NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

So you got this

Interesting theory. Just remember they beat us by 10 goals plus in this micky mouse cup last season. I'll just keep my wrist slashing to the months of March to Sept.

From this did you?

Whilst it was nice to see a number of the young blokes playing I left the ground feeling rather empty because if we are supposed to be a genuine contender they are the games we should win. We can all take solace in that the home and away season is the big picture but to push further into the competition would have been vgood for us.

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Meaningless pre-season matches?


(well not entirely meaningless as it raised money for a cause but the result was meaningless)

So if it's just a meaningless pre season game why are so many getting excited about the performances of Grant, Ward and Wood and why would so many people go and watch the game?
I went along wanting to see my team perform well and win the game. We really didn't do either. If it was just to see some youngsters go through their paces I could have just as easily gone to the intra club game on Friday.
As I stated, I know there is a bigger picture at stake here but are we really traveling that well that we can just write off loses and just take the positives from the youngsters performances?
From trying to build our membership numbers and getting to play on the better grounds before the season starts I would have thought a win on Friday night would have been a positive as well.

[DOG GOD]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

The guy kicked like what, 40 goals last year? And that's what you call reliance.

Just add Welsh, Murphy, Hahn and Aka and suddenly our reliance want be so important, as we saw last year

Yeah Johhno kicked 40? goals pretty much injured for the year. Doesnt mean theres no reliance towards him, and i know players like welsh, murphy, hahn and aker will make a difference, however if Johnno is playing deep then i guarantee the players would look for him more so than anyone else.

I predict Johnno to be our leading goal kicker again.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I thought our lack of pace in the midfield stood out when Essendon got a run with Houli, Lovett and co were taking us on and we were not able to lay a tackle on them, especially Lovett.
This resulted in some quality disposal being delivered to their forwards.
I know Cooney & Griffen will help, however not sure that we have a player with the same pace as a Lovett or a Davey up forward that we really miss. Or perhaps Lovett & co looked quicker as our midfield was a bit one paced without Griffen & Cooney........

I agree that we did look slow and our inability to stop them with our tackling really got them marching forward. Regarding tackling, I thought we made a lot of gains with our defensive work last year and I'd hate to see it slide back this year.

[Dry Rot]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I agree that we did look slow and our inability to stop them with our tackling really got them marching forward. .

Agreed. They looked very zippy and quick, we looked slow and they were able to run the ball out of defence through the corriedor with virtual impunity.

[The Underdog]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I agree that we did look slow and our inability to stop them with our tackling really got them marching forward. Regarding tackling, I thought we made a lot of gains with our defensive work last year and I'd hate to see it slide back this year.

The ability of Essendon's quick midfielders to hurt us on the counter was probably the biggest alarm bell for me. Admittedly our two paciest mids were out but we had no chance against guys like Lovett and Dempsey going the other way. Methinks this might be a bigger problem this year than any supposed key position issues.
I thought our desire to tackle and make a contest was good as was our ability in close but we looked vulnerable to Essendon's quicks especially on the turnover.
Anyone else worried by Lake's game? His decision making seems as precarious as ever. If they take away the rushed behind we could be in for some scary times (not that the umpires paid it, we got away with 2 clear ones from Gilbee and Lake).

As with others loved Higgins and Grant's (kicking aside) games, thought Eagleton worked hard at points but if his kicking is dropping off then he's going to struggle.

[hujsh]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

So if it's just a meaningless pre season game why are so many getting excited about the performances of Grant, Ward and Wood

Because he showcased his talent and potential against AFL/VFL players. In fact the NAB cup is great for watching guys like Wood and Grant because they probably won't play much or at all this year. It doesn't mean Grant will have 5 scoring shots in the real thing though. It's just nice to have a look.

and why would so many people go and watch the game?

Didn't i answer that above? It's for a good cause.

I went along wanting to see my team perform well and win the game.

Then your priorities are way off.

I doubt Eade will be pulling what's left of his hair out over this match. As a spectator you may be disappointed but as supporter of the club i think we got enough out of the game to be happy.

