Can we still win it?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Can we still win it?

TBB,

Weightman is an important 'in' too. His ''energy'' & offensive pressure is vitally important and he hits the scoreboard too.

Not sure how I forgot him! 100%, he's vital.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Can we still win it?

I don't see the same grit and mind set in this squad. We may have a bit more natural talent now but completely lack the likes of Morris, Picken, Clay etc

2016 was a once in a life time achievement.

More than that, as great as Murph was, he wasn't structurally vital.

Losing Redpath was definitely more structural (and from memory he was in good form).

The bolded part I really agree with. I mean, the group absolutely has to reflect on 2016 and how we overcame adversity then but I doubt we EVER see those types of heroics repeated in our lifetime again.

[comrade]

Re: Can we still win it?

More than that, as great as Murph was, he wasn't structurally vital.

Losing Redpath was definitely more structural (and from memory he was in good form).

The bolded part I really agree with. I mean, the group absolutely has to reflect on 2016 and how we overcame adversity then but I doubt we EVER see those types of heroics repeated in our lifetime again.

Yeah, referring to 2016 and saying 'do that again' completely undersells how monumental that run was.

I look for evidence that we can generate that type of performance from this particular squad and I look at the last 2 finals series and the meek way we were bundled out, then look at how our side turned their toes up on the weekend with no one wanting to pressure or tackle, then look at how *!*!*!*!ed our structure is without Bruce and Martin (on top of Keath coming back from soft tissue) and it all leads to having absolutely no confidence in winning it all this year.

[soupman]

Re: Can we still win it?

In the dumbest way possible is the silver lining to maybe not being able to win the premiership the likelihood that this could be the least satisfying premiership ever?

I mean I would love to win the Premiership, and i wouldn't say no, but already a big part of me was pretty sad that should we do it this year as a resident of NSW I would be no chance of being permitted to attend. I was coming to terms with that, for as much as that would hurt me I would hope as many people I care about who are similarly invested (my family are pretty hardcore Dogs fans, and obviously everyone here, and i guess the wider Bulldogs community) would be able to be a part of it. With the current situation looking pretty bleak on all fronts, and talk of Grand Finals in WA (where I fully expect the crowd to be cancelled for at the last second), or Tassie (which is kind of cool but not for anybody who actually cares about the Bulldogs), I can't think of a less satisfying Premiership to win.

2016 was special on a number of levels, but all my favourite bits involved us supporters being along for the ride, being at the games, sharing in the moment, being a part of it. Football without fans sucks big time, and as into it as i still do get watching on TV football is is just another entertainment product once you strip away the community and energy of being a part of it. A premiership (and finals campaign leading to it which is probably the coolest bit of winning a premiership) where everyone that cares is stuck at home with whatever random assortment of people they live with who may or may not even be interested, separated from the other people they share the football journey with, and forced to view the moments through the idiotically zoomed in channel 7 lens as BT conducts his torturous commentary style is not the Premiership experience I want.

So as much as I do want to win the flag, I also don't want to win the flag if it's that. Again it makes me consider how perfect the 2016 run was, an actually perfect month of football.

[DOG GOD]

Re: Can we still win it?

We hit the first final with english as sole Ruck, no Bruce meaning naughton will struggle to contend with 2 defenders, cordy and possibly schache in defence, and keath playing his first game in 5? Weeks .

I can’t see it.

[azabob]

Re: Can we still win it?

Looking over yesterday's team, my concerns (individually) are on;

JUH - Not ready for big finals, even moreso without Bruce. Probably plays though now.
Scott - Really trailed off, offering little for a while now.
Schache/Cordy - Both absolutely horrendous 1-v-1, at least Schache is capable of an intercept mark.
Garcia - I like him but can he deliver in a big final? He's not a threat for opposition to kick goals which we're going to need without Bruce.



So from yesterday;

IN - Keath, VDM, Hannan, Young
OUT - Schache, Bruce, Scott, Garcia

I agree with the players you have listed as a concern, I think we also need to add JJ to the list and hope Dunkley and Treolar obtain match fitness and start contributing the way we know they can.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Can we still win it?

We hit the first final with english as sole Ruck, no Bruce meaning naughton will struggle to contend with 2 defenders, cordy and possibly schache in defence, and keath playing his first game in 5? Weeks .

I can’t see it.

Keath will be back this week or next.

[Mofra]

Re: Can we still win it?

I don't see the same grit and mind set in this squad. We may have a bit more natural talent now but completely lack the likes of Morris, Picken, Clay etc

VDM & Garcia have it.
Duryea as a small backman has it.
I'd prefer one more but we've got what we've got.

We can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. If we get it right on our day we win.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Can we still win it?

In the dumbest way possible is the silver lining to maybe not being able to win the premiership the likelihood that this could be the least satisfying premiership ever?

