Where are our runners???

[dog town]

This is mainly a question for the posters who are able to get to some of the VFL matches.

Realistically how far off are the likes of Lynch, Stack, Reid, Ward, O'Keefe and these types of guys from being able to have an impact at AFL level? We have managed to give our side a bit more of a hardened and organised edge around the stoppages and contested play in general so far this year but we have continued to lose a bit of run.

I called it back in 2005/2006 that we had poor running depth even though we often ran sides into the ground in those years. Most agreed with me in numerous threads over the last couple of years that it would become a concern down the track. We have now lost Smith and Mcmahon within the space of 2 seasons and although our start to the season has been impressive I see many signs that we could fall away pretty quickly with injuries to any of our key runners. We have played 2 of the quickest sides in the comp over the last two weeks and could easily have lost both of them. All credit to the boys for getting the job done but these sides clearly worried us for run all over the ground. What worries me is that we dont have any clear reinforcements waiting in the wings other than the injured Ray, Higgins and Everitt.

I usually think pace is a little overrated but we still rely on it a bit for the way we play. With Aker and Eagle only getting older I really worry about where the back up will come from. Even Cooney has developed as more of an inside grunt player who rarely gets outside.

Perhaps I am over reacting after two weeks against pretty quick sides. After all we didnt lose either game but I think we should learn the lessons from our poor second half of last season. Do you guys see any of the players who are currently running around in the VFL being capable of giving us a bit of a burst if they were called upon this season?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Where are our runners???

We are faster than Geelong. Pace isnt the issue, we just arn't good enough

[Dry Rot]

Re: Where are our runners???

We certainly look relatively slower but are we or are other sides faster?

Can we get more out of small forwards like Gia and Aker?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Where are our runners???

We are faster than Geelong. Pace isnt the issue, we just arn't good enough

Good enough to do what?

Not lose? If anything, we are too good to serve up the tripe we've been serving up the last couple of weeks, and yet, we've come away with a something from both of them. The structure is looking far more sound, most players have had a good pre-season, our younger players are getting better, almost every player except Johnno and maybe Gia are better than they were last year, we've unearthed a couple of raw gems, the VFL players are pushing for spots, there has been mental application in hanging on in tight games and coming from behind, the recruits have all performed at least serviceably, and there are quite a few key players coming back from injury.

So, to sum up so far: good results, increased depth, positive change, clear natural improvement, more potential improvement to come, a more balanced list, relatively successful recent recruitment.

What more could the team reasonably be doing, after the disappointment of last year, to encourage a positive outlook? We haven't achieved anything yet, and the last game was terrible, but surely the team is far ahead of most people's expectations at this point. How many wins did you pick them for before the start of the season?

Or do you think we're somehow overachieving by drawing with Richmond? Because if you think we're UNDER-achieving that means you think we're quite a good team, but if you don't think we're any good and are lucky to have won the last few games then we must be very lucky, and I'd take lucky any day of the week.

Seriously, what point are you trying to make?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Where are our runners???

We certainly look relatively slower but are we or are other sides faster? Can we get more out of small forwards like Gia and Aker?

You don't think Aker has been good? He could kick a few more miracle goals, but apart from that he's stood up at crucial times.

I do think that Gia's been a disappointment so far. His disposal is okay, and he kicks the goals he's expected to, but his lack of pace stands out in the team and in today's game. His compensating factors are his potentially sublime skills and decision making, but these have been way down on the standard he is capable of. He also hasn't added too much to the intensity of our contest around the ball generally, apart from a few good tackles. It has to be a fitness issue with his limited pre-season, as I know that he mentally tries as hard as anyone. A really, really hard 'pre-season' type program to get him right for the second half of the season and finals would be ideal, if we could get someone else into the side to cover for him... (CALLAN WARD!)

[Dry Rot]

Re: Where are our runners???

You don't think Aker has been good? He could kick a few more miracle goals, but apart from that he's stood up at crucial times.

I do think that Gia's been a disappointment so far. His disposal is okay, and he kicks the goals he's expected to, but his lack of pace stands out in the team and in today's game. His compensating factors are his potentially sublime skills and decision making, but these have been way down on the standard he is capable of. He also hasn't added too much to the intensity of our contest around the ball generally, apart from a few good tackles. It has to be a fitness issue with his limited pre-season, as I know that he mentally tries as hard as anyone. A really, really hard 'pre-season' type program to get him right for the second half of the season and finals would be ideal, if we could get someone else into the side to cover for him... (CALLAN WARD!)

