Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

[neodog]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

The defensive Saints will find the open spaces of the MCG much harder to guard. Eagleton, gilbee, gia will find space and time to spot up passes.

The number 1 reasons we will beat the saints is also something we have learnt from playing and losing to them is the propensity of the Bulldogs to bomb long and quickly (except Welsh last week who is still learning to not to do this) into the F50 and hope. I have noticed a subtle change in our game when going forward, as we are no longer letting opposition scoring easy goal from EASY F50 turn over. We will force a 50/50 contest or go wide if need be and catch them off guard outside 50 for one of our good finisher to take a ping.

Our midget forward line does not hold well against the long bomb, they are more suited to the quick chip pass and opportunistic goal. When there is no space/options, we will hold the ball up and wait for a big men to compete in the contest or kick it toward the boundaries.

[neodog]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Fanatastic read in this thread, well done boys.


We cannot fall into the trap of slowing the game down and trying to pass the ball around to find someone in a better position, we must move the ball fast but accurately and break through the zones.

Being at the MCG with wider flanks is going to make it harder for the Saints to stop our run and carry. We need to move the ball into the forward line wuickly and kick to a man leading or try and kick over the backman, like we did against Geelong in round 21 or Brisbane last week.

Agree that Cooney must be protected from the tagger. Stoppages are crucial and we need to keep the intensity up for the full four quarters.

I agree with this, but we must not bomb it long when we can't move it fast and cleanly, like a quick clearance contested ball outside F50. i rather we either spot a target or kick it wide to a leading player. The hotspot are heavily guarded by tall saints defenders. If they take a mark from this area and peel off, Reiwolt and Kosi is definitely a chance for a mark/goal.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Great preview and follow-up posts.

Don't mind us allowing one of their defenders loose as long as it is the right one (or ones) - much prefer Dawson or Blake with the ball in their hands compared to any of the G's (Goddard, Gram or Gilbert).

I agree with Ward on Dal Santo, and agree that the MCG will hopefully make it easier for us to break through their zone.

We set up last week with clear instructions to get the ball to Gia around half-forward and to have him kick into the 50. I'm sure they'll have a plan to combat this, but still think this structure will work to our advantage. Won't be surprised to see Baker go to Gia.

I think we'll try and isolate Aker and also Higgins out of the square a bit. It means we will be very small up forward at times, but both are clever enough to cut the Saints up if we can give them the space to move in.

Eagle really is a key (and yes I am surprised to be saying this). He showed last week that he can do the contested work and desperate pressure, while still being very damaging with his forward running.

Our fitness advantage is another big factor for mine, but I want us to play attacking footy from the start (without being silly about it), rather than try and just nullify them for the first three or so quarters.

We've shown over the last third of the season that we can play in an aggressive, composed fashion, sharing the ball by hand and foot until we create the space to put our footy down and break the game open. The beauty of this game for mine (and I might be overly optimistic here), is that if we put it all together on Friday night, I think we'll win (partly because of our ability to run out the game better).

Finally, I don't mind bringing in Williams for Callan (for a bit more height and some precision by foot), but I'll be disappointed if he comes in for Welsh. I think Welsh's reading of the play down back has been really important, and gives Eade the kind of flexibility that he's very good at taking advantage of.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Very good preview.

St. Kilda weren't particularly impressive against Collingwood in the QF for mine. I thought they looked very shakey until Hayes and namely Riewoldt kicked into gear. Until that stage, Collingwood were all over them but couldn't put enough space between them on the scoreboard. It'll be interesting to see if the Saints struggle on the G' again. They took a long time to adjust v Melbourne as well.

I would think we're a 3-4 goal better side than Collingwood. We spread from the contest better and we finish off games better. Both of these issues are going to be vital for this Preliminary Final because you can be certain that St. Kilda are aware of our ability to cut sides up in the last quarter. They'll be desperately trying to put the game away by three quarter time and if they don't, they'll be worried.

Pressure around the ball carrier is most important. Against the Saints both times earlier in the year (And Carlton every year), we allow them to spread from the contest far too easily. We can't afford to see Hayes winning the ball in close, handballing to Dal Santo, who then chips it sideways to a loose and streaming Goddard/Gram/Gilbert. The pressure that we are able to apply around the clearances and stoppages will arguably be the deciding factor. If given time and space, they'll put us to the sword - particularly with Riewoldt up forward. You know they'll try to strangle us and pressure us to breaking point - we simply have to match it to get them out of their comfort zone.

