Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

[anfo27]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

The reference to Dunkley was in reference to the question comparing trade cost. Not that trade per se.

Lobb: Picks 30 & 30
Dunkley: Picks 23 & 20 (later swaps of no real consequence)

Pretty sure we were both about the only pro-Lobb Trade advocates at the time. I agree with the 2022 season he had it was always goi g to cost us.

I was pro Lobb trade as well BT. If he can replicate this form next year then he might just be an AA CHB. I recall saying last year that Lobb had so much ability, we just didn't know how best to use him. Had no idea the best way was at CHB but it is.

[Sedat]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

We went completely arse about with this trade but it has worked out in the end. We have an elite key defender with still another 2-3 years left in his prime. For the cost, that is a win.

[SonofScray]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Lobb was a shining light in a dirty day and is the only example of good coaching we’ve seen from our senior coach since 3Q time of the GF In 2021

[soupman]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Lobb was a shining light in a dirty day and is the only example of good coaching we’ve seen from our senior coach since 3Q time of the GF In 2021

Well that's not true.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Lobb was quite outstanding. Had absolutely zero help around him, but repelled a number of attacks, took intercept marks, used the ball well and looked composed, focused and hardened.

WTF happened to the rest?

I thought Jones was average at best and his second half of the year showed some signs the end mightn't be far at all. I've long been a fan of Duryea but it's time to move on, he played himself out of a contract and I know it was one game but if we can't rely on his experience in a big final, there's no point moving forward. I was really disappointed by how he lost his footing, trailed behind and turned it over under zero pressure.

Haven't seen much said about JOD but he hasn't had a good year. I expected more. Need to keep playing him but I'm not sure where he actually fits, he was made look slow, physically dominated, and lost at times.

Really liked how Freijah got himself into the game. Some worrying moments early, but then got involved and had some excellent pieces of play when it must've felt like the world was crumbling around him. Very exciting talent.

McNeils effort was great, gave everything he had. The issue for us is that we get no scoreboard pressure from him or VDM weekly. We need to upgrade both.

I'm pretty dirty on Bont. Kicks one OOTF (hard shot), drops a mark, has 6 touches to HT, wanted to play aerial ping pong. A strange performance.

Love to know what was going on with Marra. Starts on the bench which was odd, came on and looked disinterested. Zero effort to chase and compete. Was he sore? Ill? Incredibly disappointing.

Although we ended the first quarter with a lead, I was concerned. We just didn't look sharp, our pressure was well off. Once Hawthorn felt comfortable, their confidence grew and they started running. Their ability to release a runner in any position on the ground put us to the sword. We couldn't go with them. Their skills were very good, but for me it was their running power. We couldn't and didn't pressure them, so they linked up and ran both through and around us.

It will be interesting to see if bringing in Barrass and Battle actually slows them up. Athletically they're streets ahead of most teams, including us.

For us, we're going to have to invest in Buss heavily from here. We desperately need to find some pressure forwards with pace who can hit the scoreboard.

We've invested a lot in Gags this year and he really hasn't delivered in a mid role. I'd be grooming him to replace Duryea.

Feel the list needs a further injection of youth. Must move past VDM, McNeil, Harmes, Daniel, Macrae, Libba and co, particularly with Tasmania entering.

Last night leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

[soupman]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Pretty good review that I agree with mostly TBB.

I'm pretty happy that McNeil and Vandermeer are playing their role fairly well, but if we can upgrade one of them into someone with more goal nous (like a Connor MacDonald) that would help immensely. Too often they fail to make something happen with their pressure, especially Vandermeer who frequently can't break free when he gets the ball in a awkward turnover.

Turning Gallagher into someone with polish would also be huge. I'm not sure he is clean enough with ball in hand to truly replace Duryea but he fits the bill athletically and we have seen in the past with the likes of Boyd and Richards that their disposal markedly improved when brought back.

[Sedat]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Pretty good review that I agree with mostly TBB.

I'm pretty happy that McNeil and Vandermeer are playing their role fairly well, but if we can upgrade one of them into someone with more goal nous (like a Connor MacDonald) that would help immensely. Too often they fail to make something happen with their pressure, especially Vandermeer who frequently can't break free when he gets the ball in a awkward turnover.

Turning Gallagher into someone with polish would also be huge. I'm not sure he is clean enough with ball in hand to truly replace Duryea but he fits the bill athletically and we have seen in the past with the likes of Boyd and Richards that their disposal markedly improved when brought back.

Massive hindsight call but Artie Jones was tailor-made to play against a Hawthorn with his pace, good kicking and pressure. I'm a Harmes fan and was happy with his selection, but the role he was deployed for on the night didn't work out - we had a gaping hole in our midfield for a defensive-minded sweeper, and Harmes would have been perfect for this. The amount of times Impey and Amon positioned at defensive side of every stoppage and completely stopped our ability to get it out by hand forward of the stoppage was an underrated coaching move last night, and we should have done something similar with Harmes.

