Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

[1eyedog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

Clay is a shadow of his former self at the moment. The opposition must be hoping we select him.

[Bullies]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

Clay is a shadow of his former self at the moment. The opposition must be hoping we select him.

Surely they can not select Clay. They will have a feast running of him.

[azabob]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

My concern not bringing in Fletcher or Collins we are relying on Cordy, Young & Biggs to perform lock down roles. Our mobile defense is missing two key pillars Wood who can float and zone off and our number one lock down defender in Morris.

The more I think about it Easton Wood is our most important player from a structure perspective. He can play so many different roles as defender which has a massive flow on effect on how we structure up in defense, mids and forward.

Fingers crossed Patton doesn't play or they play Lobb as number one ruck.

[jeemak]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

I think we're asking for a bit of trouble bringing in Roberts, but asking for a whole lot of trouble leaving him out........if that makes sense!

[comrade]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

I thought bringing in Roberts in last year's prelim was going to be a disaster yet he somehow went up a level. I'd be reasonably confident he can do it again.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

I thought bringing in Roberts in last year's prelim was going to be a disaster yet he somehow went up a level. I'd be reasonably confident he can do it again.

The best thing he did in the prelim was in the last 2 minutes when he slammed the ball on his foot to get it out of their F50 and gain us some ground and time. Other than that, he went the punch all day.

We probably don't have much choice, but will depend on who GWS play.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

The best thing he did in the prelim was in the last 2 minutes when he slammed the ball on his foot to get it out of their F50 and gain us some ground and time. Other than that, he went the punch all day.

We probably don't have much choice, but will depend on who GWS play.

Don't think I'll ever forget the 180 turn he did coming out of defence in the 1st quarter of that game. Demonstrated someone confident, probably from playing the previous weeks at VFL level instead of getting slammed by Kennedy & Gunston.

He's not anywhere near that form - encouraging to hear he kicked two in the last quarter on the weekend, but our forward line's full.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

I thought bringing in Roberts in last year's prelim was going to be a disaster yet he somehow went up a level. I'd be reasonably confident he can do it again.

Last year he had MBoyd, Morris, Hamling & Wood in the back 6 to assist & instruct.. He's been left to fight his own battles this year and has been left floundering.

I hope if he comes in he can with more confidence and aggression, but I won't be holding my breathe.

[always right]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

Roberts is a player who relies on those around him to play well. This allows him to simply play a defensive role with support from teammates. When our defence is under the pump and he is left one out to win contests, he struggles.

I think he could be needed against GWS but I'm concerned that he will be left one out too often with the absence of Wood.

[comrade]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

Last year he had MBoyd, Morris, Hamling & Wood in the back 6 to assist & instruct.. He's been left to fight his own battles this year and has been left floundering.

I hope if he comes in he can with more confidence and aggression, but I won't be holding my breathe.

Yeah, that's a good point. He does seem the type that needs plenty of hand holding.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

Yeah, that's a good point. He does seem the type that needs plenty of hand holding.

We have Suckling with over 100 games to support him Everyone else is inexperienced in the backline - unless Bob goes back there

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

We have Suckling with over 100 games to support him Everyone else is inexperienced in the backline - unless Bob goes back there

We need the backline to stand up but I think the game will be won in the middle. GWS best 4 players last week were all onballers. They streamed down the ground and kicked goals too.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

I really don't like playing guys just because of their position. If Cameron was playing, I would bring in Fletch out of pure need but I don't think we need to play him.

Talls wise, they have Patton and Lobb. Looked at time on ground numbers. Cordy and Young both average more TOG minutes than Patton. Lobb will also spend about 20% of the game offering ruck relief.

[comrade]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

We have Suckling with over 100 games to support him Everyone else is inexperienced in the backline - unless Bob goes back there

God help us all

[Axe Man]

Re: Match Committee - Round 21, 2017 vs GWS Giants

Surprise appearance leaves Bob feeling fit

BOB MURPHY'S unexpected appearance in last week’s Western Bulldogs' line up has left the veteran captain feeling fit and ready for Friday night’s clash with Greater Western Sydney, teammate Mitch Wallis says.

Murphy was the travelling emergency last week but ended up playing in the Dogs' win over the Brisbane Lions when Jason Johannisen pulled out after hurting his back in the warm up.

Despite Murphy missing his scheduled rest, Wallis said the skipper would face the Giants.

"I think he's pulled up better from the game this week than he did last week," Wallis said.

"I know it was a fair coincidence JJ pulled out in the warm up … [Murphy] had every intention to be rested but then played and contributed quite well.

"He trained well yesterday so I think he'll be available for selection, and he'll play and play well."

Wallis also said Johannisen, Jake Stringer and Tory Dickson should be available to return after injury, pending on how they got through training this week.

Stringer has missed the past three games with a hamstring complaint, and Dickson the win over the Lions with a calf injury.

Matthew Boyd won't play this week and hasn't since round 16 because of an Achilles injury, but Wallis said he was confident the veteran hadn't played his last game despite announcing his end-of-season retirement on Tuesday.