Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

[The Pie Man]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

Eagles

When you look at how young Freo's list is/was last weekend, it's hard not to think this - woeful kicking for goal by the Weags, I almost had that game as my lock of the round.

Having said that, the Freo youngens are playing ok - but you get the sense a celebratory 'party' like atmosphere will emerge in what is a rare Saturday afternoon venture to Docklands. I hope we don't get caught up in it and take the foot off

[1eyedog]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

Excellent preview mjp.

Some excellent insight into a side most of us don't get to watch all that often (mostly by choice). I look forward to seeing most of their players live for the first time and get an idea to where Fremantle can head with these players.

Personally I think this game comes at the worst possible time for us. Coming off a poor performance and with quite a few of our players out of form playing against a terribly under-manned team will not answer the questions we need answered. Yeah quite a few of our lesser likes will probably run into some nice form, but when push comes to shove against quality opponents they will probably let us down again.

At the very least I hope we have a good win to help celebrate Johnno's record breaking game.

On the contrary I think it is an excellent time to back up against Freo and the Eagles. Our outs in Gia, Welsh, Higgins and Murphy are huge in terms of our forward line structure and regardless of how many questions we all have it is imperative that we win the next 2 games otherwise top 4 goes out the door (not rhyming on purpose).

With such big outs I would have thought that it was a godsend that we have the two W.A teams to come at Docklands. We will have plenty of opportunity to have our questions answered against Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood in the run to the finals, hopefully with Higgins, Murphy and a rejuvenated Welsh back in the side (maybe Gia by round 21-22). I think those questions can be answered between rounds 20-22. At the end of the home and away season, we'll know how we will stack up against the favourites as we enter the finals.

[Mantis]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

On the contrary I think it is an excellent time to back up against Freo and the Eagles. Our outs in Gia, Welsh, Higgins and Murphy are huge in terms of our forward line structure and regardless of how many questions we all have it is imperative that we win the next 2 games otherwise top 4 goes out the door (not rhyming on purpose).

With such big outs I would have thought that it was a godsend that we have the two W.A teams to come at Docklands. We will have plenty of opportunity to have our questions answered against Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood in the run to the finals, hopefully with Higgins, Murphy and a rejuvenated Welsh back in the side (maybe Gia by round 21-22). I think those questions can be answered between rounds 20-22. At the end of the home and away season, we'll know how we will stack up against the favourites as we enter the finals.

Personally if we wait til rd 20-22 to find out how we match up against the other contenders it might be to late to make any adjustments. I and others have seen enough over the past month to show that some players continue to let us down against the good teams and in pressure situations.

Over the next 2 weeks one would think we would have a couple of very comforatble wins and the players who were under pressure to perform will have had 2 confidence boosting hit outs against a bunch of no-names and everything will be rosy once again.

Personally I would like to see how an under-strength Bulldogs team went against a good team to show which of our 'fringe' players could rise to the challenge.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

Personally if we wait til rd 20-22 to find out how we match up against the other contenders it might be to late to make any adjustments. I and others have seen enough over the past month to show that some players continue to let us down against the good teams and in pressure situations.

Over the next 2 weeks one would think we would have a couple of very comforatble wins and the players who were under pressure to perform will have had 2 confidence boosting hit outs against a bunch of no-names and everything will be rosy once again.

Personally I would like to see how an under-strength Bulldogs team went against a good team to show which of our 'fringe' players could rise to the challenge.

That would be nice but we don't have that option.

Whilst we are playing against lowly sides we still have the opportunity to see how one or two players handle themselves in higher company.

Poise, speed and decision-making are skills which can be assessed against good or poor sides

If we don't give them a go we will never know. At least this will give us some basis on which to make an asessment. It is better than nothing.

[Mantis]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

That would be nice but we don't have that option.

Whilst we are playing against lowly sides we still have the opportunity to see how one or two players handle themselves in higher company.

Poise, speed and decision-making are skills which can be assessed against good or poor sides

If we don't give them a go we will never know. At least this will give us some basis on which to make an asessment. It is better than nothing.

The points you make are all valid.

Looking at the big picture I hope that we are able to give these one or two players the opportunity to play against some of the better teams in rd's 20 to 22. I hope at this point in time when Higgins, Welsh & Murphy are coming back into the team we allow players such as Johnson, Aker & others the luxury of a week off to ready their bodies for a finals campaign + take the opportunity to give the new guys a run against some quality opposition.

I would hate to see for instance Stack + O'Keefe played for the next 2 games and then dropped straight away for the return of our injured players. It would be great to see them in action against a Brisbane or a Geelong to see if they can lift their game to another level, a level some of our other 'fringe' players rarely lift theirs to (agaisnt quality opposition).

[1eyedog]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

The points you make are all valid.

Looking at the big picture I hope that we are able to give these one or two players the opportunity to play against some of the better teams in rd's 20 to 22. I hope at this point in time when Higgins, Welsh & Murphy are coming back into the team we allow players such as Johnson, Aker & others the luxury of a week off to ready their bodies for a finals campaign + take the opportunity to give the new guys a run against some quality opposition.

I would hate to see for instance Stack + O'Keefe played for the next 2 games and then dropped straight away for the return of our injured players. It would be great to see them in action against a Brisbane or a Geelong to see if they can lift their game to another level, a level some of our other 'fringe' players rarely lift theirs to (agaisnt quality opposition).