I think you misunderstood me.

I meant that they may have to spend more time in the midfield.

[CraigW]

Re: Where are our runners???

We replaced our runners because we were getting pushed of the ball too easily. Will Richmond and Essendon learn from our mitakes? You have to get the ball to run with the ball. Simple.

[Mantis]

Re: Where are our runners???

We replaced our runners because we were getting pushed of the ball too easily. Will Richmond and Essendon learn from our mitakes? You have to get the ball to run with the ball. Simple.

We can get the ball, but we don't have enough players who can run and carry the ball and importantly players who can effectively distribute the ball by foot. Our good kicks or supposeded good kicks in Gilbee, Griffen and Eagleton can't get there hands on the ball. We are left with Gia, Boyd and Cross being our ball carriers and they simply aren't doing a good job at it.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Where are our runners???

I'm with DT on this one. We really need Ray back and I'd like to see someone with genuine pace come on.

We have no-one who can get near the likes of Davey.

Geelong have some bigger bodies but they still have real footspeed with blokes like Wajinsky and Stokes.

[Mantis]

Re: Where are our runners???

I'm with DT on this one. We really need Ray back and I'd like to see someone with genuine pace come on.

We have no-one who can get near the likes of Davey.

Geelong have some bigger bodies but they still have real footspeed with blokes like Wajinsky and Stokes.

Like who? Lynch? From reports he is a million miles away from being ready to play in the Dogs team again. Harbrow looks slow, shin splints causing problems again?

Agree Ray is sorely missed.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Where are our runners???

Like who? Lynch? From reports he is a million miles away from being ready to play in the Dogs team again. Harbrow looks slow, shin splints causing problems again?

Agree Ray is sorely missed.

That's my point, it doesn't look like there is much pace waiting in the wings.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Where are our runners???

That's my point, it doesn't look like there is much pace waiting in the wings.

It's a bit of a worry.

For some reason we don't have too many midfielders ready to take the next step into the side. Where are our 20-22 year olds? Higgins was about the only one, and he's gone for 12+ weeks. Aside from that we've got last years draftees & the year before. Stack, Harbrow & Lynch have been disappointing this year. Stack seems to be cruising in the VFL, although apparently played well on the weekend, whilst Harbrow has looked really ordinary in the AFL & Lynch slipping way back.

The signs have been pleasing thus far in '08, but I'm worried we could crash & burn if we receive anymore injuries. Ray will be a huge inclusion when fit, but it's a real shame Higgins is out for so long. Williams/Everitt will be welcomed inclusions provided they play as well or better than last season.

With these four quality players to return, that means Wight probably plays reserves & ditto Harbrow & Addison. Although Wight/Addison have done OK in parts, those inclusions make our side look a lot better.

Time will only tell.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Where are our runners???

You can only fit 22 in your 22. We've got Eagleton & Hill who are completely 'outside' players. Arguably Gilbee also. Cooney & Griff are outside/inside players who can run and carry, and have good pace, and then there's Boyd, Cross, West who play mostly inside.

The difference between this year and previous years is guys like Griffen and Cooney had previously played much more of an outside role, running and receiving from West et al rather than getting their own ball.

I don't think we're desperate for pace - across the board we're pretty quick. What we'd probably want is one super quick guy to take over from Eagleton - however skills are more important than pace - so would rather a skillful player than just a quick guy.

[1eyedog]

Re: Where are our runners???

I reckon the loss of West over the past 2 weeks has really made our ball movement look ordinary. Usually it is West who gets the ball and feeds it out to the runners, now our runners (Cooney, Griffen) are expected to get the ball when Crossy goes off for a rest. Boyd is a bloody good player but he is not a consistent hard ball get player. True, our runners are receiving more hard ball gets from Hudson from what they did from Street last year but just really think we miss West feeding it out. I also agree that we really miss Ray as well, with Jordy gone Ray is one player who finds space and likes to bounce and carry (even though his disposal is often poor).

[The Doctor]

Re: Where are our runners???

I think the moderate form of Gilbee and Eagleton hasn't helped any.

With Ray also injured it is easy to see why our running spark isn't so prominent. I reckon Ray would have afield day with our improved clearance work around the ground. McMahon is being missed in this area as he was one of our best.

We are also a bit one paced aroung the middle. Boyd, Giansiracusa, West, Cross, Hahn, Callan don't really burn the turf.