Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

[Sedat]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

* Cooney kicking out on the full. We had kicked the first 2 goals after half time to get within 9 points & from the resultant free kick Ling goaled, Geelong through Ablett got the centre take away & goaled again. 2 goals within a minute, just took the wind out of our sails.

It was a poor kick from Cooney but it was an errent handpass (not to mention backwards and at the feet of Cooney) from Lake that put unnecessary pressure on Cooney to dispose of it quickly. We saw the best and worst of Brian yesterday.

[Sedat]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

I would add Boyd & Cross to your list as well Doc.

They combined yesterday for a whopping 44 handballs and just 11 kicks, and each had just 2 clearances. Cross might be a little rusty, but the quality of possession was poor and I expect more from 2 of our more experienced players.

They weren't quite as ineffectual as they were against Hawthorn in the corresponding match last season, but I haven't seen too many more inconsequential 55 possessions collected in a game of football than those racked up by Boyd and Cross yesterday. Neither player has taken a final by the scuff of the neck.

I went to the St Kilda v Collingwood final today and the ferocious intensity, especially early, was a sharp reminder to us of what the required standard is for premiership success. I look at someone like Riewoldt, who runs himself and his opponent to sheer exhaustion just to provide a get-out target for his teammates upfield. And then I look at Hahn just standing there as Doc alluded to, and when our mids are crying for some movement and a target to kick to, there is nothing. When we are static as a football team, we are dead.

If we are lucky enough to get over Brisbane this week, how the hell are we going to compete with the intensity and defensive desire of St Kilda the following week? There really does need to be a couple of changes made so that we have as close to 22 commited and desperate foot soldiers all pulling together for the common cause. We didn't come close to having that yesterday, and unfortunately for this playing group it wasn't an isolated occurance.

[Happy Days]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Not sure I agree...Morris, IMO is one of our most reliable...

He's lost pretty much every week since the West Coast game. Was a much better player last year.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

watching both geelong and st kilda this week confirmed that the half back line is where these teams live and die. its where the ferocity of their tackling is making it hard to penetrate, its where their run comes from when they set up their next attack.

[Desipura]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

It was a poor kick from Cooney but it was an errent handpass (not to mention backwards and at the feet of Cooney) from Lake that put unnecessary pressure on Cooney to dispose of it quickly. We saw the best and worst of Brian yesterday.

Spot on, its easy to be critical of Cooney cos he kicked it on the full. I made mention at the time that errant handball from Lake gave Cooney 2 less seconds to dispose of the ball.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

They weren't quite as ineffectual as they were against Hawthorn in the corresponding match last season, but I haven't seen too many more inconsequential 55 possessions collected in a game of football than those racked up by Boyd and Cross yesterday. Neither player has taken a final by the scuff of the neck.

I went to the St Kilda v Collingwood final today and the ferocious intensity, especially early, was a sharp reminder to us of what the required standard is for premiership success. I look at someone like Riewoldt, who runs himself and his opponent to sheer exhaustion just to provide a get-out target for his teammates upfield. And then I look at Hahn just standing there as Doc alluded to, and when our mids are crying for some movement and a target to kick to, there is nothing. When we are static as a football team, we are dead.

If we are lucky enough to get over Brisbane this week, how the hell are we going to compete with the intensity and defensive desire of St Kilda the following week? There really does need to be a couple of changes made so that we have as close to 22 commited and desperate foot soldiers all pulling together for the common cause. We didn't come close to having that yesterday, and unfortunately for this playing group it wasn't an isolated occurance.

But when our leaders and senior players aren't setting the example what hope do we have?

The lack of intensity was poor (same as last years QF), if our players can't get 'hyped' over playing in a QF what hope do we have? At no stage did we get 'to a player' after a key moment or get really celebrate a goal. Geelong were shitting themselves at several times, but the lack of emotion & energy from our team was disturbing. If it was me out there I would have celebrated the key moments to send a message that we ain't done with yet. Our boys just trudged to the next contest like nothing had happened. It is ok to show a little bit of emotion and passion occassionally and show that you do actually care a little.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

But when our leaders and senior players aren't setting the example what hope do we have?

The lack of intensity was poor (same as last years QF), if our players can't get 'hyped' over playing in a QF what hope do we have? At no stage did we get 'to a player' after a key moment or get really celebrate a goal. Geelong were shitting themselves at several times, but the lack of emotion & energy from our team was disturbing. If it was me out there I would have celebrated the key moments to send a message that we ain't done with yet. Our boys just trudged to the next contest like nothing had happened. It is ok to show a little bit of emotion and passion occassionally and show that you do actually care a little.

Which tells me that we are a better team than we give ourselves credit for.

To me, a lot of this 'intensity' business comes from belief. This group of players have the hunger (as evidenced by the last three, very good, wins of the season), the anger (after last year's prelim loss), and the form, but I think the missing ingredient is the belief that they can really mix it with the big boys at the business end of the season.

It comes with the territory of being the Dogs, I suppose, and until this group actually claims a big, big scalp in September (all their finals wins haven't been against the top teams), the self-doubts will remain.

That was the main difference between the Cats and the Dogs for me, in the first quarter, when the game was won and lost -- the Cats ran around like they belonged (misguided or not), and the Dogs were behaving like Cinderella who had just been invited to the ball for the first time, and when they finally woke up, it was just a little bit too late.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Which tells me that we are a better team than we give ourselves credit for.

