Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Exactly. When a forward turn backmen in O’brien has a field day, imagine what Lever and May will do to us?

The thing that frustrates me the most is that, after all the positivity at the start of the season, we’re now basically back to having the exact same problems as we did after the final last year. Our forward mix has no natural forwards, our mids are weak as water and we have 1 legit KPD.

Now I know we lost Bruce to injury and went after Martin, but it’s really just exposed our depth in these areas and overall imbalance. Bruce/Naughton goes down and the hole forward line is dead. Keath goes down, see you later defence. Wanna rely on a 35yo ruckmen whose body is shot? Well you’re gonna have to win ruck contests with a guy who could barely out muscle a 10 year old kid.

And we’ve dug these holes ourselves by refusing to acknowledge them or arrogantly undermining their importance. And now we’re 1 game away from dropping out of the top 4 after being in the top 2 pretty much all season. Only we could manage that.

The good news is:

Schache would’ve probably played forward this week (or at least been in the side, with forward as an option) but for his injury. Unsure on his time frame, but he and Young are our depth. We’ve got JUH coming through who is probably a third tall in the Oscar Allen, Mitch Georgiadis mould for now. We’ve got young Darcy coming through who will take a couple of years granted but is perhaps that missing piece to partner with English from 2025-2030.

We rolled the dice on Martin which looked an absolute master stroke early in the year. Sweet has come on, but is perhaps another few years off being a consistent performer. I’m sure we try and fill this need again at seasons end.

We have a lot more quality and bat a lot deeper in these areas than we ever have, and have made moves over the past few years to continue to improve these areas. It’s never going to be perfect, but if we’d had Melbourne’s injury run we would be a few games clear on top of the ladder.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Our mids were pathetic and there’s no excusing them but you could see yesterday that whenever we got the ball near the centre of the ground, they’d look up and hesitate. There must have been nothing up forward all day.

Decent observation. I noticed it to, plus apart from Macrae their delivery has been terrible. Hunter. I mean man. Bont, well we know when he’s off he’s either surging and roosting to no one (suiting the Hawks +1 back) or in two minds getting caught. Looks like he isn’t playing on instinct and trying to do it all.

Targets inside 50 was 5 each for English, Naughton and Weightman then it dropped off significantly. Looks like we were trying to get it to Tim in the absence of Bruce.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Is Cordy going to get rubbed out?

Surely not, given Redman successfully argued his way out of a tackle that was previously leading to suspension. Crozier remains incredibly stiff for his one, Daniel too.

Hate this dangerous tackle stuff. The league can’t demonstrate any restraint and we see more and more examples fall into the realm of concern to justify its existence. Most can be avoided by the umpires blowing the whistle earlier for a ball up, or a free kick.

IN: Sweet
OUT: ruck nonsense

If I’m being a pessimist : 1 week -> club challenges -> decision upheld.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

In : Martin, JUH, Roarke Smith

Out : Hannan, JJ, Garcia

If Martin gets through training, he has to play.

JJ’s horribly out of form obviously, and the balance of the side is out with him there

Two quiet weeks in a row costly for Sonny, hoping Vandemeer is better for the run.

JUH more capable of a game changing moment than Hannan



Feeling very flat this morning, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we won Friday night. It’s the type of game we’ve pulled out of the fire before

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

The good news is:

Schache would’ve probably played forward this week (or at least been in the side, with forward as an option) but for his injury. Unsure on his time frame, but he and Young are our depth. We’ve got JUH coming through who is probably a third tall in the Oscar Allen, Mitch Georgiadis mould for now. We’ve got young Darcy coming through who will take a couple of years granted but is perhaps that missing piece to partner with English from 2025-2030.

We rolled the dice on Martin which looked an absolute master stroke early in the year. Sweet has come on, but is perhaps another few years off being a consistent performer. I’m sure we try and fill this need again at seasons end.

We have a lot more quality and bat a lot deeper in these areas than we ever have, and have made moves over the past few years to continue to improve these areas. It’s never going to be perfect, but if we’d had Melbourne’s injury run we would be a few games clear on top of the ladder.

All valid points and a clean injury run would certainly have helped. We are trying to address the needs now but I fear we’ve left it too late.

We’ve got our really good mids hitting their prime right now. But we’ve left our ruck recruiting too late. It’s gonna take ages for Darcy to come on and English is simply no good as a ruck.

