NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

[hujsh]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

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.

I wouldn't. I'd be as pumped about certain players as i am now and that'd be it

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.

I did watch it from home. Only considered possibly going as it was for a good cause.

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.

It is good to see the team play well but personally I can live with a poor NAB Cup match.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

It is such an un-important comp..

Look at last year..We got a scrappy win in darwin over the Roos (who we cant beat in the real season) and then Essendon BELTED us by 54pts..

Look at where we finished, and Essendon finished..Mickey Mouse Cup makes so much sense..

Yeah StKilda won and came 4th (even though they should of come 8th if results didnt go their way)

Year before, Carlton won it and ended up 15th. This cup has sfa relevance to the season ahead and it's here to showcase the youngins for almost all clubs

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

It is such an un-important comp..

I went to a function on Friday and Fantasia said that whilst we were primarily preparing for the Home & Away season we fully expected to win the game and we would be very disappointed if we didn't and on paper we should have won...comfortably. We can all keep dismissing the result because it's not part of the bigger picture but if the club wants people to join up early they need to be showing that results like Friday night are not acceptable.
Regardless of how people regard the competition we didn't get beaten because a Lloyd, Franklin and JBrown tore a youngster apart and kicked a bag, we got beaten by a team that we should have comfortably accounted for.
I was happy to see a few of the young guys perform well but I don't see why we should simply accept the loss.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I went to a function on Friday and Fantasia said that whilst we were primarily preparing for the Home & Away season we fully expected to win the game and we would be very disappointed if we didn't and on paper we should have won...comfortably. We can all keep dismissing the result because it's not part of the bigger picture but if the club wants people to join up early they need to be showing that results like Friday night are not acceptable.
Regardless of how people regard the competition we didn't get beaten because a Lloyd, Franklin and JBrown tore a youngster apart and kicked a bag, we got beaten by a team that we should have comfortably accounted for.
I was happy to see a few of the young guys perform well but I don't see why we should simply accept the loss.

I'm more gracious and respectful of another AFL team.

Regardless of ladder positions, every AFL team is full of talented footballers. Just because Essendon missed the finals last year it is still incredibly arrogant to think that we would walk over them with 8 of our 1st 22 missing.

They are also 3 weeks ahead of us in their preperation.

They beat us by a point.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I went to a function on Friday and Fantasia said that whilst we were primarily preparing for the Home & Away season we fully expected to win the game and we would be very disappointed if we didn't and on paper we should have won...comfortably. We can all keep dismissing the result because it's not part of the bigger picture but if the club wants people to join up early they need to be showing that results like Friday night are not acceptable.
Regardless of how people regard the competition we didn't get beaten because a Lloyd, Franklin and JBrown tore a youngster apart and kicked a bag, we got beaten by a team that we should have comfortably accounted for.
I was happy to see a few of the young guys perform well but I don't see why we should simply accept the loss.

I was disappointed with the result when the siren sounded but that was it for me. I quickly got over it. The NAB Cup in my opinion can't be taken seriously until all teams take it seriously. But then again it just an opinion like everyone elses on this forum.

On paper I thought Essendon were morals to win. We had 8 or 9 players out that are far better than who Essendon had out. Added to that because of injuries last year a number of Essendon's "bit players" had some experience in the big league. Ours had none.

I'm sure we expected to win the game. I hope that we go in with that resolve every week.

[Mantis]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

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.

As did I.

I thought our more experienced/ senior players let us down on Friday night. Player's such as Cross, Boyd, Eagleton, Gia & Johnson perhaps even Higgins didn't play the games I expected of them. Ok maybe one or two of them have had interrupted pre-seasons, but really this group of players should be able to perform well in a NAB Cup game on 1 leg.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

As did I.

I thought our more experienced/ senior players let us down on Friday night. Player's such as Cross, Boyd, Eagleton, Gia & Johnson perhaps even Higgins didn't play the games I expected of them. Ok maybe one or two of them have had interrupted pre-seasons, but really this group of players should be able to perform well in a NAB Cup game on 1 leg.

I was happy with the games from Gia and Higgins but yes as a group the senior guys didn't carry the load like they should have.

[Before I Die]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

NAB, smab. Last year we needed credibility and membership. This year we have credibility and if we start the real season well we will get the members. This game was a practice match, pure and simple. It was a chance to blood some kids and try some new things. Sure it would have been nice to win and I am sure all the boys were trying, as were the coaching staff. But if winning is the main thing, you don't permanently remove your number one ruckman from the game at half time, pre-planned or not.

It's only possible to judge each players performance in this game if we know what their instructions were. I am hoping those instructions weren't about shutting down run from the opposition's backline or accountability in the midfield.

I think the depth we are developing now is what is going to give us a real shot at the big one. I loved the grunt and determination all our debutants showed, and that includes Harry White who got a couple of nice touches in the last but hasn't been mentioned yet (unless I missed it). I remember Skipper's debut which was great and he went on to win Best First Year Player that year, so I am not going to get too carried away with Grant's game. But it was much more than I had hoped for.

[Mantis]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

I was happy with the games from Gia and Higgins but yes as a group the senior guys didn't carry the load like they should have.

Maybe picky, but:

Gia - Skills were a bit sloppy. Maybe underdone, but I expect more of a player who is limited in other areas.

Higgins - a bit too lairy for my liking. Too much ball showing, etc... the kid is seriously talented, but I would like to see more head down bum up work than what I saw on Friday.

