Always Right Match Committee R15 vs Richmond 2025

[GVGjr]

Welcome to the Always Right Match Committee Thread. The Match Committee threads has been named after long time WOOF member Always Right who tragically passed away in March 2018.

If you were on the Western Bulldogs match committee, what changes would you make after our Round 14 match against St Kilda for our Round 15 match against Richmond at Marvel on Sunday.

For those new to these threads, please give a brief explanation for your changes ... this would add a lot of value to the discussion.

[GVGjr]

Bump

[Happy Days]

In: Buss
Out: Cleary

Let’s start trying

[Mofra]

Hard to tell without VFL form. Tonight told us nothing.

[Bornadog]

No change at this stage.

[Cmac1297]

Early call JJ for Cleary or Bramble?

[comrade]

Hoping for a Sellwood blinder to start putting some pressure on Bramble & Cleary.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

I’m not sure we will have any changes after a win lick that. So hopefully everyone pulls up well

[JackCJohnston2000]

In: Buss
Out: Cleary

Let’s start trying

Yeah because the three key defender structure has worked so well for us this year...

[Happy Days]

Yeah because the three key defender structure has worked so well for us this year...

I don’t hate and have defended Cleary on here and his defensive work is pretty okay but he’s terrified to actually get the ball and it’s killing us in a system that relies on everyone to be able to exit D50 competently.

Buss is only a KPD when it suits us at selection so we don’t have to pick him. He’s a much, much better kick, can intercept and I don’t buy that there’s some massive gap between him and Cleary either athletically or in speed.

[doggies ftw]

Don’t think we’ll make many changes based on that and Bramble was okay, Cleary started poorly but actually turned it around and had a decent impact in the end and same as McNeil.

So based on last night those 3 were fine after some early errors - BUT they’re very clearly the 3 weak links in this side and they’re going to be fine against shit teams that let you run around and do what you want but I just feel all 3 of them absolutely go to water against decent sides.

I get not everyone can be a star and you need role players but I don’t think these 3 are solid enough in high pressure games to keep persisting with. Bramble is not particularly good at anything, pretty poor defensively, runs fast but usually aimlessly and turnover merchant. Cleary actually can defend which is nice but his body is still no where near it, not particularly strong overhead and whilst he should be a good kick he also can’t be trusted.

McNeil does so much right so it’s frustrating, works super hard, competes & pressures but he kills us offensively, one of the worst finishers in the comp which is one thing but it’s also the way he continuously breaks down offensive chains - every single time he gets the ball on the wing he takes 15 seconds too scared to make a decision before finally throwing it on the boot to a contest, if not straight turning it over.

We clearly don’t have many other options in these positions but I think it’s time to try something to find a better balance whilst we have some easier games.

Garcias not exactly the cleanest user either although I think he’s better than McNeil, or at the very least more decisive. Hes not exactly what we’re screaming for in a small forward but I’d be tempted to throw him in and just go full 2016 style chaos ball inside 50 - Darcy & Naughty the marking targets with a mix of West, Garcia, Harmes, Kennedy etc at ground level. Not really a hell of a lot of class there but the opposition is going to have a bad time when the ball hits the ground and we know the midfield will give them enough supply to just cause carnage at ground level

The Backlines a tough one with only really JJ to return. I think having Freijah & Williams spend more time there has been important - we just needed some composure and they both provide it. I like the two tall set up best but I tend to agree with above that Buss is hybrid enough to play Clearys role and we don’t really lose anything. I’d be tempted to try this for a few weeks and see how it goes. I don’t want another Jones or Gardner type though, unless match ups permit it.

I don’t think Jacques is ready and backline is a bit harder than forward to come in underdone because your mistakes can really pay. But in saying that I think he’s deserves a shot considering the potential reward is big. And realistically the one that can really make a difference here in the short term is Selwood if he can pick up the speed quick, he’d be perfect to cover Clearys role.

So long story short, I think we need to try and plug the 3 weakest links in our team and we do have some options for it over the coming weeks - any mix of Buss, Sellwood, Jacques, JJ, Harmes, Garcia in for Bramble, Cleary, McNeil.

McNeil can be super sub, he’s actually pretty decent at that role seems to play better late. Hynes id prefer to play full games at VFL level, and Dolan I think has shown enough to warrant a starting 22 spot - really like him a lot

[GVGjr]

My quick thoughts are Cleary and Dolan out for JJ and Harmes in.
That's a really hard call on Dolan who looked likely to break through and Cleary was okay last night and he might still have some credits in the bank.

[Bornadog]

My quick thoughts are Cleary and Dolan out for JJ and Harmes in.
That's a really hard call on Dolan who looked likely to break through and Cleary was okay last night and he might still have some credits in the bank.

We do have to consider JJ and Harmes for sure

[GVGjr]

We do have to consider JJ and Harmes for sure

It's going to be interesting to see if we continue a development focus over the next couple of weeks and keep playing the 1st year players or if we try and settle down to our more stronger line-up.
Could we even managed a player or two?

[Bornadog]

It's going to be interesting to see if we continue a development focus over the next couple of weeks and keep playing the 1st year players or if we try and settle down to our more stronger line-up.
Could we even managed a player or two?

Do we need to manage Libba/Treloar? Bevo mentioned last week that Treloar may only be able to play 3 or 4 games and then be rested, but he seemed to improve as the night went on. I noticed when he came off for the rotations, he went straight to the Physos to rub his calves.

Not sure if we can play Hynes and Dolan in the same games - especially against tougher opponents.

What happens to Buku is another question.