Relying on Schache and Young as our KPD depth is fraught with desperation. Bevo won’t even play Young and he’s most likely not at the club next season. So then we’re putting our hopes on a guy who no one wanted on the list 12 months ago (Gardner), a guy who wouldn’t get a game at any other club but for some reason is 1st choice with us (Cordy) and then a guy who’s never played defence before (Schache). It’s patch work at best. And now we’re playing catch-up. Sam Power has worked magic for us on numerous occasions, but I think even for him it’s a stretch to get a ready-to-go ruck and KPD in NOW that will help us win a flag whilst our core mids are at their peak.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Decent observation. I noticed it to, plus apart from Macrae their delivery has been terrible. Hunter. I mean man. Bont, well we know when he’s off he’s either surging and roosting to no one (suiting the Hawks +1 back) or in two minds getting caught. Looks like he isn’t playing on instinct and trying to do it all.

Targets inside 50 was 5 each for English, Naughton and Weightman then it dropped off significantly. Looks like we were trying to get it to Tim in the absence of Bruce.

Bonts game was the most evident. When does he ever get caught htb? Yet it happened 2-3 times yesterday and each time it was because he hesitated. You’re right, he wasn’t playing on instinct and second guessed himself. He’s trying to will us over the line. What’s gone wrong? The midfield group suddenly look like they’ve never played together.

[Bornadog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

The biggest issue this year is too many changes for one reason or another. Yesterdays team had too many coming back from injury and Gardner was going to play until he visited a tier 2 site. Even though he tested negative, Tassie rules are in has to quarantine there for 14 days.

I think Gardner will come in for Cordy (suspended), as one almost certain change.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

The biggest issue this year is too many changes for one reason or another. Yesterdays team had too many coming back from injury and Gardner was going to play until he visited a tier 2 site. Even though he tested negative, Tassie rules are in has to quarantine there for 14 days.

I think Gardner will come in for Cordy (suspended), as one almost certain change.

Again, I want Gardner in too, but does this not speak to our problems in defence? 12 months ago no one wanted Gardner on the list. He was almost behind Billy Gowers in the pecking order.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Dixon, Marshall, Ladhams, Georgiades

We need three KPD. Hopefully Schache & Gardner back with Keath.

[Bornadog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Again, I want Gardner in too, but does this not speak to our problems in defence? 12 months ago no one wanted Gardner on the list. He was almost behind Billy Gowers in the pecking order.

Not sure that has to do with anything? Either he is good enough or not.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Not sure that has to do with anything? Either he is good enough or not.

He’s not. He’s a 3rd choice KPD at best. That’s the whole point.

[GVGjr]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

The biggest issue this year is too many changes for one reason or another. Yesterdays team had too many coming back from injury and Gardner was going to play until he visited a tier 2 site. Even though he tested negative, Tassie rules are in has to quarantine there for 14 days.

I think Gardner will come in for Cordy (suspended), as one almost certain change.

These are players that train together all the time so does a few changes really upset the balance?
I get that we might have had one or two just a bit underdone but we lacked spark and purpose yesterday and we need to see that return when we play Port next week regardless of the result.

I think Gardner will help us and we will need that extra height in the back half against Port.
If Schache is available he could play forward and swing back if necessary.

[Bornadog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

These are players that train together all the time so does a few changes really upset the balance?
I get that we might have had one or two just a bit underdone but we lacked spark and purpose yesterday and we need to see that return when we play Port next week regardless of the result.

I think Gardner will help us and we will need that extra height in the back half against Port.
If Schache is available he could play forward and swing back if necessary.

I don't disagree, but when you have Keath, VDM, and an under done Treloar and Dunkley it doesn't help.

Do you think the MC would drop Young if Stef is ready and bring in Schache?

[Jeanette54]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

Apology accepted.

However, I think it time to say my goodbyes as a poster for 2021.
I just want to wish all on WOOF much health and happiness for the rest of the year and beyond.
Stay safe everyone.
By 4 now.
Go Dogs !!!

Get back in line that man !!! Now is not the time to jump ship.

Your resignation is definitely not accepted.

Anyway leaving this forum is not going to do anyone any good, least of all, you.

You will still suffer the slings and arrows of the club's fortunes, just like the rest of us; whether you post or not. Because you bleed red, white and blue, as do all our posters.

[Bornadog]

Re: Always Right Match Committee Round 23 Vs Port Adelaide 2021

He’s not. He’s a 3rd choice KPD at best. That’s the whole point.

In your opinion.