Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

[Dry Rot]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

If we don't make the Grand Final, I would think a few names should come up for trade.

Who are you thinking of?

Interesting that if we don't make the GF (and I don't think we'll get past the Saints) then a few here are now effectively coming round to my view of doing a rebuild. Our window will have closed with this team (if it was ever open).

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Who are you thinking of?

Interesting that if we don't make the GF (and I don't think we'll get past the Saints) then a few here are now effectively coming round to my view of doing a rebuild. Our window will have closed with this team (if it was ever open).

I certainly won't be coming around to the rebuild POV. We need to follow the Adelaide model of the occasional dip without having to bottom out and we are well placed to follow that example.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

I certainly won't be coming around to the rebuild POV. We need to follow the Adelaide model of the occasional dip without having to bottom out and we are well placed to follow that example.

Neither will I, but if we don't grasp our opportunity this year we need to make some changes to the list and to the personnel we select on a regular basis.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

When was the last time Adelaide missed the finals? I know they hadn't won a finals for a few years. Since Ayres?

I think if we lose this week, I doubt we will ever make it with the majority of the current squad. I think the stima of poor finals performances will be much to fix. I think the majority of the 97 squad never got over that prelim loss.

However I do remember North had a number of years ending at the prelim before they won their 90s flags. I do like the Adelaide model.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Can't find the results, though I remember Carlton having a poor 94 finals series with an ageing team, and then winning the flag convincingly in 95

I didn't see St Kilda winning 20 games this year

[Topdog]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Really if the same players fail there still isn't a lot we can do.

Hahn is still under contract and no one would trade for him.
Murphy we can't get rid of as he is too important.

Ideally we'd be pushing Grant in but he doesn't seem ready yet.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

I certainly won't be coming around to the rebuild POV. We need to follow the Adelaide model of the occasional dip without having to bottom out and we are well placed to follow that example.

Neither will I, but if we don't grasp our opportunity this year we need to make some changes to the list and to the personnel we select on a regular basis.

Yep.

Definitely not a rebuild, but certainly a re-adjustment if we fall over again. The "St. Kilda" approach has to be adopted in that the senior players aren't going to be gifted games based on prior performances. If Murphy, Hahn, Gia, Eagleton etc. aren't playing well enough - they should be dropped. The Saints have proven it works with Ball, Max, Dal Santo and Milne.

I wouldn't be against trading one of Cross, Murphy or Giansiracusa though. I really think these three stumble badly in Finals.

I'd be surprised if Hahn is still in our 22 next year too.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

I wouldn't be against trading one of Cross, Murphy or Giansiracusa though. I really think these three stumble badly in Finals.

Who do you propose to get for one of these? I doubt we will get what we want/need with just one. Also someone already mentioned we are playing the loyality card with Lake, you can throw that out if we trade one of these.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Neither will I, but if we don't grasp our opportunity this year we need to make some changes to the list and to the personnel we select on a regular basis.

As you would be aware I am keen to change the list around by about 6 or 7 players this year because IMO we need to acquire some good players and cast adrift those who can't measure up.
Whilst some think that's a massive change, I don't see it that way and it's certainly not an approach that breaks the list down and enters a rebuild phase.
Teams outside of the 8 need to rebuild whereas we just need to improve our list.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

Who do you propose to get for one of these? I doubt we will get what we want/need with just one. Also someone already mentioned we are playing the loyality card with Lake, you can throw that out if we trade one of these.

I'm not aware of opposition player's existing contracts so I really couldn't tell you with any conviction. I'd be looking at improving certain areas though and paying particular attention to consistency. All of Murphy, Gia and Hahn struggle with it. Their best is very good but how often do we see it? For example, I'd much rather a player like LeCras as opposed to Murphy. A similar player in that he's skillful and strong overhead, but perhaps more reliable. Obviously this wouldn't happen - but it's just an example.

I agree it's unlikely we would get what we want/need but I think it's an option we should explore at the very least. I'm tired of the same group of players not standing up when we really need them. I think we overrate a couple of these quite a lot, too.

The loyalty thing is always the problem though, isn't it. I suppose that's something the club would need to consider and speak to the leadership group about. I would rather the club be premiership driven rather than loyaly driven, personally.

We're in a difficult situation if we stumble again.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

The loyalty thing is always the problem though, isn't it. I suppose that's something the club would need to consider and speak to the leadership group about. I would rather the club be premiership driven rather than loyaly driven, personally.

We're in a difficult situation if we stumble again.

I was talking to a few posters about this very thing at the Williamstown game and it brought up an interesting discussion.

At the end of the '98 season a decision was made by Wallace and co. that we needed an injection of pace. Nathan Eagleton was traded for from Port and we lost Stephen Powell & Brett Montgomery. We had quite a few like players for these 2, Libba & Romero for Powell and Smith, Dent and Cameron for Monty. From what you hear this trade wasn't well received within the club, but I thought at the time and still think that it was potentially the right move. Wallace saw that we needed to change things up for us to take the step from PF team to GF team and tried to do something about it.

Looking back the move backfired as Eagleton took much longer to come on (I'm still waiting ) as first thought and we fell down in other areas, but atleast Wallace gave it a crack.

I hope if we fall over again that Eade has the courage to try something similiar.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - QF2 Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

I'm not aware of opposition player's existing contracts so I really couldn't tell you with any conviction. I'd be looking at improving certain areas though and paying particular attention to consistency. All of Murphy, Gia and Hahn struggle with it.

Agree on Hahn, Murphy has had an interuppted couple of years with injury. Gia consistency prior injury was fine.

Their best is very good but how often do we see it? For example, I'd much rather a player like LeCras as opposed to Murphy. A similar player in that he's skillful and strong overhead, but perhaps more reliable. Obviously this wouldn't happen - but it's just an example.

Thats the problem the players we want don't come for free in trades. You want a player of LaCras age and skill its Murphy plus.
Just look at what Eagleton cost us all those years back.

I think it all depends on if we win or lose this week. Lost and I'd say yes we need a few wholesale changes.