The open spaces of the MCG are going to suit us if we play to our ability. As others have made mention, it's going to be much more tiring and difficult for St. Kilda to strangle us for the entire game. If we're prepared to work hard then I really think we can run the Saints into the ground - especially in the last. The players have got to know and believe in this. Melbourne/Collingwood had St. Kilda looking pretty ordinary at times but they weren't able to sustain it. Collingwood's work rate dropped off and as the game wore on they played into the defensive hands of Lyon.

We'll be their hardest possible test yet - if we're 'on'.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Our decision making and skill execution going forward will be critical to our success on Friday night. While a lot has been made of St Kilda's defense, majority of the credit can be attributed to their midfield zone/press. If our forwards are disciplined and able to isolate their matchups one on one than I do believe they appear vulnerable.

At different times Goddard, Fisher & Gilbert all like to zone off their man and look to become a 3rd man up in the contest, I encourage our players to play through their opponents, specifically those 3. We need to learn from Higgins against Milburn in the Prelim last year, if we're able to hurt them early by playing through their man it will make them second guess themselves and not allow them the luxury of running as freely. Higgins and Giansiracusa appear to be best suited to this role as they have the skills to hurt them as well as the discipline to run with them.

Baker is a real foot soldier and provides them with a lot of defensive grunt however the thought of him being pushed back to the goal square against Akermanis is very tantalising as Akermanis has the speed, smarts and finishing ability to give Baker many headaches, it wouldn't surprise me to see St Kilda opt for a taller opponent ala Daniel Merrett last week.

It's not going to be a high scoring shootout so the ability to convert our opportunities will be crucial, if we can sustain the pressure and be competitive than I'm confident the longer the game goes the better chance we have of winning. Go dogs!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Fantastic game review folks. Just as the footy is expected to go up a gear in the finals arena, well so have the game reviews.

I really hope that the most optimistic thoughts here come true on Friday.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Terrific contributions by everyone who has posted in this thread, leaving me with nothing to add. Going to be a ripper!

[anfo27]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Great preview guys, really interesting read.

Just wondering what people think of Rocket using Harbrow as a forward this week? He looked dangerous up there in that last quarter & with his lightning pace could be the wildcard we're loking for.

[boydogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Great preview guys, really interesting read.

Just wondering what people think of Rocket using Harbrow as a forward this week? He looked dangerous up there in that last quarter & with his lightning pace could be the wildcard we're loking for.

I think we will need him down back more than ever against the Saints to clear their zone and set up some controlled delivery to the forwards

[Happy Days]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Top review guys.

Just a thought; what about trying Callan or Picken as a defensive forward on Goddard? There was an article in the paper today about just how badly Goddard has destroyed us this year, and we can't let this happen again if we are to be any chance. I mention Tim and Liam because I don't think any of our current forwards have the pace or defensive nous to do the job properly. Thoughts?

[boydogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Top review guys.

Just a thought; what about trying Callan or Picken as a defensive forward on Goddard? There was an article in the paper today about just how badly Goddard has destroyed us this year, and we can't let this happen again if we are to be any chance. I mention Tim and Liam because I don't think any of our current forwards have the pace or defensive nous to do the job properly. Thoughts?

Agree with the need for this and would suggest Gilbee for the role. He could be damaging in scoring from a long way out and with limited opportunities with his kicking skills, which would force Goddard to be more accountable. Also having played in defense he knows how to shut someone down. Callan will be needed on a small forward and Picken on a midfielder

[LostDoggy]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Dogs by 4 points. Down in the last 5 minutes to fo with Aker to get us within a kick and Johnno to get the winning goal!

[ratsmac]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Great review guys!
I feel really good about this game for some reason. The saints are a great team and have beaten us quite convincingly, but our form and the style we have been playing lately should trouble them.

STUFF HISTORY, C'MON DOGS WE CAN DO IT.

[Ozza]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Obviously we are playing a different team this year - but here are some stats from last years Prelim - of blokes we need alot more from tomorrow night:

Welsh - 4 possession - no scores
Minson - 9 possessions - 2 behinds, only 6 hit outs
Hudson - 5 possessions and only 10 hit outs.
Hill - 5 possesions - no scores.
Hahn - 7 possies - 2 behinds
Cooney was injured - but had 16 possessions, and Aker was battling and had 14 possies and 1 goal.

One surprising stat that I didn't remember was that Bob Murphy had - 16 marks among 23 possesions - but no score.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Preliminary Final Preview

Not much to add really. All well said.

The start will be critical, we can't afford to go 3-4 goals down in the first quarter.

The movement of our forwards and the delivery from the mids will also be crucial. We have to kick 3 and half goals per quarter.

If we're within 3 goals at 3/4 time we will win.