To me, a lot of this 'intensity' business comes from belief. This group of players have the hunger (as evidenced by the last three, very good, wins of the season), the anger (after last year's prelim loss), and the form, but I think the missing ingredient is the belief that they can really mix it with the big boys at the business end of the season.

It comes with the territory of being the Dogs, I suppose, and until this group actually claims a big, big scalp in September (all their finals wins haven't been against the top teams), the self-doubts will remain.

That was the main difference between the Cats and the Dogs for me, in the first quarter, when the game was won and lost -- the Cats ran around like they belonged (misguided or not), and the Dogs were behaving like Cinderella who had just been invited to the ball for the first time, and when they finally woke up, it was just a little bit too late.

Lantern, you are so right. It just seems that on the big stage in September, we get stage fright or something. I really thought this group did have the "belief" in themselves, but they seemed so over-awed in the first quarter, and let Geelong get away. Yes, we need to win against BrisVegas, but then do the same to the Saints.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Which tells me that we are a better team than we give ourselves credit for.

To me, a lot of this 'intensity' business comes from belief. This group of players have the hunger (as evidenced by the last three, very good, wins of the season), the anger (after last year's prelim loss), and the form, but I think the missing ingredient is the belief that they can really mix it with the big boys at the business end of the season.

It comes with the territory of being the Dogs, I suppose, and until this group actually claims a big, big scalp in September (all their finals wins haven't been against the top teams), the self-doubts will remain.

That was the main difference between the Cats and the Dogs for me, in the first quarter, when the game was won and lost -- the Cats ran around like they belonged (misguided or not), and the Dogs were behaving like Cinderella who had just been invited to the ball for the first time, and when they finally woke up, it was just a little bit too late.

We showed for much of the PF last year that we belong at this level. Just 2 of our players were playing in their first finals appearance so I don't go along with the thoughts that we were over-awed. It really shits me that we played like poo yet lost by just 14 points, we have let another golden opportunity slip. We have Geelongs measure, but for some reason or another we can't deliver the knock-out blow.

However we live to fight another and must do it the hard way now, but really, as Bulldogs we know no other way.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

We showed for much of the PF last year that we belong at this level. Just 2 of our players were playing in their first finals appearance so I don't go along with the thoughts that we were over-awed. It really shits me that we played like poo yet lost by just 14 points, we have let another golden opportunity slip. We have Geelongs measure, but for some reason or another we can't deliver the knock-out blow.

However we live to fight another and must do it the hard way now, but really, as Bulldogs we know no other way.

Yes, but we still lost comfortably, and it can be argued that we performed as we did because there was no pressure (which is when we tend to show up). This group's record of wins since 2006 in finals have been against Collingwood and Sydney, both of which weren't serious contenders in either year, interspersed with huge losses to grand finalists West Coast and Hawthorn, and last years prelim loss to Geelong. There hasn't any big scalp in September for this group to TRULY believe that they have what it really takes to go all the way, which is why this was such an opportunity missed. If we had won this game, the momentum would have been huge, not just for this year, but for the next few.

The next two weeks are huge ones in the history of this footy club. Win them and make the GF, and we set up the culture for the next few years; lose them, or go out in straight sets, and watch this team go backwards until the next generation of players steps up to the plate.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

The next two weeks are huge ones in the history of this footy club. Win them and make the GF, and we set up the culture for the next few years; lose them, or go out in straight sets, and watch this team go backwards until the next generation of players steps up to the plate.

Certainly is.

This group (most of them) have been together for some time now. If they don't find a way to play their best over the next few weeks a few tough calls need to be made. The same players don't stand up when we need them to so we need to find some players who will.

Barring an absolute disaster this week the PF game sets up as a career defining game for as many as 12 to 15 of our players. If they blow it they need to be punished.

[Desipura]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Alot of posters on here felt like we just had to turn up against Geelong as they had a few players out. Remember everyone celebrating that we has finished 3rd and playing Geelong who we match up well against?
Perhaps the players felt a little relieved playing Geelong as well?
Cannot think of too many who took into account that they have been the best team (win/loss ratio) in the last 3 years.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Alot of posters on here felt like we just had to turn up against Geelong as they had a few players out. Remember everyone celebrating that we has finished 3rd and playing Geelong who we match up well against?
Perhaps the players felt a little relieved playing Geelong as well?
Cannot think of too many who took into account that they have been the best team (win/loss ratio) in the last 3 years.

We do. If we had played St.Kilda and played like we did against Geelong they would have been beaten us into submission. We can and should have beaten Geelong.

Another factor is that we now get the chance to play Brisbane rather than a white-hot and well rested Adelaide. I know who I would much rather be playing.

[Desipura]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

We do. If we had played St.Kilda and played like we did against Geelong they would have been beaten us into submission. We can and should have beaten Geelong.

Another factor is that we now get the chance to play Brisbane rather than a white-hot and well rested Adelaide. I know who I would much rather be playing.

Dont disagree with this, wont mean much if we do not beat Brisbane this week.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Certainly is.

This group (most of them) have been together for some time now. If they don't find a way to play their best over the next few weeks a few tough calls need to be made. The same players don't stand up when we need them to so we need to find some players who will.

Barring an absolute disaster this week the PF game sets up as a career defining game for as many as 12 to 15 of our players. If they blow it they need to be punished.

Agreed Mantis.

Pretty much summed it up. If the same group of players don't deliver, it's got to be the last straw. We've blown one huge chance this year. I really thought we had turned the corner in this regard but the lack of intensity and passion was a real worry. If we don't make the Grand Final, I would think a few names should come up for trade.