We haven't rested on our laurels with regard to pressure forwards - we used a first rounder on Charlie Clarke, we have invested time into VDM and McNeil, and to be frank both were in the top 8 or so for us last night and cover enormous ground every week. I still see a decent future for both but we really need Artie and Chook to come on in 2025, because that is where the game is heading.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Massive hindsight call but Artie Jones was tailor-made to play against a Hawthorn with his pace, good kicking and pressure. I'm a Harmes fan and was happy with his selection, but the role he was deployed for on the night didn't work out - we had a gaping hole in our midfield for a defensive-minded sweeper, and Harmes would have been perfect for this. The amount of times Impey and Amon positioned at defensive side of every stoppage and completely stopped our ability to get it by hand our forward of the stoppage was an underrated coaching move last night, and we should have done something similar with Harmes.

We haven't rested on our laurels with regard to pressure forwards - we used a first rounder on Charlie Clarke, we have invested time into VDM and McNeil, and to be frank both were in the top 8 or so for us last night and cover enormous ground every week. I still see a decent future for both but we really need Artie and Chook to come on in 2025, because that is where the game is heading.

Would be nice next year/preseason to see what the club loves in Ryp too. We need to address some needs and if that means some trades of players out to do it, that’s what we should be doing.

[Happy Days]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Rory Lobb, our only good player. Who would have thought?

[kruder]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Massive hindsight call but Artie Jones was tailor-made to play against a Hawthorn with his pace, good kicking and pressure. I'm a Harmes fan and was happy with his selection, but the role he was deployed for on the night didn't work out - we had a gaping hole in our midfield for a defensive-minded sweeper, and Harmes would have been perfect for this. The amount of times Impey and Amon positioned at defensive side of every stoppage and completely stopped our ability to get it out by hand forward of the stoppage was an underrated coaching move last night, and we should have done something similar with Harmes.

We haven't rested on our laurels with regard to pressure forwards - we used a first rounder on Charlie Clarke, we have invested time into VDM and McNeil, and to be frank both were in the top 8 or so for us last night and cover enormous ground every week. I still see a decent future for both but we really need Artie and Chook to come on in 2025, because that is where the game is heading.

I actually think the game against GWS and the final in the VFL last week could be a game changer for Arty, there is no doubt there is something to work with. Hopefully a full preseason with no ops can catapult him into the AFL side round 1 because he certaintly can give us a different look. Clarke on the other hand hasn't shown anything to be excited about to be brutally honest.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

I don't know about anyone else but I'm really seeing the positives of laving Lobb as a key defender for us next season and I think training there over the summer will only assist Lobb and our other defenders get better.

We started the season with a question mark on who would play alongside of Jones and we've located a really exciting partner.

Keath is as good as done, Coffield would need to improve to really come into calculations, Khamis is just a bit short on composure, JOD is still learning, Busslinger the longer term prospect, Gardner the back-up tall and perhaps Croft can return to a forwards role.

We got some options but Lobb holding his spot and performing well becomes a bit more critical.

[kruder]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

I don't know about anyone else but I'm really seeing the positives of laving Lobb as a key defender for us next season and I think training there over the summer will only assist Lobb and our other defenders get better.

We started the season with a question mark on who would play alongside of Jones and we've located a really exciting partner.

Keath is as good as done, Coffield would need to improve to really come into calculations, Khamis is just a bit short on composure, JOD is still learning, Busslinger the longer term prospect, Gardner the back-up tall and perhaps Croft can return to a forwards role.

We got some options but Lobb holding his spot and performing well becomes a bit more critical.

He should never leave defensive 50 again its happened at the perfect time as it gives Busslinger/JOD(not connived he is KPD yet) more time to develop. Kudos to Rory his last 8 weeks have been excellent but I want to see it again from him starting rd1 next year.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

He should never leave defensive 50 again its happened at the perfect time as it gives Busslinger/JOD(not connived he is KPD yet) more time to develop. Kudos to Rory his last 8 weeks have been excellent but I want to see it again from him starting rd1 next year.

The problem with keeping him in the defensive set-up next season will be more around if English can stay fit. Darcy can't cover him and L.Smith isn't anywhere near ready. We need to find a ruck man so that Lobb can stay in the back half.

[josie]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

I actually think the game against GWS and the final in the VFL last week could be a game changer for Arty, there is no doubt there is something to work with. Hopefully a full preseason with no ops can catapult him into the AFL side round 1 because he certaintly can give us a different look. Clarke on the other hand hasn't shown anything to be excited about to be brutally honest.

Yep, I don’t see any speedy or crafty play by Clarke. He has a bit of lip and tries hard, where I’d expect we’d want him to dominate at vfl level and he simply hasn’t even looked like doing so. Sounds ruthless but I think if we can nab another small forward prospect who is reasonably good at ground level & quick then we should delist him. I was dubious about Arty but his last few games he is less fumbly and looking quite assured.

[Bornadog]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb

Yep, I don’t see any speedy or crafty play by Clarke. He has a bit of lip and tries hard, where I’d expect we’d want him to dominate at vfl level and he simply hasn’t even looked like doing so. Sounds ruthless but I think if we can nab another small forward prospect who is reasonably good at ground level & quick then we should delist him. I was dubious about Arty but his last few games he is less fumbly and looking quite assured.

I agree, but would give him one more year to improve and if he doesn't goodbye.