When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

[Missing Dog]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

History of the dogs 101 guys... been a fan a long long time now and when the dogs start like this and start playing with there head down like they are.

Clearly visible against the Saints at the start of the third quarter when our 6 forwards all moved together to take their positions, and ALL of them had their heads bowed down, not looking at their team mates, no signs of ANY confidence, johno not doing anything to jeer up their spirit, they had thrown in the towel big time.

[Missing Dog]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

Same 'mismatch' that worked well last season. Guess it's a valued judgement call & time tells whether it worked, obviously this time it didn't.

Yep. On last years effort worth a try, but not for what 3 quarters and when if he'd kicked straight, riewoldt could have had ten goals. Eade is their to make changes as the game unfolds. I jsut think he failed to act quickly enough.

[Mofra]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

The coach and president said they weren't content with the top 4 finish last year however, Mantis alluded to the fact that the football department actually had much lower expectations for 2009. If that is they case, and I'm not sure that it is, then it does question their integrity.

I wouldn't say it questions their integrity at all, even if it was true (which nobody, including yourself, can substantiate). The fact is, if the senior figures at the club don't believe the team can perform, we either bottom out for the year or forfeit, as otherwise we are wasting our time. I don't believe this is the case.

Most of the fans form their expectations for the season ahead based on what the coach and the president say. I don't expect the club to say what you have written but they were never the less fairly bullish in their views.

I don't think this is entirely correct - you only have to read expectations on individual players to see how far away perception of fans & the club is. We have an unfit potential KPP for example(Grant) dropped by the match committee, yet a thread on this site convinced he will become a gun KPP in a few weeks if planted in the FP.

I also wrote about the Hawks Dogs comparison because it shows a club that tells their supporters the facts about where the club is and then delivers the results.

Schwabby's mention of a premiership goal in his final season wouldn't suggest this is the case.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

I would be inclined to put Addison in the still learning, along with Ward.

I agree in part. Yes Addison came from a non-AFL state, but he has been in the system for 4 years now. There has to come a time for Addison to step up and prove he really wants to be an AFL player! Ward is in his second year so for mine is not really a point of comparison. More concerning for me is the stymied devlopment of Lynch and Stack. I would have expected both these boys to be pushing for games this year.

[Bornadog]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

I agree in part. Yes Addison came from a non-AFL state, but he has been in the system for 4 years now. There has to come a time for Addison to step up and prove he really wants to be an AFL player! Ward is in his second year so for mine is not really a point of comparison. More concerning for me is the stymied devlopment of Lynch and Stack. I would have expected both these boys to be pushing for games this year.

I think Stack will push for a game but Lynch is still a concern.

[LostDoggy]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

I just saw on Before the Bounce we are second last in terms of spending on the Footy Department. We spend $12.8 milion while the Kangaroos spend $12.7. Interesting to see Essendon are 3rd last

[LostDoggy]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

Hello all

I remembered the first half of 2008 season, the bulldogs kicked over 100 points every game.
But this season so far, they have only done that in two games.
Is it because of the new forward coach in Paul Williams?
New tactics etc...

[The Coon Dog]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

Hello all

I remembered the first half of 2008 season, the bulldogs kicked over 100 points every game.
But this season so far, they have only done that in two games.
Is it because of the new forward coach in Paul Williams?
New tactics etc...

It's got to get into the forward line before the forwards can do anything!

[Mofra]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

It's got to get into the forward line before the forwards can do anything!

I'd add that Cooney hasn't spent much time there, ditto Murph who is arguably our best forward. Welsh is another 40 odd goals per year lost from last year.

Josh Hill is probably our only good news story from the forwardline so far this year

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

Josh Hill is probably our only good news story from the forwardline so far this year

I agree, which makes the fact that we haven't done anything so far to rectify this all the more worse.

The coaching panel has entrusted far too much faith in its senior players to 'turn it around'.

[Mofra]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

I agree, which makes the fact that we haven't done anything so far to rectify this all the more worse.

I guess the idea of trying a Tiller or Skipper forward may actually have a slight chance if the coaching staff get desperate enough.

[Topdog]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

I think Ern's been a little quick to dismiss the 'calibre of the opposition' factor.

You can only beat the opponent you're given, but full list or not North have major issues and look to have embarked upon their least competitive season for a some time, Fremantle are an unmitigated rabble with a mortgage on a bottom four spot, while Richmond's situation barely requires comment. All three are looking crook enough that they could be sporting new coaches by this time next year..

Won 3 on the trot now Freo and they play the Hawks at Subi next week in a real danger game for the Hawks.

I don't think you can say any teams are monties for the bottom 4 this year besides Melbourne and possibly Richmond. North have won tonight and funnily enough admist all the doom and gloom of about 70% of Bulldogs supporters a win tomorrow will move us to 3rd on the ladder, 4th at worst if Collingwood surprise the Saints.

[Topdog]

Re: When Do we Start Criticizing the Football Department

Well North tried their best to lose that one.