3 Things Learned R21, 2025

[jeemak]

And then Laurence Angwin pinches their just bought stuff from their car in the background as they do their tag line to camera

I trust the marketing creativity talent at Cash Converters to have already tabled the possibilities. Just another reality the AFL blocks to keep up its image!

[jeemak]

I know it's a long shot but perhaps the MC and the coach know what's going in terms of team selection and maybe we don't have as many duds as some think.

I really didn't think we were capable of dismantling a top side like we did tonight and GWS are a top side.

I need to have a bit more trust in the players we might describe as being in the bottom 6 of our 23.

Feel the MC has tried to maintain a balance between blooding newer players and players they know might settle in the best 22/3. Maybe they've pushed it too hard over the season, we'll see over the next few weeks.

GWS are a lot better with Kennedy running and Greene roaming. They were in massive form, there's still a question mark over their effectiveness with that quality out of the side. However, we did as much damage as could be wanted let alone expected team vs. team on the day.

As for our bottom six. The real test comes when we face a team that is taking it up to us. Tonight may prove itself to be a false economy, especially if the bottom six doesn't get the job done against Melbourne next week.

[yourmate]

1. Lobb needs to play as our backup Ruckman. For example against Melbourne next week he can man up on Van Rooyen (assuming he plays) and just follow him everywhere. Naughton and Darcy just complement each other so well and I think we should try and maximize that as much as possible, and Lobb is a competent backup. If it means bringing in Jones/Khamis and dropping a medium defender I'm all for it.

2. Our best 6-10 players stack up just as good or better than any other team in the comp, but our bottom 6 just aren't good enough to compete on a consistent basis. They had good games tonight but I can't see them delivering four weeks in a row against quality opposition in the finals.

3. I really disliked the crowd behavior towards Stringer tonight. I get he didn't leave on the best of terms, but he played in the only premiership team most of us have likely seen and I think he should be treated with a little more respect.

[Mantis]

1/ You probably don’t want to have a bad night against us.

2/ Our lower ranked players can be important when they do the basics well and make some or most of their moments count.

3/ Tim has a bit of dawg in him after all.

[DOG GOD]

1. English is a lot better player when he gets into the fwd 50. Damaging

2. Darcy made Taylor look 2nd rate. Imagine Darcy in 2 years time

3. Our bottom 6 really contributed which was pleasing to see. In particular, Baker, McNeil and Poulter all looked HUNGRY.

[Happy Days]

1. English has figured out how to play to his strengths. He hasn’t done any soft boy shit all year and deserves some respect. I finally am willing to get hurt again

2. Those of us (not me check the record bud) who wanted Naughty dropped or even worse moved to the backline will have to answer to god

3. Lobb is a sicko for signing up for this key defender/ruck 100% game time role. He’s an absolute lion heart, a reputational change which I don’t think I will ever fully comprehend.

[doggies ftw]

1. Tim beaten in the ruck duels but smashed his opponent around the ground - just proves hitouts aren't everything

Nah I disagree with this, Tim had 12 Hit outs to advantage to Briggs 7, also a number of free kicks as Briggs was so worried about him in the ruck. He bloody smacked him in the ruck and our midfield is impossible to stop when they’re getting service like that and Bont, Richards can stream out the front of the contest with some type of certainty as to where the ball is going and it makes us literally impossible to beat when Timmy is rucking like that. It starts in the middle.

Raw hitout numbers sure, and hitouts aren’t everything but dominant ruckwork sure is important and I think last night showed that. Our midfield deserves decent service and Timmy is finally giving it, that’s why his game has gone to another level. He was immense in all aspects

[Sedat]

1. English has had a very good year. Did I learn it tonight? No, but it was emphasized. Underrated. I've been a critic but he's been consistent, and some of his games he's run his opponent into the ground. He embarrassed Briggs tonight - who isn't a bad ruck. Phenomenal work rate, and his marking power is back.

