled against Tommy Hawkins, and will struggle against other monster forwards like, Patton, Buddy and GC player Lynch.

Mind you Roberts needs to improve on the one on one contests as well.

I agree but in saying that he makes up for it with his ability to read the ball through the air and his attacking nature. We managed to beat GWS and Sydney without him. He also has good weight and strength so can play on those big forwards. He will struggle with the high ball against guys who are 200cm though.

His ability to mark the ball deep in D50 is a massive, massive attribute. You need ability but you need to have confidence in yourself to do it consistently.