This is almost certainly what will happen unfortunately. I don't think we will have the luxury of resting Johnson or Aker between rounds 20-22, the opposition is too strong and a fight for a top 4 spot will be heated. If they need a rest make it next week. It's all well and good to be talking about questions and seeing how we go when the heat is on again but if we cannot consolidate a top 4 spot we have very little hope of making any inroads into the finals this year. I cannot see GOK, Stack, Grant, Skipper or anyone else who has played at Willi except for Everitt and Callan to come in or stay in from now.

[1eyedog]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

Personally if we wait til rd 20-22 to find out how we match up against the other contenders it might be to late to make any adjustments. I and others have seen enough over the past month to show that some players continue to let us down against the good teams and in pressure situations.

Over the next 2 weeks one would think we would have a couple of very comforatble wins and the players who were under pressure to perform will have had 2 confidence boosting hit outs against a bunch of no-names and everything will be rosy once again.

Personally I would like to see how an under-strength Bulldogs team went against a good team to show which of our 'fringe' players could rise to the challenge.

I will not be thinking everything is all rosy again following wins against Freo and the Eagles and I hope the football dept all the way from the president down to the coach thinks the same thing. I understand what you mean in the sense that if Hill and Eagleton and Ward for instance get up and running against these lesser sides that they will not be tested under pressure and will likely be left in the side as liabilities come round 20, but I cannot see any Willi player making any difference unless Everitt decides to turn something on from now or we bring in Callan for hardness and pressure. Sorry I don't know how to do all the fancy quote cut and paste stuff.

[Big_Willba]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

This is almost certainly what will happen unfortunately. I don't think we will have the luxury of resting Johnson or Aker between rounds 20-22, the opposition is too strong and a fight for a top 4 spot will be heated. If they need a rest make it next week. It's all well and good to be talking about questions and seeing how we go when the heat is on again but if we cannot consolidate a top 4 spot we have very little hope of making any inroads into the finals this year. I cannot see GOK, Stack, Grant, Skipper or anyone else who has played at Willi except for Everitt and Callan to come in or stay in from now.

i agree.

would only play the likes of GOK, Stack, Grant for the experience and the knowledge of the workrate needed at that level to take into the coming pre-eason.

hope everitt takes his oppurtunity.

[1eyedog]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

i agree.

would only play the likes of GOK, Stack, Grant for the experience and the knowledge of the workrate needed at that level to take into the coming pre-eason.

hope everitt takes his oppurtunity.

A big likewise. If he can find form he will be very handy for us.

[Big_Willba]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

A big likewise. If he can find form he will be very handy for us.

what are your thoughts. everitt as a running halfback or attacking wingman?? would personally love to see him on the wing with his size and running capability. i think he will be used as the attacking wingman this week with a few forwards out.

[1eyedog]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

what are your thoughts. everitt as a running halfback or attacking wingman?? would personally love to see him on the wing with his size and running capability. i think he will be used as the attacking wingman this week with a few forwards out.

It is an interesting one. With our back six fairly stable and the fact that he has struggled on KPP down there it may be a good option. I like him as an attacking wingman but with such a decimated forward line I reckon he might get a shot up forward as well. I guess I am really amazed that Grant or Skipper didn't get a run this week.

[Mantis]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

I will not be thinking everything is all rosy again following wins against Freo and the Eagles and I hope the football dept all the way from the president down to the coach thinks the same thing. I understand what you mean in the sense that if Hill and Eagleton and Ward for instance get up and running against these lesser sides that they will not be tested under pressure and will likely be left in the side as liabilities come round 20, but I cannot see any Willi player making any difference unless Everitt decides to turn something on from now or we bring in Callan for hardness and pressure. Sorry I don't know how to do all the fancy quote cut and paste stuff.

But really we wouldn't know.

The 'Willi' players really haven't had the chance to show us if they will sink or swim. It is assumed they will fail and they probably will, but I still think they deserve an opportunity especially seeing as though some of our 'best 22' continue to let us down under the pump yet it seems their position in the team is never challeneged. And if it is challenged nothing seems to get done about it, it's just hoped the problem gets hidden away.

[1eyedog]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

But really we wouldn't know.

The 'Willi' players really haven't had the chance to show us if they will sink or swim. It is assumed they will fail and they probably will, but I still think they deserve an opportunity especially seeing as though some of our 'best 22' continue to let us down under the pump yet it seems their position in the team is never challeneged. And if it is challenged nothing seems to get done about it, it's just hoped the problem gets hidden away.

Agree with all of this. It guess that brings us back to the point that they should have been given a run well before this, especially with a few under performing players over the past 4 weeks.

[Big_Willba]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

look at it this way...

Theres an oppurtunity for a young player to come into the side, take there oppurtunity, have an impact in the finals and establish their career for the future. but we won't know because eade fails to drop players on form. which is mind blowing for any code or level of football.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Preview: Round 18 vs Fremantle

look at it this way...

Theres an oppurtunity for a young player to come into the side, take there oppurtunity, have an impact in the finals and establish their career for the future. but we won't know because eade fails to drop players on form. which is mind blowing for any code or level of football.

With Gia, Murph, Welsh and Higgins all due back in the side those opportunities for the VFL players will dry up by finals time...we will be picking back on experience + reputation rather than form/fitness with those 4