Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

What did you think of Bevo's tactics, last week and this. Last week it was a 5 man forward line and this week 4 and sometimes 3 at the centre bounces. I thought it seemed to work and confuse the Swans a bit. Melbourne did that to us last year when they had 8 across the backline and when the ball was bounced, they all ran straight towards the centre. For this to work, you need to win the centre clearances, otherwise the ball could sail over your backline, and no one back to get the ball.

It certainly worked in the 3rd quarter when we needed to kick a few goals.

It’s been fun to watch. We’ve actually dominated large portions of both games - unfortunately for no reward. But a lot has worked for us (even if we haven’t exactly capitalised).

That centre bounce tactic we implemented on the last bounce where Richards actually could have kept running on and had a shot. I yelled when he didn’t. But I suppose if the free kick was against us it would have been a costly 50

Even with us lowering the eyes, we still haven’t fixed the long option going inside 50. This isn’t the no look bomb inside 50. This is where we have it 60 out and put it to the top of the square. We would have to be the worst in the comp at it. For some reason we still have too little or too many going for the mark. I barely see this with other teams but we either don’t even contest it or we all go up for it and no one is there for the crumb. I mean isn’t this a pretty simple fix?? Having a tall target adresses part of the issue but we are so poor at crumbing contests.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

It’s been fun to watch. We’ve actually dominated large portions of both games - unfortunately for no reward. But a lot has worked for us (even if we haven’t exactly capitalised).

That centre bounce tactic we implemented on the last bounce where Richards actually could have kept running on and had a shot. I yelled when he didn’t. But I suppose if the free kick was against us it would have been a costly 50

Even with us lowering the eyes, we still haven’t fixed the long option going inside 50. This isn’t the no look bomb inside 50. This is where we have it 60 out and put it to the top of the square. We would have to be the worst in the comp at it. For some reason we still have too little or too many going for the mark. I barely see this with other teams but we either don’t even contest it or we all go up for it and no one is there for the crumb. I mean isn’t this a pretty simple fix?? Having a tall target adresses part of the issue but we are so poor at crumbing contests.

The top of the square thing us because we take so long to get the ball forward and then it's a helicopter kick into the goal square where the whole defensive zone has had time to work back into. When Hawthorn do it they run the ball into a space and then usually a surgically executed kick that skims to exactly 12 metres out and hits whoever happens to be standing there on the chest. Defenders and forwards haven't had time to descend either.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

Having a tall target addresses part of the issue but we are so poor at crumbing contests.

I was really sick and tired of Redpath being man handled in the goal square and no free kick. This also happens to Boyd. Having said that, where the hell was Redpath in the last to lead and present himself? Every time Redpath leads, it's usually too early for the kicker to spot him up as they are not ready. I am seriously concerned about his forward work.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

I was really sick and tired of Redpath being man handled in the goal square and no free kick. This also happens to Boyd. Having said that, where the hell was Redpath in the last to lead and present himself? Every time Redpath leads, it's usually too early for the kicker to spot him up as they are not ready. I am seriously concerned about his forward work.

I think Redpath has been used almost as a diversion this year. He’s leading further up to create space behind him

[jazzadogs]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

I was really sick and tired of Redpath being man handled in the goal square and no free kick. This also happens to Boyd. Having said that, where the hell was Redpath in the last to lead and present himself? Every time Redpath leads, it's usually too early for the kicker to spot him up as they are not ready. I am seriously concerned about his forward work.

Or the kicker is not quick enough, takes the second or third option, by which time Redpath/other forward is out of position - either too close to the kicker or too wide in the 50.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

Or the kicker is not quick enough, takes the second or third option, by which time Redpath/other forward is out of position - either too close to the kicker or too wide in the 50.

Personally, he has not impressed me over the last two weeks. I don't know what to make of him.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

Personally, he has not impressed me over the last two weeks. I don't know what to make of him.

Same. Not a fan. If Boyd or Schache are in any sort of form, Red surely doesn't play.

[ratsmac]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

It was disappointing watching Buddy running Wood ragged and looking dangerous every time the ball went in his direction compared to Redpath who looks to be labouring at the best of times. However Redpath has given us better shape which has helped our other forwards in the past 2 weeks.

I agree that he is only keeping the seat warm for Boyd or Schache.

[whythelongface]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

As much as i hate losing i thought our performance on Saturday was impressive. Considering the discrepancy in experience between the two teams it was an outstanding effort to lead for most of the game. Of course it was disappointing to lose particularly as we had a chance at the death to win the game. But alas there are some really promising signs amongst our younger brigade - looking forward to seeing the likes of English, Richards and Naughton develop. Throw in the continued improvement of Dale, Daniel, McLean, Williams and Dunkley and add to the list of already established youngsters (22 to 23) - Bont, MaCrae, Hunter - that is a very good list of young players - we need to Boyd and Schache to continue improving this year.