2. Naughton and Darcy are the best duo in the game. There's actually a few good duos in the league but they've now kicked 60 in 8 weeks between them. Working so well together.

3. Baker can still make it. You can see why he's on an AFL list. Quick, good power, penetrating kick and works hard. Consistency is always his issue but he's good enough to be going around next year.

English loves feasting on the lumbering ruck types - he eats these guys for breakfast with his workrate to run both ways. He really bossed Briggs last night and took him into very uncomfortable areas - he was easily BOG for mine.

Baker is absolutely fine as the 22nd-23rd player picked in the team, but the reason why he hasn't nailed a consistent AFEL career to date is because he regularly misses easy spot-up kicks when under no pressure (like he did in the 1st qtr running free off half-back - 99% of players in the competition hit that kick). I do really like his athleticism and physical attributes, and he works very hard with and without the ball.

[Axe Man]

And then Laurence Angwin pinches their just bought stuff from their car in the background as they do their tag line to camera

And perhaps Ricky Nixon trying to offload some counterfeit memorabilia?

[ledge]

1 just shows it’s all in our heads , we came out unstoppable , no matter who we played they were going to get a shellacking.
2 The players love Bevo despite what the media were stating earlier in the year , congratulations on 250 games here is your present 88 points and never in doubt.
3 I thought Bevo only had a problem with Cornes , I have learned it’s channel 7 . What’s behind that ? I mean yeah BT is a clown but I don’t think he is disrespectful and more trying to promote a bit of fun .

[NAUGHTY100]

1 . When Darcy plays a big one our forward line is dangerous , if Naughton plays a big one our forward line looks tremendous .
If both Darcy and Naughton play big games we are unbeatable .
2 . If our mid field is on top , and guys like English ,Bontempelli , Richards and Libba are running and distributing the ball not many sides can stop us .
3 . If Lobb is intercepting and marking the ball , and the likes of Dale and JJ are running forward with the ball and delervering it to our forwards , we win most games .
Every year we tend to have a purple patch towards the end of the year where all the above falls into place and we are unbeatable , lets hope that last night was the begining of that purple patch and we go into the finals series as the form side in the completion .

[ledge]

1 . When Darcy plays a big one our forward line is dangerous , if Naughton plays a big one our forward line looks tremendous .
If both Darcy and Naughton play big games we are unbeatable .
2 . If our mid field is on top , and guys like Bontempelli , Richards and Libba are running and distributing the ball not many side can stop us .
3 . If Lobb is intercepting and marking the ball , and the likes of Dale and JJ are running forward with the ball and delervering it to our forwards , we win most games .
Every year we tend to have a purple patch towards the end of the year where all the above falls into place and we are unbeatable , lets hope that last night was the begining of that purple patch and we go into the finals series as the form side in the completion .

Maybe it was the week before against depressendon

[GVGjr]

You rarely hear about how many players were on the ground with less than 50 games experience when we have a convincing win.
It's not really a thing.

Let's bury the Naughton to the back line discussions.

Bevo is a mighty humble man. On Wednesday I congratulated him on his 250th, it was met with a smile, thanks but a request to keep it quiet

[Bornadog]

You rarely hear about how many players were on the ground with less than 50 games experience when we have a convincing win.
It's not really a thing.

When the oppo is similar, then yes you don't hear about it.

Total Players By Games
Western Bulldogs Games GWS

9............... Less than 50.......... 7
4................ 50 to 99................... 7
2................ 100 to 149............... 4
5............... 150 to 200............... 2
3................ 200 or more........... 3

[GVGjr]

When the oppo is similar, then yes you don't hear about it.

Total Players By Games
Western Bulldogs Games GWS
9 Less than 50 7
4 50 to 99 7
2 100 to 149 4
5 150 to 200 2
3 200 or more 3

So do lower the impact of a win when we have a vastly more experienced team or do we get on with things and accept that both sides are just picking their best sides regardless?