Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

[merantau]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Some posters were asking last week how does Williams get a game over Webb, and I answered he gets more of the ball, and today I thought he was fantastic. Still only 20 years old, he is slowly but surely getting better every week. Kicked his first AFL goal today.

The things I liked about Williams' game were: 1) his courage. He stood under and marked a number of high balls 2) he hit targets and 3) he has a lot of pace off the mark which helps him break out of congestion. A really impressive game and I hope he builds on this.

[merantau]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

I thought it was Suckling's best game for a while.

Yes, agree with that. He played with real purpose and sureity by hand and foot. The entire defensive effort was streets ahead of anything we have shown for some time.

Essendon are supposed to be a really quick side but I thought we matched them in that area. Speed is not just dependent on leg speed but is also very dependent on precision. If the handpass hits the exact spot, if the kick allows the player to run onto the ball - voila! - the ball moves like lightning.

This was our best display - 4 quarter effort - since the GF.

[ratsmac]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

I missed the game yesterday even after buying resevered seats then realising it had a camping trip booked for the same weekend. Idiot!
However I did get watch it on TV. As soon as I saw our intent, willing to tackle and put pressure on the druggies, I knew we were a chance. From the last 2 weeks efforts that was so pleasing to see. We as a club got smashed by the media, social media and even on here, and credit to everyone involved at the club to turn things around so quickly. It's only 1 game but it showed everyone (and I suppose themselves too) that they are on the right track after all. Had we still lost that game there were that many positives to take out of it to build on was pleasing, but to dominate them for 90% of the game and win is *!*!*!*!ing insane. We should of won that by 8+ goals.

The kids were terrific all day but it was how the leaders stood up and worked together that stood out to me. They were smashing in hard from the first bounce and we looked organised.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Shoutouts to Honeychurch and Williams - I have been very critical of both and while I am a long way from convinced, both were superb yesterday. Honeychurch worked incredibly hard all day long and really threw his body into everything.

Williams' reading of the play and marking was a real highlight - he set up so much of our attack and he used the ball well. Didn't see that performance coming.

Redpath and Dickson made a big difference - neither starred but they are forwards who know when and where to lead.

Dunkley is developing into a robust player who is one of the better marks in the game too.

[Ozza]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

I was at a grandparents 80th birthday...but as soon as the speeches were over, grabbed my 7 year old son and we uber'd into Docklands to get there for the second half - running from car to seat (the boy has his old man covered for endurance).
Thoroughly enjoyed the second half - and glad we made the dash in there. Would have been easy to give this week a miss entirely, but its so sweet beating Essendon (I grew up in Essendon....so as far as people disliking the bombers, I reckon I'm on the podium).

Looking forward to watching the 1st half when I get a chance (although I did catch some on my phone on the drive in!).

I'm liking the roles being given to Honeychurch, and I'm also liking his attack on the footy. Dahlhaus' tenacity was back yesterday - seemed to absolutely relish being back in the midfield, and sent the message to the coaches that he wants to stay there.

Not sure how Macrae was in the first half - but his work ethic in the second half was immense. In the last quarter, the Essendon mids just couldn't match him on his wide searching runs to be an option for his team mates. And his use of the footy continues to be sublime this year.

McLean is a jet.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

I was at a grandparents 80th birthday...but as soon as the speeches were over, grabbed my 7 year old son and we uber'd into Docklands to get there for the second half - running from car to seat (the boy has his old man covered for endurance).
Thoroughly enjoyed the second half - and glad we made the dash in there. Would have been easy to give this week a miss entirely, but its so sweet beating Essendon (I grew up in Essendon....so as far as people disliking the bombers, I reckon I'm on the podium).

Looking forward to watching the 1st half when I get a chance (although I did catch some on my phone on the drive in!).

I'm liking the roles being given to Honeychurch, and I'm also liking his attack on the footy. Dahlhaus' tenacity was back yesterday - seemed to absolutely relish being back in the midfield, and sent the message to the coaches that he wants to stay there.

Not sure how Macrae was in the first half - but his work ethic in the second half was immense. In the last quarter, the Essendon mids just couldn't match him on his wide searching runs to be an option for his team mates. And his use of the footy continues to be sublime this year.

McLean is a jet.

Same as he was in the second half, and in all six halfs (except maybe the first half v West Coast) he has played this year. A running, ball gathering machine.

[Mofra]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

The things I liked about Williams' game were: 1) his courage. He stood under and marked a number of high balls 2) he hit targets and 3) he has a lot of pace off the mark which helps him break out of congestion. A really impressive game and I hope he builds on this.

I've liked him in patches but this was his first real 4 quarter effort.
He is surprisingly good overhead for his height which means we can put him on a medium forward and kill them on the rebound, especially with Wood getting back into intercepting form providing the odd chop-out.
Seemed to get Hooker and Stewart a number of times which really played into our advantage (did he normally take Baguely when we reset the defence?)

[Grantysghost]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Conor Mckenna accused of biting Dickson....Nice.

http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/essendon-bombers/bomber-could-be-in-hot-water-over-alleged-bite-20180409-p4z8i9.html

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Conor Mckenna accused of biting Dickson....Nice.

http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/essend...09-p4z8i9.html

Love the way Bailey Dale ran up and flew the flag by dragging him off Dickson. If true he should get 4 weeks for a dirty act.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Conor Mckenna accused of biting Dickson....Nice.

http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/essend...09-p4z8i9.html

Why isn't afl.com reporting this?

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Why isn't afl.com reporting this?

No idea. SEN are.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

A great moment

[G-Mo77]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Love the way Bailey Dale ran up and flew the flag by dragging him off Dickson. If true he should get 4 weeks for a dirty act.

4 weeks? Should be double figures minimum.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

A great moment

It's not until you watch it in long shot that you figure out where on earth Caleb Daniel comes flying into the contest from. On the coverage the first you really see of him is when he rolls out from underneath a Essendon player.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Game Day Round 3, 2018 - Western Bulldogs V Essendon at Etihad Stadium

A great moment

Sums up how Josh Green plays the game too. Works hard to get on the end of an easy possession /goal. Will not run defensively.