Disappointed that we gifted some goals to the Swans - couple of turnovers that really cost us. But the last two weeks showed that the intent and hunger is clearly there. This week is a must win for us to stay in touch with the 8.

[Ozza]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

Franklin has 85 more career goals than our entire team from Saturday has. (877 to 792).
We only had 2 players that have kicked more than 100 career goals in the side right now (Dickson 151, Dahlhaus 109).

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

As frustrating as it was to lose, the strides we have made in the last 2 weeks have been remarkable.

On Saturday, Sydney had Franklin, Grundy, Jack, Hanneberry, Kennedy, McVeigh, Parker and Smith all at 150 games plus (5 of them 200 games plus). We had zero players who have got to 150 games.

There wouldn't be many teams in recent AFL history who have had fewer experienced players. The only 3 players on our list with 150 games plus are all injured but potentially available in coming weeks (Morris, Trengove and Picken).

We've got a fair bit to work on but we are tracking pretty well after the first 2 horrid weeks.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-10/...ldogs-v-sydney

3. It will be a contest between the most accurate team so far in 2018 and the least accurate; the Swans are operating at 57.1 per cent, the Bulldogs 38 per cent.

Hmmmmm. 3 more scoring shots than the Swans resulting in a 7 point loss.

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

Definitely not shameful. It was a tough hard contested game which unfortunately we ended up on the wrong end of- fact is if Caleb kicks a goal we are celebrating a good win. Caleb kicks a point we are wiping our foreheads saying we got out of gaol; he misses, Sydney clear and ice the game....

I would sooner we lose having given it all than put in the performances we did in rounds 1 & 2. Yes our goal kicking was crap. Our forward entries were kicking to a contest, but our endeavour and attack on the footy was good. Buddy was a non-factor on a day he should have had a feast. Disappointed to lose? Sure. Shameful? No

Or the difference between a team with an average game tally of 61, versus one with 116? A backline with 2 eighteen year olds versus one of the greatest players ever? I think shameful is much too harsh and doesn’t reflect the effort. We tired, their experience kicked in, our skills which looked crisp early dropped away, and still in the last two minutes we could have won. Let’s be realistic about this match.

As I said, no issues with the effort. In fact, I was extremely proud of the way we fought a big bodied and more experienced side that put us under extreme pressure around the football and across the ground. My ability to articulate that immediately after the game was hampered by frustration at our inability to take our chances.

However, that inability to convert simple opportunities is shameful, and that was what I was predominantly referring to within my post (and the decision making frustrated the hell out of me, but I can forgive much of that in the heat of the moment). That AFL standard players can continually dish up the putrid attempts at goal in which our team seems to specialise, simply isn't good enough, and I am sick of having to bang my head against a wall each week watching it happen.

You don't have to be an experienced AFL footballer to take easy chances in front of goal. Every player on our list was an elite junior footballer. Every single one of them. Why is it that our bunch of players who used to be elite juniors, and seem to be pretty bloody good at most things on a footy field at the senior level, are so bloody bad at burying opportunities in front of goal?

Anyway, this topic's been done to death to date and will be done to death in the future. I just wanted to get across the point that I didn't think the effort and overall performance was shameful........

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

And another thing, what is the deal with Zac Jones?

Is he actually good and really tough?

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day Round 4, 2018 - Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium

As I said, no issues with the effort. In fact, I was extremely proud of the way we fought a big bodied and more experienced side that put us under extreme pressure around the football and across the ground. My ability to articulate that immediately after the game was hampered by frustration at our inability to take our chances.

However, that inability to convert simple opportunities is shameful, and that was what I was predominantly referring to within my post (and the decision making frustrated the hell out of me, but I can forgive much of that in the heat of the moment). That AFL standard players can continually dish up the putrid attempts at goal in which our team seems to specialise, simply isn't good enough, and I am sick of having to bang my head against a wall each week watching it happen.

You don't have to be an experienced AFL footballer to take easy chances in front of goal. Every player on our list was an elite junior footballer. Every single one of them. Why is it that our bunch of players who used to be elite juniors, and seem to be pretty bloody good at most things on a footy field at the senior level, are so bloody bad at burying opportunities in front of goal?

Anyway, this topic's been done to death to date and will be done to death in the future. I just wanted to get across the point that I didn't think the effort and overall performance was shameful........

It nearly always comes back to technique.