I mean I would love to win the Premiership, and i wouldn't say no, but already a big part of me was pretty sad that should we do it this year as a resident of NSW I would be no chance of being permitted to attend. I was coming to terms with that, for as much as that would hurt me I would hope as many people I care about who are similarly invested (my family are pretty hardcore Dogs fans, and obviously everyone here, and i guess the wider Bulldogs community) would be able to be a part of it. With the current situation looking pretty bleak on all fronts, and talk of Grand Finals in WA (where I fully expect the crowd to be cancelled for at the last second), or Tassie (which is kind of cool but not for anybody who actually cares about the Bulldogs), I can't think of a less satisfying Premiership to win.

2016 was special on a number of levels, but all my favourite bits involved us supporters being along for the ride, being at the games, sharing in the moment, being a part of it. Football without fans sucks big time, and as into it as i still do get watching on TV football is is just another entertainment product once you strip away the community and energy of being a part of it. A premiership (and finals campaign leading to it which is probably the coolest bit of winning a premiership) where everyone that cares is stuck at home with whatever random assortment of people they live with who may or may not even be interested, separated from the other people they share the football journey with, and forced to view the moments through the idiotically zoomed in channel 7 lens as BT conducts his torturous commentary style is not the Premiership experience I want.

So as much as I do want to win the flag, I also don't want to win the flag if it's that. Again it makes me consider how perfect the 2016 run was, an actually perfect month of football.

I tend to agree. That road trip up to Sydney for the prelim was something I'll never forget.

Best football moment of my dogs supporting life.

These last two flags just are really a distraction away for the unbelievable events post late 2019.

Amazing we are still going through this so long after.

Hope all dogs fans are coping OK.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Can we still win it?

I think it will be very, very hard from here. Not impossible, but very hard. Bruce has been huge for us this year and his absence pulls the whole side out of shape.

On a side note, my disgusted OH turned off the TV with ten seconds to go because he didn't want to hear the Bombers song. The mood was pretty bad then, but it got worse a couple of hours later when we found out about Bruce.

[comrade]

Re: Can we still win it?

VDM & Garcia have it.
Duryea as a small backman has it.
I'd prefer one more but we've got what we've got.

We can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. If we get it right on our day we win.

Not throwing the baby out, just trying to be realistic.

[Topdog]

Re: Can we still win it?

I haven't been worried about Martin but with the loss of Bruce he does become important.

[Bornadog]

Re: Can we still win it?

So as much as I do want to win the flag, I also don't want to win the flag if it's that. Again it makes me consider how perfect the 2016 run was, an actually perfect month of football.

Wow, a flag anytime for me, considering I have only seen one and followed the team for such a long time.

[Happy Days]

Re: Can we still win it?

In the dumbest way possible is the silver lining to maybe not being able to win the premiership the likelihood that this could be the least satisfying premiership ever?

I mean I would love to win the Premiership, and i wouldn't say no, but already a big part of me was pretty sad that should we do it this year as a resident of NSW I would be no chance of being permitted to attend. I was coming to terms with that, for as much as that would hurt me I would hope as many people I care about who are similarly invested (my family are pretty hardcore Dogs fans, and obviously everyone here, and i guess the wider Bulldogs community) would be able to be a part of it. With the current situation looking pretty bleak on all fronts, and talk of Grand Finals in WA (where I fully expect the crowd to be cancelled for at the last second), or Tassie (which is kind of cool but not for anybody who actually cares about the Bulldogs), I can't think of a less satisfying Premiership to win.

2016 was special on a number of levels, but all my favourite bits involved us supporters being along for the ride, being at the games, sharing in the moment, being a part of it. Football without fans sucks big time, and as into it as i still do get watching on TV football is is just another entertainment product once you strip away the community and energy of being a part of it. A premiership (and finals campaign leading to it which is probably the coolest bit of winning a premiership) where everyone that cares is stuck at home with whatever random assortment of people they live with who may or may not even be interested, separated from the other people they share the football journey with, and forced to view the moments through the idiotically zoomed in channel 7 lens as BT conducts his torturous commentary style is not the Premiership experience I want.

So as much as I do want to win the flag, I also don't want to win the flag if it's that. Again it makes me consider how perfect the 2016 run was, an actually perfect month of football.

You're sort of right but I also suspect that I won't really care if we actually make it far enough to win. It definitely beats not winning.

[Bornadog]

Re: Can we still win it?

* JUH - Not ready for big finals, even moreso without Bruce. Probably plays though now.
* Scott - Really trailed off, offering little for a while now.
* Schache/Cordy - Both absolutely horrendous 1-v-1, at least Schache is capable of an intercept mark.
* Garcia - I like him but can he deliver in a big final? He's not a threat for opposition to kick goals which we're going to need without Bruce.

I think JUH stays in and he and Naughton have to be the two key forwards, with English slipping down there to cause havoc. We can also go a bit smaller and VDM can slip in there.

Agree on your others as well, although Scott has played his best footy down back, but they can't all play down there.

I thought Ed looked completely lost yesterday and he needs to go back, otherwise he shouldn't play Perhaps we use Caleb like we have been in recent times, ie filling in around the ground.

So for me, Ed is also a 50/50.