Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Gia was incredible. Many doubt him but he just did so many of the important things when the game was there to be lost, kicing goals, landing passes, tackling. Everything. A great effort by guido and a performance his critics should look twice at.

He was sensational in the last quarter and played his heart out.

[DOG GOD]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

IMO williams was RUSHED back into the team to get game time ready for the BUDDY attack in 2 weeks.

[The Underdog]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

IMO williams was RUSHED back into the team to get game time ready for the BUDDY attack in 2 weeks.

Thinking about it last night, this thought crossed my mind too. It's an odd way to go about it, but he was clearly underdone. They obviously were also a bit scared of Freo's tall forwards also and I guess picked him for balance, but I would have thought maybe Tiller could have played the role or alternatively come out for Ray. Be interesting to see what happens with selection next week, especially with the good record North's mostly ordinary talls have against us (yeah I'm looking at you Drew Petrie).

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Williams is far more comfortable playing away from the goal square. CHB is his position.

He seems to have a rugby league mentality when near goals and as a result loses some of his poise and confidence towards attacking the ball.

Williams is a superb athlete who knows little about footy. There was a good example of this when he held Tarrant behind the goal line and gave away a free. All he needed to do was stand between Tarrant and the ball and Tarrant had no where to go.

These things he can learn. I am confident he will turn into something special.

[dog town]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Extremely important win for us. Keeps a good buffer between us and the chasing pack. Also takes a bit of pressure off for this week which is important as I am sure North are primeing themselves. I like the fact that everyone in Australia could see Freo were going to come out hard but we still found a way to win after we were effectively down and out.

We keep finding new levels of intensity. The last quarter was probably the best display of defensive pressure I have seen from our side particularly off the ball. We worked so hard to cut off the options for Freo to use coming out of 50. We were then able to close them down and force tackles and more contests. It was pressure footy at its best by us and its pretty rare we have put the blowtorch to a side like that. The penny certainly seems to be dropping.

The way I saw the game is that we were happy to get numbers back and allow our forwards to have plenty of space . We were prepared to concede them a fair bit of ground and rely on our mobile forwards and stoppage dominance to put a score on the board. Freo were forced into a handball happy game which is the reason for the high possesion count they had. The two game styles both had advantages for each side without really being the deciding factor. At the very least we crowded the freo forward line to the point where Pavlich was forced a fair way up the ground to get a kick. It also meant that Freo made alot of errors under pressure around the midfield/half forward area. At times we seemed to lack the legs to push back up the ground and provide over lap options but we found a way in the end. I suppose the reason we found a way in the end is that we simply denied them the chance of getting the ball forward in the last quarter thus eliminating alot of the running we had to do.

We had our way with them at the stoppages again. We not only won more of them but later in the game we had alot of easy clearances that resulted in deep inside 50s. Credit to the boys for turning that around so far this season.

Our forward line continues to function with amazing efficiency but I still feel it could be better. Barely a week goes by this season without either Johnson, Hahn or Welsh dropping in front of Minson as he comes out unopposed on the lead. Just need a bit more communication. I suppose it is a strange set up we play with Hahn/Welsh often playing as deeper CHF's behind Murphy and it can be a fine line between giving an option and getting in the way.

Loved the fact that we looked so much stronger than them in the last quarter. We were just clean and strong in the contest whereas they fumbled all day.

Griffen- Freo put a bit more work into Cooney yesterday and Griff was able to pick up some of the slack. His risk taking and bulldozing work helped get us over the line. Can be an overrated kick at times but only because he doesn't take enough care with it. When he really settles on a kick he has amazing deftness. Cant belive how strong he is through the hips. That bit of play to set up Guido for his last quarter goal was breath taking.

Cooney- He was very good again and got us over the line when moved forward late. It was a pretty hard tag by Crowley but he was still able to influence the game. Needs to get out and take more marks around the ground. 2 is not even close to enough from a midfielder.

Cross- Very good all game although its obvious he is carrying an injury. Often wins crucial contests in the last quarters of close games.

Hargrave- As is generally the case when Hargy plays well I think his game has been overlooked. He completely blanketed Farmer at the expense of his usual attacking game. I thought he should have been switched onto Tarrant to be honest but he did his job well.

Minson- Keeps improving. I still think he will kick more goals as the year goes on. We tend to get in his way a bit. Surely he will have a day where all those marks start sticking? Around the ground and stoppage work is coming on nicely.

