So Proud. So Gutted.

[jazzadogs]

The efforts of the boys in Red White and Blue tonight was at a level I'm not sure I've ever seen before.

Not the skills. Not the talent. Not the kicking for goal.

The courage, the determination, the perseverance, the HEART. They didn't give up, against a side which we were not expected to compete with for four quarters, let alone dominate everywhere but the scoreboard.

Hearing Dale Morris on SEN post-match, a quiver in his voice as he fought back tears, tells me these boys aren't done with. They will not accept this. Next year they will come back, next year they will get to this night and next year they will not let it slip.

I've never felt like this before, and it finished over 2hours ago. As a reasonably young guy, I've had it easier than most of you, but this is just shattering. Gutting.

But Doggies...we still love you, we are proud of you, and we still believe in you.

Doggie Doggie Doggie, Woof Woof Woof.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

Can't agree more. The guys beat the saints hands down in all departments......just found themselves behind when the final siren went. Kicking for goal was ordinart by both teams..they just seemed to get lucky. I hope that this one really hurts the boys, because it should, but unlike 1997, they should watch it. they should feel it and realise just how close they were to a GF and what is required to get there next year. These guys have unfinished business, mark my words they really do!

[LostDoggy]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

I find it very hard to be proud(or anymore proud than I was last week, last year, last 10 years). I expected us to throw everything at them. Its a final.
I would have been prouder had we won.
In the end we failed again, absolutely gutted but not proud.

[Jasper]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

Went to the game.

Extremely proud of the team. They didn't choke (unlike 97). They played their guts out, if luck could have gone our way, who knows, but frankly teams make their own luck, and teams with big KP fwds make more luck than others.

I think we just about got the maximum out of our current players, and that is all you can ask. There are players with limitations (Griffin can't kick, Eagle can't handle heat, Minson can't mark overhead) but we know their limitations, and gee they played hard. Good on them, I can say I have never been prouder of our team. And that is not accepting mediocrity, its just reality that we weren't quite good enough on the night.

Hopefully the team can use this experience to help them get better, the self doubt that has plagued our team should be gone. I don't think there is any real question we are good enough, other clubs supporters think we are (see big footy).

The challenge will be to get better next year in comp that has Essendon, Adelaide, West Coast, Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn improving, the Saints and Geelong trying to maintain.

But we are good enough.

Some wise list management and player development should see us threaten for a premiership over the next few years.

Well done to the players.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

I think we just about got the maximum out of our current players, and that is all you can ask.

When a number of players were non-contributors, I find that very hard to believe.

Again I'm a proud bulldog fan but I find it hard understand why last night would make anyone prouder. There is no doubt we played well but we failed and I'd rather win ugly anyday.

[The Pie Man]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

When a number of players were non-contributors, I find that very hard to believe.

Again I'm a proud bulldog fan but I find it hard understand why last night would make anyone prouder. There is no doubt we played well but we failed and I'd rather win ugly anyday.

Do you take any solace in witnessing one of the classic prelims?

I'm asking myself this question, haven't answered it yet.

The term 'classic' maybe up for debate, but I'm pretty comfortable with it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

Do you take any solace in witnessing one of the classic prelims?

I'm asking myself this question, haven't answered it yet.

The term 'classic' maybe up for debate, but I'm pretty comfortable with it.

To me none at all. I support the bulldogs not the game.

Lose by 1, 7 or 100 is all the same loss to me. Take an ugly win everytime.

[The Pie Man]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

To me none at all. I support the bulldogs not the game.

Lose by 1, 7 or 100 is all the same loss to me. Take an ugly win everytime.

Yep, fair enough

[BulldogBelle]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

So many mixed emotions. I have really raw eyes right now, not the best thing in the world going to some kids birthday.

[SonofScray]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

I don't feel any extra pride. But I am shattered. This was the moment and we failed, again. Not through a lack of trying, or ability, just because that is what is destined to happen to us. We could be up at the final siren and something would happen that'd see us out of a GF. A pipe bomb at training, a goal after the siren AND a free kick for a shove off the contest all after the game, Ian Collins would have the decision over turned, the scoreboard wouldn't match the umpires card. Something.

I love the Dogs and last night was another opportunity, they played with TENACITY and did the things that make us love them. But they didn't win. And that is all we really want.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

Agree with the OP.

Very proud of the boys who gave absolutely everything and fell just short. We shouldn't be content, but with a strong pre-season, some further development from our younger brigade and a few slight tinkers, we can become the competition benchmark.

It's disappointing to go so close when we had such a great opportunity, but we need to turn that disappointment into determination.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

I'm so proud that they came with an attitude of fearless battle.
We played great in the conjestion of play, especially Griffin

But i'm absolutly gutted.
To get so close, yet so far.
I was even contimplating giving away the Grand Final Ticket i won...

[Missing Dog]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

Okay we had a crack we were screwed my the martians and we have no big marking forward.I don't give a stuff I am and will always be proud to be a bulldog but FFS i am sick and bloody tired of being pissed off all grand final week!!!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

We had the intensity of a grand final winning side. I had a few question marks over the teams capacity to get fired up enough for big finals football and I think last night showed the team has the mental capacity to win a grand final.

[DOG GOD]

Re: So Proud. So Gutted.

Its not every day u get to a Pre-lim with the ability to WIN it...I still see it as a lost cause, even though i know the team gave their all for 4 qtrs....It doesnt help the hurt though, and on saturday when i'm watching the saints and cats running out on the G, I'll be thinking "IF ONLY".