[GVGjr]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Maybe picky, but:

Gia - Skills were a bit sloppy. Maybe underdone, but I expect more of a player who is limited in other areas.

Higgins - a bit too lairy for my liking. Too much ball showing, etc... the kid is seriously talented, but I would like to see more head down bum up work than what I saw on Friday.

Varying skill level aside, I was impressed that Gia made it onto the park and played as much as he did. I have seen training a couple of times this year and he was a long way behind the others. To compete like he did was worthy of acknowledgment and one of the positives of the night. If his skill level doesn't improve in the coming weeks then I will be more concerned.

I didn't notice Higgins trying to do more than he is capable of and I was more or less pleased that he was able to slot into the midfield especially since he has primarily been a forward over the last couple of seasons. I actually want to see him take some more risks in his play but I didn't notice it on Friday night.

I haven't see the replay yet so I'll keep an eye out for him.

[alwaysadog]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

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.

Can't disagree, they were there for the taking, I'm not ho hum at all, but we kicked the game away, we didn't play at all well and we were still there with 20 seconds to go, so my disappointment is tempered somewhat, but we were light on, far too many senior players with "injuries" and couldn't seal it, Griff's withdrawal tipped the balance IMO.

I don't think we are as advanced in our preparation as Essendon were, both foot and hand skills seemed not well honed. They've been back several more weeks than we have.

I suspect that we have a new policy with injuries. I think Bill D's approach encourages the early analysis/assessment and treatment of niggles so that they do not become more serious through neglect or lack of rest. I think to our detriment on Friday we were keen to try and get the vast bulk of the list to Round one with as few physical problems as is possible. This means a larger than normal list of "injuries.
Nevertheless we could have/ should have won.

[mighty_west]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Whilst it was great that both teams played a few more of the experienced players because of the cause, which was pretty obvious when they changed the venue and what the game stood for, i'm not overally fussed about the result.

Yeah would have been nice to win JUST to shut up those Bombers suppoprters, but that was it, i was also over it 1 minute later, was glad that it became a decent hit out, and a tight game.

It is a Mickey Mouse comp, we know that, some clubs play to win, others use this to blood players, look at Sydney over the past few years, and it is a great way to give some of the rookies & young draftee's a go, if we went in fair dinkum, alot of those players would not have played, it's not the be all & end all, if we win great, if not, it's not the end of the world.

Infact teams playing praccy matches are probably more advantaged to trying a few things, giving a few players different roles etc, not panacking if things aren't working out and sticking to idea's & plans without having to worry about the scoreboard.

At least now we know players like Easten Wood & Grant can do a job if required, Grant was lining up on Adam [i'm such a hero] McPeebrain, and still outclassed a bloke 2 times his weight, we now know that his weight isn't as big a problem as some believe, and looks as though his form at the lower level isn't a true indication with a player like Grant, he seems to play better with better players around him.

Picken was OK, needs to work on his game, but, was a good lesson for him to know what it's like at that level, he works hard, so if he doesn't make it, it's not from a lack of trying and hard work.

As mentioned before, Wood looked good, really backed himself which was great, obviously needs to polish up on skills, but he's still a pup, i liked what i saw though.

I wouldn't worry too much about the skills of the experienced players too much, i don't think i have ever seen a first up praccy type game where most players skills are at their best, even the best of players get rusty.

Cam Wight......I hope O'Shea gets some serious game time in the Willy firsts, there is just something there with him, he's still very raw, but i'd rather give game time into players like him than others that are just going to make silly mistakes, plus he has a go, has a bit if mongrel about him, i like that.

Higgins impressed me in the middle, Stack reminds me of Cam Faulkner with the way he plays, he needs to get more of the ball, he shows that he can play.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

As did I.

I thought our more experienced/ senior players let us down on Friday night. Player's such as Cross, Boyd, Eagleton, Gia & Johnson perhaps even Higgins didn't play the games I expected of them. Ok maybe one or two of them have had interrupted pre-seasons, but really this group of players should be able to perform well in a NAB Cup game on 1 leg.

I don't agree with most of them.

I thought Cross was very good, Boyd had a poor first half but a good 2nd half, Eagleton was very ordinary, Gia missed one soda, one tough snap and burned the ball once in the last but was otherwise excellent (get it that many times you're bound to turn it over now and again, Cam Wight didn't have a mis-kick all night) and for mine, Higgins was a clear BOG.

[lemmon]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Not worried. We played fairly poorly and still only lost by a point if we had taken our oppertunities (Grants kicking, Harbrow and Gia running into open goals) we would have got up. Was a good, competitive hit out even if the skills were lacking. From this sort of game the skills are always going to be poor particularly with our late start. Just one or two concerns though we really shouldve smashed them in the ruck against an under done Hille and youngster Bellchambers I though Minson really struggled, Skipper was Ok at best and Hudson was good but probably a bit underdone. The other observation was how vital Tom Williams is, if he comes good its going to be massive for our backline, if not we are really going to need Everitt and Tiller to step up.

[Ozza]

Re: NAB Dogs v Dons Match Overview

Not too phased with how we went as a side. The Nab Cup doesn't really mean anything in terms of the result - more just to look at how the players from outside the normal 22 go.

Most disappointing were Skipper and Wight. How Skipper is still on the list is beyond me.
Grant was impressive, great hands and looks a smart player - but had some very immature shots on goal - never looked like kicking them on the apparoach.

The Ruck contingent is a concern.

Was really impessed with Higgins' ball winning - and thought it was a good first hit out for him.