Aker- Did the things we got him to the club for. Loves the big occasion and stepped up everytime we needed him. Love the way he seems to enjoy kicking for goal so much. Amazes me that he can get left to right swing on the ball so easily from those pockets. Like to see him in the midfield more.

Johnson- Was very ordinary early but lead the fightback well. Great sign that Johnson is starting to tackle more often and do a few more of the team things. Sends a great message.

Wight- Pantsed by Tarrant and made that horrible mistake in the first quarter. For all the question marks people have on his disposal it is the first real howler I can remember from him that directly cost a goal. Ordinary game from Cam. Did some nice things late on.

Tiller- I thought we should have used him more. When he was on he gave a good option as a lead up player. He is doing fairly well when on the ground IMO.

Williams- Short of a gallop. Should be better for the run.

Welsh- Been a bit quiet lately but pops up when we need him. You just know he has a 5 or 6 goal game in him just around the corner. He was like that at the crows too.

Murphy- 10 marks and 3 classy goals. Close to our best on the day.

Eagleton- Very good game from Eagle. Liked his run and carry. The ground tends to suit him.

Boyd- A little down but made some very important contributions. Probably a game saving tackle after Guido turned the ball over late in the last quarter.

Guido- Keeps popping up with damaging contributions. A couple of classy finishes from a very good foot soldier.

Lake- Does he need a spray every week to get his head in the game? At his best when we are under pressure late in games but we need a more consistent output from him.

Morris- Battled hard on Pav.

Gilbee- Well down. Concerning to say the least at the moment. Good sign that we won without a big contribution from him. His confidence seems shot at the moment. Couldn't believe he passed to Murphy in the third quarter.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

^^

Good summary.

Agree that Aker needs to spend more time in the midfield. His last qtr in and around the stoppages was first class. Hopefully he will be used a bit more when other's are copping a hard tag, like Cooney yesterday.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

So when i texted you at three quarter time and said "I hate freo" and then you texted me and said "I hate everything" what you really meant was "I am really calm and have no doubts".

But I do hate everything! Always have and always will.



Ther important 3/4 time text was the one that said it'd be hard to win from here. That's where my true genius appeared because it was hard to win-BUT WE DID IT ANYWAY!!!!!!

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Thanks for your run down DT, didn't get to see the game, so appreciate the depth you've gone into.

Seems like we're positioning ourselves very well for a real tilt this year. Of the 3 leading teams, we've arguably been challenged the most, and have for the most part held up well. Going to be a big few weeks.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Thanks also for the report DT I'll try and write something a bit more detailed later, but just saw the Match Review Panel's statement and it's just baffling:

"Contact between Fremantle's Chris Tarrant and the Western Bulldogs' Daniel Cross from the first quarter of Sunday's match was reviewed. Tarrant did not make high contact with Cross, but the Bulldogs' player hit his head on the ground as he fell."

Cross stayed down for at least 15 seconds but Tarrant didn't hit him? I might be wrong, but it ****** looked like a hit to me.

I guess we should be glad that Eagle wasn't cited, but I agreed with others that his hit was fair.

[ledge]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

But I do hate everything! Always have and always will.



Ther important 3/4 time text was the one that said it'd be hard to win from here. That's where my true genius appeared because it was hard to win-BUT WE DID IT ANYWAY!!!!!!

Bet you dont hate it when we hold up the premiership cup!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Thanks also for the report DT I'll try and write something a bit more detailed later, but just saw the Match Review Panel's statement and it's just baffling:

"Contact between Fremantle's Chris Tarrant and the Western Bulldogs' Daniel Cross from the first quarter of Sunday's match was reviewed. Tarrant did not make high contact with Cross, but the Bulldogs' player hit his head on the ground as he fell."

I'm just as baffled. I was baffled when Cross never got a free for it.
Stupid Cross for diving head first into the ground.
Tarrant has a poor record. He should have gone

I wish Hall punched him in the head.

[ledge]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Hang on late news... Cross reported for striking T.Ground with a headbutt, no ealy plea straight to tribunal.

[Topdog]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Thanks for your run down DT, didn't get to see the game, so appreciate the depth you've gone into.

Thats exactly what I was going to say.

Thanks dog town.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

Bet you dont hate it when we hold up the premiership cup!

I'll find something...

[The Underdog]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Dockers

I'll find something...

Stupid sponsor's hats perhaps