[hujsh]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Yeah Johhno kicked 40? goals pretty much injured for the year. Doesnt mean theres no reliance towards him, and i know players like welsh, murphy, hahn and aker will make a difference, however if Johnno is playing deep then i guarantee the players would look for him more so than anyone else.

I predict Johnno to be our leading goal kicker again.

We've got 5-6 quality forwards. That's our strength. I think Murph and Hahn are relied on as much as Johnson. Not necessarily to kick goals but their roles are just as important as his.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Dont understand why people are dissapointed, the NAB cup is to show off some young talent and give them a go..

I couldn't careless if we lost by 1pt or 12 goals, as long as our youngsters individually showed theyve got what it takes to play senior footy

Very happy with what i saw from Wood & Grant..and enjoyed 2nd year Cal Ward's efforts

Just remember we had so much firepower out in Aker, Murphy, Welsh, Hahn..theres plenty of goals between them..NAB Cup is just a crock of a competition I would not want to see us take it seriously and play our best 22 as there is no need..more kids the better

[alwaysadog]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Hate to lose any game but as the game unfolded the midfield had too few of the regulars to function anything like normal so the Dons got away with far too much.

Also not happy about our positioning under high balls across the park; too often we let them have free marks without a contest. Even if we are not as good in the air we need a contest and to bring the ball to the ground.

It is a different matter to being a rookie in a side that is used to playing together than in a scratch side like the one we fielded on Friday. Essendon had greater sytem but still only just managed to escape by a matter of seconds.

Can't judge anything about a kid especially under conditions where they get little or no help to settle. Anything positive they show is a bonus.

I was most impressed by the endeavour of the first gamers. They were all keen to chase and tackle.

Some people who give Eagle a hard time record only the negeatives and don't bother with the positives.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Then your priorities are way off.

I doubt Eade will be pulling what's left of his hair out over this match. As a spectator you may be disappointed but as supporter of the club i think we got enough out of the game to be happy.

Since when is going to any game for our supporters and wanting our team to win way off the mark or a wrong set of priorities? You're diluting a well established competition with comments like that.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Dont understand why people are dissapointed, the NAB cup is to show off some young talent and give them a go..

I disagree. The NAB cup is an opportunity for the clubs to prepare their team for the H&A season not to just showcase the younger players. I get the impression that so many people get excited to see the young players named because they never or rarely get to see them through the season but as someone who gets to a lot of Williamstown games I didn't see much from the younger players on Friday night that I didn't see last season. Sure Grant and Wood performed a bit better but I can see that at training sessions, East West Days or the Intra club games anyway or take the option of just sitting at home and watching on the tele.

They will struggle to get supporters to get to the NAB games if everyone just diminishes poor results as it being part and parcel of a micky mouse competition.

[hujsh]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Since when is going to any game for our supporters and wanting our team to win way off the mark or a wrong set of priorities? You're diluting a well established competition with comments like that.

There are far more important things to worry about in the NAB Cup than the final score. That's just how it is.

A well established competition? You're talking about the NAB Cup? With guys like Roos seeming to want to lose it last year i doubt it's my comments that dilute it.



Like Eade repeated last year, It's all about round one. If we play badly in this comp but it sharpens us up for the real thing then I'll be happy.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

There are far more important things to worry about in the NAB Cup than the final score. That's just how it is.

A well established competition? You're talking about the NAB Cup? With guys like Roos seeming to want to lose it last year i doubt it's my comments that dilute it.

Like Eade repeated last year, It's all about round one. If we play badly in this comp but it sharpens us up for the real thing then I'll be happy.

You are simply dismissing the competition as a micky mouse one and yet if we were to win one just everybody would be crowing about. I think it's called each way betting.
But with a ho hum attitude why should any supporter go to a game as they might as well take the convenient option and just watch it from home.

FWIW, I think it's an important lead-up into the season and I wanted to see the team play well and certainly play better than we did.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

They will struggle to get supporters to get to the NAB games if everyone just diminishes poor results as it being part and parcel of a micky mouse competition.

As soon as the AFL started gimmics like 9pt goals and play on off the goal posts any shred of credibility the NAB cup might have had evaporated.

It is a Mickey Mouse competition and I'm perfectly happy not be constrained by it for the next 3 weeks.